CULTURE: Popular Williamsburg Walking Tours for Visitors, And Locals Too! (Promotional Content)
Williamsburg is home to immersive storytelling about the colonial experience, Black History and even paranormal encounters
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Without doubt, Williamsburg is a wonderful place for walking tours. One can take a history focused tour of the Colonial town. Or consider learning of often unheard voices and unseen places on one of the available black history tours. If a good scare is what you want, look no further than Williamsburg at night and several great options for ghost tours.
The Williamsburg Independent partners with worldwide travel platform ‘Get Your Guide’ to promote these types of walking tours in Williamsburg and around the Historic Triangle, Jamestown and Yorktown.
Colonial Williamsburg Walking Tours
Colonial History Guided Walking Tour
4.9 / 5 - 50 reviews - from $25/person
Step back into 18th-century America with a 105-minute guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. Starting at the Capitol Building, explore historic sites where founding fathers such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and skilled craftspeople once walked like the Raleigh Tavern, Governor’s Palace and the Silversmith workshop.
Admire the period-accurate costumes that bring the colonial era to life and along the way, hear untold stories of lesser-known colonial figures and learn about the transition from royal governance to independence. This wheelchair-accessible tour offers free cancellation and flexible booking options, ensuring an engaging and hassle-free experience.
The tour received high praise for its knowledgeable and engaging guides, who shared detailed information with enthusiasm. Guests appreciated how the tour enhanced their experience of Colonial Williamsburg, with one reviewer highlighting the guide Elizabeth’s exceptional ability to interact with the group and make the history come alive. Go to Colonial History Guided Walking Tour on ‘Get Your Guide’…
The Patriots Historical Walking Tour
4.8 / 5 - 28 Reviews - from $25/person
Join a one-hour walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg to uncover the pivotal 18th-century events that shaped the foundation of the United States. Starting at the reconstructed Colonial Capitol Building, the tour takes you through iconic landmarks like the Raleigh Tavern, Powder Magazine and Peyton Randolph House.
Along the way, discover the actions and attitudes of the founders that fueled the revolution, all presented in a clear timeline without the need for long waits or multiple visits. Concluding on the palace green near the Governor's Palace and Bruton Parish Church, this wheelchair-accessible tour offers rich historical insights with the flexibility of free cancellation and a reserve-now-pay-later option.
The tour received glowing reviews for its knowledgeable and engaging guides, praised for their deep understanding of the area's history. Guests appreciated learning unique insights they might not have discovered on their own, making the experience both enriching and worthwhile. Many expressed a desire to book the same guide again. See the Patriots Historical Walking Tour page on Get Your Guide …
Secrets of Williamsburg Walking Tour
4.7 / 5 - 64 reviews - from $32/person
Step into the heart of 18th-century America on a 90-minute walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg, the nation’s largest living history museum. Guided by experts equipped with hours of research, uncover the vivid stories of the famous and infamous figures who lived, loved, fought, and conspired here. Visit up to 15 historic sites, including the Peyton-Randolph House, Bruton Parish Church and Governor’s Palace.
where pivotal moments in American history unfolded. Hear untold perspectives, from the black colonial experience to secret conspiracies and battles, as your guide brings history to life with gripping tales and vivid details. Explore taverns, crypts, and the Gaol, where Blackbeard’s pirates met their fate, and see where leaders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson shaped the nation. Perfect for families, this tour offers an immersive, sensory journey into the rich and complex past of Colonial Williamsburg.
The tour received high praise for guide Patrick, who was described as engaging, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Guests appreciated his ability to share unique stories, delve into Williamsburg’s hidden “secrets,” and provide rich historical context, making the experience both informative and enjoyable. His humor and storytelling skills added a memorable touch to the walk through history. Check out the Secrets of Williamsburg Walking Tour on the Get Your Guide Page …
Black History Walking Tours
'We Shall Overcome' Black History Walking Tour
4.8 / 5 - 5 reviews - from $30/person
Delve into the untold stories of America’s black founders on a compelling 2-hour walking tour of 17th-century Williamsburg. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this wheelchair-accessible tour begins at Kimball Theatre and takes you through 10 historic locations. You’ll uncover stories of resilience, bravery, and determination, highlighting figures like Gowan Pamphlet, a black preacher, and Ona “Oney” Judge Staines, who escaped enslavement under George and Martha Washington. Along the way, learn about the harsh realities of slavery, including the tactics used to suppress communication and prevent revolts, and celebrate the lives of courageous women and men who shaped history.
This tour offers a deeper look at America’s past, shedding light on black triumphs and heartbreaks often left out of traditional narratives. With flexible booking, express entry, and the opportunity to step inside a historic church on select days, it provides an enriching and thought-provoking experience for all visitors, regardless of background.
