Tours in Williamsburg

Come on our historical tour presented by Junket! Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum. We'll examine Williamsburg in its early colonial guise. You'll experience what it was like to reside in the colonial capital during a time when ruthless businesspeople, ruthless politicians, enslaved Africans, and possibly a few pirates walked these streets. Investigate the homes, business, places of government, and houses of worship that were integral to society in Colonial Williamsburg. Rewind to a period when the cries of emancipation reverberated through the halls of power and the murmurs of American independence hung thick in the air.

Experience the Dead of Night with Spooks and Legends Haunted Ghost Tours! Looking for a ghost tour that’s more than just spooky stories? The Dead of Night Tour with Spooks and Legends is the ultimate paranormal experience you’ve been searching for! Join our expert guides as they take you on a thrilling outdoor ghost-hunting expedition through the haunted streets of Colonial Williamsburg. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an interactive ghost hunt where you’ll use professional gear like the PSB7 Spirit Box, EMF Meters, Dowsing Rods, and Rem Pods. You’ll get hands-on experience with real ghost-hunting equipment while searching for actual evidence of the supernatural! But that’s not all—you’ll also hear true -chilling stories that add a whole new a rare glimpse into the unexplained phenomena that continue to haunt the historic area. Our groups are small, so you’ll get a personal, hands-on experience. We provide all the equipment you’ll need. Don’t miss out - This Tour sells out !

Exclusive, private tour (only your family/friends) of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (ARMY), some of the Yorktown Battlefields (Surrender Field), the federal museum (National Park Service with General Washington's original tent from the Battle at Yorktown in October 1781), Victory monument, and alleged cave where Cornwallis retreated. This is the only private tour with a private guide at all stops. This is NOT a group bus or group shuttle tour. This tour includes an in depth learning experience about the siege of Yorktown that lasted several weeks and explores the surrendering of arms on October 19, 1781 including Surrender Field. The afternoon tour at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown includes the canon firing at 3:00pm (weather dependent from March 1st-November 30th). We spend about 3 hours touring and about an hour driving which makes this a 4 hour tour. If we meet in Yorktown, then the tour is about 3 hours, slightly longer if anyone shops at the museums.

Private guided tour of the Jamestown Settlement. This exclusive tour (only your family/group) includes an in-depth learning experience about the beginning of our oldest, permanent English colony that begins with exploring replicas of the ships that arrived in 1607, the re-created Paspahegh town, the James Fort reflecting the outpost in 1610-1614 and the museum with spectacular artifacts, replicas of 17th Century homes and more. There is an option (for a fee) to tour Historic Jamestowne, actual site of the Jamestown Fort, including the NPS Visitor Center, views of the James River, Fort and Tercentennial Monument that stands 104 feet tall. The monument was installed in 1907 commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Jamestown Colony. This trip may be customized for handicapped patrons as the state park includes free scooters first come, first serve. For NPS option, wheelchairs are available with notice to guide. Estimated time 3-4 hours. NOTE:SPANISH SPEAKING GUIDES AVAILABLE WITH NOTICE

Kayak from James City County Marina on calm water, Powhatan Creek and Back River, to Jamestown Island, known as the birthplace of America with the first successful English settlement in America dating back to 1607. This trip offers stunning views with lush marsh grasses, spectacular cypress trees, bald eagles and other wildlife. Try an early morning time for a peaceful trip and get a feel for what this area might have looked like when settled by the Virginia Company. The tour makes two stops to discuss and admire the fauna and flora as well as discuss the history of the Jamestown Settlement, archeologic discoveries, and the Powhatan Chiefdom that had earlier used Jamestown Island as hunting land. To make this tour PRIVATE, you may purchase all 5 (five) spots. If you would like more than 5 (five), please contact the tour operator for group arrangements. NOTE: ALL PARTICIPANTS (OR PARENT/GUARDIAN) ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN OUR HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT. INCLEMENT WEATHER MAY IMPACT TOUR.

Don’t just learn about American history… live it! At Colonial Williamsburg, America’s Colonial past comes to life through beautifully restored architecture and authentic reenactors. Stroll down historic streets as this tour reveals everything you need to know about Williamsburg, early America, colonial life, and more. Williamsburg has a complex history that predates the U.S. by almost 150 years! Explore its origins, the struggles during the revolution, and the people who shaped it. Plus, learn about its restoration, with John Rockefeller’s involvement. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Our Christmas tour stands out from the rest! You will be taken back in time by your very own 18th century authentic costumed guide. You will hear stories of the holiday traditions throughout the centuries. We will take a stroll past the beautifully decorated homes just as they would have been in the 18th century. A wonderful way to see the town and hear the fascinating history behind the decorations! Come out and join us and make your holiday complete!

