Colonial Williamsburg Admission

Issue at counter since we booked with tripadvisor. Gentleman helping us was very kind and patient to get the information we needed to generate our tickets. Bus schedule was a little hard to figure out going so we walked there. Managed to get the bus back OK. Seems like there were more houses closed than open with most open houses being places to buy something. We did enjoy what we saw and because of time constraints will need to go back to finish our tour and stay in the area.

Absolutely lovely area all around. We stayed a week and saw Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. All excellent guides and very informative. Not exactly the history you learned in school. Admission fee was well worth it but be informed, there is a LOT of walking involved.

This is a great place. We’ve been several times. It gives a great perspective on early American history.

Great place to stay. Great gym, swimming pool, the breakfast was great each day we were there (4). We also loved the location. close to all of the places we wanted to go and see. the rooms were very spacious, the beds were very comfortable and the entire atmosphere was lovely. Very relaxing.

Williamsburg is wonderful! However the experience seems more homogenous this visit with everything owned by the same company.

Walking around historical Williamsburg is wonderful. All the different businesses/homes are so interesting-blacksmith, cabinet maker....

If you or family members aren't history lovers, Colonial Williamsburg can still be fun. There are so many trades represented that kids will likely find something they are interested in, from dresses and weaving to the blacksmith and gunmaker and most things in between. The reenactors help bring things to life and make it relatable. If you already like history, this is a great place to visit and it shouldn't take any convincing. Tips: - take water. Especially in the summer when it's hot and humid. If you don't bring your own, be prepared to pay $5+ per bottle - most of the buildings are air conditioned. They make for a nice escape from the heat - the shuttle can be helpful to get from the visitor center to the historic area and for moving from one end of the historic area to another, especially if you have smaller kids but didn't bring a stroller - you could spend all day and still not experience everything. The real limit is how long do you have before your group's energy / patience / attention run out.

Colonial Williamsburg was nice and the employees were very friendly and accommodating. They would explain what they were doing and answer your questions. The only bad thing was that the restaurants close between 2:00 - 4:00 pm. So be sure you eat or get your reservations in before then.

We reviewed all the options on line and purchased tickets before we traveled. The Viator voucher had to be presented at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor's Center for actual tickets. Unfortunately, we had to wait in the line with all the visitors who were there to review the many options and make a ticket choice. According to the ticket agent, there was a separate line for voucher visitors before the pandemic but it was not brought back after the pandemic. The return of a separate line would certainly help. Our tickets allowed us to visit all of the trade sites and watch as the crafts people demonstrated their craft. Excellent and very educational - would highly recommend the Historic Area & Museums ticket.

Great hotel. Would highly recommend Holiday Inn on Bypass Road. Close to all historical sites. Beautiful clean rooms.

Everything was outstanding and I will definitely use it again

I liked Colonial Williamsburg a great deal. It certainly took 3 days to see it all and there were many interesting performances.

We had been told about Colonial Williamsburg and how amazing it was which seemed to match the marketing we had seen so we though it was finally worth a visit. We arrived at the visitor centre after driving around not really knowing where to go. We were then advised to get a bus not realising a walk was also possible. The bus ride was somewhat peculiar as it was a public bus with insufficient room for the tourists getting on and off the bus, which at times meant a rather uncomfortable standing room only journey. We were completely new so somewhat inexperienced and unclear what to expect. We got off the bus near the palace only to experience our first closed door. This we found out was an added extra tour. Nonetheless we navigated the town / street with many doors closed, not because they were not part of the exhibit but due to short staff or staff break. We were outside one home and then an employee in a maids outfit answered 'do you want to come in?' We were unclear so replied 'Yes'. We then were sent on a self guided tour of a house which seemed to resemble an old antique shop with mismatched furniture and ambiguous historical facts. At the time we attended it felt rather like we were intruding on a movie set, rather than an historical tourist attraction. It was confused, as were the staff. One building we went in had printers, office furniture which we come to find out was in fact the office. We were then chased away rather rudely by a poorly dressed employee on a break. The marketing for Colonial Williamsburg was incredible but unfortunately did not match the reality. We were left feeling completely underwhelmed, confused and not 100% clear what we had paid for, what we had witnessed and what was the point. There was a real opportunity to create something special, unforgettable memories; but unfortunately for us, on our visit it was a rather memory we would rather forget. It lacked passion, creativity and history. It may well have been something extraordinary in the past, but I fear complacency has now crept in to reveal a dismal experience that one could easily avoid.

