Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown Area Attractions
America's Greatest Oldies Show Anthony Lee Wood and Friends presents Williamsburg's newest and most exciting musical extravaganza. A magical trip down memory lane that will thrill anyone who enjoys music and loves to laugh. Featuring hits made popular by Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, The Bee Gees, Sonny & Cher, and many others.
Busch Gardens Europe Voted the "World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park" for 17 consecutive years, Busch Gardens Europe is a European-themed park bursting with adventure at every turn. The park’s newest ride, Griffon, is the world's tallest and first floorless dive coaster. Griffon carries riders up a record-breaking 205 feet, then hurtles them 90 degrees straight at 75 mph. At Busch Gardens Europe, 17th-century charm is combined with 21st-century technology to create the ultimate adventure park experience. Situated on 100 action-packed acres, Busch Gardens Europe boasts more than 50 thrilling rides and attractions, 10 main stage shows, a wide variety of award-winning cuisine and world-class shops.
Colonial Williamsburg Visit Colonial Williamsburg and step back more than 220 years to the eve of the American Revolution. From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political and cultural center of Britain’s largest colony in the New World. In the shops, taverns, government buildings, homes and streets George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason and other Virginia Patriots debated the ideas – liberty, independence, and personal freedoms – that led to the founding of American democracy and inspired generations of American and others from around the world. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the nation’s largest outdoor living history museum encompassing 301 acres including some 500 public buildings, homes, stores and taverns reconstructed and restored to their 18th-century appearances; tradesmen practicing 30 historic trades and domestic crafts; historical interpreters and character actors; and 90 acres of gardens and greens.
Additional highlights include the Governor’s Palace; the Capitol; DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center and Bassett Hall.
Historic Jamestowne A National Park Service site, Historic Jamestowne offers a wealth of activities for exploring the first permanent English settlement in North America. Founded in May 1607, some 13 years before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, Jamestown served as the capital of Virginia throughout the 17th century and saw the establishment of the language, customs, laws and government practiced in our nation today.
Share the moment of discovery with archaeologists as they uncover the original 1607 James Fort and see more than 1,000 artifacts at the Archaearium, an innovative new exhibition facility that also includes interactive exhibit areas that interpret the rediscovery process of archaeology. Overlooking the scenic James River, Historic Jamestowne also boasts the only remaining 17th-century above ground structure – the church tower - and reconstructed 17th-century Jamestown Memorial Church. At the Glasshouse, costumed glassblowers demonstrate one of the first industries attempted in English-speaking America using 17th-century tools and techniques.
Jamestown Settlement At Jamestown Settlement, comprehensive gallery exhibits describe world events and social and economic conditions that led to the English colonization of America and the formation of the Virginia Company that sponsored Jamestown with a goal of earning its investors a profit. Learn about the land and lifestyle of Algonquian-speaking tribes in coastal Virginia under the powerful leader Powhatan and about the culture of the first documented Africans in Virginia, who were from the kingdom of Ndongo in Angola. Outdoor living-history areas bring the 17th century to life. The Indian Village demonstrates the Powhatan way of life from hunting, farming and fishing to housing, clothing and food. At the museum pier, board the Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed, replicas of the three ships that transported the original Jamestown colonists to Virginia in 1607. A riverfront discovery area provides information about European, Virginia Indian and African economic activities associated with water including navigation, boatbuilding, fishing, commodities and trade. The re-created James Fort interprets the settlement during 1610-1614, reflecting its military and commercial character. Wattle-and-daub structures with thatched roofs represent dwellings, work spaces and public buildings. See a “settler” load and fire a matchlock musket, a blacksmith forge tools, or a carpenter work with wood.
Yorktown Battlefield and Visitor Center See where American independence was won at the Yorktown Battlefield, a National Park Service site. Today, Yorktown remains much as it was during the waning days of the Revolution. Earthworks and siege lines mark positions of British and American Troops, cannons stand ready behind the embattlements, and Surrender Field is a silent reminder of English General Cornwallis’ capitulation. Explore the 18th-century homes of Augustine Moore where the terms of surrender were negotiated and Thomas Nelson, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence and commander of the Virginia militia. Visit the Yorktown Victory Monument, commissioned by the Continental Congress in 1781 and completed in 1884 to commemorate the victory at Yorktown. See Cornwallis’ Cave, where legend has it that the English General and his staff sought refuge from the bombardment by American and French Troops. Other sites of interest include the Custom House, built in 1720 and the Poor Potter Site which preserves the remains of the kiln used by William Rogers as early as the 1720s to produce pottery that rivaled English quality.