The tour received high praise for its knowledgeable and engaging guides, Vincent and William. Guests appreciated the storytelling that brought Black history in Colonial Williamsburg to life, with one reviewer highlighting its ability to captivate children aged 8–14. The tour's critical perspective and engaging delivery make it highly recommended for all ages. Visit 'We Shall Overcome' Black History Walking Tour page on Get Your Guide …
History of Slavery Guided Walking Tour
4.7 / 5 - 6 reviews - from $25/person
Explore the complex history of slavery in Williamsburg on this insightful 1-hour walking tour. Starting at the Windmill, the tour delves into the distinctions between domestic and plantation slavery and examines the labor demands of tobacco cultivation. Visit key landmarks like the Colonial Capitol Building to learn about the origins and legal framework of slavery in Virginia, and the Courthouse to uncover how these laws were enforced. The tour also stops at the Geddy House to discuss the attitudes of Virginians toward slavery over the centuries.
Led by a knowledgeable guide, this experience debunks common myths, reveals untold stories, and highlights figures like the city’s first emancipator. Visitors will also see the courthouse steps where the Declaration of Independence was read, connecting the past to the ideals of freedom and equality. Offering free cancellation and flexible booking, this tour provides a thought-provoking look at how the history of slavery shaped both Colonial Williamsburg and modern society.
The tour received glowing reviews for its excellence and informative nature. Guests praised the guide, Lonnie, for being friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging, making the experience enjoyable and memorable. Visit the History of Slavery Guided Walking Tour on Get Your Guide …
Paranormal Walking Tours
Haunted Ghosts, Witches, and Pirates Tour
4.6 / 5 - 94 reviews - from $25/person
Step back in time with an 18th-century costumed guide and delve into the eerie tales of ghosts, witches, and pirates in Colonial Williamsburg. This two-hour ghost tour takes you to 13 of the most haunted sites in town, including the infamous Peyton Randolph House, often called the most haunted place in Virginia. Hear chilling stories of the past, like the tragic fates of Lucy Ludwell and George Wythe, the mysterious happenings in the oak panel bedroom, and the harrowing tales of the Wagon of Death and the gallows. Along the way, you'll meet Williamsburg's local witch and uncover the secrets of Mr. Pirate and his companion, Petey the Parrot.
Led by a licensed guide dressed in authentic 18th-century attire and carrying a lantern, this wheelchair-accessible tour offers a unique blend of history and the supernatural. Guests often report encountering unexplainable sights and sounds, making it a perfect outing for those who love a spine-tingling adventure. Conveniently, the tour begins in front of the Capitol Building, with parking available nearby. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later, this flexible and fascinating experience is a must for ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Travelers rave about this ghost tour for its engaging and informative experience. Guests enjoyed exploring Williamsburg at night, guided by knowledgeable and entertaining hosts who bring the town's haunted history to life. Many highlight their guides' captivating storytelling, with one traveler returning for a second tour two years later to experience it again. Overall, the tour is praised for its blend of fun, historical insight, and spooky charm. Go to the Haunted Ghosts, Witches, and Pirates Tour page on Get Your Guide.
Colonial Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour
4.4 / 5 - 28 reviews - from $32/person
Experience the chilling side of Colonial Williamsburg on a haunted walking tour with US Ghost Adventures. This 1 to 1.5-hour tour delves into the sinister history behind America’s largest living history museum. Led by a professional guide, you’ll explore eerie sites like the Peyton Randolph House, known for its unsettling energy, and the Governor’s Palace, where the Hedge Maze Ghost is said to linger. Along the way, hear fascinating tales of true crime, betrayal, and dark moments in history, including stories of a sadistic Civil War surgeon and a grandnephew’s poisoning of a Declaration of Independence signer.
Set against the charming backdrop of horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets, and 18th-century architecture, the tour uncovers the shadowy secrets lurking in Williamsburg's patriotic façade. Starting at Merchant’s Square on Duke of Gloucester Street, your guide, dressed in a US Ghost Adventures t-shirt and carrying a lantern, will bring these spine-tingling stories to life. This wheelchair-accessible tour offers a well-researched mix of local ghost stories and historical insight, providing a captivating experience for history buffs and thrill-seekers alike.
With flexible booking options, including free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a "reserve now, pay later" policy, this ghost tour is a convenient and memorable way to uncover the haunted history of Williamsburg. Arrive 15 minutes early, and prepare for a night of unforgettable encounters with the town’s restless spirits.
Guests consistently praise the ghost tour guides for their engaging storytelling and historical knowledge. Travelers highlight the guides’ enthusiasm and ability to blend history with ghostly tales, making the experience both entertaining and eerie. Memorable moments include spooky coincidences, like the appearance of a black cat during a tale, and capturing creepy photos during the tour. Overall, visitors found the tour fun, informative, and worth repeating on future visits. Visit the page for Colonial Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour on Get Your Guide.
This article was produced and edited by Williamsburg Independent Editor, George Arbogust using AI generated content.