I was part of a group of 4 adults. We paid for tickets. We were disappointed by what was there. Several of the sights we wanted to see were only offering tours and we didn't want to wait for the next tour. We just wanted to walk through the buildings. The characters that we did interact with talked about uninteresting things instead of what events actually took place in the particular building. Gloucester street has mostly closed buildings and retail. There were no colonial restaurants or bars open. Wanting a drink, we took the bus to merchants square and all that was there were fast food restaurants and no bars. I visited Colonial Williamsburg several years ago and it was fun talking with costumed characters on the street that invited me into their homes and pointed out interested things. There was nothing like that today. The characters that we did find were not very friendly or into their character. Don't waste your money on admission. Just go in for free.

Colonial Williamsburg was a fun way to not only refresh our memories of things that we learned in school but also add in details and visuals.

I had my ticket but it took the desk 15 min to figure out what my ticket covers. That was the whole point of getting the tickets ahead of time

We thoroughly enjoyed colonial Williamsburg. We bought annual tickets so we could go in and see everything. We took my daughter‘s family and because of our annual tickets we actually at that time we’re able to get them 50% off on the tickets so their children got to enjoy some of the old time sites firsthand. It was very nice. And it was very educational.

Great visitor center. Well-run and organized! We made it to the Governors Palace in time for the Jefferson interpretive presentation at 10:30. It was v well done and made him much more relatable and likeable. The buildings were well marked. The CW docents were helpful and informative. Even our bus driver was fun! If you’re interested in Colonial times, 10/10 recommend.

Print the ticket. Apple wallet does not work. Get in line at the visitor center and exchange for the tag. It’s a badge you wear. Great experience.

Went to the drama “Cry Witch” at the Capitol: It was a reenactment of a witch trial in Williamsburg in 1703 that was recommended by a couple we met at wine tasting. Would not recommend for family.

Beautiful site to visit that is historical and informative. Presenters are very educated on their topics and follow up questions. You definitely need multiple days to visit. Spread out area, bring water to stay hydrated, lots of buildings are air conditioned. Use the bus stops to alleviate some of the walking.

The people at the Visitor Center were most helpful! We really didn’t get to enjoy too much because of the crowds at the tours. And the map had very small letters.

Easy to navigate. A very fair cancellation policy. Customer service person was helpful

I had first visited Colonial Williamsburg over 25 years ago with my mother and had a wonderful trip. I was very excited to return and share this experience with my husband who had never been. The experience was not quite as remembered. First the whole town of Williamsburg is beautiful and the museum town is lovely. I recommend buying the tickets so you can do the tour of Governor's Palace and the other buildings. It not only supports the program but you can learn a lot and I enjoyed interacting with the "colonial residents". Its really fun watching some of them do trades as they make products from that time period using their methods. Its also clear how much most of them love what they are doing and are passionate about the history. I also don't mind how they blended in some modern elements in some stores, such as selling modern food and drinks at places to keep you hydrated and fed as you walked around. I thought it was tactfully done. What made me sad was the colonial town was not nearly as vibrant as it was on my first visit. I remember reenactors walking around the town, having conversations with guests. People speaking in public as if it was from that time frame and some random displays and shows on the streets. I saw they do reenactor weekends but the town was definitely not as lively as my previous visit. We even went on a Saturday in June, which I expected to be busy; and it was not. We had no problem getting around and had many parts of the town to ourselves at points. It was nice but sad at the same time. Some of the shops and trades seemed to be condensed into shared spaces and not as spread out as I remember. I am sure lots of the change has to due with a decrease in visitors overall. I also understand that they may want to have less staff out in the streets since anyone can walk through there for free. You want to make sure the paying guests are getting more of the experiences with the colonial residents. I just wish there was more going on outside the building to make it a little more immersive. Overall I still had a nice time and would recommend this as an area to visit. I do plan to try and go back sometime sooner than waiting so long, as we did love the whole area. Maybe a holiday trip next time.

