Travel to Williamsburg

Travel to Williamsburg

Located in the Tidewater region of southern Virginia, where some of the very first Europeans came ashore to settle in America, Williamsburg remains a town suspended in the colonial days of the 1700s. The indisputable charm of this place is its extraordinary Historic District, which rivals any preserved cultural area in the world. More than simply a collection of restored buildings, Colonial Williamsburg is a living museum, and never fails to amaze and endear visitors.

Transportation to Williamsburg

There are several options if you are travelling to Williamsburg by air. The nearest airport is the Newport News/Williamsburg Airport, which services a decent number of domestic flights from around the eastern seaboard. However, it does not handle any direct international flights, so most travellers will have to fly into a larger airport first and then take a connecting flight.

It is also possible to get to Williamsburg by train, since Amtrak makes a stop right on the edge of the Historic district as trains run up and down the east coast. Greyhound buses are also readily available from points all over the country.

If you are driving, Williamsburg lies just off the major east coast artery, I-95. From here, the endless green signs will lead you straight to Colonial Williamsburg, where every visitor begins their journey. Once you get to town, most people choose to spend the majority of their time in the Historic District, as thats where all the action is. Since no vehicles are allowed in this area, its well-designed for walking. If you want to venture out into Williamsburg proper, the local bus system is easy to use and designed to stop at all the surrounding attractions.

What to see

The only reason people come to Williamsburg is to experience the Historic District. Outside of this nationally protected area, the town offers little more than a place for people to live and go shopping. The Historic District is a perfectly restored version of Williamsburg as it existed in the 1700s, when it was the first capital of the infant nation of America. Workers dress in period clothing, engage in traditional crafts in the original shops and the taverns serve fare that was actually on the menu 300 years ago. Its a truly fascinating microcosm of history and will keep you entertained for days.

However, if you need a break from the colonial period, there are two of Virginias biggest and best family amusement parks nearby: Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. These two parks are great diversions from the more serious historical ambiance of Colonial Williamsburg. Apart from this, theres not much else to do except spend your money in the excessive number of outlet shops that line the highway leading away from town.

Daytrips

Its unlikely that youll have enough time to tear yourself away from the Historic District, but if you want an even bigger taste of Colonial life in Virginia, you can visit Jamestown and Yorktown. Both of these original colonial towns have been similarly restored and offer another glimpse of what life was like for the first European settlers. The beach on the Atlantic Ocean is also within a half-day drive, if you feel the need to visit the sea.

Activities and leisure

Your sole source of activity will be walking around the Historic District of Colonial Williamsburg. Its not so large that you will easily tire out, but theres plenty to explore and the only way to do it is on foot. The amusement parks are also great places to get out and play, but again, youll spend much of the time walking from ride to ride.

Safety issues

The Historic District of Williamsburg is basically a giant national park, and as such, security is very good. Its unlikely youll run into any theft or violence while in the park; however, if you venture into the modern town of Williamsburg, its another story. Use common sense when you are in the modern town and keep your valuables out of sight. The locals know that almost everyone here is a tourist, and that makes for easy pickings if youre a professional thief.