Williamsburg is the only place in America where you can watch a blacksmith forge a horseshoe in the morning and ride a 200-foot roller coaster in the afternoon. That combination shouldn't work, and yet it works spectacularly. I brought my kids here expecting them to be bored by the history stuff and excited by the coasters — turns out they loved both equally, which basically never happens. Score one for the founding fathers. Check out our Williamsburg vacation deals before planning your trip.
1. Day 1, Morning: Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the world's largest living history museum, and it's way more engaging than that description makes it sound. The entire town has been restored to its 1770s appearance, with 88 original buildings and hundreds of costumed interpreters who stay in character all day. These aren't bored tour guides reading from scripts — they're passionate historians who will debate you about colonial politics and genuinely make you care about the Stamp Act.
Start on Duke of Gloucester Street, the main thoroughfare. The Governor's Palace is the crown jewel — a stunning Georgian mansion with formal gardens that were the seat of Virginia's colonial government. The Capitol building at the other end of the street is where Patrick Henry gave his famous speeches. Walk the full length of the street and duck into the shops and trades along the way.
2. Day 1, Midday: Colonial Trades and Tavern Lunch
The working tradespeople are honestly the best part of Colonial Williamsburg. Watch a silversmith hand-craft a spoon, a printer operate a hand press, a weaver work a giant loom, and a cooper build a barrel from scratch. My favorite is the apothecary, where they explain colonial medicine with a straight face and it's equally fascinating and horrifying. Spoiler: they used mercury for basically everthing.
For lunch, eat at one of the colonial taverns. Chowning's Tavern and Kings Arms Tavern serve 18th-century-inspired food in period-appropriate settings. The peanut soup at Kings Arms is surprisingly delicious — it's been on the menu since 1772 and it's creamy, savory, and unlike anything else you've eaten. Wash it down with a colonial-recipe ale.
3. Day 1, Afternoon: Jamestown or Yorktown
Williamsburg sits in the middle of the "Historic Triangle" with Jamestown (America's first permanent English settlement) to the south and Yorktown (where the Revolutionary War ended) to the east. Both are about 15 minutes away. Jamestown Settlement has reconstructed ships you can climb aboard and a Powhatan village that brings indigenous history to life. Yorktown has a fantastic battlefield driving tour and the American Revolution Museum.
Pick one based on your interests — Jamestown for early colonial and indigenous history, Yorktown for Revolutionary War buffs. Both are doable in 2-3 hours.
4. Day 1, Evening: Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour
One of several ghost tour companies operates after dark through the colonial area, and they're surprisingly good. Williamsburg has been "haunted" since the 1700s, and the tours blend real history with local legends. Walking through candlelit 18th-century streets at night while someone tells you about the ghost of Peyton Randolph is genuinely creepy. Even the skeptics in our group got a little spooked.
5. Day 2, Morning: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens has been voted the world's most beautiful theme park 30+ years running, and it's not hype. The park is themed after European countries — England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Ireland — and the theming is immaculate. It's set in the Virginia hills with natural terrain that makes the coasters feel like they're flying through forest canopy.
Hit the coasters first: Pantheon (world's fastest multi-launch coaster at 73 mph), Verbolten (a launch coaster through a haunted forest), and Griffon (a 205-foot floorless dive coaster). Get there at park opening and you can ride all three before 10 AM with minimal waits.
6. Day 2, Midday: Park Dining Done Right
Skip the typical park burgers. Busch Gardens has surprisingly good themed restaurants — Grogan's Grill in Ireland for fish and chips, Trapper's Smokehouse in New France for BBQ, and Das Festhaus in Germany for schnitzel and pretzels the size of your head. They also do beer tastings in the Germany section if you need further convincing that this park is next level.
7. Day 2, Afternoon: Shows, Animals, and More Rides
Busch Gardens isn't just coasters — the park has a wolf sanctuary, eagle habitats, and various animal encounters that are way more substantial than typical theme park animal exhibits. The shows are also excellent, especially the Celtic Fyre Irish dance show and the seasonal concert series.
In the afternoon, hit the rides you missed in the morning. InvadR is a great family coaster, and Escape from Pompeii is a water ride with a spectacular fire finale. The Battering Ram and Der Wirbelwind are solid flat rides if you need a break from coasters.
8. Day 2, Evening: Merchants Square Dinner
End your trip at Merchants Square, the charming shopping district adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg. The Cheese Shop has been a local institution for over 50 years — their house dressing on a sandwich is something people drive hours for. For a proper sit-down dinner, The Fat Canary is one of the best restaurants in Virginia with an ever-changing seasonal menu. Or Blue Talon Bistro for French comfort food that's approachable and delicious.
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Colonial Williamsburg | Busch Gardens coasters |
| Midday | Colonial trades + tavern lunch | Themed park dining |
| Afternoon | Jamestown or Yorktown | Shows, animals, more rides |
| Evening | Ghost tour | Merchants Square dinner |
History nerds and adrenaline junkies, united at last. Williamsburg is one of the most underrated vacation destinations in America, and two days here will make you wonder why you haven't been before. Check our Williamsburg deals for packages, and browse all destinations for more trip ideas. Our homepage always has the latest deals front and center.