Tours in Williamsburg

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!

Yorktown Hallowed Ground Ghost Tour is the #1 ghost tour in Yorktown Virginia! The Original Ghost Tour is the 2nd Oldest Ghost Tour in the US!

The only ghost tour in the world based on the first ever photo-study of ghosts! Real ghost photos, featured in the books Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg Virginia with Breakthrough Ghost Photography, Parts 1 & 2, are shown at each stop on a large computer notebook (Samsung Galaxy). Guides will point out the exact location around or in the house or building where the photo was taken and encourage travelers to take their own photos. Tour guides will give relevant historical information pertaining to the haunting as well as personal stories encountered by the book's author and others, including interpreters and security guards from Colonial Williamsburg. Travelers will be given choices about where they would like to stop based on their interests--no tour is ever the same! The East Tour starts at the Capital and continues down Duke of Gloucester Street to the Courthouse of 1770 and walking across the Market Square to the last stop--Williamsburg's most haunted: Peyton Randolph House.

Join us as we discover the History of Christmas in the colony while exploring the handcrafted decorations that adorn the historic buildings. On our 1-hour leisurely stroll thru the city, you will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most iconic decorations that are uniquely Colonial Williamsburg. Handcrafted one-of-a-kind decorations made by employees and residents of the city are beautifully and proudly displayed on each building and we will discover the most beautiful and unique of this year's display. We will discover the religious, humorous, and heartfelt traditions that span the centuries. While learning how the decorations are made, how they became a tradition, and even helpful tips and tricks on how the create your own decorations at home. Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg is truly an experience that you and your family will cherish for years to come.

This captivating bundle of self-guided audio tours immerses you in the battles of Gettysburg, Antietam, and Vicksburg. Discover how the Americans finally defeated the mighty British empire in the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War. Then jump forward in time to two of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, when brother fought against brother. Hear about the generals, unsung heroes, and blow-by-blow accounts of how it all unfolded. Recommended: Purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! 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. 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.

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”.

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.

Explore at your own pace with a fully private guided tour! “Shadows of the Past: Tracing Slavery’s Legacy in Williamsburg” invites you to delve into the history of slavery in colonial America, beginning in the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. This tour provides insights into how slavery shaped the community and the lives of those who lived during that era. After exploring Colonial Williamsburg, the journey continues to the Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse, reflecting the legal aspects of slavery. Next, visit the Capitol Building, where significant legislative decisions about slavery were made. Conclude the tour at the James Geddy House, offering a perspective on the daily lives of both free and enslaved people of the time.

During this one-hour walking tour, discover how a sleepy southern town was restored to its former colonial splendor through the dream of Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the backing of Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. We will discuss the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg from its conception through to the continuing restoration efforts. We encourage questions and conversation so all guests can better understand why Williamsburg was, and is, so important not only to Dr. Goodwin and Mr. Rockefeller but also to future generations. 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.

Survive an apocalypse in Williamsburg today with Zombie Scavengers! An app will provide you with a list of items needed to survive the zombies. Find these items in any order you'd like and perform fun zombie themed challenges for points. Come up with a system to get the most points in order to survive the zombie apocalypse. Your friendly remote host will help you throughout the game via chat. Get enough points to survive the zombie apocalypse in Williamsburg today!

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.

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.

Join us as we explore the fascinating stories of women from all walks of life—each of whom played her part in the community’s development. From the beloved midwife whose knowledge and care were instrumental to the town’s health, to the famous schoolmistress who taught future leaders, these women were pillars of the community. Discover the Governor’s Lady, who maintained the standards of society, and the Councillor’s wife, who helped shape political circles from behind the scenes. Learn about the enslaved cook who worked closely with the Founders, displaying incredible skill and resilience, and even hear the tales of actresses who broke societal norms to entertain and inspire. .

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.

Have you ever wondered how our modern Christmas traditions began? Join us for a 1-hour walking tour through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, where your guide will reveal the colonial Christmas celebrations that shaped our current traditions. You'll also learn how the decorating style of Colonial Williamsburg influenced decorations across the nation. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entry to any buildings owned by Colonial Williamsburg. The tour takes place through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg and is subject to weather conditions. Please be prepared for various weather scenarios. Additionally, the advertised tour route may change based on activities in the Historic Area. Please note that tours may be unavailable on certain days due to staff participating in other events. For more details about these programs, please visit our website.

During this 1-hour walking tour, learn the complexities of Virginia's decision to seek independence from England. Discover the challenges faced by the men of the House of Burgesses as they ultimately chose to declare Virginia's independence and learn how this pivotal 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.

