Tours & Activities in Williamsburg

Book now a self-guided walking tour and learn not only about the earliest residents of Williamsburg, but also the Native Americans who called this place home when the first European settlers arrived.

Experience Christmas during colonial times on this guided holiday walking tour in Colonial Williamsburg. Explore the festively decorated streets.

*FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY-AGES 17 +* During this one-hour walking tour, hear the darker side of 18th-Century Williamsburg. Stories of murder, mayhem, and scandal--those things talked about in taverns, back alleys, and the courts--straight from the town's citizens. Each tour will be different and the stories are a-plenty. Due to the sensitive nature of the subjects and the salty language of the time, this tour is recommended for mature audiences 17 and older. Please note, that since every tour is different, the routes advertised may also differ. Please note: Due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on some days. Please see our website for information. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entrance or admission into Colonial Williamsburg-owned buildings. Since the tour is through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg it is weather contingent. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.

Rollercoasters, live shows and the first Virtual Reality ride in North America

Get your tickets to Busch Gardens® Williamsburg and Water Country USA. Enjoy thrilling rides and captivating shows in The World's Most Beautiful Theme Park.

Spend your day enjoying thrilling roller coasters, family-friendly shows and world-class dining in what was voted the world's most beautiful theme park.

Exclusive, private tour (only your family/group) of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (ARMY), some of the Yorktown Battlefields (Surrender Field), the federal museum (National Park Service with General Washington's original tent from the Battle at Yorktown in October 1781), Victory monument, and alleged cave where Cornwallis retreated. This tour includes an in depth learning experience about the siege of Yorktown that lasted several weeks and explores the surrendering of arms on October 19, 1781 including Surrender Field. If you are visiting Williamsburg and have a group of up to 5 people, we can drive the Colonial Parkway (completed in the 1940s, if open). The afternoon tour at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown includes the canon firing at 3:00pm (weather dependent). We spend about 3 hours touring and about an hour driving which makes this a 4 hour tour. If we meet in Yorktown, then the tour is about 3 hours, slightly longer if anyone shops at the museums.

Ride high-speed water slides at Virginia's largest water park

Book a guided tour to explore the unseen world of Williamsburg and learn about the dramatic events that shaped a new nation.

Visit the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown as many times as you like for 7 consecutive days with this combination ticket. Admission includes special exhibitions and daytime special events.

A live interpretation of American history. The Capitol. The other one, actually. A political foundation that gave Williamsburg its place in the Historic Triangle. Now grab a map and dive into Colonial Street. A living history museum. An homage to Colonial times. Heard of Thomas Jefferson? He lived in the Governor’s Palace. Visit the place that once served as a hospital for wounded soldiers. “The Most Historic Avenue of America”. That’s what FDR called Duke of Gloucester Street. Let our guide tell you the tales that roam this 99 ft street. And to finish off the tour: Eavesdrop on a short lecture at the College of William & Mary. Maybe, you’ll pick up something educational!

Book a guided tour in Williamsburg to learn and discuss the origins of slavery with an expert guide.

Walk in the footsteps of America’s forefathers on this guided trip through Colonial Williamsburg. Hear accounts of the early patriots and their efforts for American independence.

Private guided tour of the Jamestown Settlement. This exclusive tour (only your family/group) includes an in-depth learning experience about the beginning of our oldest, permanent English colony that begins with exploring replicas of the ships that arrived in 1607, the re-created Paspahegh town, the James Fort reflecting the outpost in 1610-1614 and the museum with spectacular artifacts, replicas of 17th Century homes and more. There is an option (for a fee) to tour Historic Jamestowne, actual site of the Jamestown Fort, including the NPS Visitor Center, views of the James River, Fort and Tercentennial Monument that stands 104 feet tall. The monument was installed in 1907 commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Jamestown Colony. This trip may be customized for handicapped patrons as the state park includes free scooter that are available first come, first serve (8:30 tour time recommended). For NPS option, wheelchairs are available with notice to guide. Estimated time 3-4 hours.

Book your tour and discover the most haunted places in Williamsburg.

Discover the true and unbelievable stories of the giants of American history who lived here. They walked the streets of Williamsburg as living, loving, fighting human beings with personal stories.

Exclusive, private guided tour (only your family/group) of the Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown Glasshouse of 1608, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Surrender Field, Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, the Victory Monument and cave where Cornwallis allegedly retreated at Yorktown Beach. This exclusive tour includes an in depth learning experience about the beginning of our oldest English colony (Jamestown) and ends with the siege of Yorktown on October 19, 1781 including Surrender Field. The afternoon tour at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (ARMY) includes the cannon firing at 3:00pm (weather dependent). We spend about three hours in Jamestown, have lunch (self pay or you can bring your own lunch), and about three hours in Yorktown. The roundtrip drive takes about one hour. The Jamestown Settlement and ARMY (Yorktown) offer free scooters that are first come, first serve. Note: we recommend an early arrival to Yorktown before the firing of the cannon at 3PM.

