Reserve Your Tickets to the Williamsburg Hampton Jazz Festival!
Some of the artists featured in Williamsburg’s annual Hampton Jazz Festival are already selling out, and visitors are encouraged to reserve their seats early for this event taking place from June 24 – 26. Some of the most well-known modern and classic jazz artists such as Charlie Wilson, Frankie Beverly and Anthony Hamilton will fill the stage with their smooth vocals and accompanying instrumentals. You will find an extraordinary mix of jazz and blues during the concert and gain a new appreciation for the live performances of these artists. Be sure to reserve your Williamsburg hotel and tickets ahead of time.
You can learn about the extensive colonial history of Williamsburg with a stop at Jamestown Settlement, where local actors will interact with you and your family to create the authentic atmosphere of the original Jamestown village. Learn about how shelters were made, food was produced and animals were hunted back in the 17th century. You’ll even be able to board the replicated three ships that came from England to Virginia in 1607.
The interactive experience can be continued at the amazing Virginia Living Museum, providing a look a more than 250 species of wildlife that make the water and land its home. Stroll through this vast facility that combines a science center, aquarium, botanical preserve, wildlife park and aquarium all into one. Visitors will see lovable animals like otters and unique wildlife such as horseshoe crabs. Take the kids on your trip for a fun, education experience!
Visit Yorktown Market and Jamestown Days in Williamsburg
During your visit to Williamsburg, you will find a variety of cultural and historical events to keep you and family entertained including Yorktown Market and Jamestown Days. Yorktown Market Days, which starts May 14 and lasts until Sept. 17, is a Saturday morning event that allows you to purchase fresh produce, meat and seafood, baked goods, specialty cut flowers, and art while being entertained with live music. Jamestown Days, on May 14, is a jointly sponsored event at Historic Jamestown and Jamestown Settlement and will provide visitors with views into Maritime demonstrations, military drills, archaeology and programs on English and Powhatan Indian contact, exploration and discovery. You and your family can make lodging arrangements in the Williamsburg area as well.
When you are not visiting the historical areas of Williamsburg, head to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for a fun day filled with roller coasters, food and entertainment. During the month of May, Busch Gardens will host Ramp Jam, where professional BMX racers, skateboarders and in-line skating athletes perform in Festhaus Park. You won’t want to miss all the exciting events Busch Gardens has planned for it’s guests. If you are looking for a little more H2O action, spend the day at Water Country USA in Williamsburg. Get ready for the slide of your life on the park’s new drop slide Vanish Point. The crest of this 75-foot tower challenges you with two wave paths. You can step into a skybox where you will drop down when the floor drops out. Or get horizontal on the 300’ speed slide where you will drop down as soon as you sit down. Your adrenaline is sure to get pumping on this ride.
In the evening, take your family on a cruise with the Spirit of Norfolk. Explore the beauty and charm of Norfolk’s skyline and Elizabeth River while you enjoy the vocal talents of your wonderful wait staff. After dinner, some of Norfolk’s most popular DJs will spin Top 40 hits that span the genres so you can dance the night away. Whatever you choose to do while in Williamsburg, you and your family are sure to have plenty of memories to share for years to come.
Fashion History Brings Style to Colonial Williamsburg
If you love fashion and history, you’re going to be thrilled with the new exhibit at Colonial Williamsburg, Fashion Accessories from Head to Toe: 1600 to 1840. This exhibit features the hottest accessories that were worn up to 400 years ago. Purses, shawls, hats, shoes, and gloves are just a few of the accessories you will see on display. You may be surprised and amused by this exhibit’s pieces of history and interested in the symbolic meaning that many of these fashion symbols carried during that time period. This exhibit will be available from now until August 31st, so plan a visit to the area to get a glimpse of this fascinating bit of fashion history at Colonial Williamsburg.
After visiting Colonial Williamsburg, plunge into the exciting history of ships on the high seas with the Yorktown Sailing Cruises. The Yorktown Sailing Cruises will give you the chance to explore the area aboard a tall ship made to replicate those that sailed over 300 years ago. This incredible sailing opportunity is the perfect setting for a tour just off the shores of Williamsburg where you will enjoy lovely scenic views and get to hear about the historic activities that took place in the area on both land and water.
Your history exploration can continue with a visit to the Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center. At Jamestown Settlement, you will get to explore the 1600′s by visiting a replicated village from that time and interacting with living history performers showing everyday activities from that time period. For your added enjoyment, three replicas of the original ships that sailed to Virginia are also located at the settlement. At the Yorktown Victory Center, you will get to explore the events that led up to the American Revolution through film, galleries, and living history interpretations that have been designed to bring history to life. When you get the Jamestown and Yorktown Combo, you get admission to both for one great price!
