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All the United States Virginia Williamsburg

The Atlas Obscura Guide to Williamsburg

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Williamsburg, Virginia


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Do, See, and Listen

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Let’s Go
history

The King’s Arms Tavern

Dine like an American revolutionary at Colonial Williamsburg.

Podcast

Little Lambs, Big Back Story

Originally smuggled into the American colonies, the Leicester Longwool sheep went extinct here during the rise of Merino wool. Then Colonial Williamsburg brought it baaa-ck.

Story

In Colonial Williamsburg, Thieving Rats Save History

Historians owe a debt of gratitude to these furry pilferers.

museums

The Archaearium

This museum explores the grim reality of life in the earliest British colonies in America.

Unusual Attractions in Williamsburg

Off the Beaten Path

People walking along a beach.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Fossil Beach at York River State Park

Each tide uncovers a shoreline where Virginia’s prehistoric past washes up.

Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg
Sam OBrien profile photo
Added By
Sam O'Brien
Visitors can explore reconstructions of the cabins of early community residents.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Freedom Park

Amid miles of wooded trails lies the story of one of America’s earliest free Black communities.

Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg
Sam OBrien profile photo
Added By
Sam O'Brien
A pond.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Jolly's Mill Pond

A centuries-old Virginia mill pond is also an outdoor classroom where history is told through recipes.

Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg
Sam OBrien profile photo
Added By
Sam O'Brien
A river bank.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Chickahominy Riverfront Park

This park offers one of the easiest ways to paddle into a Chesapeake landscape that has looked much the same for centuries.

Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg
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Added By
Sam O'Brien
President Heads

Williamsburg, Virginia

President Heads

Giant busts of 42 U.S. presidents sit, crumbling in a field in Virginia.

Hannah Frishberg profile photo
Added By
Hannah Frishberg
The Dilliard Complex (former Eastern State Hospital) before it was closed in 2006

Williamsburg, Virginia

Eastern State Hospital

America's first public mental health facility.

M mbison profile photo
Added By
Mike Bison
The Archaearium

Williamsburg, Virginia

The Archaearium

This museum explores the grim reality of life in the earliest British colonies in America.

Edward Denny profile photo
Added By
Edward Denny
The King’s Arms Tavern

Williamsburg, Virginia

The King’s Arms Tavern

Dine like an American revolutionary at Colonial Williamsburg.

O Omnia Saed profile photo
Added By
Omnia Saed
See All 16 places

Explore the Map

Hidden Wonders

What Do You Want to Do in Williamsburg

Museums (4) Statues (2) Unique Restaurants & Bars (2)

Williamsburg Stories

Articles and Podcasts

The sky lights up with fireworks during a display above the Governor’s Palace.
Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg

Beyond Colonial Williamsburg: 11 Events Worth Planning a Trip Around

From jazz to boat parades to pancake feasts, these events reveal a livelier side of Virginia’s Historic Triangle.

Read more
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Written By
Atlas Obscura
August 25, 2026
  • Sheep at Colonial Williamsburg on a sunny day.

    Podcast

    Little Lambs, Big Back Story

    Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg

  • A tiny, whiskered archaeologist (aka a common black rat) emerges from its nest.

    rats

    In Colonial Williamsburg, Thieving Rats Save History

    By Amy Crawford , Atlas Obscura

  • Culinary historian Michael Twitty (left) and interpreter Robert Watson pick case-knife beans by torch light at the Sankofa Heritage Garden.

    gardens

    At Colonial Williamsburg, a 'Landscape of Resistance' Is Thriving Once Again

    By Omnia Saed , Atlas Obscura

  • Podcast

    President Heads

    Sponsored By Visit Williamsburg

  • New menu items made for a tasting—held at a different venue due to renovations—before the reopening.

    restaurants

    The Colonial Tavern Dishing Up 18th-Century Vittles

    By Kayla Stewart , Atlas Obscura

  • “Desire is nothing new,” says Michael Bronski, a historian at Harvard University.

    museums

    Excavating a Queer History of Colonial Williamsburg

    By Sabrina Imbler , Atlas Obscura

  • The Governor’s Palace dining room in Colonial Williamsburg filled with fake jellies, candied ginger, chocolate almonds, pies, and marzipan fruits and animals.

    museums

    How Museums Make Their Fake Foods Using Real Recipes

    By Stephanie Burt , Atlas Obscura

Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg

Let’s Go

Williamsburg Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Edward Denny profile photo
    Edward Denny
    2
  2. Rebekah Otto profile photo
    Rebekah Otto
    1
  3. Hannah Frishberg profile photo
    Hannah Frishberg
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Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Williamsburg.

Places Edited

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    6
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    5
  3. ickaimp profile photo
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  4. C CC profile photo
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    3
  5. artstuffbylori profile photo
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    2

Places Visited

  1. K Kev Obie profile photo
    Kev Obie
    12
  2. Braecrest profile photo
    Braecrest
    10
  3. Liskaliska profile photo
    Liskaliska
    9
  4. B blimpcaptain profile photo
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    9
  5. A amycomstock804 profile photo
    amycomstock804
    8

Recent Williamsburg Activity

  • W woosleya724 profile photo

    woosleya724

    wants to go to Jamestown Glasshouse

  • W woosleya724 profile photo

    woosleya724

    wants to go to Bray School

  • J jehnadance profile photo

    jehnadance

    wants to go to Fossil Beach at York River State Park

  • athompson411 profile photo

    athompson411

    wants to go to President Heads

  • M mafakat12 profile photo

    mafakat12

    wants to go to President Heads

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