Bought one-day pass. Thrilling day! Well worth cost of admission. Reenactors were informative and engaging. Wear shoes for walking. Use the free bus. Bring a bottle of water and refill as necessary. Make sure phone is fully charged beforehand. Military may use the Liberty Lounge , like a USO. I recommend picking out a few places you really want to see. Don’t try to see it all. Stop and ask questions. Great way to celebrate 250.

Would have liked a booklet to carry around explaining the various shops and what we should definitely see!

I spent about 8 hours exploring Colonial Williamsburg and had a wonderful time. I first visited 17 years ago, and while a lot has changed, as it naturally should, I do miss how immersive the experience used to be. Back then, the interpreters stayed completely in character, even pretending not to understand modern slang, which really made it feel like you had stepped back in time. This visit felt a bit more modern, so I didn’t get quite the same historical immersion. That said, I still love Colonial Williamsburg. There’s so much history to learn, the grounds are easy to navigate, and the admission process was smooth and family-friendly. It’s a fantastic place to spend the day, and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in American history.

Visited for two days. Once we visited the visitor center we finally understood how visiting would work. Would be helpful to be able download an interactive map. Also, we are veterans and would have liked to know we could have visited the military rep instead of waiting in line or being able to get the military discount at the kiosk. However, we are grateful for the discount and being able to visit Liberty Lounge for a break and coffee/water with fellow vets. Very appreciated. The village is set up well and the map was helpful. As a lover of history though would have enjoyed more of a presence of guides or employees staged and telling stories. The only interactions we had were inside the trade shops if we asked questions and of course in the capitol, the courthouse or the palace. Food sources were also scarce. The Kings Arms Tavern was the only sit down restaurant that was open on the day we visited. We did like the meals that we ordered and the service was great. Cry Witch is very well done and was one of our favorite things that we attended. I am glad to have made the trip and with a few improvements this could be exceptional.

Loved colonial Williamsburg; however, the process at the visitor center to redeem our tickets was complex. Trip advisor needs to explain that process up front. That way the steps could have been done at home with access to a printer.

Enjoyed this very much. Very family friendly and a lot to do.

Ticket price was higher in military. Discount was unavailable and you still had to wait in line at the venue

This is not a ticket but rather a voucher for a ticket. You have to stand in line for the ticket. The advantage of buying through Viator is that you can cancel up to 24 hours before the event.

As a student of history and a history buff I was so excited to go to this living history museum. Well…after a day and a half walking around, spending a small fortune, learning very little and being treated poorly by the staff, do yourself a big favor and skip it. It’s a monumentally costly venture, first the tickets, but also the food, the drinks, basically be prepared to pledge your first born. Having dinner in a tavern? Expect to spend $100 EACH for dinner and 1 drink! To make matters worse, the history in many places is narrowly focused and lacking in breadth and depth. You will learn very little and what few details are presented have a detectable bias. The rest of the facts around the founding and founders are just plain omitted or in some cases, misrepresented. I saw a presentation by an actor cos playing Patrick Henry and being that I am a history buff I was aware that the information he was presenting as fact was actually a complete fabrication and fictional. To add a final insult, the service from the angry, downtrodden staff is just flat out terrible. I tried to bring a little cheer, smiling and using my best manners and showing gratitude and respect for their positions in the hopes of lifting some spirits but it was to no avail, they would not be made to be reciprocate. It’s like they hate their customers and I am not exaggerating. I think word has gotten out that this museum isn’t a good use of time or money, the museum was not packed even on the 4th of July weekend, we got right into a tavern for dinner, just walked in with no reservation even though it appeared to be booked up online. Not even close, there were lots of open tables. If I had it to do over again, I would spend my hard earned cash elsewhere…Maybe Yorktown? I gave two stars because we enjoyed the Thomas Jefferson production in the evening and the city courthouse actor provided some decent information. That’s it friends. Skip this, not a good value. I can support an expensive tourist attraction but expensive, not fulfilling the mission of the attraction and even lying about history and then treating the visitors like garbage…this place is just terrible. Ugh.