Williamsburg Celebrates Thanksgiving in Its Jamestown Settlement!
As Thanksgiving Day draws closer, Williamsburg prepares for an authentic ”Foods and Feasts of Colonial Virginia” at their very own Jamestown Settlement, where visitors can explore the historic side of Thanksgiving. The event lasts from November 25-27, and there will be plenty of activities to watch and learn from. Each day, the settlers will gather food from the surrounding area, preserve it with their own methods and mix it with other ingredients to replicate some of the earliest Thanksgiving feasts in America. Learn from both the English colonists and their neighbors, the Powhatan Indians. All members of your family are welcome to participate in this historic event, so bring the kids along and book a Williamsburg hotel.
Add a little spice to your Thanksgiving vacation with a trip to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum Williamsburg, where you view and touch many of the 300 exhibits across the museum. The exhibits range from the small, shrunken heads to an enormous 500 pound gorilla model made out of nails. Focus in on each display, as some of them are illusions and may play tricks on your eyes. Much of the museum is littered with oddities like natural disaster areas and dark graveyards.
Finally, head back to your roots with a walkthrough of Colonial Williamsburg, where you’ll view 18th century style architecture and residents adorned in the same type of clothing that was worn long ago. The area was constructed to replicate an entire city, and you’ll be able to see the variety through well-maintained gardens, sunlit houses and large shelters like the Great Hopes Plantation. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit more history.
Trace Thanksgiving Day back to its origins with this exciting vacation to Williamsburg. Plan now, though, as the holidays are almost here!
Holiday Symposium in Colonial Williamsburg Helps Visitors Prepare for the Season
Watch demonstrations and find out about celebrating the holidays in the 18th century from Colonial Williamsburg’s special guests and holiday professionals during their Holiday Symposium. This two day conference will be going on November 10th and 11th and start at 8:00 am. Illustrated lessons will give you some ideas for your own holiday celebration that feature holiday decorations and foods from the 18th century and today. Beautiful centerpieces, wreathes, gingerbread houses, and a wine and cheese tasting will combine into one exciting holiday event. In order to attend the symposium, guests are required to have a Colonial Williamsburg admission pass that is valid for the entire conference. Additional fees to be a part of the symposium may apply. This is a wholesome, Christmas experience that the whole family can enjoy together!
Don’t end your family’s history experience at Colonial Williamsburg. Continue with a visit to the famous Jamestown Settlement. This settlement has numerous exhibits and films to help you understand life in the early 1600s. Living history interpretations will show you what the clothing and lifestyle was like for the settlers living in the area while replicas of the three ships that sailed to Virginia will give you an idea of life on the high seas. You will quickly realize how very different the lifestyle of the settlers was from the lifestyle you are used to.
After visiting the Jamestown Settlement, it’s only appropriate to visit Yorktown Victory Center. This place was pivotal to the events that led to America’s independence from Britain. Film, galleries, and live interpretations will give you an idea of how life played out as time progressed and the area began to chance. Your time there will culminate in a better understanding of the causes of the Revolutionary War and how it forever changed and shaped America as we know it today.
Experience True American History inside Williamsburg
Williamsburg historical attractions are the perfect way to complement your recent Fourth of July celebration with another venue to explore the American way. Learn and interact inside restored settlements, and other fun areas celebrating colonial and modern times. Reignite the patriotic spirit with the city’s greatest treasures.
As one of Williamsburg’s greatest highlights, the Jamestown Settlement, known as one of the first European settlements, has a perfect blend of shelter, environment, galleries, and even costumed colonials to make your experience complete. Walk through the area and interact with the fellow townsfolk to understand their way of life. For additional excitement, you may walk onto three different ship replicas of the original vessels that sailed from England.
If you’re more into the political arena, the President’s Park is a perfect way to get acquainted with some of the most influential leaders in America. Take a stroll across paved trails, walking by the famed reenacted Washington Inaugaration and David Adickes’ stunning sculptures.
Finally, make your trip complete with a trip to the Virginia Living Museum, which presents exotic animals like red wolves and paddlefish in indoor and outdoor environments. The museum is full of interesting habitats, and it melds the the science of animal life with the entertainment of interaction, with several “hands on” discovery centers.
Discover a new realm of understanding in the historical and science arenas through visuals and dialogue! Your Williamsburg adventure will make other vacations small in comparison.
“Tools of the Trade” Theme Month at Jamestown Settlement
June 1st through June the 30th, you get the chance to explore “Tools of the Trade” throughout the 17th and 18th century at Jamestown Settlement. Learn about the advancement of farming equipment, navigation tools, and other tools that were used in the 17th and 18th century through demonstrations, live interpretations, and even activities that you get to do yourself. It’s a fun way to learn, and a great way to spend some quality time with your family or friends.
