How to Spend a Day at Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
Are you ready for a trip back in time? Colonial Williamsburg is like a giant, interactive history book that your kids can explore. This historical living museum in Virginia is educational, but also a ton of fun. With costumes, live demonstrations, music, and animals, it will be a day the whole family will enjoy.
Williamsburg, Virginia, is your typical American city. It has fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, an amusement park, and chain hotels.
What makes it unique, though, is that it also has Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living history museum in the country, measuring about a mile long and half a mile wide.
As a veteran teacher, I spent years teaching fifth graders about 18th century American History including the American Revolution. And in that role, I also traveled with fifty ten-year-olds and their families annually to see the historic triangle in Virginia.
I spent a week each year exploring Colonial Williamsburg, the Historic Jamestowne Settlement, and Yorktown, the site of the final battle in the Revolutionary War.
Use what I learned from my many trips here, to plan the best family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg.
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Tickets for Visiting Colonial Williamsburg
You need admission tickets to access Colonial Williamsburg activities and experiences. The three-day passes are a much better deal than a single-day pass, but if you can only stay for a day, it is still possible to have a historical experience.
Start your visit early. The Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center opens at 9 AM and you want to be there right on time.
Purchase your tickets, pick up maps, and see a list of events for the day.
Park here for free and take the free shuttles to different stops throughout the area. I highly recommend this since cars are not allowed on the historic site.
Trip Tip: Pre-Covid, the Williamsburg Marketplace at the Visitor Center rented colonial costumes for children to wear throughout the day. It’s worth asking if they have resumed this service while you are there.
What to Do in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
Book Your Carriage Ride in Colonial Williamsburg Early
Once you’ve purchased your Colonial Williamsburg tickets, take a shuttle bus from the visitor’s center, and hop off at Merchants Square.
This begins Duke of Gloucester Street, which runs through the historic area.
Stop at the Lumber House ticket office to book a carriage ride as you head east. Do this early because they often sell out.
You can schedule your carriage ride for later in the day when your legs are tired and you need a break.
The carriage rides take you throughout the historic area and offer a glimpse of what travel might have been like in the 18th century.
Expect a fifteen to twenty-minute ride throughout the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. The tickets cost around $15 each when you show your admission ticket or around $20 each if you didn’t buy a pass.
Start exploring now that your carriage ride time is booked.
The church is an excellent place to start. Walk in and take a look around.
A picture in the stocks in front of the church is always fun for kids.
Tour the Governor’s Palace, Capitol, and Courthouse
The church is next to Palace Green, a large grassy area where the kids will enjoy running around. Head towards the Governor’s Palace at the end of the Palace Green.
The Governors Palace is where the big wigs of the 1700s hung out.
The rooms are decked out with fancy furniture, shiny weapons, and enough history to make you feel like you’re in a movie.
Tours of the Governor’s Palace take place every seven to fifteen minutes.
Many may not know this is not the original Governor’s Palace.
Architects discovered the foundation of this building in the early 1900s. Colonial Williamsburg reconstructed the building to what you see today.
The entrance into the Governor’s Palace always excites the kids. The walls, lined with guns and swords, make for an impressive sight.
Trip Tip: The Colonial Williamsburg app has a scavenger hunt for the Palace Green. Enjoy finding the items on the list when you are in this area.
When you leave the Governor’s Palace, head out the back entrance to find a secret garden made up of boxwood bushes. Kids, young and old, appreciate the garden maze.
As you walk through Colonial Williamsburg, you will spot many beautiful gardens. They are part of the charm of this historic area.
Trip Tip: Make sure to check out the Capitol and Courthouse tours on your visit too.
Visit the Trade Shops
As you walk along, keep an eye open for the trade signs above the doors on most buildings.
Trades were the workers of the colonial period. Their shops are worth a visit, even if you walk in and take a quick look.
The trade smiths are great about interacting with guests too.
Check the list of trades and times for each shop on your map or resources from the Visitor’s Center.
Among the kids’ favorite places are the weaver’s shop, the printing office, the carpenter’s yard, and the silversmith’s shop.
Trip Tip: The post office is an official US post office. Buy a postcard and mail it back home. This is a neat, affordable souvenir with the Colonial Williamsburg Post Office stamp.