Discover the history of Christmas in Virginia while exploring the handcrafted decorations that adorn the historic buildings.

Explore the streets of Colonial Williamsburg on a Christmas-themed walking tour. Discover handmade one-of-a-kind decorations unique to the historic city, and hear festive stories from your guide.

Death in Williamsburg Tour Join us for a unique experience as we explore the darker side of Williamsburg's history. This walking tour will take you on a journey to experience the history of death, murder, burials, and epidemics that took place right here in Williamsburg! Tour Highlights: - Learn about the deaths and burials of Pocahontas and her father. - Hear the chilling story of the Colonial Parkway Killer. - Bring to light the secrets hidden beneath Williamsburg's parking lots. - Discover what happens to convicted pirates in Williamsburg! - Explore a family cemetery hidden in plain site! - Uncover the mysterious death of a founding father! Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind adventure that will leave you with a new perspective on Williamsburg's history. Grab your friends and family and get ready for a night you won't soon forget! Please note: - This is NOT specifically a ghost tour it is a history tour about death & murder - We DO NOT enter any of the buildings on tour.

If you want to experience a genuine ghost tour with real hauntings commonly experienced on tours, embark on a night you’ll never forget, walk through haunted Williamsburg, VA with licensed tour guides to several of its most haunted locations!

We will discuss the different philosophies of architectural preservation between Europe and the United States during the late 19th and 20th Century and how it applies to the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. The restoration materials of Colonial Williamsburg had to appear as if they were constructed in the 18th Century. For example, the roofs of many of the reconstructed buildings were man made fire retardant composites, and the masonry emulated the original bound of the public buildings. When the Main College was rededicated as the Wren building, credit was given to the the famous English Architect, Sir Christopher Wren. However, there is no proof that this is true. The base of this building is a Flemish design as opposed to the English bond. As the Wren building stands today, it is a redesign of the building that existed in 1733. It will be a comprehensive discussion of the vision of Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockfeller, Jr. that resulted in Colonial Williamsburg.

Join a walking tour to discover the 18th-century events that occurred in Williamsburg and learn how they influenced the foundation of the United States. Stop by highlights of Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg is often times associated with the Revolutionary War era,, but the old capital city is home to many civil war related sites as well. On May 5, 1862, approximately 70,000 union and confederate soldiers clashed at the Battle of Williamsburg. Remnants of that bloody struggle linger to this day. A nighttime stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street will reveal headquarters, Barracks, arsenal’s, hospitals, morgues and some say even Ghosts!

Go back in time with your 18th-century costume guide and learn about Williamsburg ghosts, witches, and pirates. Hear the stories of the past and present spirits who haunt Colonial Williamsburg today.

Survive an apocalypse in Williamsburg today with Zombie Scavengers! An app will provide you with a list of items needed to survive the zombies. Find these items in any order you'd like and perform fun zombie themed challenges for points. Come up with a system to get the most points in order to survive the zombie apocalypse. Your friendly remote host will help you throughout the game via chat. Get enough points to survive the zombie apocalypse in Williamsburg today!

Gain a new understanding of the founding fathers and uncover what they were really thinking during the birth of America. Hear about rites, rituals and the illuminati on this underground tour as you discover Williamsburg’s multiple secret societies.

Tacky Lights from property owners that have received National attention over the year, some have been doing this over 30 years. We will visit some of these unique properties as well as holiday lights around the town. Is it a competition or a deep passion for the season? Just how far will they go to win or share the love this Holiday Season. Sit back and leave the driving to us as we share some information about some of the properties we see as well a little bit of history.

Grab a drink and uncover the dark side of American history on this 1.2-mile walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg’s most haunted pubs and places.

Kayak from James City County Marina on calm water, Powhatan Creek and Back River, to Jamestown Island, known as the birthplace of America with the first successful English settlement in America dating back to 1607. This trip offers stunning views with lush marsh grasses, spectacular cypress trees, bald eagles and other wildlife. Try an early morning time for a peaceful trip and get a feel for what this area might have looked like when settled by the Virginia Company. The tour makes two stops to discuss and admire the fauna and flora as well as discuss the history of the Jamestown Settlement, archeologic discoveries, and the Powhatan Chiefdom that had earlier used Jamestown Island as hunting land. To make this tour PRIVATE, you may purchase all 5 (five) spots. If you would like more than 5 (five), please contact the tour operator for group arrangements. NOTE: ALL PARTICIPANTS (OR PARENT/GUARDIAN) ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN OUR HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT. INCLEMENT WEATHER MAY IMPACT TOUR.