One Day in…Williamsburg, USA

Traveler Profile: Keegan, 24, US

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Time of Year: Spring

Travel Goals: History, Food, Culture

As one of the most historic towns in America, a lot can be learned when visiting Williamsburg, Virginia. I was in the area, so I decided to take a day and see if this city had something for the modern traveler or if it was simply stuck in the past.

A Great Place for Breakfast

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I never really found out why, but this town is absolutely stuffed with breakfast diners. You probably can’t drive for 5 minutes without passing a place offering breakfast, coffee, and eggs. Maybe it’s for the older people in the community or the hungover college kids needing a quick meal, but I love a big breakfast, so I wasn’t complaining.
Traveler Tip: Look at the websites of the breakfast places since many of them have specialty menu items to distinguish themselves from the competition.

Colonial Williamsburg

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

The main attraction for this town is Colonial Williamsburg, a part of the city that has been protected and maintained to look and feel like it did during colonial times. Walking around, there are even people dressed as colonial settlers working with animals and offering historical insights into the daily life of the city’s colonial heritage.
Traveler Tip: Take a tour to better understand the area and its significance to American history.

The Governor’s Palace

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Mihai_Andritoiu

Within Colonial Williamsburg is also the pre-revolutionary mansion home known as the Governor’s Palace. Many British royals lived here before finally housing the first two elected Governors of Virginia. Today, it is a beautiful home that overlooks the area with a beautiful backyard garden.
Traveler Tip: Search around the grounds, and you might find a bush maze you can get lost in and explore.

The College of William and Mary

Image Credit: Shutterstock / William Silver

After walking around Merchant’s Square, I decided to walk around the William and Mary campus. As one of the oldest universities in America, the campus is boasts old brick buildings and pathways that offer a unique blend of historic prestige mixed with modern academia.
Traveler Tip: Try walking down to the Crim Dell and following the creek for a beautiful walk through nature.

College Creek Beach

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After walking around the College of William and Mary, I drove to College Creek Beach. I was surprised to find a sandy beach filled with people taking in some sun between dips into the refreshing water.
Traveler Tip: There can be strong currents depending on the time of the year, so adhere to any warning signs you might see.

The Bottom Line

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Rui Serra Maia

Williamsburg, Virginia, is a city famous for the historic immersion it offers its guests, and for good reason. I’m not sure how cities dedicated a massive portion of their land to preserving what life was like three hundred years ago, but I can’t imagine a better way to experience and create interest in what life was like for the early settlers of America. Just ensure you bring some water since the heat and humidity can create much thirst when walking around the area.