Top 10 Family Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

By Guest Blogger Amy Pessolano

Heading to Williamsburg with the fam?  Don’t miss out on these fun top 10 family activities in Williamsburg, Virginia!

Williamsburg, VA and the entire Historic Triangle offers families a host of opportunity for family fun! Immerse yourselves in history, experience the thrill of amusement parks, or do some shopping. There’s a little bit of something for everyone at this popular destination, especially families.

To make the most of your trip, start at the visitor center and pick up your Colonial Williamsburg tickets, or plan ahead online to search for deals that include everything you want to experience. If you have young kids with short attention spans, remember to build breaks and down time into your schedule. For kids in strollers, plan your visit to the air conditioned art museum for the afternoon, so you can enjoy the art history while your children snooze in comfort in their strollers.

Of course, you’ll want to check out Busch Gardens or Water Country, but if you’re short on time, make sure you fit these 10 “Must Do” (mostly historical) Activities for Families into your itinerary.

1. Start Your Visit Online
Visit the Kids Zone  to get a preview of colonial life and prepare your kids for what to expect out of the visit. They can learn about colonial people, play games and activities, or take a virtual tour of the town to map out their own itinerary.

2. Become a Colonial Spy
Get a head start on the latest spy mission with RevQuest: The King’s Advance, a game that brings history to life as you’re recruited into Virginia’s secret service. You’ll have to identify allied agents, crack ciphers, and collect data to save the new nation. You can begin your mission online to earn and redeem a special reward on site.

3. Make a Reservation for Dinner at a Tavern
Spaces fill up quickly, so make sure you plan ahead and make your reservations if you want to enjoy a sit-down dinner at a historic tavern. If you prefer seafood, check out Christina Campbell’s (George Washington’s favorite), choose from a chophouse menu at King’s Arms Tavern, or visit Shield’s Tavern for dinner, then stay for a ghost tour. Chowning’s Tavern doesn’t require a reservation, but also offers Beers in the ‘Burg- a craft beer tasting event that requires an additional admission fee.

4. Play Dress Up on a Large Scale
History comes alive for everyone in the Revolutionary city, but those who rent an 18th-century reproduction costume have a unique opportunity to really immerse themselves in Colonial life. If it’s in your budget, start at the visitor center or outdoor booths at Market Square and let children children choose their costume to rent.. Costumes are $24.95 daily with a $75 refundable deposit. Hats are available at a discounted rate and children will receive a letter of introduction to the Revolutionary City letting you know about colonial activities to participate in around town.

5. Take a picture of your kids in the stocks
No trip is complete without a family photo and a picture of your kids in the stocks will always be scrapbook worthy. Also, don’t miss the Guide to the Best Selfie Spots in Revolutionary City- put together by the Colonial WIlliamsburg Foundation.

6. More Hands-On Fun for Kids
Throughout the town, shopkeepers and tradesmen demonstrate their skills. Kids might even be asked to participate, especially at the Brickmaker. Other city sites with hands-on fun for kids include the carpenter, colonial garden, magazine, cooper, milliner, tailor or wigmaker. Make sure you take a good look at the Map and the schedule of events, so you don’t miss events like In Defense of Our Liberty- where you can enlist in the Continental Army. You can tell if a site is open by the flag out front.

If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss the Powell or James Geddy Houses where adults and kids have the opportunity to try out toys and games from the time period, plus learn about chores, lessons, and every day life for children of the time. You can also buy period games and toys in some of the shops.

7. Have a Picnic and Hoop on the Palace Green
Stop by the Cheese Shop in Merchant Square to pick up sandwiches, or sample wine (for adults) and have a picnic on the palace green. You can even beat the crowds and pick up your sandwiches at the side pick-up window. Just call (757) 220-0298 to order and they will have it waiting!

8. Navigate the Maze in the Palace Gardens
Can you make your way out of the maze? Located behind the Governor’s Palace, this is a fun outdoor challenge for kids of all ages.

9. Let Out Some Energy at a Community Park
The Williamsburg area has plenty to offer families who also want to experience outdoor adventure, or just blow off some steam playing. Make sure you check out the Mid County Park, which includes Kidsburg, a 30,000 square foot lighted playground. The park also boasts trails, volleyball, basketball, tennis, bocce, pickleball, a climbing wall, and ship replica.

10. Take a Stroll through Holiday Park and Experience a Daily Snow Shower at the Yankee Candle Flagship Store 
Yes, it really does snow inside! Take a stroll through the Holiday Park and pick up your own pickle ornament. It’s Christmas all year long at the Yankee Candle Store located on Richmond Road. While you’re there you can even make your own candle in the Wax Works.

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Join Amy at her blog, Umbrella Tree Cafe, where she writes about her adventures with her kids in the outdoors and encourages other parents to get out and explore the world!