Our Family attended 250 anniversary celebration 2026 July 4th! Free Admission! This alone saved us almost $300. Most Buildings were open with crafters and ongoing skill displays. Engraver and woodworker was our favorite. It was busy, but not bad. Unfortunately it was also almost 90 degrees outside. Maps clearly indicated our route and special shows. Especially like reenactments. Costumes and employees all excellent and outgoing. Many engaged the kids and answered their endless questions with facts and history. Nobody liked the soft serve Ice cream. This place is larger than you think! Will take at least 5 hours. Do not take the shuttle! Walk to the Governors Mansion, not the Shuttle. Shuttle takes too long! Well organized, lots of EMS & Police, present. Church Bakery, Prison and other shops all informative and very well maintained! Get your Map, for sure. Huge Souvenir Store at Visitors Building, at entry! Only problem you may have is Parking, go late after 1pm, drive through "closed /full" lot, drive around till you find a spot!

As usual we had a wonderful time. It was dangerously hot but there were plenty of places to go to cool off. Fireworks were outanding!

We could have used more time! We particularly loved watching all of the craftsmen and women show us how tasks were completed

Incredibly disappointing and not as advertised. Most of the buildings are replicas built in the 1930s by Rockefeller rather than original colonial structures, so it's important to know that before you visit. Signage is poor, and staff frequently provide conflicting or inaccurate information. At least 70% of the visitors appeared to be over the age of 60, with very few children. To see everything, you need 2-3 full days without taking extended breaks for lunch. Pack bottled water and snacks. Be prepared for a tremendous amount of walking. Many of the buildings are not open to visitors because they are used as rental housing for staff or local residents. Only a handful of buildings feature costumed craftspeople, who are generally friendly and knowledgeable. We did not see a single employee in period costume walking the grounds. A few tourists engaged in cosplay definitely. There were no flowers in bloom anywhere in the gardens. For June, the landscaping was especially disappointing, with only a few daylilies along one waterway. Many of the boxwoods had large dead sections that needed pruning. Don't visit b/c of the gardens as you will be disappointed. If you park at the Visitor Center, don't miss the parking payment kiosk. Parking costs $10 per day, and you will receive a ticket if you don't pay. The kiosk faces away from the parking lot, making it easy to miss. There is a free transit bus for drop offs at certain locations which you should utilize. Purchasing admission tickets at the Visitor Center takes longer than it should because the process is slow, and the cashiers were not particularly welcoming. Staff also seemed unfamiliar with the carriage ride ticketing process and sent us to multiple locations before we finally learned that reservations must be made through a Williamsburg property concierge. Unless you're staying at an official Williamsburg property, don't expect to secure carriage ride tickets as a walk-up visitor. And it's not worth the price either. The one place I would strongly recommend is The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg which are free and on the grounds. The staff and docents there were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely happy you were there. The museum also contains many of the artifacts and furnishings that are absent from the historic buildings themselves. It wasn't clear whether the gift shops are operated directly by the Foundation or outsourced, but the merchandise selection was disappointing. Colonial Williamsburg had been on my bucket list for years. It turned out not to be what I was hoping for or as advertised. Now that I've been, I wouldn't return and can't recommend.

