Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle, the United States: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The so‑called Virginia Historic Triangle includes three sites on the peninsula between the James and York rivers, near the Chesapeake Bay. In Jamestown, in 1607, the English founded the first permanent settlement in North America; Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia colony for most of the 18th century; and at Yorktown, in 1781, the Franco‑American siege led to the British surrender that decided the Revolutionary War.

The three sites are connected by the Colonial Parkway, a scenic road of about 37 km, free of commercial signs, running through woodlands and along riverbanks. In Williamsburg, the Colonial Williamsburg historic area was restored from the 1920s and operates as a living museum, with houses, workshops and interpreters in period dress. Jamestown and Yorktown have National Park Service historic sites and museums with reconstructions.

Williamsburg is also a parks destination: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, with themed areas inspired by European countries and roller coasters, and the Water Country USA water park, open in summer.

About 90 km to the southeast, Virginia Beach is the state’s largest city, with an Atlantic‑front boardwalk, First Landing State Park and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Williamsburg, Virginia Beach.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle

✈ Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) · 30 km to Williamsburg

Flights arrive at Richmond (RIC), Norfolk (ORF) and the small Newport News/Williamsburg airport (PHF); Washington is about 250 km away. Trains connect Williamsburg to Washington and the Northeast Corridor. For getting around, a car is the most practical option. Entry requirements to the country depend on nationality: confirm the rules before you travel.

Suggested arrival point: Williamsburg

Virgínia · Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle Suggested arrival point

Williamsburg

Capital of the Virginia colony from 1699 to 1780, today a university town with the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg, an 18th-century living museum. It stands at the center of the Historic Triangle, between Jamestown, where the English arrived in 1607, and Yorktown, where the Revolutionary War ended. To the east are Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the Water Country USA water park.

Virgínia · Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle

Virginia Beach

The largest city in Virginia on the Atlantic coast, near the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It has an approximately 5 km oceanfront boardwalk with a bike path and the statue of King Neptune; First Landing State Park, where the English colonists first landed in 1607; and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

The local experience

Things to do in Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle

Virginia Beach · Virginia · Seaside promenade

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

An approximately 5 km oceanfront boardwalk with a separate bike path, plazas, the statue of King Neptune and a wide sandy beach in front.

Williamsburg · Virginia · Downtown historic district

Colonial Williamsburg

The former colonial capital of Virginia restored as a living museum, with 18th‑century houses and buildings, craft workshops and costumed interpreters.

Virginia Beach · Virginia · State park

First Landing State Park

State park in the north of Virginia Beach, where the English colonists first landed in 1607, with trails through coastal forest, cypress swamps and a bay beach.

Williamsburg · Virginia · Archaeological site

Historic Jamestowne

The site of the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607, with excavations of the fort, the rebuilt church and an archaeological museum.

See 6 more places in Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle

Williamsburg · Virginia · History museum

Jamestown Settlement

Museum with replicas of the three 1607 English ships, James Fort and a Powhatan village, with interpreters in period clothing.

Virginia Beach · Virginia · Aquarium

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Aquarium and marine science center beside an arm of the sea, with tanks of turtles, sharks and seals, a swamp trail and boat outings to see dolphins and whales.

Williamsburg · Virginia · Battlefield

Yorktown Battlefield

The 1781 siege ground where American and French forces forced the British surrender and decided the Revolutionary War, with reconstructed trenches and the historic village.

Williamsburg · Virginia · History museum

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Museum about the American Revolutionary War, with galleries, an immersive film of the Yorktown siege, a recreated military encampment, and an 18th-century farm.

Williamsburg · Virginia · Theme park

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

A theme park with areas inspired by European countries, roller coasters such as Apollo's Chariot and Griffon, shows, and major Halloween and Christmas events.

Williamsburg · Virginia · Water park

Water Country USA

The largest water park in Virginia, near Williamsburg, with water slides, a water coaster, a wave pool, a lazy river and children’s areas, open from May to September.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the historic areas on foot. Summers are hot and humid, good for the beach and for Water Country USA, which is open from May through September. In December, Williamsburg is decorated for Christmas. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days for Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown; one or two for the parks; one or two for Virginia Beach. With five or six days you can combine history, parks and beach.

Which city to stay in

In Williamsburg, hotels in the historic area and along Richmond Road are close to Colonial Williamsburg; there are also lodgings near the parks to the east of town. In Virginia Beach, boardwalk hotels face the ocean, and the northern part of the city near First Landing is quieter.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle

How many days should I set aside for Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle?

Three days allow you to see Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown; add one or two days for the parks and for Virginia Beach.

Do I need a car in Williamsburg?

Yes, for Jamestown, Yorktown, the parks and Virginia Beach. Colonial Williamsburg’s historic area can be explored on foot, and there are buses between some points in town.

Can you visit Williamsburg from Washington?

You can, but it’s about a three‑hour drive each way; ideally stay at least one night. Trains also connect the two cities.

What’s the difference between Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement?

Historic Jamestowne is the original archaeological site of the 1607 fort, managed by the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia. Jamestown Settlement, nearby, is a museum with replicas of the ships, the fort and a Powhatan village.

What is the Colonial Parkway?

A scenic road of about 37 km that links Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown, running through woodlands and along the banks of the James and York rivers.

Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip