Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center — Attraction in Williamsburg

We visited in 2025 after more than a two decade span from our first visit in the 1990s. That first visit was incredibly positive, even though it was shorter than this last visit about three weeks ago. A distinctly impressive feature of the prior visit was the "Other Side of Williamsburg" feature, where the story of the colony was told through the eyes and words of an enslaved person. It didn't omit any of the highlights of the majority history, but supplemented it. That's unique. Our older tour was not a static tour, but a walking one, touring through nearly all of the key structures and locations of the colony. Again, it gave us the story from more than the more popular perspective because it not only touched on the highlights of each attraction, but also added a view of the same place with an enslaved person's "historical addendum" (the same could be done from a woman's or First Nation person's, among others, I'd posit and I think that should be explored by CW). For instance, in the existing courtroom, after a discussion of the courtroom process and etiquette, we were told in the 1990's tour that "enslaved people had no right to testify; even their direct evidence would not be considered unless a white male independently verified everything...and usually not even then." (The same might be true for possibly non-landholders of any ethnicity or gender). Specifically because of the "Other Side" tour, we encouraged others to visit CW. But the current skewed history experience isn't really a rich and reliable history experience at all. If a 17th or 18th century woman, First Nation, or Black person were to be plopped into the current tour, I imagine they'd say it's an unrealistic tour. For modern day tourists, it comes at a very high financial cost for something more akin to fiction due to it's failure to introduce visitors to the overall diverse palette of the North American period experience. Our nation will benefit from understanding the complex tapestry of what makes the USA so privileged, and it wasn't just the notable, but not exclusive, contributions of wealthy and exalted white men who practically without exception inherited their high stations of colonial honor through birthright, exclusive education, gender, the gift of health and nutrition, or skin color. To see if our feelings of being given a disappointed truncation of history were valid, during this last visit we received a more accurate and inclusive perspective only when our own research prompted the characters to respond to our observations, independent research, and questions about enslaved persons. It was encouraging to hear the actors were admirably well-versed to respond with accuracy, but this was only in response to prompts. Clearly, we understand that there is no attempt to cloak the supplemental/varied perspective history. There are definitely mentions of the enslaved human being's perspectives, but accessing those perspectives requires a visitor's personal initiative away from the main surrounding experience that makes CW unique. E.g., the value of the "Other Side" can't be reduced to patrons being asked to sit in a movie theater and watch a relatively brief clip and stroll through the visitor's center reading wall text when steps away is the three-dimensional immersive experience they paid for. But now, without educational aspects that go beyond a majority/privileged oriented (white male landowner) perspective, we will not recommend CW to anyone who really wants to have a deeply immersive and more accurate experience. We are telling others that until the CW attraction is improved to be more dynamically inclusive without outside research or passive reading/watching a film to get proper context, save your gas, time, and money, and skip CW. Consider going somewhere else, like the actor-interactive Plimoth Patuxet Colony experience in Massachusetts, which, although still in need of fortifying the colony from the Patuxet (First American) perspective, at least is in the process of actively incorporating more of the "Other" perspective in...

Colonial Williamsburg has been on my to-do list for years now…I finally made the trip earlier this month. (June 2022)

Now, I’ve gone to a few historical villages in the Northeast…Sturbridge, Allaire, Bethpage, Mystic Seaport…and have always enjoyed learning how things were done during that time period.

We arrived at the Visitor’s Center at around 10 AM on a Monday morning and the crowds were minimal. Lots of parking spaces in the Visitor’s Center main lot. You enter the visitors center (contains gift shop, bathrooms and a few exhibits). You can buy your general admission tickets (Single Day Adult - $47, Children 6-12 - $26, Multi-Day Adult - $57, Children - $31, Annual Pass Adult - $75, Children $42) After you buy your tickets, you can either take the shuttle bus to the Village or walk there (1/4-1/3 mile walk).

