Many people already know about Colonial Williamsburg. But Colonial Williamsburg comprises only a small part of Williamsburg Virginia. The city of Williamsburg has many interesting things to do and places to see that many people might miss out on. So here’s my list of suggestions that would make your trip to Williamsburg complete. Keep reading for the YouTube video about Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park.
Colonial Williamsburg
I have already talked about Colonial Williamsburg in great detail. But there are few more things to mention about this destination before I move on.
First, my previous blog post discussed the more overshadowed house museums, but don’t forget to go to the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol, the Courthouse, and the Magazine. I also recommend looking at the schedule to see special events and reenactments happening each day here.
Second, check out the two art museums. The Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg are both located inside the former Eastern State Hospital. From what I remember many years ago, there is nothing dividing the two museums. Another art museum is the Muscarelle Museum of Art, located at the College of William & Mary.
Third, located on Merchants Square is the Kimball Theatre. I wish I could tell you more, but Merchants Square was incredibly busy the day I published this blog post. Check here to learn more about the theater.
Finally, every second Sunday of the month (except January and February), Colonial Williamsburg has a street fair. Perhaps you could skip because there was zero parking space available. That aside, it looks like the street fair has much to do and see, so attend if parking is no problem. Check here to learn more.
I would also like to mention Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne as historical places one can visit in the greater Williamsburg area. You can read more about them here.
Williamsburg Botanical Garden
Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum is an 18-minute drive from Colonial Williamsburg heading north. The land was originally known as Green Spring Plantation. The Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary happened on this land on June 26, 1781. Over time, the land use changed from agricultural purposes to timbering, before finally opening to the public as the park in 2002.
One portion of this park is Williamsburg Botanical Garden, a small walled-in garden surrounded by roads. While small, the Botanical Garden has much variety in landscapes, and includes a gazebo with a green roof with plants growing on it.
Another major portion of this park is Freedom Park, which tells the story of a free black community living on the land before the Civil War. William Ludwell Lee freed his slaves upon his death in 1803; in his will, he gave provisions for comfortable homes be built for them. This area is reported to be the earliest known free black settlement in the United States of America. The descendants of these families still live in the area today.
The cabins that you see today are reconstructions of the type of homes that enslaved people, free blacks, and poor whites lived in. These small cabins would last for about 20 years before decaying. The Park offers guided tours of the free black settlement once a month in the afternoon.
The final major component of this park is Go Ape Zipline and Adventure. Full disclosure I have never been here before. Nevertheless, it looks to be a fun activity. The Park also has a playground for the kids.
Things To Do In Lightfoot
Lightfoot, a tiny strip of land north of Williamsburg, has two things to do there. The first is Williamsburg Antique Mall, a fun place to wander around and look at all the unique things for sale. I am particularly fond of their 78 rpm records, because I like the music from that time period.
Another thing to do in Lightfoot is the Virginia Musical Museum. The museum is hidden away inside a small piano store, and it’s amazing how they fit 9 rooms of museum inside that space. In order, the rooms are dedicated to mechanical music machines, history of recorded music and organs, multiple rooms devoted to musicians from Virginia, the evolution of the piano, and finally a room dedicated to Wayne Newton. I would recommend this Museum only if any one of these topics interests you.
Other Places Of Note
There are several other places worth mentioning in or around Williamsburg. For those looking for a night at the theater, check out the Williamsburg Players community theater, located to the east of Colonial Williamsburg. Williamsburg Players provides 5 shows per season, so check if something is on when you’re in the area. Full disclosure I have (probably) never been here before.
The four major attractions are Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, Great Wolf Lodge, and Go-Karts Plus. Busch Gardens, considered one of the most beautiful theme parks in America, is south of Colonial Williamsburg. Water Country USA is the sister waterpark to Busch Gardens. Great Wolf Lodge is a chain of hotels with indoor water parks with a location near Lightfoot. Also near Lightfoot is Go-Karts Plus, a fun tiny amusement park with all sorts of things to do.
For more nature opportunities consider going to one of the many parks. Although Waller Mill Park and New Quarter Park are technically in York County, both parks are closer to Colonial Williamsburg than to Yorktown. Also consider going to Greensprings Interpretive Trails or Chickahominy Riverfront Park, both to the west of Colonial Williamsburg.
Conclusion
There is no shortage of things to do in Williamsburg that everybody could enjoy. One could spend several days doing everything listed in this blog. Even if you did not want to do everything listed here, definitely consider a few things to augment your trip to Colonial Williamsburg.
For further adventures, you could continue north on the Lower Peninsula and see Berkeley and Shirley Plantation. Conversely, you could go south to visit Yorktown, Newport News, and Hampton. If you had the time, you could also go drive to see the River Realm, with the towns on the Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck. Finally, you could drive to Richmond, the current capital of Virginia.
Here is my YouTube video that shows Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum in greater detail.
Restaurants
Most of the restaurants I will list below are ones I’ve already mentioned on my Colonial Williamsburg blog post. Since then, I eaten and enjoyed Ichiban, which serves more traditional Chinese food.
I will organize the restaurants that are outside Colonial Williamsburg by how close they are to each destination. But with rare exceptions, all of these restaurants are less than 20-minutes away from each place, so don’t let that stop you.
Colonial Williamsburg/New Quarter Park-Besides the restaurants located at Colonial Williamsburg, the closest restaurants would be Bonanza Social Kitchen, Lanna Thai Cuisine, and Shoofly Dairy Bar.
The Botanical Garden/Jamestown/Greensprings Interpretative & Chickahominy Riverfront Park-The closest restaurants would be Ichiban, Honey Butter Kitchen, and Chopsticks Pho Grill.
Lightfoot/Waller Mill Park-The closest restaurants would be Taqueria Maria Bonita, Anna’s Brick Oven Pizza, and Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que.
Williamsburg Players/Busch Gardens-These two places break the mold a little. The restaurants mentioned below are only relatively close to these two attractions.
- Williamsburg Players-Enjoy dessert at nearby Shoofly Dairy Bar. But for a meal, the “closest” restaurants are Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que, Bonanza Social Kitchen, and Anna’s Brick Oven Pizza. But there are restaurants located near the theater.
- Busch Gardens-The “closest” restaurants are Shoofly Dairy Bar, the restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg, and Chopsticks Pho Grill. There are plenty of dining options in Busch Gardens itself.