Location: Williamsburg
Top Things to do in Williamsburg
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Williamsburg, Virginia (VA)
Want a vacation full of thrills, adventure, fun and romance? Greater Williamsburg has just the thing — from the wild rides at Busch Gardens to the incredible living history museum at Colonial Williamsburg. Travelers can also set sail on the York River, and hike or bike their way through the area’s many trails. For quieter times, Riverwalk Landing offers no shortage of opportunities to indulge in culinary delights and premium shopping.
Restaurants in Williamsburg
1. Whitley's Peanut Factory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
Our retail stores are open but out of concern for the health and safety of our customers and employees, we are enforcing social distancing, requiring masks, and have suspended product sampling. Curbside pickup is available but please call ahead. Whitley's "Home-Cooked" peanuts have a wonderful, crunchy freshness and distinctive flavor because our peanuts are still made the old-fashioned way-hand cooked, slowly roasted to perfection. Since 1986, Whitley's Peanut Factory has been producing the finest quality gourmet Virginia peanuts and peanut candies on the market. We have three retail stores in Williamsburg, Gloucester and Richmond, VA.
Reviewed By johnjY8236TJ - Broadview Heights, United States
Stopped by on our way out of town and picked up several containers of various types of nut products. A week later, I am wishing I had bought more. The wife liked the spicy party mix, I loved the dark chocolate peanut clusters and the mixed nut brittle. Everything was fresh and delicious
2. Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to imitating the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel in word and deed. We worship the Holy Trinity according to the Faith and Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Our witnessing to the Faith is accomplished through the sacramental life, our values, traditions; stewardship, fellowship, service, and Christian education. We also have a conference/reception facility the Williamsburg Hellenic Center, located at the same location the Center has a beautiful banquet facility perfect for Wedding receptions, galas, and special parties.
3. Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 663 reviews
Reviewed By kellydM575DY
A short (15ish minute) ferry ride across the James River affords a unique, from the water view of the Jamestown settlement much as it must have looked to settlers to the new world.
4. Veterans Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By christinelI6142OC - Wake Forest, United States
Just happened to see this playground/park from the road as we were leaving Jamestown Settlement to find a late lunch for my family of five. We decided to bring our lunch back to this park to picnic and play for a bit. Turned out it was just what my kids needed after a morning of history immersion (kids are ages 11, 9, and 2). They were able to blow off some steam and just have fun. This colonial Jamestown-themed playground is better than the pictures the reviews portray! We were there on a slightly rainy day when there was a break in the rain. The ground is synthetic so it wasn’t wet nor muddy. The only wet items were the slides. There is a separate area for the two main age groups (2-5, 5-12) and it is definitely the best varied outdoor play area for the younger group we’ve experienced. My 2 year old is usually left out when it comes to playgrounds but this one had no end of climbing structures, slides, toddler swings, even upright swings with special harnesses for them (out be the big kid swings), and barrels and canoes to keep with the Jamestown theme. The play structure for the older ones is similar to what you’d expect but has a few ‘extras’ such as a ship, tunnels, and off to the side is a zip line. There are also plenty of swings. Outside of the playground is a very large grassy field, perfect for walking a dog. This was such a great find!
5. The College of William and Mary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 780 reviews
The Sir Christopher Wren building, the oldest college building in America, is one of several historical attractions on the campus of this second-oldest university in the U.S., which boasts four U.S. presidents among its graduates.
Reviewed By VirginiaKayak - Norfolk, United States
Great and historic Campus. Modern law school building. Great walking campus including home of Phi Beta Kappa honors. Adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg and at the end of Duke of Gloucester Street. Don’t miss Crim Dell; ask any student for directions. Visit the student center or Swem Library to get a feel for student life. The student bookstore is a great place to browse. Many famous alums here and walkable from ant Colonial attractions.
6. Merchants Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Inspired by the rich architectural heritage of the 18th century, Merchants Square blends the atmosphere found in the adjacent Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg with 21st-century shopping and dining. This is a shopping experience unlike any other. We offer the best in personal service, high-quality merchandise, world-class food, and shop owners who really care.
Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States
Merchants Square has a large and very special selection of small specialty shops full of interesting finds and friendly, helpful staff. Among them are a mens clothing store, gift stores, candy shops, an ice cream parlor, a Christmas shop, a handful of restaurants and pubs, a jeweler. It's a very pleasant, bucolic area in which to spend time and a fun place to browse for unique mementos of your time in Williamsburg.
7. Wren Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By DennyS510 - Frankfort, United States
Dating to 1695, it is the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States. Located across the street from Market Square at the end of Duke of Gloucester street, the Wren building is the cornerstone the College of William and Mary. Boasting names like Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Marshal, and John Tyler as graduates of William and Mary, and thus attending the Wren Building, you are walking in the footsteps of the past. Every year at least one (and usually more) classes are held here to make sure it continues to be the oldest active college building. Be sure to visit the classroom, but also the Wren Chapel. This is history alive, my 9 and 11 year old grandchildren were impressed (and, that's not easy), but partially because they had a link to the place, as I had taken a class there in 1970, while stationed at Ft. Lee. Do go see this wonderful building, you will not be disappointed.
8. Williamsburg Antique Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Williamsburg Antique Mall is 45,000 square feet of well-organized antiques from a variety of eras. Check out our inventory online: https://antiqueswilliamsburg.store/
Reviewed By cherylh903 - Durham, United States
I absolutely loved this huge place. It has over 300 booths and it's over 45,000 square feet plus a cafe. I thought the pricing was fare but a few things seemed to be overpriced. The main aisles were wide and clear but there were some cluttered booths (some you couldn't even get into for the clutter). We just pass right by the cluttered booths because it isn't worth knocking something over or tripping. You can find coins, military, vintage jewelry, art, vinyl records, holiday, books, civil war items, lighting, china, pottery, tools, pewter, silver, toys, porcelain, vintage clothes, many unique items (some I have never seen before) and so much more. It's definitely worth checking out.
9. Bruton Parish Episcopal Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,174 reviews
Services, organ concerts & daily tours of the church were suspended March 15, 2020. The Bruton Parish Shop & Heritage Center is open daily, 11:00-5:00. Located a block and a half west of the church. Safety protocols are in place; we ask visitors to please follow them as directed. The church building has been in use since 1715 & is normally open to visitors daily. CW pass is not required. Volunteer Guides share history & our parish today. Suggested donation of $1.00 per person is appreciated. Usual Sunday service times are 7:30, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. When they resume, Candlelight Concerts are in the church most Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm. Signs posted outside the church & website have full concert schedule. As active Episcopal church, we suspend tours during weddings, funerals or other scheduled services.
Reviewed By A5677PAdavidw - Jenks, United States
Very well mainitained church located in the middle of Colonial Williamsburg. They have weekly events for the visiting vacationers. We were able to enjoy a organ recital on the Thursday evening of our visit. Didn't have the best of seats but the music was wonderful. We reunred the next day to view the churchin miore detail as it was too late to do so the night before and there was quite a crowd milling about the church. An interpreter was there to give us a history of the church and tell us more about their pastor, W. A. R. Goodwin, whose dream of a Colonial Williamsburg became reality with the help of John D. Rockefeller. Suggest that one get the church's weekly schedule so as not to miss the opportunity to enjoy their events. Rsting 10/10.
10. Yankee Candle Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
Our Williamsburg Village store location will be closing, but this isn’t goodbye! We understand and share in your disappointment, but we assure you that we will still be an active member in the greater community. You can visit us in our other nearby locations, (including the Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News), shop 24/7 at YankeeCandle.com or plan your next family-fun trip to our South Deerfield Village store in South Deerfield, MA
Reviewed By tripeeblonde - Pounding Mill, United States
Beautiful beautiful store with lots and lots and lots of pretty things to see - fudge, popcorn, etc. there’s an area where the ceiling “snows” on you - that’s my favorite part. Yes pricey but worth a look. There are s couple cooking/kitchen areas too.
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