Top Williamsburg Cultural Tours

Come on to our untold secrets of Williamsburg history tour presented by Junket! Experience Untold Secrets of Williamsburg to discover the true, dark, and unbelievable stories of the giants of American History who lived here. They helped found our country...but also walked the streets of Williamsburg as living, loving, fighting, and real human beings with personal stories, good and terrible, waiting to be uncovered. While Colonial Williamsburg is a true museum of living history, many storytellers shy away from the details that made it real and avoid unpopular stories of the great, and terrible, men and women who lived, loved, laughed, killed, and died here. On this tour experience, instead of stepping carefully around those stories, expert tour guides will dive headfirst into unflinching accounts and gripping backstories of the famous and infamous figures who called Williamsburg home.

The only tour in Williamsburg that gives the history of slavery in one presentation. We discuss what is and is not slavery. We debunk the myths that have been associated with slavery for generations. We are also the only tour that explores the impact on our modern society.

Travel back in time more than 300 years—and learn all about Williamsburg’s wealth of history—on this flexible, self-led smartphone tour. Upon booking, download the app; after arriving at Colonial Williamsburg (tickets own expense) set off at your own pace. Thanks to the app’s offline capabilities and GPS maps, you can navigate with ease as you discover the park’s top landmarks and hear the stories behind the sights.

Come on to our history of black Americans tour presented by Junket! We often learn the history and stories of heroes of the American Revolution and the early history of America. What isn't often covered in history classes and history books is the story of African Americans who were enslaved during this time. On this unique tour, we'll discover the stories of African Americans who lived and worked in Colonial Williamsburg. From the slaves buried in the graveyard of the Historic First Baptist Church, to the woman who left property to her freed black servants, you'll uncover the untold stories of the oppressed, and their path to freedom.

Be amazed, entertained, and scared (in a good way) on this ghost tour of Williamsburg. The tour is based around a photo study of ghosts and paranormal activity, 'Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg'. You'll be shown the amazing photos while visiting the places they were taken. Each tour is slightly different and you'll visit various locations, including what is considered to be Williamsburg's most haunted house, Peyton Randolph House.

One of the oldest settlements in the country, Colonial Williamsburg boasts centuries of history—as well as stories of ghostly encounters and unexplained happenings. On this late-night walking tour, you’ll see a side of the area few other visitors get to explore. Follow your guide to the most supposedly haunted Williamsburg landmarks, see the earliest ghost photos ever taken (right here in Williamsburg), hear spooky stories as you go, and engage in your own ghost-spotting.

** Memorial Day Sale - Prices displayed for 2-Park 2-Day and 2-Park 3-Day tickets are discounted from the previous retail price. Book by May 30, 2022 ** There’s something for everyone at Busch Gardens Williamsburg — the theme park with a European twist. Get your heart racing on dozens of thrilling rides and attractions inspired by Old World legends, including the Griffon, Loch Ness Monster and Alpengeist coasters, plus the Land of Dragons and other kid-friendly areas. Grab a pint at the Oktoberfest beer hall, dine at an authentic Italian ristorante, and catch live shows like the Celtic Fyre Irish extravaganza for a day of international fun!

The Jamestown Settlement is a living history museum located just 15 minutes by car from Colonial Williamsburg. This 7–day pass with complimentary free parking allows you to explore Jamestown at your own pace with breaks in between—a convenient choice for families with children. Your admission ticket grants you access to films, historical interpreters, working farms, and recreated colonial spaces.

Discover Colonial Williamsburg and experience all this renowned historic city City has to offer. Learn about life in colonial America and the American Revolution. Enjoy the historical reenactments and theatrical performances, the vibrant gardens and art museums, plus guided and self-guided tours of the original 18th-century buildings and homes and personal interaction with the townspeople. Parking is included.

