Free Things to Do in Williamsburg, VA

One of the best free things to do in Williamsburg is simply to walk around. Although Colonial Williamsburg sells tickets and passes, which are required for admission to many of their events, there is no charge to simply walk through the historic district and get the sights and sounds of the reconstructed Colonial downtown. You can often see events from the street as well. For example, there is regularly an actor playing Patrick Henry delivering a powerful peace of periodic rhetorical to gathered citizens, and there are horses, sheep, and several beautifully tended gardens to look at. One of the best ways to enjoy the downtown, I've found, is to begin at Merchant's Sqaure, the end of Duke of Gloucestr Street which abuts William and Mary's campus, and walk down one side of the street. In exactly one mile, you will come to the old Capitol building which served as the seat of Virginia's government in Colonial times. Along the way, you will pass the governor's palace, and a number of nice little shops. Many of these shops are opened even to customers who do not have a Colonial Williamsburg Pass, and are interesting and educational to visit, even if you don't buy anything.

Outside Colonial Williamsburg, the Williamsburg area offers many ways to enjoy the great outdoors. A local favorite are the beaches. Getting on the Colonial Parkway southbound towards Jamestown (map) will take you, in a couple of miles, to free parking areas located on College Creek. Commmonly called "Jamestown Beach" by the locals, this location provides great family fun at no cost. The beach is sae and open, with large areas of nice sand and shallow water. There is no lifeguard, of course, so everyone needs to be careful, but the beach can still be great fun. Government regulations prohibit the use or display of alcohol on the premises. People also often fish from these beaches (which requires a fishing license), so be careful to stay away from their lines!

The Williamsburg Library also offers a number of events. (click here for their event calendar). These events include musical performances, film screenings, and exhibits by local artists. For children, there are also events such as storytelling sessions, arts and crafts days, and reading time with trained therapy dogs, who listen appreciatively as children read to them. For adults, the library also offers basic computer classes free of charge, which may not be super entertaining, but are certainly helpful.