Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Williamsburg?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Williamsburg?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Williamsburg during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the historic old town, the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, and shopping.

Williamsburg is a historic city in the state of Virginia that was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780. Today visitors can learn about the city's historic past at the living museum in Colonial Williamsburg. The city is also home to the College of William and Mary as well as several world class amusement parks and waterparks.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Williamsburg? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Williamsburg?

Many visitors spend three days in Williamsburg, as this is a good amount of time to see the charming town's major attractions such as the historic old town, the museums and landmarks, and the restaurant scene. If you have three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

How to spend 3 days in Williamsburg

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Ultimate Pirate Walking Tour in Colonial Williamsburg ($25)
  • Private Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Holiday Decorations Walking Tour ($65)
  • Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia ($25)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket ($79)

Don't miss Colonial Williamsburg during your trip to Williamsburg, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Williamsburg is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Ultimate Pirate Walking Tour in Colonial Williamsburg ($25)
  • Private Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Holiday Decorations Walking Tour ($65)
  • Yorktown Hallowed Ground Candlelight Walking Tour ($20)

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Williamsburg, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum Admission ($23)
  • Jamestown Settlement American Revolution Museum 7-Day Ticket ($29)

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Williamsburg.

Is 4 days enough time in Williamsburg?

Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Williamsburg, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Admire the historic sights, browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and browse the shops on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Williamsburg as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

Williamsburg, Virginia Williamsburg, Virginia

How to spend 4 days in Williamsburg

With 4 days in Williamsburg, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

Shopping in Williamsburg is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Williamsburg.

Is 5 days enough time in Williamsburg?

Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Williamsburg has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to four days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the historic old town, the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, and shopping at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

Williamsburg, Viriginia Williamsburg, Viriginia

How to spend 5 days in Williamsburg

If you have more than 5 days in Williamsburg, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

After you've explored most of Williamsburg, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Williamsburg.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Williamsburg, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.