Learn about History from Historical Figures
Be on the lookout for costumed interpreters representing historical figures called Nation Builders.
Nation Builders dress as famous Americans and roam throughout the historical area.
Many will often hang out near the taverns or at the Palace Green. My favorite one is the young George Washington.
Other Must-See Spots in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
The Market Square – Picture this: open spaces, performers in period costumes, and maybe even a colonial game or two to join in. It’s the perfect spot to let the kids burn off some energy while you soak in the ambiance.
The Magazine & Guardhouse – If your kids think swords and muskets are the coolest things ever, this is your spot. They’ll get to see where all the weapons were stored and hear stories that make history come alive.
The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg – Okay, hear me out. I know “museum” might not scream “kid-friendly,” but this one has a hands-on area where kids can touch and play.
Plus, it’s indoors—hello, air conditioning. While you’re there, point your phone at a specially marked scanner to hear an audio tour written and narrated by teens.
The Great Hopes Plantation – Do your kids want to see a re-creation of an 18th-century tobacco plantation? Learn the tobacco crop’s importance, and hear the working farmers’ stories.
You might even be asked to help look for tobacco bugs!
Participate in an Auction in Colonial Williamsburg
One of the most interactive and fun events for kids and adults alike is the live auction at Market Square In the middle of Duke of Gloucester Street.
Look for the large tents set up to sell souvenirs. The auction stage can be found behind the tents.
On some afternoons, an auctioneer sells wares to the highest bidder in an interactive event that even kids can participate in.
You’ll bid on souvenirs you’re most likely to buy anyway. The auctioneer plays with the crowd as you have fun bidding against each other.
I have purchased many souvenirs this way and most often, at a better price than the stores sold them.
So, step up and don’t be afraid to bid. You don’t have to pre-register, either.
Go Shopping
Shopping in Colonial Williamsburg is different from shopping at your local mall.
The items in the historic shops are 18th-century games, toys, food, housewares, and clothing.
These shops are often a favorite stop for the kids. Simple games and tricorn hats are the most bought items.
I always picked up vanilla beans at the shops.
Watch a Fifes and Drums Military Ceremony
Imagine red-coat soldiers lined up and marching while the drums beat and the fifes play.
You will witness this at the Market Square North demonstration behind the Courthouse, when local students in the 5th grade or higher play the Fifes and Drums.
These young people are chosen from a group of applicants to be trained for eight years. Their role in this Colonial Williamsburg live exhibition is an integral part of the living history.
Initially only open to young boys, now girls are encouraged to apply.
Where to Eat in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
If you are looking for an authentic colonial meal, you can’t go wrong with any tavern, including Chowning’s, Christiana Campbell’s, King’s Arms Tavern, and Shields.
The taverns are all located in the historic area. Although a bit pricey, the dining experience is a must.
Colonial-themed food, such as shepherd’s pie, Brunswick stew, and peanut soup, delight diners.
Don’t worry; each tavern has a kid-friendly menu for picky eaters.
There are other family-friendly restaurants in the area, but a tavern is one you won’t want to miss.
Great Way to End the Day
End your day in the historic area back at Merchants Square.
You will find the Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop, which is always a hit with the kids.
They have every kind of candy and chocolate you can imagine. Of course, you have to try the dark chocolate sea salt caramels from there, because they are amazing!
In what else but The Cheese Shop do you find the best cheese you can imagine?
The selection is outstanding, and the knowledgeable staff will help you make a delicious cheese board to enjoy out on the patio.
Pair this with your chocolate from Wythes and a glass of wine from The Williamsburg Winery located in the exact center.
Now, you have a perfect way to wind down from a fun afternoon while preparing for the evening.
Nighttime at Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
The shops and taverns may close at night, but there are still plenty of things to do in Colonial Williamsburg with kids when the sun sets.
These events can change, so check with the Visitor’s Center for what is available when you are there.
It is such an experience to be in Colonial Williamsburg at night. Fire cauldrons, called cressets, replace modern conveniences like street lights. Their light only enhances the colonial atmosphere.
These are some of my favorite nighttime activities, and I hope you enjoy at least one.
Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tours
One of my favorite experiences at Williamsburg is the Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tours.
