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A Grown Up Guide to Williamsburg, Virginia

November 13, 2019 By Caroline Eubanks 1 Comment

Governor's Palace, Colonial Williamsburg
Williamsburg

The tourist destinations of Williamsburg are much more than meets the eye. Although common sites for a school field trip or family outing, many have activities aimed at adults!

We’re diving into a few of our favorites in the city with adult-focused programming. There’s no shortage of things to do in Williamsburg, VA, even for adults.

This post contains affiliate links.

Colonial Williamsburg for Adults

Colonial Williamsburg brick buildings
Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is probably the most well-known of the things to do in Williamsburg, but there’s more to it than what you saw on school field trips.

Inside the living history park, adults can dine at one of four historic taverns: Chowning’s, Christina Campbell’s, King’s Arms, and Shields.

All have diverse menus of food from the time period. Shields has European wines, while Chowning’s hosts Beers in the Burg, a craft beer and live music event.

In addition to the demonstrations and events that take place every day, Colonial Williamsburg also has two art museums. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum cover the Colonial period of art. Entry into both is included with your Colonial Williamsburg admission, so buy it before you go to experience it all.

Staying at Colonial Williamsburg Resorts

Wood bed frame with white pillows and artwork at Williamsburg Lodge
Williamsburg Lodge

There are plenty of family-friendly accommodations in Williamsburg, like Great Wolf Lodge. But you can also stay in style at the Autograph Collection properties, including one where Queen Elizabeth herself stayed. The Williamsburg Inn was built in 1937 and has luxury-themed suites and the famous Rockefeller Room.

Across the street, Williamsburg Lodge (read our review) has rooms and suites with artisan furniture, free WiFi, coffee makers, and designer toiletries. Kingsmill Resort is another great alternative, a AAA Four Diamond resort with condominiums and golf courses.

Adults have other things to do in Williamsburg within these hotel properties. Across the street from the Lodge is the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, which offers incredible treatments. The resorts are also home to one of America’s top public golf resorts at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club.

Busch Gardens for Adults

London Rocks at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Credit: Inside the Magic

The European theme park at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the top things to do in Williamsburg, but it’s not just for the kids. In addition to thrill rides and roller coasters that may not be suitable for young visitors, grown-ups can enjoy annual events like the food and wine festival, Bier Fest, and Howl-O-Scream. Enjoy it all by booking your Busch Gardens Williamsburg Admission Ticket.

Food and Drink in Williamsburg

Williamsburg cooking class scene with prepared foods
Williamsburg cooking class

Once you’ve had your fill of historic landmarks, enjoy Williamsburg’s food and drink-related activities. You can take a themed cooking class at Colonial Williamsburg Resort, which features different dishes that you can create and then eat. If you still didn’t get your fill, join the Williamsburg Walking Food Tour.

Downtown Williamsburg has a number of craft breweries, including Amber Ox, Alewerks, and the Virginia Beer Company. You can visit them on the Williamsburg Craft Alcohol Tasting Tour.

A trip to Williamsburg Winery is a feast for the eyes and the palate. The facility has a tasting room, restaurant, and even overnight accommodations.

Other Things to Do in Williamsburg

A replica ship sits in downtown Yorktown
Yorktown

History buffs can rejoice that there are other landmarks than Colonial Williamsburg. A short drive away is the town of Yorktown, made famous by the surrender of General Cornwallis during the American Revolution. You can visit the battlefield and other landmarks there, as well as the Watermen’s Museum.

You should also give yourself plenty of time to visit the two museums at the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum.

Both have incredible exhibits on early life in the colonies. Purchase a Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum 7 Day Pass to see it all.

You can also join a sailing trip to the greater Yorktown area, which goes past some of its landmarks. Sail Yorktown and Jamestown Discovery both offer these tours.

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Filed Under: Virginia, Williamsburg Tagged With: Virginia, weekend guide, Williamsburg

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

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