Williamsburg served as Virginia's colonial capital, and today it is mostly known for Colonial Williamsburg, a large living-history district of restored buildings, costumed interpreters and shops. With Jamestown and Yorktown close by, the three make up the Historic Triangle, and it is one of the easiest history trips on the East Coast.
The town itself is small, about 16,000 people, and the College of William & Mary gives it a campus feel around Merchants Square. Families come for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA as well. Most of the year the pace is calm, with tourists thick in summer and around the December Grand Illumination. For anyone thinking of moving, costs sit near the national average, and the market has been cooling lately. Summers are hot and humid, tropical storms are possible from June to November, and car break-ins in parking lots are the most common crime.
Cities with a similar character, anywhere on the site.
Out of 10. Open any score to see how it’s worked out. “Data-based” scores come from published figures; “Hey! En Route estimate” scores are worked out from what we know about the city; “Hey! En Route rating” scores were set by our editors.
- Known as
- Colonial Williamsburg; The Historic Triangle (with Jamestown and Yorktown); America's Colonial Capital
- Founded
- 1632 settled (as Middle Plantation); 1699 named Williamsburg and made colonial capital; 1884 incorporated as a city
- Airports
- Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF), about 15 mi / 20 min; Richmond International (RIC), about 55 mi; Norfolk International (ORF), about 50 mi; Amtrak station in town (3 daily trains)
- Tipping
- Restaurants 18-20% for table service; bars $1-2 per drink; hotel housekeeping $3-5 per night; bellhop $1-2 per bag; taxi/rideshare 15-20%; tour guides and costumed interpreters optional, $5-10 for private guides
