Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort
A multitude of attractions await the entire family in Williamsburg, Virginia! Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, the restored 18th-century capital of colonial Virginia and the largest history museum in the United States, and experience the thrilling rides and attractions at Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA. Westgate Historic Williamsburg provides relaxing, period-specific accommodations just 1.5 miles from Colonial Williamsburg and only a 10-minute drive from both Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA.
About Williamsburg, VA
A multitude of attractions await the entire family in Williamsburg, Virginia, which is home to Colonial Williamsburg, the restored 18th-century capital of colonial Virginia and the largest history museum in the United States. Colonial Williamsburg lies within Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which includes Jamestown, site of the first permanent English-speaking colony in North America, and Historic Yorktown, site of the last major battle of the American Revolution.Stroll through the 301-acre Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, which comprises 88 original buildings and hundreds of homes, shops, public buildings and other structures that have been reconstructed, most on their original foundations. Guests can engage in hands-on activities with brickmakers, silversmiths, founders, wigmakers, blacksmiths, gunsmiths and carpenters. Plenty of activities can be enjoyed at Colonial Williamsburg after the sun sets such as candlelight tours, 18th-century plays and evening programs, or a unique dining experience at an authentic 18th-century tavern.
Explore the nation’s beginnings at Historic Jamestowne, where the 1607 site of America’s first permanent English colony is preserved and interpreted. Visitors can witness archaeology in action at the 1607 James Fort excavation and unearthed artifacts displayed in the Archaearium, view the originally 17th-century church tower on a walking tour of the historic town site, explore Visitor Center exhibits and multimedia presentations, watch costumed glassblowers at the Glasshouse and drive the scenic Island Drive. Jamestown Settlement living-history museum offers daily guided tours, historical interpretation at outdoor re-creations of a Powhatan Indian Village, 1607 English ships, a colonial fort and riverfront discovery area. The Yorktown Battlefield includes fortification and siege lines, Surrender Field and the Moore House, where negotiations for Cornwallis’ surrender took place. At the state-operated Yorktown Victory Center, innovative exhibits and an evocative film chronicle the Revolutionary era from the beginnings of Colonial unrest to the emergence of the new nation, drawing from the perspectives of ordinary men and women.
The Williamsburg area also boasts fun-filled theme parks such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country U.S.A., as well as championship golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, world-class dining and more than 150 factory and designer outlet stores.
Don’t miss the opportunity to tour the beautiful campus of The College of William and Mary (founded in 1693!), which is considered one of the best small public universities in the United States. The College of William and Mary is the second oldest college in the United States after Harvard. The campus includes the nation’s oldest academic building in continuous use (Wren Building), several early 18th-century buildings and a network of peaceful, tree-lined brick walkways.
Colonial Williamsburg
The largest living history museum in the United States, Colonial Williamsburg consists of the restored 18th-century capital of colonial Virginia and is a must-see attraction for any Williamsburg getaway. Explore the shops, taverns, government buildings, homes and streets of Williamsburg just as they existed when Virginia patriots like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry frequented them. Start your historic adventure at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, which provides parking, information and admission tickets. Guests can walk to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area from the Visitor Center across a “Bridge to the Past” that miraculously transports them from their 21st-century world into the 18th century. Along the way they will encounter “people of the past” at Great Hopes Plantation where guests observe how most 18th-century Virginians lived in the rural countryside – whites and slaves working side-by-side in agricultural activities – rather than the city life depicted in the Colonial capital city. The restored 301-acre Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area contains 88 original buildings and hundreds of reconstructed public buildings, houses, shops and additional structures, as well as beautiful gardens and four dining taverns. Within the restored and reconstructed buildings, historic interpreters, attired as colonial men and women from slaves to shopkeepers to soldiers, relate stories of colonial Virginia society and culture – stories of our journey to become Americans – while historic tradespeople research, demonstrate and preserve the 18th-century world of work and industry. Highlights of Colonial Williamsburg include the stately Governor’s Palace, the Capitol building, Peyton Randoloph Site (home of the first president of the Continental Congress), Raleigh Tavern, George Wythe House, and James Geddy House and Foundry. In addition, Colonial Williamsburg operates three museums within walking distance of the historic area: The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and Bassett Hall, once the Williamsburg home of John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Thrilling rides and attractions, world-famous roller coasters, entertaining shows, a diverse selection of international foods, specialty shops and the Land of the Dragons magical children’s area are the ingredients that make for world-class adventure at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which has been named as the world’s “Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 16 consecutive years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. The European-themed adventure park combines 17th-century charm with 21st-century technology in the form of some of the world’s top-rated roller coasters such as Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist, Loch Ness Monster and Griffon, the world’s tallest and first floorless dive coaster. Other highlights of Busch Gardens Williamsburg include the Roman Rapids whitewater adventure, Corkscrew Hill and Escape from Pompeii, as well as lively shows such as Kinetix at the Royal Palace Theatre and Emerald Beat at the Abbey Stone Theatre. Visit the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, which can be found in Scotland. Travel aboard one of three European steam-powered locomotives that depart regularly from Italy, France and Scotland. Dining options at Busch Gardens Williamsburg include Trapper’s Smokehouse, which serves such specialties as barbecue ribs and chicken; and Das Festhaus, a 2,000-seat festival hall that features traditional German cuisine, along with great live entertainment. Don’t miss Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s annual “spooktacular” Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream, during the month of October. Conveniently located just 3 miles East of Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is typically open from mid-March through late October. Call ahead for park hours. Each parking lot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers picnic areas. Pet care is available (for a nominal fee) at the Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Pet Center in the England parking lot. Locker rentals and designated smoking areas can be found throughout Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
