"Pompeii of America!" Top 5 Page for this destination Williamsburg by matcrazy1
Williamsburg Travel Guide: 836 reviews and 1,118 photos
Williamsburg, settled in 1632, became the capital of the most populated and wealthiest British colony in America - Virginia - in 1699 for the next 81 years.
Governor of Virginia Thomas Jefferson was afraid that Williamsburg's location made it vulnerable to a British attack and in 1780, during the American Revolutionary War, the capital was moved to Richmond.
In the early 20th century, John D. Rockefeller financed a project to restore a large portion of the city's 18th century buildings to their original condition. The restored area is known as Colonial Williamsburg which I was lucky to visit together with Urszula (matcrazy0) and Nat (b1bob). Currently there are more visitors to Colonial Williamsburg than to the US capital, Washington. I am not that much surpriced about it, now.
Colonial Williamsburg, the historic district of the city of Williamsburg mostly consists of the buildings (over 500) that comprised the original colonial capital of Wlliamsburg. I joined guided tours inside the two highlights: the Governor's Palace and the Capitol, the first capitol in America.
My eyes enjoyed looking at pretty colonial architecture and locals costumed in colonial dresses. My ears heard colonial music. My nose felt the 18th century aromas, my mouth wanted to taste colonial food although financial center of my brain warned me: do not over-pay, you just started quite expensive trip and already spent $90 for 2 tickets :-).
- Pros:History shown in the impressive way
- Cons:Tourist prices
- In a nutshell:Discover the colonial life of America!
Reviews (175)
Take more time!
Tourist Traps
(3)
It is not the best idea to visit Colonial Williamsburg during half a day but I had no choice. Well, I can't complain, I... more travel advice
First impression maybe a tourist trap
Tourist Traps
(3)
When I arrived to Williamsburg I saw first huge parking lots, ugly and large building of Visitors Center when I paid $90... more travel advice
Low budget accommodation!
Hotels
(1)
Thanks to Nat I wasn't obliged to look for any accommodation in Williamsburg, but anyway, I was looking for my possible... more travel advice
Rent a car
Transportation
(10)
If you don't have your own car and want to visit area around Williamsburg (Hampton Roads; Historic Triangle of... more travel advice
Williamsburg Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Pompeii of America!"
- "b1bob's Excellent Williamsburg Adventures"
- "Learning To Love History Via..."
- "Williamsburg - Virginia"
- "My Hometown...Williamsburg"
- "WILLIAMSBURG--A Taste of the 18th Century"
- "Williamsburg"
- See All...
Badges & Stats in Williamsburg
- 175 Reviews
- 218 Photos
- 191 Forum posts
- 31 Comments
- 20,878PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (54)
Have you been to Williamsburg?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Williamsburg
- Commented on Karnubawax's Williamsburg Page
- updated a Williamsburg Travelogue "We and how to improve Williamsburg!"
- Uploaded a Photo to "Low budget accommodation!"
- Wrote a Review Take more time! in Williamsburg Tourist Traps
Photos in Williamsburg
See All Photos (218)Top 10 Pages
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Washington D.C.
Intro, 288 reviews, 1562 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Valeggio sul Mincio
Intro, 751 reviews, 805 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Gdansk
Intro, 296 reviews, 1241 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Warsaw
Intro, 264 reviews, 1165 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Vilnius
Intro, 389 reviews, 431 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Virginia
Intro, 150 reviews, 647 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Krakow
Intro, 353 reviews, 427 photos, 7 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Berlin
Intro, 318 reviews, 361 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Kaunas
Intro, 297 reviews, 308 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Asheville
Intro, 100 reviews, 471 photos, 5 travelogues
Friends
See All Friends (371)Latest Williamsburg hotel reviews
- The Historic Powhatan Resort
- 617 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 1, 2012 - Kingsgate Resort
- 304 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 30, 2012 - Clarion Hotel Historic District
- 97 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 30, 2012 - Patriot Inn & Suites Williamsburg
- 39 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 31, 2011 - Governors Inn
- 222 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 27, 2012 - Holiday Inn Williamsburg Downtown (Busch Gardens)
- 99 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 29, 2012 - Days Inn Hotel Busch Gardens Area
- 145 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 29, 2012 - Quarterpath Inn
- 65 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 27, 2012 - Providence Hall Guesthouses
- 18 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 1, 2012 - Colonial Crossings of Williamsburg
- 130 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 23, 2012 - Comfort Suites Bypass
- 151 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 31, 2012 - Travelodge King William
- 88 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2012 - Sleep Inn Williamsburg
- 87 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2012 - Holiday Inn Williamsburg-Historic Gateway
- 378 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 30, 2012 - Ramada 1776 Historic Williamsburg
- 40 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Nov 26, 2011

National/State Park
Road Trip
Hiking and Walking
Comments (29)
we went to Williamsburg last year (saved some $ on tix through this site: Colonial Williamsburg Discount Tickets) but after reading this, I'm ready to go back again to see more!
Wow, great page! I never noticed half of what you did in Williamsburg. This makes me wonder what I did see...
Matt, you truly have one of the best pages in Vt on Williamsburg. I always enjoy you pages. Wonderful tips and beautiful photographs. Thanks!!
Matt I am totally impressed by your attention to detail = so much information is very hard to comment on - will follow your progress in the future Happy Travels Joan
I found your Williamsburg Page on a Google search. You have provided so much detail it's hard to believe you spent only 1/2 day in Wbg. I look forward to seeing your other pages,"Matt". I've greatly enjoyed ttiyr Wbg. pages. Keep Smilin' !
Oops, another monster page :-) - This is on my list for a future US trip. Thanks for sharing the wealth of info. And in German the motto on the British Coat of Arms is "Ein Schelm, der Arges dabei denkt."
Another great page - we also had a wonderful time there. Will have to have another look at your page to check I missed nothing.
Another fantastic Page Matt. Once you write a page no one else has a chance at number one!
Enjoyed the second installment of this page Matt!! Especially you made me laugh out loud reading the Copper pots comment!! FYI, modern copper pots are only copper on the outside, so they are safe to use now.
You were traveling a few hours from where I live. We spent Christmas 03 in this village so know the area. Great coverage for this very historic town. Thanks for your memories of one of our restored villages.
1 - 10 of 29
View 19 More