Location: Williamsburg
Top Things to do in Williamsburg
Top 10 Hidden Gems 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. Bassett Hall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 360 reviews
Home of Mr. and Mrs. John Rockefeller Jr. decorated in 18th-century furnishings.
Reviewed By kingbyriverk - Mid Coast Maine, United States
Tour the Rockefeller’s country home and see why they loved it. We learned quite a lot about the birth of Williamsburg as well from the knowledgeable guide.
2. Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 275 reviews
Go Ape is an unparalleled outdoor adventure experience in Williamsburg, Virginia. Guests tackle dangling obstacles, explore the trees from a new perspective and fly around on multiple ziplines from exciting heights. The Treetop Adventure and Treetop Journey ropes courses blend in with the forest environment, fostering a sense of natural wonder. With Go Ape Axe Throwing, park guests have another outdoor activity to enhance their experience. A fun option to toss hatchets, perfect for wannabe lumberjacks, group outings, team building and even birthday, bachelor or bachelorette parties.
3. Williamsburg Charter Sails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 475 reviews
Enjoy the Zen experience of a private yacht that is safe, clean and easy to sail. Take the wheel or bring a bottle of wine. Up to six people sail the York River for three hours to see the scenery and learn a short history of the Battle of Yorktown from the perspective of the water. Join us any day of the week at York River Yacht Haven, 8109 Yacht Haven Road, Gloucester VA 230612. COVID-19 – Virginia reopened May 15 for sailing and fishing charters. He will meet you at the marina with a mask, removing it once we board the boat. We provide free masks for those who want one, and we practice social distancing. The boat is disinfected before and after cruises. We have hand sanitizer and hand wipes onboard. Your captain has had both Covid vaccine shots. He will inquire about having a fever and recent overseas travel.
4. Virginia Musical Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By VirginiaNan
Easily accessible at the intersection of routes 60 and 199, the Virginia Musical Museum is packed with yesterday’s musical treasures. Nickelodeons and music boxes, amusement park attractions (you’ll love Laffing Sal), self-playing pipe organ, self-playing banjo, a hurdy-gurdy, a piano gallery—all these await you in spacious galleries on two floors. The museum also pays tribute to Virginia-born musicians in the Virginia Music Hall of Fame, with photos and bios of such notables as Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, Statler Brothers, Charlie Byrd, Carter Family and many more. You’ll see Ralph Stanley’s custom-made banjo and even a 1978 roadster owned by Wayne Newton. If you’re lucky, owner Buddy Parker will be there to fire up some of those antique music players. But even if he’s not, the label copy is excellent and tells you what you need to know (you just can’t hear it). This was my second visit, but not my last...
5. 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.
6. Colonial Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 139 reviews
Looking for a fun challenge? Stop searching, unless you are in one of our escape rooms looking for the next clue! Test your wits as you try to solve all of the mind puzzling obstacles with your friends, family, or colleagues!
Reviewed By luckymbt
Enjoyed our first time at Colonial Escape so much we returned to do Cyber Punked! It was a challenging room and we did need two hints but we had success and Killed the Computer Virus!! Great staff! Heard they are expanding and adding new rooms we will be back! Do not miss your chance for some great fun
7. Public Hospital Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 504 reviews
The first mental institution in North America.
Reviewed By Y9641RRjoep - Bangor, United States
As others have indicated, the display is a small wing to the left as you enter. The self guided tour doesn't take long. We were asked to store our backpack and umbrellas in nearby lockers, although that was more for the patrons entering the museum downstairs. We came through here four days on our stay, the first to see the Hospital and displays, twice more to hear special programs in the auditorium (the Road to Yorktown with Hamilton and Washington was great!), and the final time to meet for the hour long Mental Health in America tour. For this last one, we unexpectedly spent more time in the museum than in the Public Hospital - but we learned a lot from our guide.
8. Williamsburg Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 899 reviews
With over 40 acres of vineyards, a bountiful on-site garden, a hotel and two restaurants, The Williamsburg Winery is more than just a Winery. Wessex Hundred, the 300 - acre farm that is home to The Williamsburg Winery, Wedmore Place, Café Provençal and The Gabriel Archer Tavern, offers an unforgettable wine and culinary experience in the heart of Colonial America.
Reviewed By frankp192 - Richmond, United States
This past weekend, my wife and I spend one of the most enjoyable weekends in Williamsburg. We had the pleasure of staying at the Wedmore Place (see separate review) on the grounds of the Williamsburg Winery. Our room rate came with two passes to tour the winery and a tasting. After checking in, we were greeted by our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable of the history of the winery and the various fermentation processes. Our tasting was in a private room. The wine tastes were mostly whites, with a few reds, a rose and a choice of dessert wine. The rose was so good, we purchased a bottle. Being from Richmond, my wife and I spend allot of time in Williamsburg. We would recommend the winery to anyone who enjoys good wine and are looking for a relaxing afternoon. We will definitely be back.
9. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
19th-century folk household objects (toys, kitchenware, paintings, furniture, etc.) are on display at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.
Reviewed By I4669MGjohnn - Jamestown, United States
Folk art ain't Fine art. It was created by common people for use by common people. This eclectic collection puts the fun into art. The portrait art gallery gives lessons thru placards, on why most portraits follow a certain patterns, i.e. - why no one smiles, why clothes all look alike. Another gallery displays iron work like fireplace screens, stoves etc. and displays how iron works were created. Other galleries include handmade German toys, weather vanes, early advertising signs, a room with painted decorative features painted on the walls instead of wallpaper, a Navajo rug exhibit, and sailing ship portraits. I found this museum a wonderful learning experience. This museum is one part of the Art Museums of Williamsburg. The other museums are the Decorative Art Museum and the Public Hospital Museum. The museum is entered through the Public Hospital where you then crossover to another building that houses the Folk Art museum. On the lower level is a collection of firearms used by troops from both sides of the American Revolution, a fire pump used in colonial times, harpsichord and grand piano and a display of the creation and purpose of coffee houses. A small cafe is available and there is also a fine gift shop. The museum is undergoing a massive reconstruction and many of the galleries are closed. What remains is still worth the visit. Admission is included in the price of the Colonial Williamsburg tour package or can be purchased for $14.99 onsite to see only the three museums. See colonial fork art at its finest.
10. Freedom Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By marydN9041UB - Salem, United States
The botanical garden is incredible. No admission to walk through this beautiful place. Parking nearby and walk about 100 yards on a paved path to the garden and cemetery. Gated to discourage the bunnies and others from munching as you enter a magical space of fairy garden, succulent spaces, wild flowers and therapy garden. Even more as the blooms are amazing as they attract the butterflies and birds. Benches are available to sit and rest throughout, the stroll through the pebble lined spaces to pavers to soil paths is amazing. The garden care takers must be proud of their creation. Roses, hydrangeas, butterfly bushes, wild sunflowers, wild onions and more make you think of the magical world of Dr Seuss. The small water feature is cute as goldfish are present, the butterfly bench is perfect for a photo opportunity. Don’t miss visiting this space if you have the time. A well kept secret for nature lovers.