Your costume guide walks you through the quiet streets at night on this ghost tour through Colonial Williamsburg, sharing haunted stories and tales. With only candlelight to lead you through the town, the experience is quite spooky but fun.
I wouldn’t recommend this tour for younger children, though.
Palace Concert/Dancing
This is an entertaining event held at the Governor’s Palace. It takes place by candlelight as well. Costumed actors interact and dance while the ballroom music from the 17th and 18th centuries is played.
Audience participation is encouraged, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The actors stay in character as if they were at an actual ball at the Governor’s Palace. It is an impressive and enjoyable evening.
Cry Witch – Witch Trial
Again, this an experience that I wouldn’t recommend for younger children.
It is the trial of Grace Sherwood, a woman accused of being a witch. It’s held at the Capitol building courthouse. The actors are pretty vivid in their portrayal.
I have seen it several times and enjoyed it each time. It’s fascinating to learn about the origins of court-related sayings we use today.
Tips and Hints for Visiting Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
I have given you quite a few of my favorite tips for visiting Colonial Williamsburg, but here are a few more:
- Pack Snacks: Yes, there are places to eat, but the last thing you want is to be caught mid-tour with a hangry kid. Think granola bars, fruit snacks, or whatever keeps your crew happy.
- Bring Comfortable Shoes: The historic area is huge, and there’s a lot of walking involved. Make sure everyone’s wearing their comfiest kicks.
- Plan for Downtime: Don’t try to see everything in one day. It’s impossible. Pick a few must-see spots, then leave room for exploring (or ice cream breaks).
- Engage with the Interpreters: The people in costume are there to interact with you! Encourage your kids to ask questions. They’ll love hearing about what life was like in the 18th century, and you might learn a thing or two as well.
- The Bathrooms are Hidden in Plain Sight: If you or your kids need a bathroom break, the bathrooms are hidden in tiny white buildings throughout Colonial Williamsburg. Oh, and guess what? You will also find vending machines next to most of them!
Where to Stay in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
Williamsburg has several chain hotels, with most offering larger rooms for families.
These hotels are clean, affordable, and offer free breakfasts. I personally have stayed at all of them and any one of them would a good choice for families.
- Hampton Inn & Suites in the Historic District
- Comfort Suites Williamsburg Historic Area
- SpringHill Suites Williamsburg
If you want the authentic colonial experience, I would consider staying at one of the Colonial Williamsburg lodging options.
Some of these include the luxurious Williamsburg Inn, the Williamsburg Lodge, or one of the colonial rooms or houses.
The Williamsburg Inn is an upscale Forbes Travel Guide five-star hotel with a beautiful golf course, The Golden Horseshoe. Visitors can walk the golf cart paths in the early mornings before the golfers arrive. The landscape of the course is quite peaceful in the mornings.
My favorite place to stay is the Colonial Houses on the Duke of Gloucester Street.
These authentic historic-era homes are right in the middle of Colonial Williamsburg.
Staying in one of these homes is as close as possible to replicating the feeling of living in the 18th century.
The homes are well-appointed, and most rooms and cottages feature fireplaces that can be lit on cold nights.
One of my most memorable trips was my week-long stay in the house next to the public armory.
Visiting Duke of Gloucester Street early in the morning and late at night when Colonial Williamsburg is closed to the public is a unique experience.
Other Fun Things to Do with Kids in Williamsburg, VA
Of course, you can spend your entire vacation in the Historic Triangle and not run out of things to do. However, there are other fun attractions nearby that kids love.
As you plan your trip, consider visiting The Great Wolf Lodge, located 15 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg. The resort has a giant indoor water park and kid-friendly events throughout the year.
Busch Gardens is an exciting theme park minutes from Colonial Williamsburg. Kids of all ages enjoy the rides, coaters, and shows.
Until Next Time
By the end of the day, your kids will probably be tired but happy (and maybe a little smarter, too).
Colonial Williamsburg with kids is a mix of fun, education, and a touch of chaos, but the good kind. It’s the kind of day they’ll remember for years.
So, if you’re looking for a family vacation destination that combines entertainment with education, look no further than Colonial Williamsburg, where the past comes to life for a truly unforgettable experience.
