Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Williamsburg, US
66% of travellers recommend this
Very Good (51 reviews)
Self-guided - entry to attractions not included

Included

  • inclusion
    Other
    Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Private walking tour experience for your family or group.
  • inclusion
    Other
    Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
  • inclusion
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    Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Excluded

  • exclusion
    Other
    No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Meeting Point

Begin from Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.

Meeting point

101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185 , United States

End point

End Point

Note: This 2.5+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Colonial Williamsburg in 2-3 hrs.

Meeting point

110 Scotland St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 , United States

End point

What to expect

1

Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center

The tour of this beautifully preserved slice of Colonial America begins at the Visitor Center, where you can get your first taste of the nation's largest living museum. Note: The tour is over 3 miles long, with more than 30+ audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete.. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Duration 10 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
2

Peyton Randolph House

Your first stop is at the doorstep of the Peyton Randolph House, the former home of a fiery revolutionary and one of the oldest buildings in Williamsburg! You might not have heard of William Randolph, but he was a trusted ally of folks like Thomas Jefferson

Duration 5 minutes
3

The Rockefellers' Bassett Hall

A simple two-story 18th-century white frame farmhouse nestled on 585 acres of lawn, garden, and woodlands, Bassett Hall once was the Williamsburg home of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller .Philip Johnson, a member of the House of Burgesses from King and Queen County, Virginia, is believed to have built the 18th-century frame house sometime between 1753 and 1766. Purchased by Burwell Bassett around 1800 Union cavalryman George Armstrong Custer guest in home during the Civil War

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
4

Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building

Built between 1701 and 1705, the first Williamsburg statehouse served the colony of Virginia until fire destroyed the building in 1747.The first floor of the west building was for the General Court and the colony's secretary, the first floor of the east for the House of Burgesses and its clerk. Arched windows marched across the facades. Stairs on one side led to the Council Chamber, a lobby, and the Council clerk's office stairs on the other side led to three committee rooms. A second-floor conference room connected the classically corniced structures, and a six-sided cupola on the ridge of the hipped and dormered roof crowned it all. Though the west wing was completed by July 1703, it took Cary until November 1705 to finish all the work.

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
5

Secretary's Office

Next is the unassuming little Secretary's Office, where all the documents needed to reconstruct Williamsburg's colonial days were stored

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
6

Raleigh Tavern

After that, you'll arrive at the Raleigh Tavern, where rebellious Virginians met to plot a possible revolution against their British rulers. These meetings even welcomed famous names like Thomas Jefferson!

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
7

Colonial Williamsburg Magazine

Then you'll come to the Colonial Williamsburg Magazine, the site of a tense standoff between American patriots and British soldiers trying to steal all the gunpowder from the town before it could fall into rebel hands

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
8

Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse

Directly opposite the Magazine, you'll find the old courthouse, where residents of Williamsburg heard the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the very first time

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
9

Playhouse Theater

Up next is the Play House Stage, a recreation of one of America's first theatres. The original may have failed terribly, but this one still puts on shows on a regular basis!

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
10
Governor's Palace

Then you'll see the extravagant Governor's Palace, and maybe start to get a sense of why the residents of Williamsburg didn't particularly care for their British royal governors!

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
11

George Wythe House

Up next is the house of George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who stands out from most of his compatriots because of one simple fact: he was an abolitionist. In Virginia, a state which used a huge amount of slave labor, this didn't exactly make him a lot of friends!

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
12

Bruton Parish Episcopal Church

Continuing on, you'll arrive at the oldest building in Colonial Williamsburg: the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. Here, you'll learn not just about the church's surprising history, but also about how it's the whole reason Colonial Williamsburg exists in the first place

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
13

Armistead House

After that is the Bowden-Armistead House, the history of which showcases some of the deep divisions which cut through Williamsburg around the time of the Civil War. See, the owner was a northerner, and you can probably imagine how his Virginian neighbors felt about that...

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
14

William & Mary

Your route takes you next onto the campus of William & Mary College, the oldest college in the United States

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
15

The Wren Building

The final stop on your tour is the Wren Building, an impressive structure which isn't just the oldest building on the William & Mary Campus, but the oldest college building in the entire United States!

Duration 5 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
  • Additional information
    Check the official Colonial Williamsburg website before your visit for current hours, events, and planning information.
  • Additional information
    Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
  • Additional information
    Due to ongoing rehabilitation work on Colonial Parkway, several sections between Yorktown and Williamsburg are closed or under detours. Please check the official NPS website for the latest updates on closures and detours.
  • Additional information
    Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
  • Additional information
    Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
  • Additional information
    Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
  • Additional information
    More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Additional information
    Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
  • Additional information
    Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Site entry is free. This audio tour covers 30 historic buildings from the outside. Tickets to enter select buildings are available separately. Take your time, enjoy the tour first, and decide afterward which interiors you would like to visit.
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Additional information
    Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
  • Additional information
    Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Provided by Action Day Trips

What our experts say

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    Start at Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.
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    Bring headphones for a better audio experience.
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    Download the app before arriving for ease.
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    Consider lunch at the nearby King's Arms Tavern.
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    Check out the Bruton Parish Church nearby.

More About this Experience

Introduction

Experience the rich history of Colonial Williamsburg in a whole new way with the Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour. This tour allows you to immerse yourself in the stories and sights of early America as you stroll along the historic streets of Williamsburg. From beautifully restored architecture to authentic reenactors, this tour brings the past to life right before your eyes.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can expect to spend approximately 2 to 3 hours exploring Colonial Williamsburg and its fascinating landmarks. With a total duration of 120 to 180 minutes, you'll have plenty of time to soak in the history and ambiance of this renowned living museum. As you follow the audio instructions provided by the Tour Guide App, you'll uncover the origins of Williamsburg, learn about colonial life, and discover the dramatic struggles that shaped early America.

Who is this for?

The Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, curious travelers, and anyone who wants to delve into the captivating story of America's colonial past. Whether you're a student looking to enhance your understanding of the Revolutionary War or a family seeking an educational and entertaining adventure, this tour is suitable for all ages. Everyone can appreciate the immersive experience of walking through the very streets where history unfolded.

Why book this?

This tour provides a unique opportunity to step back in time and witness the birth of a nation. By exploring Colonial Williamsburg at your own pace, you can truly absorb the details and immerse yourself in the stories of the past. The self-guided nature of the tour allows for flexibility and personalization, ensuring that you can delve deeper into the areas that interest you the most. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the town's origins, experience the military significance of fife and drum parades, and marvel at the extravagant Governor's Palace. With lifetime validity, this tour is an investment in an unforgettable journey through history.

Good to know

Before embarking on this tour, it's important to note that it does not include an entrance ticket. Make sure to check the opening hours of Colonial Williamsburg before your visit to ensure a seamless experience. Good internet or wifi access is required to download and access the Tour Guide App. The tour is designed to cover the essentials of Colonial Williamsburg in approximately 2 to 3 hours, spanning a 2.5+ mile-long route. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and prepare to be transported back in time as you explore this living museum.

Reviews

Visitors who have embarked on the Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour have raved about the authenticity and immersive experience it offers. Many praised the detailed commentary provided by the Tour Guide App, which brought the town's history to life. Travelers appreciated the flexibility of exploring at their own pace and the opportunity to delve deeper into areas of personal interest. Overall, visitors expressed high satisfaction with the tour and the valuable insights it provided into the birth of the United States. Don't miss out on the chance to create your own memorable journey through American history with the Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour.

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