Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas

During the Christmas holiday season getting outside in the great outdoors does  not always mean going hiking or mountain biking.  Our National Parks system has great outdoor parks where one can walk out side from exhibit to exhibit.

Colonial Williamsburg is one such place.  Williamsburg was founded in 1692 along the Virginia Peninsula.  It was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 - 1780. Today Colonial Williamsburg is contained in the city limits of Williamsburg, Virginia.  Located between Interstate 64 and the James River just south of Interstate 64  exit 238.  Just east of Colonial Williamsburg is Bush Gardens and to the south Historic Jamestowne.

Visiting what is referred to as the America's Historic Triangle is well worth the trip.  While visiting Colonial Williamsburg, if you are active duty or retired military, showing your ID card gets you into the Liberty Lounge. The Liberty Lounge is a place to relax and recharge after spending time walking the streets of Colonial Williamsburg visiting all the exhibits.  At one end of Duke of Gloucester Street is Merchants Square where one will find restaurants and shops filled with colonial souvenirs to take back home.  Because Colonial Williamsburg is part of the City of Williamsburg, one can walk the streets and visit all the restaurants and shops with out paying an entry fee.  If you want to tour any of the historic buildings, one will need to purchase a ticket at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.  In addition to day tickets, one can get other types of entry tickets like annual passes. Click HERE to visit the Colonial Williamsburg website to purchase tickets online.

Parking is available around town in any of the city parking lots, but it is recommended if you purchase a ticket to park at the visitors and ride the shuttle bus to Colonial Williamsburg.  Buses run all day long stopping at bus stops located throughout Colonial Williamsburg.

The City of Williamsburg has many hotels in the area.  If one wants to stay really close to all the exhibits, there are three hotels located in Colonial Williamsburg, Woodlands Hotel & Suites, Williamsburg Lodge and the Williamsburg Inn.  Each is in walking distance of the three main streets of Colonial Williamsburg.  See map of the are above.

 Any time of the year is the right time to visit.  Each season brings a different look and feel to Colonial Williamsburg.  Picking the right time to visit is important if you do not like crowds. During the time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, might be less crowded because schools are out on winter break and school tours are not occurring.

So the next time you are visiting Virginia do not leave out a trip to America's Historical Triangle and Colonial Williamsburg.  Click HERE for a video of photos and video clips taken at Colonial Williamsburg. Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great doors.