Educational Road Trip to Williamsburg, VA

Influencer - Jessica Human - Williamsburg

As a homeschooling family that loves the outdoors, we are always looking for destinations that combine learning with a sense of adventure. We were so excited to find that Williamsburg, Virginia is not only an amazing historical destination but one filled with plenty of outdoor adventure. As home to the world's largest living history museum, Williamsburg is the perfect educational family vacation. Learning doesn't have to be boring. Why read it in a book when you can watch a live-action Colonial court in session, tour a full-sized replica of the first settlers' ships, see America's first English settlement by airboat, or learn about historical landmarks on e-bikes? Find out where to stay, where to play, and where to eat in our 5-day family-friendly itinerary that balances historical exploration with outdoor fun. The entire family will have a blast learning about Colonial America.

Where to Stay: The Historic Experience:

Stay in a Historic Colonial House, right in Colonial Williamsburg. Step back in time with an authentic Colonial experience; these houses are historically accurate and each tells its own story in history. We stayed in the Brick House Shop, originally used as a riding chair maker business and built in the 1720s. We loved the historic feel but appreciated the perks of modern amenities like bathrooms, TVs, and coffee makers. The best part? We could walk right out of our door and into the historical colonial area. Fife and drum parades right outside our door, authentic 18th-century restaurants right down the road; you really felt like you were living in history.

Influencer - Jessica Human - Colonial Williamsburg

Where to Stay: The Outdoor Experience:

Embrace the great outdoors at Timberline Glamping in Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Glamping is the perfect mix of all the best parts of camping, but with all the comforts of home like actual beds, air conditioning, a coffee maker, and a mini-fridge. Located on the Chickahominy River, these waterfront glamping sites have amazing views and feel like a little piece of quiet right outside the city. They have two tent options: the Double Safari Tent with 2 double beds that sleeps 4, or a Deluxe Safari Tent that can sleep 6. This is one of the few glamping tents we've seen that cater to larger families, so we were very excited to see an option with more beds!

Influencer - Jessica Human - Timberline Glamping

Educational Activities: Our Favorite Activities That Make Learning Fun

Take a tour of Colonial Williamsburg with Williamsburg Walking Tours. This incredible living history museum is the largest of its kind worldwide. Picture yourself strolling through hundreds of restored and recreated buildings, chatting with historical reenactors, and literally stepping back in time. You can watch a blacksmith at work, enjoy the tunes of period music in the parlor, or simply wander through the palace gardens. But let me tell you, going on a tour is where the real magic happens! You'll uncover fascinating tidbits that you won't find in any history book. For instance, did you know that every Colonial bee house had a bench beside it? It turns out they treated their bees like family, chatting with them and keeping them updated on all the latest news. How buzz-worthy is that?

Take a carriage ride through Colonial Williamsburg. Besides checking off a major childhood bucket list item, riding a horse-drawn carriage through the historical streets and buildings is such a cool way to immerse yourself in history and learn more about the area.

Explore Yorktown by bike from Patriot Tours and Provisions. The best way to see the historic streets and buildings, be sure to stop by the beach too.

Learn more about historic Yorktown by sailboat with a Yorktown Sightseeing Day Sail. Such a beautiful way to learn, the views from the sailboat are hard to beat.

Explore Riverwalk Landing and Historic Yorktown Village. Beautiful old homes, historic landmarks, and lots of shops, there isn't much else you need. Be sure to take a ride on the free trolley, where you can visit the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Visit Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum of America's first English colony. Easily an all-day trip, this museum has everything from full-sized Colonial ships to tour, a Native American settlement, and a James fort recreation. All filled with reenactors to answer questions and show you how life was during that period. We learned how they grew tobacco, how to fire a musket, and how the Native Americans made their cooking pots, all from watching it in the front row.

Go on an Island Airboat Tour. If there is one way to learn more about the local waterways and why they were so important to the history of the area, speeding through on an airboat has got to be one of the coolest. Hands down one of the most thrilling activities in the area, this was a fun mix of education and adventure.
Take a Powhatan E-bike tour. A guided ride on the scenic Powhatan Creek Trail, you'll learn more about the history of the area while enjoying nature along the way.

Influencer - Jessica Human - Williamsburg Walking Tours Influencer - Jessica Human - Powhatan E-bike tour

Adventurous Activities: Williamsburg's Best Family Thrills

Water Country USA. Virginia's largest waterpark and the place to be this summer. From toddler-friendly splash pads to a heart-racing 75ft drop water slide that even the teens will love, there's something for the whole family here. Our favorite was the Colossal Curl!

James City County Skate Park. This bowl-style skate park offers 10,000 square feet of concrete jumps and ramps.

Jamestown Beach. Family and dog-friendly beach, this park on the James River is the perfect spot to cool off. Wave-free water with shallow and deep swimming options; they also have grills, concessions, and bathrooms. There is an entrance fee, of $5 at the time of this post.

Head to Go Ape! for a treetop ziplining experience and an outdoor escape room. Their ziplining course is self-guided, so it's great for all ages, and the outdoor escape room was a fun way to test our problem-solving skills together as a family.

Influencer - Jessica Human - Go Ape Influencer - Jessica Human - James City County Skate Park

Where to eat: Best family-friendly restaurants in Williamsburg

Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que. Hands down one of the tastiest and coolest restaurants in Williamsburg, this has been a local staple since 1971, and still smokes their meat the good old-fashioned way. You know it's good food when you have multiple customers saying they've been coming to this place since they were kids, over 50 years.

Precarious Beer Hall. Great beers and great burgers, and some of the best nachos I've had. Stay for the arcade games, shuffleboard, and trivia nights.

Aromas Coffeehouse Bakeshop & Cafe. Grab a smoothie and all their freshly baked goods for breakfast, and enjoy their outdoor seating.

The Cheese Shop. Within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg, they have some of the best sandwiches in town. Obviously, try all the cheese, it's worth it.

Cook's Burger Bar. We loved everything we tried here! Great burgers plus a bunch of appetizers you don't normally see (and all delicious).

Shorty's Diner. If a restaurant's motto is "It's not fancy...It's not fat-free...It's just the way it used to be!!" you know you're in good hands. Try the chocolate chip pancakes, they're bigger than your head.

Carrot Tree Kitchens. Great for lunch, this sandwich shop is in the quaint Yorktown Riverwalk. Be sure to try their old-fashioned salads.

Dinner at Sal's. Maybe one of the best authentic Italian restaurants we've been to. We tried most of their appetizers, dinners, AND desserts here and loved everyone.

Everbowl. Superfood bowls with endless variations. This is the perfect spot for a healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free meal.

Food For Thought. Grab a meal while surrounded by the wise words of inventors, scientists, and social leaders.
Not Another Pancake House. Not only amazing pancakes, but their eggs benedict and French toast were amazing.

Influencer - Jessica Human - Pierce's Pit