The largest living history museum in the United States, Colonial Williamsburg
is a private non-profit foundation that operates the restored 18th-century
capital of colonial Virginia. Learn more.
Your admission pass gives you access to historic homes, buildings, exhibition sites, and Revolutionary City. See how families lived, how trades were practiced, where laws were made and how colonists played, all with the guidance of knowledgeable costumed interpreters. View ticket options.
Where should I start?
Begin your visit at the Visitor's Center (Downloads
maps and get directions.) with ample parking, restrooms, and information
about current programs, exhibitions, and activities. Purchase your tickets
and get a current copy of "This Week," our weekly guide to schedules and
programs. From here, it is a short walk to the Historic Area exhibitions
and museums or you may ride our Shuttle Buses.
The film "Williamsburg -- the
Story of a Patriot" is an excellent introduction to the history of Williamsburg.
See the film at the Visitor's Center Theaters in Chinese, Spanish,
French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian. Please call ahead
or give the Visitor Center staff one-hour notice of your language preferences.
What should I see?
Pick up a free copy of Colonial Williamsburg's weekly program guide, "This Week" at the Visitor's Center or any ticket location. In it, you'll find programs offered during your visit with along with a map and helpful tips. Before you leave home, read up on important historic sites, 18th-century trades, museum exhibits, and daily programs.
Can I park in the Historic Area? Is there a bus system?
Automobiles are not permitted in the Historic Area, but shuttle-bus service
is provided. Shuttles travel between the Visitor's Center and the Historic
Area (Downloads maps and get
directions.) and also circle the Historic Area from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00
p.m. Designated stops are indicated on the map. Shuttles with
wheelchair lifts are available.
Which Historic Area buildings can I enter?
Buildings with flags at their entrances are open to ticket holders. Not all colonial buildings are open to the public; some are privately occupied by employees of Colonial Williamsburg and their families, and some hold administrative offices. See what sites are open.
Colonial Williamsburg is open 365 days a year. Visit the site schedule for seasonal hours.
What happens during bad weather?
Some outdoor programs are presented only when weather permits. Building tours continue during inclement weather, and the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg are open daily.
Where can I rent colonial costumes?
Play dress-up on a tow-sized scale with rental costumes for boys
and girls. Children's
costume rentals are available daily in the Visitor Center's Costume
Rental Center and at the booths on Market Square. $19.95 daily, with
$50 refundable deposit.
Are there places to eat?
From historic taverns to modern
sandwich shops and bistros, the Historic Area and Merchant's
Square plenty of choices to please all tastes. Restrooms are available
and cool drinks can be purchased throughout Williamsburg.
Are there places to shop?
Williamsburg, Virginia, was a center of commerce in the 18th century - the beginning of a consumer economy. You will find some of the same goods sold in the 1770s in the shops on Duke of Gloucester Street and Palace Green. Learn more.
Is the Historic Area handicapped accessible?
A limited number of folding wheelchairs are rented on a first-come, first-served basis from the Visitor Center. Ramps and wheelchair lifts are available at selected sites, but many buildings require a few steps. See more accessibility information.
Where can I get information for school groups?
Visit the Educational Resource Center at the Williamsburg Booksellers in the Visitor Center, or access our web site.
Can I make a reservation for a carriage or wagon ride?
Reservations are not taken in advance due to the unpredictable nature of the weather. Availability is limited and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so purchase your ticket early in the morning.
Are costumed people in character?
Some costumed interpreters present their characters in the first person, and some give third-person interpretations. Generally, actors in Revolutionary City will be in character, while tradespeople and site interpreters will not.
Historic Triangle