There is a lot to do, see and learn at the village. If you want to take full advantage of the experience by attending all of the tours and visiting each house, it may be a good option to get a multi-day pass. Keep in mind that not all houses are opened all days…we were specifically told that less houses are opened during the week…so the weekend, although more likely to be crowded, will ensure that more houses are opened for visiting.

I did the Governor’s Palace tour which was interesting…but be sure to set aside at least 35-45 minutes total including the waiting time, briefing and tour. I didn’t get to do the Capital Building tour, but I would imagine the time allotted to be similar. We visited blacksmith, leathery, dress making, wig making, silversmith, court, church and a few others that were opened that day. Everything was interesting and the staff there are all awesome…very willing to teach you and take any questions you have.

My wife and I loved it, my 11-year-old liked some of it and the 2-year-old napped a lot…strollers by the way must be parked outside of most houses. There is also a lot of gravel in some areas so navigation with a stroller can be tough.

Wear comfortable shoes…lots of walking, especially on uneven surfaces. Clean bathrooms. A bunch of food options…but many were closed, likely due to it being a Monday…I’d expect they are all opened on weekends. The bakery was open and had some treat: ice cream, pastries, snacks, drinks. There are also a few gift shops/markets around other than the main one back in the Visitor’s Center…all have interesting items that those of all ages would love. All staff we encountered were super nice and more than willing to engage in conversation, teach you what they know and offer helpful advice to make the experience more enjoyable.

Overall we had a good time…I would suggest that the weekday admission be less than the weekend admission…or be adjusted based on the number of houses that are opened that day. I don’t think it’s fair to pay the same price and get less from the experience.

It’s also no secret that you DO NOT need a ticket to simply walk the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg…you just cannot enter any house…may be worth it for those who want to preview the experience before...

Our visit to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center was an absolute delight! From the moment we stepped foot into this remarkable historical site, we were transported back in time to the colonial era. The experience was nothing short of extraordinary, and we wholeheartedly give it a five-star rating. The Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center served as the perfect starting point for our immersive journey into America's colonial past. The center itself was well-designed and informative, providing us with an excellent introduction to the history and significance of the site. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to assist, ensuring that we had all the information we needed to make the most of our visit As we ventured further into Colonial Williamsburg, we were greeted by meticulously restored and preserved buildings that brought the colonial period to life before our eyes. Walking through the streets, interacting with costumed interpreters, and witnessing live demonstrations truly made us feel like we had stepped back in time. The attention to detail and authenticity of the experience were remarkable, making it a truly immersive and educational journey.

The variety of activities and attractions available at Colonial Williamsburg was impressive. From historic trades and crafts to interactive exhibits and captivating storytelling, there was something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. We particularly enjoyed engaging with the skilled artisans, who demonstrated traditional crafts and trades, providing fascinating insights into the daily life of colonial settlers. The educational value of the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center cannot be overstated. The site offers a wealth of historical knowledge, showcasing the struggles, triumphs, and everyday life of the people who lived during the colonial period. Through interactive exhibits. guided tours, and engaging presentations, we gained a deep appreciation for the rich history of our nation. In addition to the historical significance, the Colonial Willamsburg Visitor Center also provided excellent amenities and services. The dining options were diverse and delicious offering a taste of colonlal-era cuisi ic a " . a taste of colonial-era cuisine alongside modern favorites. The gift shops offered a e wide range of unique souvenirs and historically inspired merchandise, n dlice allowing allowing us us to to bring bring. a piece of the colonial experience home with us. Overall, our visit to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center was an unforgettable experience. The immersive journey into America's colonial past, the knowledgeable staff, the authentic historical settings, and the wealth of educational opportunities all contributed to a truly exceptional visit. We highly recommend the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center to history enthusiasts, families, and anyone seeking a captivating and enriching experience. It W5 is a true gem that beautifully preserves and showcases our nation's history, and we cannot wait to return for another journey...