Yorktown Victory Center Gain a new appreciation and understanding of our nation’s beginnings at the Yorktown Victory Center where America’s evolution from colonial status to nationhood is chronicled through a unique blend of timeline, thematic exhibits and outdoor living history areas that emphasizes the experiences of ordinary people. In an outdoor re-created Continental Army encampment, historical interpreters depict the daily life of a soldier and you may be asked to help prepare a cannon for firing or join a military drill. A re-created 1780s farm provides a look at how many Americans lived in the early years of our nation. Visit the crop field and tobacco barn and learn what was cultivated to provide an income. Explore the house and separate kitchen for a glimpse of domestic life, and try your hand at hoeing the garden or “breaking” flax.
Water Country USA Plunge into outrageous fun at the mid-Atlantic’s largest water play park, Water Country USA. Featuring a 1950s and ‘60s surf-theme, Water Country USA offers tons of summertime fun with more than 30 slides, water rides and super soakin’ thrills. Hubba Hubba Highway is Water Country USA’s radical river adventure. Guests can “cruise” down this free-floating expedition through drenching coconuts and cool geysers. Cool cats and groovy gals also are invited to gear up for high-speed toboggan racing aboard Meltdown. Or, racers can take a break and just soak up the sun relaxing in one of nearly 2,000 lounge chairs.
Dean Shostak's Crystal Concert Hear Dean Shostak perform an exciting multi-media concert featuring the music and stories of Benjamin Franklin's glass armonica. Dean is one of only eight glass armonica performers in the world today. Also see the crystal violin, glass English handbells and more in this unique concert experience.
Go-Karts Plus If it's fun it's at GO-KARTS PLUS featuring four exciting go-kart tracks! Strap yourself into our Super Stockarts for a race around a high-banked oval track in karts that look just like your favorite NASCARs! Be the captain of your own bumper boat or sink a hole-in-one on our Waterfall Miniature Golf Course. Play the latest racing games in our arcade or refuel on goodies at the snack bar.
Presidents Park Presidents Park is an educational and artistic outdoor museum dedicated to preserving our American heritage. The park features 16-18 foot busts of all 43 of our United States Presidents and spans our nation’s history from Washington’s inauguration in 1789 to the new millennium and the current war on terrorism. Learn about all 43 unique presidencies as you enjoy a patriotic, educational and inspiring experience.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Ripley’s Believe it or Not!® Museum and 4-D Theater provides year-round entertainment. The museum features 11 galleries with more than 300 exhibits. See a 500 lb. gorilla made entirely from nails, a larger-than-life section of the Berlin Wall, an albino lion, and our genuine shrunken head. It’s a one of a kind experience!
The Watermen's Museum Located on the shores of the scenic York River in historic Yorktown, the Watermen’s Museum was founded in 1981 for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. The Watermen’s Museum interprets the heritage of the Chesapeake Bay’s watermen and women who harvest the Bay’s seafood. Exhibits trace the industry from the time Native Americans fished local waters to the present.
Williamsburg Winery, Ltd. Established in 1985 by the Duffeler family, the first wine produced, Governor’s White, was released in 1988 and won a Gold Medal within two weeks. Wines produced here are appealing to a broad range of wine lovers from the occasional wine drinker to the enthusiast. Most of the wines have historical references listed on the back of each bottle. Today, the Governor’s White is the most popular wine made at the winery. A guided tour includes a video presentation on grape growing (Viticulture) and winemaking (Oenology), a stroll through the barrel cellar and a visit to the production area. In our museum you will enjoy a collection of unique and rare vintage wine bottles with a grand finale tasting of seven of our wines in an etched wine glass that is yours to take home as a keepsake.