What to Do
Alex and Meredith met in high school and by senior year were best friends and began dating. Alex went to William & Mary and Meredith went to George Washington University, so Williamsburg became a frequent meeting point. It’s one of our favorite places in the world – we still go at least twice a year – and are so excited to share it with you! Below are several of our top places to eat at and things to do (an interactive and downloadable map can be found here):
Activities
Merchant Square
It’s hard to miss Merchant Square, the heart of Williamsburg, with all the reenactors emulating what life was like in the 1700s in Virginia’s first capital. There are plenty of places to shop in Merchant Square, too. Our go-tos are the Spice & Tea shop, the Peanut shop, Brick&Vine, and the Fallen Acorn bookshop.
Farmers Market (Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
In the center of Merchant Square on Saturdays, you’ll find the farmers market full of local vendors. Ninja Kombucha is our favorite stall!
Second Sundays Fair
On the second Sunday of every month from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. from March to December, you can stroll the streets of Downtown & Colonial Williamsburg for its craft fair. Enjoy live music, street performers, good eats, and handmade pieces. It just so happens that November 8 is a Second Sunday!
William & Mary
Founded in 1693, William & Mary is the oldest American university. The historic Wren Building (designed by Christopher Wren) welcomes you to campus. Go behind the Wren to walk around the sunken gardens, the Crim Dell, and scores of red brick buildings. Further back is a lake – Matoaka – where you can enjoy a little hike in nature.
Williamsburg Winery & Gabriel Archer Tavern
This is one of the largest wineries in Virginia with a lovely brunch and dinner spot called Gabriel Archer Tavern (open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.), tasting room (open 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.), grounds to explore, and even cellar tours and tastings that can be reserved in advance. It’s a short drive away, but there’s a tasting room in Merchant Square (open 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.), as well, if you’re unable to make it to the grounds. The Jamestown Cellars Settlers’ Spiced Wine is a top Christmas gift we like to give!
Virginia Beer Trail
Virginia boasts a strong craft beer scene – Aleworks, Virginia Beer Company, and Frothy Moon are just a quick drive from the center of town. A little further on the James River, you’ll find Billsburg Brewery that puts your beer flight in a wooden boat and has live music at the waterfront.
Precarious Beer Project (open 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.)
This is the most popular bar in Merchant Square – complete with arcade games, pinball, shuffleboard, two food vendors, and a wrap-around patio with a fire pit. Our welcome party on Friday will be here.
Muscarelle Art Museum (open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Located on William & Mary’s campus, this recently renovated art museum hosts an impressive American and European Masters collection.
Ghost Tour & Witch Trial
Uncover Williamsburg’s haunted past through one of its many ghost tours that flood Merchant Square each night. On Fridays, you can be a part of an interactive experience inside the Capital building where you are the jury of a real, historical witch trial. Tickets must be purchased in advance for both events.
Golf & Tennis
The Williamsburg Inn features one of the most famous golf courses in the nation. If you stay at the Inn, the Lodge, or the Woodlands, you’re able to use the driving range, putting green, tennis courts, and swimming pool free of charge. Staying at one of those properties gets you half off club rentals at the Golden Horseshoe Club and a free 1-hour tennis court reservation (reserve tennis times at 757-220-7794).
Church
If you’re looking for a Catholic mass in town, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham offers an 11:00 a.m. mass on Sundays. Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, and more churches are also walking distance from Merchant Square and mass times can be found on their websites.
Food
The Cheese Shop (open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
One of the busiest shops in Colonial Williamsburg, The Cheese Shop is worth the wait in line for their delicious sandwiches or customizable cheese plates.
Blue Talon (open 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (with three 1-hour closures in the day))
This is our favorite restaurant in Williamsburg. The French food is phenomenal (particularly the take on mac and cheese); it has an expert mixologist who curates the cocktail menu; and there’s always Julia Child on TV. They have brunch on weekends you can make a reservation for.
DoG Street Pub (open 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.)
Named for Duke of Gloucester Street (DoG), this restaurant is one of our go-tos with a fun atmosphere, British pub food, and lots of local brews.
Hohl (open 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Recently opened, Hohl is the best breakfast spot in Williamsburg. It has a fast-casual atmosphere and farm-to-table meals – highly recommend the chili cheese eggs, pancakes, tarts, and dingo coffee.
Aromas (open 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
A trip to Williamsburg isn’t complete without a stop at Aromas for a grab-and-go breakfast and a coffee. If the line is too long at Aromas, Illy (open 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.) is nearby with maybe the greatest coffee and pastries. Eleva (open 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.) is one of the newest coffee shops in town focusing on delivering a craft coffee experience with Nicaraguan coffee, and it’s so good! The Williamsburg Lodge’s Cupboard (6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.), Traditions (7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.), and Sweet Tea & Barley (12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.) have great options, too.
Kilwins (open 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.)
Whether you want a chocolate-covered sweet, ice cream (with incredible hot fudge), or a whole slab of fudge, Kilwins has you covered.
Hounds Tale (open 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.)
This gastropub offers American eats, cocktails, and whiskey tastings in a lively dog-themed space. It has a sister bakery next door known for its night caps and live music called the Barkery (open 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.). Amber Ox (10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.), a few doors down, has a great vibe with elevated meals.
Nearby Excursions
Busch Gardens
Voted the World’s Most Beautiful Amusement Park every year since 1990, Busch Gardens is a European-themed adventure park with 50 rides and attractions (including the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster, the Pantheon). Tickets need to be purchased in advance. We’d encourage you to avoid going on Saturday, November 7.
Jamestown Settlement
A short drive away, the Jamestown Settlement opened a phenomenal indoor and outdoor living history museum. You’ll learn about the Virginia Indians who occupied the landscape for centuries, the first documented arrival of West Central Africans in 1619, and the arrival and abuses of English colonists to Jamestown in 1607. The beaches at Campus Creek are nearby, too.
Yorktown
The Yorktown Settlement features the American Revolution Museum, the Battle of Yorktown grounds, and replicas of the three ships that brought America's first permanent English colonists to Virginia in 1607. It also has a beautiful beach along the York River.
Hours of operation above are for Fridays and Saturdays, but places often close or change hours for Sundays. Check online before going.