Checked out of Colonial Williamsburg? Here are 7 other things you should do

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg is a holiday ritual for many American families. My husband traveled there as a child, and I not only visited Williamsburg but also lived there for four years as a student at William & Mary. I’ve been back many times over the years, and now I’ll be visiting the area once again as my daughter just started her freshman year at my alma mater.

And while I always recommend spending time in Colonial Williamsburg, especially if it’s your first time visiting, there are plenty of other things to do in the historic Virginia city. Of course, history takes center stage here, but if you’re traveling with kids who aren’t that into the past, here are seven things you should do besides visiting Colonial Williamsburg.

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1. Ride the roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been named the Most Beautiful Amusement Park in the World by the National Amusement Park Historical Association for 35 consecutive years. It takes design inspiration from Europe, with “villages” reminiscent of the streets of Paris, Scottish hamlets and German Oktoberfest celebrations.

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This amusement park is also interesting and beautiful. Busch Gardens Williamsburg marks its 50th anniversary in 2025 with the launch of its new family-friendly inverted roller coaster, Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge. The park’s iconic Loch Ness Monster—the world’s first interlocking loop coaster—recently gained new thematic and experiential elements, and the DarKoaster is North America’s first indoor straddle coaster.

2. Admire art—it’s free!

I’m embarrassed to admit that I just made my first visit to the Colonial Williamsburg Museum of Art. And I’ve missed the free two-for-one that houses the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The site features everything from American antiques to dollhouses and toy soldiers. Kids will love the “Down on the Farm” exhibit featuring colorful folk art paintings, while the “Upholstery CSI” exhibit is an exciting way to learn the secrets of 18th century trade.

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The Muscarelle Art Museum on William & Mary’s campus recently underwent a major expansion to triple its size. The museum displays special exhibits and items from its permanent collection, one of the oldest campus art collections in the United States. And it’s also free to visit.

3. Visit a pancake house for breakfast

Williamsburg has a number of pancake houses ready to feed hungry tourists before a day of traveling back in time. Mama Steve’s Pancake House has been serving flapjacks since 1968 and draws huge crowds. Not Another Pancake House is a new breakfast spot with unique CinnaSwirl pancakes. If pancakes aren’t your thing, join the queue at The Bake Shop. Order your coffee of choice accompanied by a very tasty bagel or one of the pastries of the day.

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4. Get out into nature

Waller Mill Park is a peaceful place to spend an hour or a few. There is a 360-acre lake for kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding, as well as walking trails along the shore and through the forest. Playground equipment and disc golf courses provide another way to burn off energy.

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Freedom Park is another place to get outdoors, with more than 20 miles of mountain bike trails and Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park. For quieter activities in the park, there is the Williamsburg Botanical Garden and an interpretation center that displays artifacts discovered during the park’s construction.

5. Hunt ghosts.

With a long history of residents, Williamsburg has some ghost stories to tell. Haunted Williamsburg is Colonial Williamsburg’s official ghost tour and the only ghost tour that goes inside historic buildings.

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But hour-long candlelit walking tours aren’t the only option in town. The Original Ghost Tours offers spooky candlelight experiences, as well as haunted pub crawls and two-hour ghost hunting expeditions with real paranormal investigation equipment. US Ghost Adventures also leads a number of spooky stops.

6. Raise a glass

Williamsburg has a bustling beer industry, with several breweries and brewpubs calling the area home. Precarious Beer Project is right in the colonial area, pouring seasonally inspired beers in a fun, family-friendly beer hall atmosphere with an on-site arcade. Other options include Billsburg with its waterfront tap room; Alewerks, which also serves scratch-made pretzels at the Brewery Taproom; and Frothy Moon Brewhouse, which brews coffee and beer.

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Williamsburg Winery is a different option for adult beverages. You can tour and taste at Wessex Hundred’s farm or enjoy a flight at its wine bar in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square. Either option is a good choice.

7. Listen to live music

Fifes & Drums Marches are often held on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg (which you can join for free), and Bruton Parish Church hosts free Candlelight Concerts that mix the past and present. For a more modern vibe, the Merchants Square Concert Series takes place the first Friday of every month from May through October with artists performing everything from blues to alt-country.

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Every June, Williamsburg Live brings an outdoor music festival to the grounds of the Colonial Art Museum of Williamsburg. And you can often find someone strumming a guitar or singing a song in bars and restaurants around town.

Where to stay in Williamsburg

For a special family vacation or couples getaway, book a room at the luxurious Williamsburg Inn. This property has been welcoming guests since 1937 and provides easy access to the colonial area.

Williamsburg Lodge, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, offers 323 rooms (including some dog-friendly) in six guesthouses, plus three swimming pools and preferred reservations for the Colonial Williamsburg restaurant. Kingsmill Resort is also one of the best US family resorts for an unforgettable vacation.

Bed and breakfasts are a popular choice for couples vacationing in Williamsburg. The Cedars of Williamsburg Bed & Breakfast, Fife & Drum Inn, Inn at 605, and Colonial Gardens Bed & Breakfast are great options for that type of stay. And you can find a variety of chain hotels near Williamsburg’s historic district. So whatever your budget or brand loyalty, there’s an option nearby.

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