While you’re in Williamsburg for the “Tools of the Trade” event, make sure you don’t miss out on any of the exciting activities that the city has to offer. The popular Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park is a great place to visit for people of all ages. The whole park has a European theme representing countries like Ireland and Italy with great authentic food and fantastic rides. It is one of the premier theme parks to visit this summer!
Another great Williamsburg activity that should not be missed is the Mystery Dinner Playhouse. Enjoy a four course meal and a murder mystery with this fun activity. You can interact with the various characters and bribe them for clues throughout the night in order to decide which character committed the murder. Test your sleuthing skills, and see if you’re fit to be an amateur detective this fun murder mystery dinner.
Jamestown Day in Williamsburg, Virginia
Celebrate Jamestown Day on May 15th at Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg, Virginia. Learn about America’s colonial history as you wander through the settlement. Jamestown Day was started to commemorate the founding of the Jamestown Settlement in 1607. This settlement dates back to thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock making it one of the oldest historic sites in America. Films, exhibits, and costumed guides will help you piece together the history that brought the original settlers to the area as well as what it was like to live in the Jamestown Settlement.
For more American history, get the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center Combo. This combination gets you all of the advantages and excitement of the Jamestown Settlement and adds the Yorktown Victory Center to your experience. At the center, you will learn about the events that led up to the Declaration of Independence and the revolution. Films, galleries, and live interpretations will help you understand our history in a new way.
If you think you’ve exhausted the historical value of the area, you are incorrect. There is more. Colonial Williamsburg awaits you to give you insight into 18th century America. Visit the 300 acre attraction and view the variety of historical buildings and sites including the Great Hopes Plantation, the courthouse, and the homes of Peyton Randolph and George Wythe.
Williamsburg, VA Offers You a Chance to Know American History
If you’re looking for a place to go on vacation that offers you the chance to learn about the history surrounding the founding of America, Williamsburg, Virginia offers a diverse and rich understanding of the events that led up to and finalized the creation of the foundation of this country.
Start your journey in Williamsburg with a visit to the Jamestown Settlement. Every day in Williamsburg, living history performers bring to life the world of the 1600′s that settlers in the Jamestown Settlement experienced. You can even board replicas of the three ships that brought the first settlers over from England. It’s a story of 1600′s life in the Jamestown Settlement made real to you through films, acting, and galleries.
After the Jamestown Settlement, you should continue on to the Yorktown Victory Center in Yorktown Virginia. The Yorktown Victory Center is approximately 13 miles from the Jamestown Settlement. The Yorktown Victory Center gives a detailed description of the events that led up to America’s independence from England. The Revoltionary War will be made real to you through films, acting and galleries. You will even learn about the ships lost in the siege of Yorktown’s harbors.
Your final stop takes you to the 18th century. You will find yourself surrounded by costumed living history interpretors, historic sites, and beautiful architecture with the Colonial Williamsburg tour. You will learn about what took place at various political sites and see some of the first plantations in this country. The tour is a great finale to your grand tour through American history.
Enjoy a Williamsburg Vacation This Fall
The Williamsburg area explodes into vibrant fall colors in October and November, and the cool temperatures give you the perfect environment to enjoy Williamsburg’s outdoor attractions like Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement. To make planning your fall trip to Williamsburg easy, consider booking one of these pre-made vacation packages that include lodging and activities.
Colonial Williamsburg VA Historic Vacation Package
This package provides visitors all of the best historical attractions in this area, making this an excellent choice for an educational vacation or first trip to the area. This package includes four nights of lodging in Williamsburg, a one day pass at Colonial Williamsburg, and a combo ticket for Jamestown and Yorktown. Each of the attractions takes visitors back to the early days of this area, including a look at the original settlers: the Powhatan Indian tribe. Each activity offers an in-depth and entertaining look at how this area developed, from the first inhabitants to the colonial settlers.
Williamsburg Family Vacation Package
If the kids have a day off of school coming up, the family vacation package is a perfect choice. This package contains three nights of lodging, a day pass to Colonial Williamsburg, admission to the Virginia Living Museum, and tickets to Busch Gardens. Each attraction offers something fun and entertaining, from the history of Colonial Williamsburg to the gravity-defying thrills of Busch Gardens. The Virginia Living Museum offers educational and interesting exhibits to interest all ages. For a vacation that is both fun and informative, the Williamsburg Family Vacation Package is an excellent choice.
Colonial Williamsburg Weekend Getaway
If you only have time for a weekend escape, this package is a great choice for Williamsburg fun. With two nights of lodging and a day pass to Colonial Williamsburg, you will have time to experience the best of what Williamsburg has to offer. Colonial Williamsburg also offers special events and themes from time to time, including a Veteran’s Day event and Christmas light displays.