Discover the rich history of Yorktown with this self-guided driving tour. From the scenic waterfront to the battlefield where American independence was won, Yorktown is a place where history lives. Immerse yourself in stories of the Revolutionary War, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of the American people on this riveting narrative tour. One tour purchase covers the entire car, not per individual. Everyone joins in! After booking, check your email/text for a special password and setup instructions. Download the Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and once it's complete, you can enjoy it offline. Just open the app, hit the road, and follow the audio instructions! This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

The Ghost Tour is Williamsburg's first and only murder-focused tour. Explore areas that other history tours would be afraid to visit. Explore a historic city that conceals a sinister and unsettling past. A netherworld of horrific death and hatred. Accompany your guide on foot to some of our favorite local watering establishments. To help you get ready for what's to come, try a drink with a murder theme or one of the pub's specialty beverages. Then, take a stroll through the dim, peaceful streets of Historic Williamsburg, where you may learn the real stories of the city's most notorious crimes. There's nothing ghostly about Williamsburg's scariest tour. It has to do with murder.

Relaxed, yet luxurious learning experience about Williamsburg before and after the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg in the late 1920s and early 1930s with photos and stories from either Williamsburg Before and After or Restoring Williamsburg. These photos help visualize and better understand the restoration of the world’s largest history museum. Most of the tour is seated during breakfast for those who enjoy the warmth (or air conditioning) indoors. This is an easily accessible tour, well suited for those who enjoy a creative culinary experience, breakfast on bad weather days or for any individuals with physical limitations. Our guide will offer an easy tour of some of the grounds including a look at the Golden Horseshoe Golf courses or admire some of the original décor of the hotel and grounds as well as a short walk to the Duke of Gloucester St., the most historic street in America. Note: Guests pay for their own breakfast including food, drinks and gratuities to hotel staff.

Explore at your own pace with a fully private guided tour! Step back into the 18th century with “Colonial Williamsburg Wander: A Journey Through Time”. This immersive tour begins at the Williamsburg Inn, a classic example of colonial elegance. Stroll through Merchants Square and the Resort Historic District, bustling with shops and historical ambiance. Visit Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, a living symbol of America’s religious heritage. Wander down W Duke of Gloucester St., lined with well-preserved colonial structures. Admire the homes along Palace Green St., leading up to the Governor’s Palace, a stunning recreation of a colonial government residence. Conclude your historical exploration at the Capitol Building, the heart of colonial political life. This tour offers a glimpse into colonial American life, perfect for history buffs and those seeking to experience Williamsburg’s unique charm.

Our certified tour guide will greet you in front of illy's cafe and share background information as you walk over to the historic College of William & Mary (est. 1693), our "Alma Mater of the Nation." You'll tour the oldest academic building in the United States, the Sir Christopher Wren building, and learn about the second-oldest college in America, alma mater to four United States Presidents. If the Wren building is open, there may be an opportunity for a free organ recital on Saturdays at 10am in the Chapel, and our morning tour time on Saturday is longer for the recital. All tours include touring the Colonial classroom, the Chapel, the Blue Room, the Hall of Leadership, the Great Room and academic classrooms that are still used for religious studies. We'll also visit the Brafferton, former school for Native Americans, the Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved, and the Sunken Garden, visiting James Monroe, James Blair, the Tyler Family Garden (aka "Echo Wall") and Thomas Jefferson.

Dare to experience the #1 ultimate ghost hunt tour in Williamsburg, where real history meets real hauntings every night, year-round! Led by expert guides—this USMC Disabled Combat-Veteran-Owned, experience takes you deep into the eerie past of one of America’s most haunted cities. Feel the chilling presence of spirits as you visit Bruton Parish Church, the Governor’s Palace, Peyton Randolph House and Burial Grounds, and Market Square & Magazine. From witch trials to scandalous murders, hear the twisted tales that still haunt Williamsburg today. Equipped with ghost-hunting gear, track paranormal activity as you wander through the historic district. Every shadow and whisper could be an unseen visitor making their presence known! While we don’t enter buildings, this ensures you visit as many haunted locations as possible. This unforgettable ghost hunt is packed with mystery, history, and spine-tingling encounters. Ready to uncover Williamsburg’s darkest secrets? Join us—if you dare!

*FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY-AGES 17 +* During this one-hour walking tour, hear the darker side of 18th-Century Williamsburg. Stories of murder, mayhem, and scandal--those things talked about in taverns, back alleys, and the courts--straight from the town's citizens. Each tour will be different and the stories are a-plenty. Due to the sensitive nature of the subjects and the salty language of the time, this tour is recommended for mature audiences 17 and older. Please note, that since every tour is different, the routes advertised may also differ. Please note: Due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on some days. Please see our website for information. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entrance or admission into Colonial Williamsburg-owned buildings. Since the tour is through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg it is weather contingent. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.

