Are you looking to explore the history of Williamsburg through the ages? There are a number of historical destinations in Williamsburg including the time-honored buildings, monuments, palaces, and parks where you can learn about the glorious past of Williamsburg. The presence of these historical sites and museums will take you on a walk through Williamsburg ‘s rich history.
If you are willing to have an in-depth historical information about Williamsburg, we recommend that you take a wonderful guided tour to cover the major historical attractions. Also, check the opening and closing time for each so that you can organize your time. Make sure that you go through the complete list of historical places in Williamsburg for a great trip!
Top Historical Places in Williamsburg
Let's witness the history of Williamsburg with these top historical places - monuments and landmarks:
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Historic Jamestowne
(788 Votes)
Located on the James River, Historic Jamestowne is the cultural heritage site where the city of Jamestown was established way back in 1607. It was the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The heritage site is jointly taken care of and operated by US National Park Service and Preservation Virgini...Read more -
Jamestown Settlement
(630 Votes)
Jamestown Settlement is a living history museum where costumed interpreters portray the life of a resident of Jamestown in the 17th century. It is a comprehensive reconstruction of the life and times of the early English settlers and the settlement is situated adjacent to Historic Jamestowne. It was in the 19th century that the first efforts were made at historical preservation and since then, ...Read more -
Governor's Palace
(406 Votes)
The Governor’s Palace is one of the largest buildings in Colonial Williamsburg that was built in the early 1700s. It used to be the official residence of the Royal Governors of the Colony of Virginia and served as its capital before it was moved to Richmond in 1780. The Palace subsequently burned down in 1781 and was painstakingly reconstructed at the original site during the 1930s. The a...Read more -
Bassett Hall is an 18th century frame house that is part of Colonial Williamsburg. It is here that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller lived when the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg was taking place in the 1930s. The house was originally built between 1753 and 1766. It is now open to the public and appears as it did in when it was occupied by the Rockefellers dur...Read more -
Merchants Square
(204 Votes)
Merchants Square is located adjacent to Colonial Williamburg’s historic area. It is considered one of the first planned shopping malls in North America. It was built in 1935. The perfect place to shop till you drop! There are over 40 unique restaurants and stores here with a range of products available. The architecture is inspired by the houses and stores of 18th century Williamsburg. A...Read more -
Jamestown Glasshouse
(113 Votes)
The Jamestown Glasshouse is located in Jamestown, Virginia and is part of the Historic Jamestowne experience. It was first built in 1608, just a few yards away from the current glasshouse. It was abandoned in 1624. These glasshouses were excavated in 1948. The glasshouse that exists today was built during the 1970s. Instead of trees like in the olden days, the furnaces use natural gas for fuel....Read more -
Wallace's Trading Post
(48 Votes)
The Wallace’s Trading Post is a nice little place to stop by if you’re looking for some nice souvenirs to take home. The store has apparel, collectibles, auto accessories, golf accessories, jewellery, books and countless other items. The store sells licensed College of William and Mary memorabilia. The fudge available at the store is definitely worth trying. Historical replications...Read more -
The bloody ravine is the site of a bloody, gruesome skirmish during the 1862 Battle of Williamsburg where 41,000 Federals and 32,000 Confederates fought. The area provided temporary fortification or redoubts to both the armies. A number of troops from the army of Northern Virginia witnessed their first bout of fighting right here, on this very site. These redoubts are truly a blast from the pas...Read more -
Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
(20 Votes)
Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area in Williamsburg, Virginia is a first-hand insight into life in colonial settlements in the 18th century. This tourist attraction boasts of actors in period costumes, historical buildings restored and preserved for authenticity and people going about their business, just like they would in colonial America. All of the above makes Colonial Williamsburg Histori...Read more -
Colonial National Historical Park is a historical park which is managed by National Park Service. The park is divided into several parts. Colonel Parkway offers a 23 mile walkway where you can hike and at the end of the path you can find the intersection point of Virginia’s Triangle. It gives access to its visitors to the Jamestown estate where you can find Jamestown Glasshouse and a tiny...Read more -
Bruton Parish Episcopal Church
(497 Votes)
The Bruton Parish Episcopal Church is another attraction within Colonial Williamsburg. It was established in 1674 and restored by 1905. It remains active today, so you can go attend its services and recitals or talk to the many church volunteers who will tell you the rich history of the place. The church has been visited by some of the famous names in history such as George Washington and Thoma...Read more -
The Sir Christopher Wren Building at the College of William & Mary was constructed between 1695 and 1700 and is the oldest college building that is still standing in the United States. The building has been constantly plagued by fires (in 1705, 1859 and 1862). Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, and John Marshall have all walked its hallowed halls. A true piece of history! The late...Read more