Be transported back to Williamsburg in 1943 in this 1-hour character tour. Learn how the citizens of the town are dealing with rationing, blackout drills, and all the new servicemen in town during the Holiday season. Please note that each tour is unique, so the advertised routes may vary. You will be guided through town by either a USO Hostess or an Air Raid Warden. However, for evening tours, the guide will solely be an Air Raid Warden. 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. Please be aware that due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on certain days. For details about these programs, please visit our website.

Raise a glass with the spirits of the past on this haunted pub crawl through Colonial Williamsburg. Led by a costumed guide steeped in ghostly lore, you’ll explore historic taverns and haunted landmarks where tales of executions, scandal, and lingering souls still echo. Sip on local brews and cocktails as you uncover the chilling stories behind America’s colonial capital—perfect for those seeking a spirited night out with a supernatural twist.

This is a private tour (your group) to an exceptional tour to visit Monticello, a World Heritage Site, home to our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, primary author of our Declaration of Independence and founder of the University of Virginia. Monticello provides in-depth tours of the historic house, gardens, views of the plantation, and, sometimes, an opportunity to engage in a lively presentation by Bill Barker, who portrays Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson enslaved over six hundred people throughout his life, and there are hourly slave tours to learn about the enslaved men, women, and children who labored on the plantation, including the Hemmings family and many others, like the Fosset family. The Monticello tour concludes with an opportunity to visit Thomas Jefferson's gravesite which is still owned by the family today. After leaving Monticello, guests may choose to have lunch at a nearby restaurant before returning to Williamsburg. Approx: 4 hours travel, 3.5 hours touring, 1 hour lunch.

This is long distance tour out of Charlottesville to either of any of the following locations: Cape Light House; Bacon's Castle, Fort Wool (place of arrival of American first colonial Settlers & African Americans, Historic James Town and More. Customers will be picked up at our Pantops

Skip the crowds this is a private tour for your group only! Embark on the “Williamsburg Family Explorer: An Outdoor Historical Adventure,” a tour tailored for families to experience the rich history of Williamsburg entirely outdoors. Begin your exploration at the Kimball Theatre, appreciating its historical facade. Then, view the George Wythe House from the outside, imagining the life of this influential patriot. Stroll through Market Square, soaking in the lively atmosphere of this historic gathering place. Observe the Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse, a symbol of 18th-century law and order. Conclude at the Peyton Randolph House, where the stories of its past residents are told through its architecture and surroundings. This tour is perfect for families looking to enjoy a day of historical discovery and outdoor enjoyment in Williamsburg.

The only ghost tour in the world based on the first ever photo-study of ghosts! Real ghost photos, featured in the books Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg Virginia with Breakthrough Ghost Photography, Parts 1 & 2, are shown at each stop on a large computer notebook (Samsung Galaxy). Guides will point out the exact location around or in the house or building where the photo was taken and encourage travelers to take their own photos. Tour guides will give relevant historical information pertaining to the haunting as well as personal stories encountered by the book's author and others, including interpreters and security guards from Colonial Williamsburg. Travelers will be given choices about where they would like to stop based on their interests--no tour is ever the same! The West Tour starts at the Cheese Shop in Merchants Square and continues to various buildings in Colonial Williamsburg to the last stop--Williamsburg's most haunted: the Peyton Randolph House.

Available only for groups of 6 or more with a phone call. This bike tour is more than just a leisurely ride through scenic landscapes; it's an opportunity to confront our past, understand our present, and shape a more just and equitable future. We will have wheeled our way through 400 years of history to a modern vineyard for wine and celebrating good friends and shared connections. What truly sets this tour apart? We present a balanced and nuanced account of history, acknowledging the complexities and contradictions that shaped America's identity. We encourage open dialogue and respectful exchange of ideas, fostering a sense of shared understanding and empathy. We prioritize responsible travel practices that minimize our impact on the environment and support local communities. We donate a % of tour proceeds to local conservation concerns like Capital Trees, VCU Rice Rivers, James River Association.

The Holly Jolly Hunt offers a unique blend of affordability and engaging holiday activity, making it ideal for groups. Tickets are sold per team (up to 10 people), providing great value for families and friends. The hunt is self-guided and playable in any city decked out for the holidays, putting you in control of the schedule. The core of the game is its focus on fun and laughter, achieved by mixing the search for holiday items with silly photo missions and collaborative challenges. This combination ensures that the focus remains on group bonding and light-hearted, memorable competition to top the scoreboard.