Thinking about visiting Colonial Williamsburg with your family? Colonial Williamsburg is a living history village where your kids can see colonial life in action, and you actually don’t need more than a day for a great visit. See costumed interpreters. Watch cooking, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, and more. Enjoy food from the time, and reenactments. AND, do it all in 1 day.
If you’re ready to tackle this family-friendly trip into American history but have limited time, here’s how to make the most of one day in Colonial Williamsburg.
What Is Colonial Williamsburg?
Colonial Williamsburg is a large, interactive living history museum—a reconstruction of 18th-century colonial life complete with trade shops, guided tours, reenactments, and costumed interpreters.
Start Your Visit: The Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center
We started our day at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, which has a huge parking lot. You can purchase tickets there and choose to enter the living history area via a walking path (about a mile) or take the shuttle. We chose to walk, and the shady path made a beautiful entrance.
Kidding Around Tip:
Pack in sandwiches and water. Food options are limited and expensive in the historic area. If your kids get hungry, it’s not easy to return to your car.
Our One-Day Itinerary: Colonial Williamsburg
Governor’s Palace: We joined the 15-minute guided tour first thing. Afterward, we explored the gardens, cellar, and kitchen with costumed interpreters cooking over open flames.
Duke of Gloucester Street: This is the heart of the action. We walked into trade shops where artisans make wigs, outfits, and other items by hand. The open shops vary daily—check the schedule if you want to catch something specific.
Capitol and Courthouse Tours: At the Courthouse, we participated in a trial reenactment. Other buildings like the Public Gaol and Historic Baptist Church were open for self-guided tours.
There were reenactments available (like speeches by George Washington or Lafayette), but we skipped them due to time.
By 3:30 pm, the kids were wiped out. We took a break until dinner.
Dinner at Raleigh Tavern
We had a reservation for 4:45 pm at Raleigh Tavern, one of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic restaurants. Dinner included:
- Meals from actual colonial recipes
- Live harp music
- Interpretive insights from staff
It was pricey ($30–$60 per plate), but the immersive experience was worth it.
Helpful Tips: Visiting Williamsburg With Kids
Short on time? You can walk the streets or dine in a tavern without a ticket.
Walking required: Many buildings are not stroller- or wheelchair-friendly.
Tickets: $28.99 youth (6–12), $49.99 adult (13+). Multi-day and combo passes available.
Visiting Williamsburg Details
Colonial Williamsburg Tickets
Ticket prices to Colonial Williamsburg vary depending on how many days you are visiting, and what other attractions you want to also visit.
For a single-day ticket you’ll pay $9 for youth ages 6 to 12, and $31.50 for adults 13 and up. Multi-day tickets are just a few dollars more, and there are also combination tickets available for the Historic Triangle. Check out all your Colonial Williamsburg Ticket options.
SO much more than history!
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