The tour is a waste of money. You tour yourself and it takes you to a shopping center after a few houses down the street. You can see all the houses if you come in from the shopping center no charge. There’s not much to see.

You don’t have to buy any tickets to experience colonial Williamsburg only if you would like to go inside the buildings do you need tickets. Since I’m a history buff I recommend getting the tickets otherwise you could enjoy and have fun regardless. Absolutely beautiful area with rich history of our country.

Really enjoyed seeing historical Williamsburg The fly over by the French air performance team was nice.

VA in the 1800s @ Williamsburg

This tour is interesting and informational. You do not go into any haunted house, but the tour guide does a good job of creating a fun, scary atmosphere.

We bought a one day pass to colonial Williamsburg. You need to exchange the ticket at the visitor center for their actual ticket (they’ll assist you in emailing it to them which is very easy). You park at the visitor center and then shuttle or walk to the actual Colonial Williamsburg area.

Wonderful, educational experience. Beautuful village. Staff was top of the line, friendly and informative as well as interactive. Highly recommend!

My family and I traveled to Williamsburg after looking forward to this experience for several months. Based on the information and marketing materials presented on the Colonial Williamsburg website, we expected a more immersive and interactive historical experience, including opportunities to observe colonial reenactments, character portrayals, historical speeches, demonstrations, staged performances, and other living-history presentations throughout the Historic Area. Unfortunately, our experience did not meet those expectations. During our visit, we did not encounter any historical reenactments, speeches, demonstrations, staged performances, or other interactive living-history experiences. The Governor’s Palace and the Capitol building were the only admission-required locations we were able to access using our tickets. Beyond brief guided entry into the buildings, there were no reenactments, historical speeches, demonstrations, or other interactive experiences that justified the admission price or matched the expectations created by the Colonial Williamsburg website. The ticket description led us to expect guided sites, historic trade demonstrations, staged performances, and other living-history experiences throughout the Historic Area. During our visit, we were unable to locate or experience those advertised activities. As a result, our family felt that the admission tickets did not deliver the value we reasonably expected when purchasing them. We spent a total of $143.04, including taxes, for four adult tickets, and left feeling disappointed by the significant difference between what was presented on the website and what we actually experienced. Had we understood that the experience would primarily consist of limited access to a small number of buildings without the advertised immersive programming, we would not have purchased four admission tickets.

The buildings and the grounds were very well kept and easy to get around in. The employees were very helpful and patient. We did not get to see everything because some of the buildings were not open when we were there, but the ones we got to see were very good and the costumed interpreters were very knowledgeable about the houses and buildings. A highlight for us was the parade of different Drum and Fife Corp playing and marching down the Main Street. It was so authentic and we really enjoyed it! This is a must see if you are in the area.

We had a wonderful time at Colonial Williamsburg. Every exhibit was a treat to the eyes and so very informative. The staff (actors) were in character constantly, so framing your questions becomes a great deal of fun. Each stage presentation (George Washington etc.) was informative, humorous and thoroughly entertaining. I am a craftsman, so I asked a lot of questions about techniques and tools of the period, so I needed 2 days to get it all in. Plan on walking a lot. My only suggestion is for them to add more places to get a meal, drink or snack. The admission fee was reasonable, be sure to ask about military/veteran / senior discounts. We went in mid-May and did not feel crowded even though many exhibits were in small buildings. Be sure to study the daily calendar for presentation times. Every presentation was terrific.

Beautiful place, but half of the experience was closed.

First, admission was complicated. I had bought the tickets with Tripadvisor, and thought all we’d have to do is show the QR code, but it was much more complicated than that. Second, we did not think the majority of the employees in costume “acted the part”. Third, very few attractions were open the day we were there, including 2 of the 3 MAJOR ones (Governors Palace and Drum and Fife).