Top 10 kids-friendly things to do in Williamsburg

1. Williamsburg ghost tour — Forgotten Spirits of the Past

One-hour walking tour of Williamsburg — uncover chilling tales of lost souls and forgotten tavern keepers in the city's historic corners.

2. Colonial Williamsburg history walking tour

Three-hour guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg — explore historic buildings, meet tradespeople, and hear stories from 18th-century America.

“Elizabeth, our guide, was outstanding and extremely knowledgeable. This tour offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about history. Colonial Williamsburg is a town that everyone should visit.”— Linda_G

3. Private sailing charter on the York River in Williamsburg

Two hours on a private sailboat — guests can take the helm or relax while enjoying nature and picturesque views of the York River.

“I had a wonderful experience. It’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy being on the water while also gaining some historical knowledge. Bill is a fantastic and well-informed guide. It was a lot of fun.”— ShandaS2

4. Private campus tour of William and Mary College

A guided tour of the historic College of William & Mary — explore the Wren Building, Chapel, Colonial classroom, and more across 90 minutes.

“Bambi's professionalism and extensive knowledge made for a fantastic experience. I learned a great deal in just two hours during the outstanding tour of William and Mary College.”— Linnea_B

5. Ghost stories walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg

A guided walking tour featuring traditional ghost stories from four centuries, led by a local storyteller.

“Although we didn't encounter any ghosts, Lonnie proved to be an excellent tour guide. We gained a wealth of knowledge and were thoroughly entertained throughout the experience.”— Morgan_Q

6. Haunted sites tour of Williamsburg: ghosts, witches, and pirates

Two hours on foot through Colonial Williamsburg — explore haunted locations with tales of ghosts, witches, and pirates, including Blackbeard and local lore.

“Lisa was incredibly kind and an excellent storyteller; I could easily listen to her for hours. Her knowledge is evident, and you can see she truly enjoys sharing the stories of the past.”— Diane_L

7. Private guided tour of Jamestown Settlement

Three to four hours of exploration — replicas of 1607 ships, Paspahegh town, James Fort, and optional entry to Historic Jamestowne for an additional fee.

“I suggest exploring on your own instead. The cost of the private tour did not justify the experience we received.”— Dale_C

8. Candlelit ghost tour of Colonial Williamsburg

Ninety minutes walking tour — explore Colonial Williamsburg’s eerie past through ghost stories told by expert storytellers.

“The experience was both informative and enjoyable. While it would have added to the fun if the tour guide had worn period attire, he shared engaging stories and interesting historical facts. We really liked it!”— Allyson_S

9. Water Country USA admission ticket

Full-day access to Water Country USA, featuring water slides, wave pools, and family-friendly attractions. Upgrade options available for additional park admissions.

“The experience started with high expectations but ended in great disappointment. We arrived at opening, but the park lacks clear signage for attractions, which is a minor issue compared to what followed. Out of ten main water slides, four were closed—Wild Thang, Malibu Pipeline, Aquazoid Amped, and Nitro Racer Supercharged. Only Aquazoid was noted as closed in the app. Additionally, two areas, Cow-A-Bunga and all of Rock 'n' Roll Island, were shut down, with Cow-A-Bunga being the only one mentioned in the app. I would have refrained from buying tickets if I had known that nearly half the attractions and an entire family area would be unavailable. This closing is particularly frustrating since Rock 'n' Roll Island is meant for families, and many visitors are here with children. It seems to be an ongoing issue with current management. Weekends might provide more attractions, but you're left dealing with huge crowds. Overall, the visit was very disheartening.”— erichs614

10. Busch Gardens Williamsburg admission ticket

One-day admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, featuring rides, shows, and scenic gondola views, with upgrade options for Water Country USA access.

“I visited on Christmas Day from 3:00 to around 8:00. The festive atmosphere was lovely with decorations everywhere, and the peanut butter hot chocolate in England was outstanding. However, I didn't have much time to explore since there was quite a bit of waiting, even though the park was less crowded than I anticipated. I enjoyed the performance of Gloria, which depicted the birth of Christ through Christmas carols, and it featured great actors, singers, staging, and effects. I also caught Scrooge No More, a short musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which was similarly well-executed. Both shows lasted about 25 minutes. A frustrating aspect was that Scrooge was always scheduled to start just five minutes after Gloria, making it impossible to see back-to-back. I ended up missing it, leaving me with idle time until the next showing. One staff member was not helpful when I inquired about missing a show; her curt responses added to my disappointment. I enjoyed a train ride around the park to see the lights, but it came with a 45-minute wait. Dining at Squire's also took 45 minutes, largely because only one of the four registers was open, although my food was ready in five minutes. Unfortunately, after dinner and the train ride, it was past 8:00, leaving me no time for rides, which was disappointing. The park became very dark as the sun set, making it difficult to navigate, and I felt slightly uneasy despite the crowds. Overall, my visit was decent; there were some highlights and some low points, but I’d recommend going at Christmas if you keep expectations moderate.”— emilyrB4397PB