Begin your Colonial Williamsburg tour at the visitor center, learning about the area's earliest residents, including Native Americans and European settlers. Your first stop is the Peyton Randolph House, a 1715 home linked to a key revolutionary figure. At the Fife and Drum Building, discover the role of these instruments in battle and possibly witness a live performance.Learn about John D. Rockefeller's funding of the Colonial Williamsburg restoration at the Public Gaol, notorious for once holding Blackbeard’s pirate crew. Visit Bassett Hall, where Rockefeller lived, and the old Capitol Building, where Virginia declared independence days before the National Declaration.Explore the Raleigh Tavern, a hotbed for revolutionary meetings, and the Williamsburg Magazine, the scene of a pre-revolution standoff. The Play House Stage offers tales of local ghosts amidst historic ambiance.The tour continued to the Governor’s Palace, where Virginia’s Royal Governor resided until his hasty departure. See the George Wythe House, home to a Declaration signer and abolitionist, and Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, which predates and inspired the town's restoration.Conclude at the historic William & Mary School, the second-oldest university in the nation, rich in history and architectural beauty. This tour encapsulates the spirit and history of Colonial Williamsburg, offering a deep dive into America's past.
Know in advance:
Tour a town restored to look and feel exactly like it did during the 1700s. Follow the dramatic events which took place here during the leadup to the American Revolution. Get inside info on Williamsburg’s history, including how John Rockefeller is connected to it. Visit landmarks older than the United States, including the campus of the second oldest university in the entire country
101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185