Join a costumed Spooks and Legends guide on a tour of historic Colonial Williamsburg, Learn the dark history of Williamsburg and the nation’s most influential people from colonial America all the way up to “Rockefeller’s Williamsburg”.

Journey through time, back to the Golden Age of Piracy! As your very own Pirate himself tells you the tales of the history of the Pirates and how they influenced the shaping of our democracy! Learn of Blackbeard and his men and what happened on November 21st . Hear of the Templars and what happened if you were caught as a Pirate! How did the Pirates shape our World Economy? Learn all about the Bachelor’s Delight. This is all about Pirates and you will learn a lot of history that will intrigue you to find out and ask our guide questions as he has a true passion for Piracy in the “ New World “.

Get ready to explore the historic streets of Williamsburg like never before with Trivia Walks! Our captivating self-guided tour and scavenger hunt combo will take you on an immersive adventure through Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary’s campus, uncovering fascinating stories and hidden gems along the way. From early American history to modern secret campus hideaways, battlefield scars to pirate prisons and more, you’ll be immersed in the rich culture and heritage of the area. Along the way, places you’ll see include: - The original Capitol of Virginia - Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse - The first English American theatre - The Governor’s Palace - The Crim Dell Bridge - The oldest college building in America - ...and more!

Step into the heart of Colonial Williamsburg on this self-guided walking tour that goes beyond the costumes and reenactments. This tour invites you to explore not just what happened, but how it's remembered. Along the way, you'll uncover stories of power, protest, labor, and legacy. Each stop reveals how colonial life was lived, contested, and reimagined. As you walk, you'll hear about the celebrated and the overlooked: from revolutionaries and craftsmen to the enslaved and the displaced. Rather than simply retelling history, this tour asks deeper questions about memory, identity, and what it means to inherit the past. Designed to be thoughtful and accessible, this tour is perfect for curious travelers, history buffs, and anyone who wants to see Williamsburg in a new light. Please note this tour is independently produced and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and does not include admission to any ticketed exhibits.

Discover Williamsburg's famous ghosts and spirits walking the streets at your own pace, anytime. This is one of the most haunted and historic places, don't miss it's spooky story. This tour is built on those records. Newspaper clippings folded into court archives. Letters never meant for strangers. Names scratched into margins and ledgers. What follows tonight does not rely on imagination. Everything you will hear was once written down by someone who saw it happen, or by someone who tried to explain why it should be forgotten. Go at your own pace, anytime.

Join the Night Watchman for a chilling evening walk through the city’s shadowy past. Led by a professional guide, this 90-minute tour uncovers real tales of crime, punishment, and restless spirits. Wander historic streets and hear eerie stories that bring the dark side of history to life. Perfect for fans of true crime, ghost stories, and immersive storytelling.

Not all women were high-born ladies… many worked long and hard to survive. This walking tour will open your eyes to pieces of the past. Women were fully one half of the story, and you will learn about their roles as business owners and consumers. Over more than 325 years, the buildings in Williamsburg have had many lives and multiple uses, as social and political history was made both inside and out, shaping the community we know today.

Virginia's oldest ghost tour has added a twist of everyones favorite tour The Original Ghost of Williamsburg. Scroll the the streets of historic Williamsburg as you hear all the famous ghost stories that make The Ghost Tour the #1 Ghost Tour in Virginia. We will bring you to the most haunted places in Colonial Williamsburg.

Step into the shoes of Olivia Campbell, a historian on a mission to write the ultimate novel set in colonial America. Your journey begins in Williamsburg, the beating heart of 18th-century Virginia where tradespeople, revolutionaries, and hidden stories still echo through the streets. As you walk down Duke of Gloucester Street, you’ll explore the largest living history museum in the world. Solve puzzles, uncover fascinating historical facts, and meet iconic figures from America’s past—through your phone. No guide needed, just your curiosity and a sense of adventure. What makes this tour unique? It transforms a walk through historic Williamsburg into an interactive storytelling game, perfect for history lovers, curious travelers, and families. Designed for all ages, this experience blends learning, fun, and exploration in a flexible format that lets you go at your own pace.

Independence from Mother England was not a foregone conclusion as we've been taught. Many questioned what American Independence would mean. For the colony of Virginia, it was a very difficult decision. During this one-hour walking tour discover how and why the men of the House of Burgesses finally decided to declare independence for Virginia and how their decision influenced the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Please note: Due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on some days. Please see our website for information. *Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg, therefore this tour does not include entrance or admission into Colonial Williamsburg-owned buildings. Since the tour is through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg it is weather contingent. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.