Given its roots as the second capital of the Virginia Colony, Williamsburg has long been a pilgrimage site for American history buffs. But in-tune golfers know that the independent city also serves as an ideal base for a golf trip to Virginia’s Historic Triangle.
Those who stay at Williamsburg Lodge or Williamsburg Inn aren’t just positioned on the perimeter of the world’s largest living history museum, they’re also a short walk from the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, home to two championship-caliber courses and a new short course called the Shoe. The Shoe is an appealing blend of holes in the 40- to 60-yard range that are playable with a putter and longer holes that require more precise attacks with a wedge. But it’s the golf club’s original Gold Course—with its captivating layout, well-maintained grounds, and Augusta National–like vibes—that shines brightest.
Twenty minutes to the west, the semiprivate Williamsburg National Golf Club offers two exemplary courses of its own. The property’s flagship routing, the Jamestown Course, was conceived by Nicklaus Design 30 years ago. Its younger sibling, the 7,018-yard Yorktown Course, is the handiwork of architect Tom Clark and features a memorable back nine, composed of an equal number of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s.
Staying at Kingsmill Resort is akin to reading a choose-your-own-adventure book.The 2,900-acre property is home to 330 guest rooms and suites, five vacation cottages, and three private residences, the newest of which offers a private chef and other exclusive amenities. Booking a stay is also the only way to tee it up on the resort’s Plantation or River courses, the latter of which hosted a PGA Tour event for more than 20 years.
Williamsburg Inn is home to two standout restaurants. At the Terrace & Goodwin Rooms, dishes might include a honeydew gazpacho accented with crispy prosciutto, cantaloupe salsa, lime gel, and chili oil. Rockefellers, by contrast, is known for its steaks and other cuts of meat, as well as a brioche-crusted Alaskan halibut that’s a consistent crowd-pleaser.
Whiskey enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a behind-the-scenes tour at Copper Fox Distillery, one of only five distilleries in the States with a functional malting floor. That means owner and founder Rick Wasmund is crafting single malts and other whiskies the old-fashioned way—even drying his house-malted barley with a variety of fruitwood fires, whose smoke further infuses the malt with flavor.
Founded in 1632, Williamsburg showcases its history in a dedicated district that spans some 300 acres of cobblestone streets and preserved, restored, and painstakingly rebuilt colonial-era buildings. In all, Colonial Williamsburg—the world’s largest living history museum—comprises more than 300 historic structures, including 89 that are original to the 18th century.
Throughout Colonial Williamsburg, visitors will encounter historical interpreters, dressed in period clothing, who bring the city’s history to life. They range from site and orientation guides and tradespeople to recognizable figures such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry. Some also perform museum theater—scripted performances that share the themes, events, and lives of early America.
The most immersive accommodations in Williamsburg are the two dozen colonial homes for rent. Many of the homes were reconstructed during the mid-20th century and range in size from four-bedroom premium residences to single-room houses, the latter of which were originally built in the 1700s as shops or stand-alone kitchens for larger homes. Visitors can also book tavern rooms, which offer a unique glimpse into transient lodging during the Revolutionary Era.
Featuring locally sourced seafood, Christiana Campbell’s Tavern serves up a smattering of dishes that celebrate la mer, all inspired by original recipes from the historic restaurant or 18th-century cookbooks. Dining here is a trip back in time; you’ll soon understand why George Washington made Campbell’s a frequent haunt. Just make sure you order the crab cakes.
There are plenty of ghost tours in town, but only one, Haunted Williamsburg, brings participants inside some of the area’s historic buildings. For one hour, you’ll traverse the historic section of the city by candlelight and listen to 18th-century ghost stories—including modern-day tales of apparition encounters.
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