Explore Colonial Charm: Top 11 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Williamsburg, VA

1. Historical Happy Hour

If George Washington walked into a bar with Gowan Pamphlet and a world-class artisan, it'd be the ultimate historical happy hour: Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the world, where visitors can interact with costumed interpreters and artisans, while also exploring the Art Museums for an extensive collection of art objects that are sure to be both an eye-pleaser and conversation-starter.
Source => visitwilliamsburg.com

2. America's Oldest College Building

Before Hogwarts had its corridors: The Sir Christopher Wren Building, nestled in the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, holds the prestigious title of being the oldest college building still in use in America, having been completed in 1700 with its antique brick facade and iconic cupola standing strong throughout the years.
Source => wm.edu

Did you know Virginia's famous Smithfield hams come from razorback hogs that feast on peanuts and peaches while listening to jazz tunes? Discover the secret behind this smoky delight!

=> Fun Facts about Virginia

3. Dining in 1772

Step back in time when the only "tweet" you knew was the sound of a bird and the "revolution" was what you fought in, not something you streamed on Netflix: The King's Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, dating back to 1772, is the oldest restaurant in the United States, offering a dining experience complete with 18th-century attire, pewter and brass adorned tables, and an authentic colonial menu that even includes recipes from George Washington Carver and nods to Indigenous and formerly enslaved populations.
Source => atlasobscura.com

4. Time-Traveling Bakery

Roll out the barrel, and we'll have a barrel of fun: the Raleigh Tavern Bakery in Williamsburg, VA has been tickling taste buds and kneading dough for over 300 years! Stepping into their time machine, you can enjoy fresh baked goodies, made daily in wood fire ovens just like the colonial times, including their famous Ginger Cake. Their hitsciousiciousness is almost criminal, conveniently located behind the Raleigh Tavern and across the street from the King's Arms Tavern – so there's no chance of "loafing" around on your Colonial Williamsburg adventure.
Source => colonialwilliamsburghotels.com

5. Musical Battlefield Communication

In military musical chairs, nothing could beat the tag-team of fifes and drums: During the 18th century in Williamsburg, the high-pitched fifes and booming drums served as a vital communication system for soldiers, with young boys aged 10-18 accompanying each company to help send essential messages on and off the battlefield through specifically designed tunes.
Source => colonialwilliamsburg.org

6. Food, Wine, and Rollercoaster Fusion

In a town where history buffs and thrill-seekers unite, one festival rules them all and leaves visitors saying, "Veni, Vidi, Vineyard": The annual Food & Wine Festival at Williamsburg's Busch Gardens serves up over 150 international flavors, exclusive tastings, and award-winning shows from April 27 to June 11 on Thursdays through Sundays, and features the new DarKoaster™ — North America's first all-indoor straddle coaster for an epicurean adventure amid the world's most beautiful theme park.
Source => buschgardens.com

7. Jefferson's College Shenanigans

If the walls of Williamsburg could talk, they'd surely have a Founding Father-sized tale of young Thomas Jefferson's college escapades - keg stands at the Governor's Palace, perhaps? Alas, we’ll never know: The upstanding Mr. Jefferson spent his formative two decades in town attending the College of William & Mary, living in Market Square Tavern, reading law under George Wythe, and marinating in Patrick Henry's fiery orations against the Stamp Act. Amidst such educational fervor, our tireless Virginian even found the energy to author a little document you might have heard of—the Declaration of Independence—ushering in a new level of ambition for late-night dormitory discussions.
Source => colonialwilliamsburg.org

8. Yorktown Victory Dance

Strap on your time-traveling boots, gather your muskets, and prepare for a blast from the past: The Yorktown Victory Monument in Williamsburg, VA marks the spot where America and France tag-teamed to secure a victory in the Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. With historic and interpretive information at hand, alongside stunning views and convenient wheelchair access, you'll be dancing to the tune of your own American anthem in no time.
Source => nps.gov

9. Blackbeard's Pirate Prison

Don't tell Blackbeard's crew there was no HBO in their holding cell: The Public Gaol in Williamsburg, Virginia was built in 1701, it hosted 15 of Blackbeard's pirate minions and the nefarious Henry "Hair Buyer" Hamilton, and served as a county facility until 1910 before being restored and dedicated in 1936.
Source => slaveryandremembrance.org

10. Revolution-Era Twitter

Before viral tweets and trending hashtags, our Founding Fathers had other methods to spread the word: welcome to ye olde 1776 Twitter – courtesy of the Virginia Gazette: The publisher, Alexander Purdie, was the first to print the full text of the United States Declaration of Independence in his newspaper on July 26, 1776, making it a vital record of America becoming its own boss.
Source => paperlessarchives.com

11. Beach Glass Mastery

Talk about a real pane-ful history: Williamsburg glassmakers in the 17th century crafted their exquisite wares by heating up sand from local beaches, seaweed ash, wood ash, and kiln-burned oyster shells, using techniques and tools so ancient yet essentially unchanged that they still inspire awe at the Glasshouse in Jamestown today, where this carefully restored practice is the toast of Virginia's historic legacy.
Source => nps.gov