Favorites in Williamsburg, Virginia
Favorites in Williamsburg, Virginia
Bethany
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The best food, activities, and history in this famous colonial town - from a local's perspective!
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Hotels

Williamsburg Inn
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A local favorite for out of towners, special occasion dinners, lunches, and a popular wedding vanue.
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Hilton Vacation Club The Historic Powhatan Williamsburg
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A great option for those who have Hilton loyalty or are looking for more of a resort.
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Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony
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One of the most popular gated communities in Williamsburg, Ford's Colony has a great location with amazing amenities.
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Kingsmill Resort
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Well known as a golf destination, Kingsmill could be great for the golf out of towners.
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Wedmore Place
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Located at the Williamsburg Winery, these historic rooms overlook a beautiful courtyard or the vines.
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The Williamsburg Manor Bed & Breakfast
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Located by Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary, this location can't be beat.
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Armistead House
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Located in the heart of CW (colonial Williamsburg), this is best for a truly immersive stay!
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History

Jamestown Settlement
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Perfect introduction to the history of Williamsburg, great activity for the whole family
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Governor's Palace
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Beautiful old governor's palace in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg (lovingly referenced to as "CW" by the locals)
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Colonial Williamsburg
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Historic old street of Williamsburg, perfect to walk around and feel immersed back to the 17th century
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William and Mary College
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The second oldest college in the United States, adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg
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Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center
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A bit further away from Williamsburg, but worth a visit for the history buffs
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Activities

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
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If you're short on time, the below are my favorite roller coasters:
-Apollo's Chariot
-Griffon
-Verbolten
-Pantheon
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Williamsburg Winery, Ltd.
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A gorgeous winery with tastings, a restaurant, a hotel, and beautiful views
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Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
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If Busch Gardens isn't in the budget but you're looking for an adrenaline rush, check out Go Ape!
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Williamsburg Premium Outlets
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Williamsburg was once well known for it's shopping due to our abundance of outlets!
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Some other fantastic activities in Williamsburg include the historic Jamestown bike trail, pirate's cove mini golf, or a ghost tour/walking tour in Colonial Williasmburg.
Food
Restaurants

Fat Canary
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If you google "restaurants in Williamsburg," this will undoubtedly be at the top of the list, and for a good reason. This iconic restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg is connected to the Cheese Shop, the local's favorite sandwich place.
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Le Yaca French Restaurant
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Cochon on 2nd
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Berret's Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill
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Francesco's Ristorante Italiano
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My parents absolute favorite Italian place in Williamsburg, it truly is so delicious!
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La Tienda Tapas Bar
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Blue Talon Bistro
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Second Street American Bistro
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My parent's absolute favorite Italian restaurant in Williamsburg, absolutely delicious!
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Amber Ox Public House
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DoG Street Pub
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Short for "Duke of Gloucester" Street, the main strip in Colonial Williamsburg. Your classic pub fare with a colonial twist
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King's Arms Tavern
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Shorty's Diner
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Christiana Campbell's Tavern
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Aromas Coffeehouse Bakery & Cafe
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This local's favorite coffee shop has stood the test of time - it's been here since 2000!
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Fast Food

Aromas Coffeehouse Bakery & Cafe
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This local's favorite coffee shop has stood the test of time - it's been here since 2000!
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Illy Caffe
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It may be new to Colonial Williamsburg, but it's great! There's always a line at this hot spot
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Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que
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Chances are, you've heard of this iconic spot in Williamsburg. Don't sleep on their cheeseburgers, they're also delicious here!
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The Cheese Shop
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If you eat lunch at one place in Williamsburg, let it be here - and get a sandwich with house dressing on it. Thank me later.
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Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant · Williamsburg
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A classic Mexican restaurant, absolutely delicious!
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Bars
Bars & Pubs

Paul's Deli Restaurant
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While this is actually a Deli with delicious food, it's also part of what William & Mary students affectionately refer to as "The Delis", a cluster of bars by campus
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Brickhouse Tavern Williamsburg
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A large bar, next to the original "The Delis", good place to watch a game
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Paul's Deli & Neighborhood Restaurant
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Affectionally referred to as "New Paul's" since it's in New Town, and opened after the original Paul's Deli
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Breweries

Precarious Beer Project
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Right in Colonial Williamsburg, this is the perfect place to reward yourself after learning some new history, complete with tons of games to keep the kids (or yourselves!) busy
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The Virginia Beer Company
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With a large outdoor patio and spacious interior, this is the perfect place to relax with your family and/or friends - not to mention their beer is delicious!
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Billsburg Brewery
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While I've never been to the physical location, I've had the beer - and it's delicious!
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* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bethany
Available for hire
Hi! I'm Bethany, an explorer with a passport stamped in 52 countries. Having called three different nations home, I've cultivated a deep appreciation for the cultures our world offers. By day, I navigate a full-time job outside the travel sphere, which fuels my passion for crafting concise yet insightful guides to the remarkable places I've been lucky enough to travel to.
Embarking on a journey with me means embracing a blend of adventure, relaxation, and immersion in local customs. As a solo female traveler, I've ventured through 21 countries, and I'm here to share insights on safety and the empowering experience of navigating the globe alone.
A glimpse into my roots reveals an American spirit born in Seoul, nurtured in Germany during my childhood, and blossomed in the United States. A decade in the vibrant DC area enriched my life with a wealth of experiences that I'm eager to recommend. Now, I find myself based in Denver, Colorado, brimming with tips for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer.
Whether it's strolling through historic cityscapes or savoring the diverse flavors of the world, I'm an enthusiast for walking tours and foodie adventures. Balancing a demanding full-time job with an insatiable wanderlust, I make it a goal to take at least three international trips a year, and monthly domestic trips.
Join me on this adventure, and let's explore the world together—one destination at a time!
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