Williamsburg Warnings Or Dangers

I visited Colonial Williamsburg on Thursday in the middle of October. There were many visitors but I can't say it was over-crowded although we had to wait in a line about 20 min. to visit the Capitol and we had to wait for the 3rd shuttle bus to come back to the parking lot.

But I would expect more people on weekends and especially American long weekends close to the following national holidays:
- Memorial Day (last Monday of May),
- Independence Day (July, 4),
- Labour Day (first Monday of September))
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday of November).

My suggestions:
1. be at visitors center before 9.00 am (they open it 8.45), most folks go a little bit later and visit the Governor's House first, before others;
2. if you start a little bit later start from the Capitol (most folks go to closer Governor's House, I suppose);
3. when it's getting dark avoid shuttle buses back to visitors center (you can walk there).

Keep in mind that Williamsburg with approx. 4.5 mln visitors a year (over 12,000 daily) is the most visited place in Virginia and one of the most visited in the USA, surprisingly even more than the U.S. capital, Washington, DC.

These people are a public nuisance. Unfortunately, they are all over the place. And while they generate some noise complaints, dealing with this problem is a lot like pushing down a bubble in an air mattress--it simply pops up somewhere else.

These preachers rarely convert anyone; in fact, it's more than likely that they turn other people off. Hearing them makes me want to get rip-roaring drunk.

When I took this photo, someone actually had the courage to confront this idiotic preacher. Eventually, security showed up and we enjoyed some peace and quiet.

the town of Williamsburg itself is rated well below average on the crime risk scale, meaning that it is a fairly safe place in general.
the annual crime stats are:
0 murders, 2 rapes, 5 robberies, 25 assaults or burglaries, 450 thefts (mostly shoplifting).
i was surprised to see that the town of Williamsburg is home to 64 registered sex offenders ( that is about one sex offender for every 200 people in Williamsburg).
(if this concerns you, then you might want to check out the websitebelow).

we have been to Williamsburg several times and have never had any problems. the general population is very friendly and helpful.
just use normal precautions that you would use at home (lock doors, keep an eye on the kids, don't go out real late at night alone) and you will have a safe and pleasant holiday.

If you're coming down here in July like I did, then it is wise to make sure that you stay as hydrated as possible and take advantage of the drink and snack stands that are located throughout the historic area. If you stop at one of them, then buy the bottled water since that's essential to keeping hydrated. Also try to duck in and out of air conditioned buildings when you can for some relief. The reason why I'm saying this is because there was one tourist who was in the historic area one afternoon as I was heading back to my hotel room and he/she collapsed due to heat exaustion apparently since there was an ambulance parked on the side of the street(emergency vehicles are the only ones permitted in the historic area) along with some police vehicles and fire trucks there.

Well, I am not without having a goofball ideas and decided to take a scenic route to Hampton. Ha, boy did I. Just glad I gave myself plenty of time and I for one am not to afraid to ask for directions. Yet, exploring to me is always fun. So, when I left Williamsburg I decided to take the Colonial Parkway route, and the map I had did not tell me if I could not get onto Interstate 64. Well, it doesn't, so I cruised along and enjoyed the scenery till I came upon I think it was 199 that got me back to the 64. I will say if you every want to go fishing and explore the woods this is a great road to explore for that!

One very important tip I can give is to always have water handy. You should always have it handy when its hot of course, but also during winter months. Never stop drinking water. When I visited Williamsburg it was hot and sooooo humid. I was thankful I was caring my water bottle, but I went through it fast. Every where I went the attendants did not have a problem with me filling up my water bottle. That was nice. Yet, it gets real cold here during the winters months of course too, so buddle up.

Williamsburg Weather Forecast

" Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over."
-- Mark Twain, 1884

At the end of our visit we were wating approx. 20 min. (not that bad although unexpected) for a shuttle bus to Visitors Center where our car was parked. The first 2 or 3 buses which arrived to Merchants Market bus stop were almost full, so only a few visitors could take on. Keep in mind that many folks come back to Visitors Center after 5.00 pm where most tourist attractions close and before/around dusk. And many of them choose the bus stop at Merchants Square which is the second last stop of blue line shuttle bus before reaching the Visitors Center.

We were too tired after very busy day to walk and... 20 minutes was not that bad. And it's not easy to take so many visitors at one time back to the Visitors Center. It was time to use restroom, watch people, take a few more pictures and first of all nice talk with Nat and planning the next day.

Don't miss the last bus. the blue line shuttle cirles historic area daily from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm including Visitor Center only 5.00 - 10.00 pm). The red line shuttle bus (Visitor's Center - Governor's House and back) goes from 8.50 am - 5.00 pm).

Free leaflets and brochures I got at the Visitor's Centers were my basic source of detailed information on places I visited in Colonial Williamsburg. There is no or very concise information put by some, more famous of over 500 colonial houses. In the Capitol and the Governor's Palace there are guided tours and there are historical interpreters in front of some houses, so one can always ask them... Not enough?

Well, generally I can't complain, but I saw right many beautiful houses with no information, even basic, on them. Just one example in my picture. It was difficult to identify this pretty house. It's called Bryan House (corner of Duke of Gloucester Street and Nassau Street) and... no more information.

Each house has its own, often colorful, story. My suggestion is to put more detailed information and map in free brochures (hmm... it may lower sales of some books on Williamsburg) or eventually to put it by each house (hmm... it may break their original look).