Navigating Colonial Williamsburg

To experience Colonial Williamsburg, you will travel back in time to when the city was the thriving capital of Virginia. From 1699 to 1780, the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape and Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies. 

Near the end of the Revolutionary War, the capital of Virginia was moved to Richmond. For nearly 150 years, Williamsburg transformed from the bustling center of activity to a simple, quiet college town, home of the College of William and Mary.

In 1926, the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, shared his dream of preserving the city's historic buildings with philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. What began as a modest project to preserve a few of the more important buildings, progressed and expanded to include approximately 85 percent of the 18th-century capital's original area.

Surrounding the restored colonial capital is 21st-century town of Williamsburg. The only way to travel the main thoroughfare, Duke of Gloucester Street, is on foot, horseback, or by horse-drawn carriage as the street is not open to vehicle traffic. Vehicle parking is very limited in the Historic Area. The easiest way to get to the Historic Area is via the complimentary shuttle buses that travel between the Visitor Center and the Historic Area between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Fortunately for AHP seminar attendees, the Woodlands Hotel is next door to the Visitor Center.

There is also a 500 foot pedestrian bridge near the Visitor Center with a walking path to the Historic Area, a distance of approximately 2-3 blocks or .03 miles. But keep in mind that you will do a bit of walking around the Historic Area so you might want to make note of the bus stops in case you want to catch the shuttle bus back to the Visitor Center and hotel.

The Woodlands Hotel offers complimentary guest parking and having a car is handy if you need modern day conveniences, supplies, toiletries, or late night munchies, especially after hours. The Historic Area closes at 5:00 p.m., but the taverns and restaurants offer dinner hours. Late night entertainment seekers will have to venture outside the colonial boundaries. The Woodlands Hotel has one restaurant, HUZZAH’s, but it is closed Sunday and Tuesday and is only open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday through Saturday. There are a number of restaurants within a short distance of the hotel, but like I mentioned, that’s when having car is handy. During the seminar, meals will be provided on Friday and Saturday and the Woodlands Hotel offers a complimentary breakfast daily to hotel guests.

My recommendation would be to download the maps of the HistoricArea and the Williamsburg Area to provide you with an overview of the area. We’ve visited Colonial Williamsburg twice within the past two years and we were glad to have a car. On the other hand, I don’t think we ever took the same route twice back to the hotel. My advice is to be prepared to ask for directions until you get the lay of land or bring your horse.

Navigating Colonial Williamsburg will only be difficult if you try to keep a 21st-century pace in an 18th-century world.