Private tour of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown for your group. 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), monument, and cave where Cornwallis retreated at Yorktown Beach. This exclusive 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. If you are visiting Williamsburg and have a group of 4 people, we can drive the Colonial Parkway (completed in the 1940s) to each of the sites. The afternoon tour at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown includes the canon firing at 3:00pm (weather dependent). We spend about 2 hours touring and about an hour driving which makes this a 3 hour tour. If we meet in Yorktown, then the tour is about 2 hours, slightly longer if anyone shops at the museums.

Private guided tour of the Jamestown Settlement (state museum), Glasshouse of 1608, and Historic Jamestowne. This exclusive tour includes an in-depth learning experience about the beginning of our oldest English colony. We visit the three sites described above and admission tickets are included. When we visit Historic Jamestowne (the actual site of the Jamestown Fort) you have the opportunity to interact with National Park Service rangers and learn about the active archeology digs revealing new discoveries about our early colonists. There are amazing views of the James River, wildlife and the Tercentennial Monument that stands 104 feet tall and is made of New Hampshire granite. 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 scooter rentals and wheelchairs are available, with notice to your guide for sites without scooters.

This captivating bundle of self-guided audio tours immerses you in the battles of Gettysburg, Antietam, and Yorktown. 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, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit. New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

*FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY* 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. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg and, 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.

This exclusive, private tour (only your group) highlights Colonial Williamsburg's Christmas traditions and picturesque holiday decorations of our historical area. This tour provides insight about the materials, crafts people, construction and design of the wreaths and garlands adorning the exterior of most 18th Century buildings, exhibits and private homes and different judging categories. We meet at The Williamsburg Inn to admire the spectacular decorations and begin our journey to the Duke of Gloucester. We'll discuss how holidays were celebrated in 18th Century Williamsburg, on Virginia's plantations and during the Revolutionary War. Gingerbread cookies are offered to guests. Note: Grand Illuminations are the first, second and third Saturdays of December (7pm fireworks from the Governor’s Palace and Capitol). The Yule Log lightings are the first, second and third Fridays of December. Decorations are judged Monday after the first Grand Illumination and a second time two weeks later.

Enjoy a time-saving way to discover the best of Colonial Williamsburg—and learn the stories behind the sights—on this private walking tour. Pick from a range of convenient start times, meet your guide in Merchants Square, and set off on foot. You’ll see highlights like the Governor’s Palace and Capitol, will stroll along the history-saturated West Duke of Gloucester Street, and will visit the adjacent College of William & Mary.

Richmond, Virginia is celebrated for its over-the-top holiday lights displays every year—and this tour makes exploring them simple. In the evening, depart from Williamsburg via climate-controlled vehicle and travel to Richmond. You’ll learn all about the city’s history of tacky lights displays, will admire some of the best examples, and will even see the Christmas tree in front of the Virginia State Capitol.

With its hundreds of years of history, it’s no surprise that Colonial Williamsburg has accumulated some macabre stories over the centuries—and you’ll learn all the local lore on this dark history tour. Meet your guide in the afternoon at the Capitol, and set off on foot. From tales of creepy secret societies to stories of sinister happenings, you’ll discover a side of Colonial Williamsburg that few other visitors encounter.

Colonial Williamsburg offers the chance to step back in time to the 18th century—and this private walking tour will give you an even richer understanding of this early American destination. Pick from multiple tour times, meet your guide outside the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, and set off. Explore the city’s key historical landmarks, learn about what colonial–era life was like, and hear behind-the-scenes stories about Williamsburg’s history.

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.

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 take you through 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 this place was, and is, so important not only to Dr. Goodwin and Mr. Rockefeller but also to future generations. *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.

Stroll Boston’s Freedom Trail independently and learn about the history of the city with this self-guided walking tour app. Download and use the app offline and let the GPS guide you from historic location to historic location. Explore at your own pace and use it any day and time that suits your schedule.

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. *Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg and, 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.

This is an exceptional tour to visit Monticello, a World Heritage Site, home to our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, one of the primary authors 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 were 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 nearby restaurants in Charlottesville before returning to Williamsburg. Approx: 4 hours travel, 3.5 hours touring, 1 hour lunch.