This Living Museum Lets You Fire Muskets & Haggle at an 18th-Century Market in Colonial Virginia

The Colonial Williamsburg Living History Museum

The words “living history museum” might make you think of dusty displays and snooze-worthy lectures. But Colonial Williamsburg is basically an 18th-century theme park spread across 301 acres, complete with 88 original buildings and 500 reconstructed structures.

This place was Virginia’s capital and the center of political, cultural, and economic life from 1699 to 1780. Here’s everything you absolutely can’t miss.

Walk the Halls of Power at the Governor’s Palace

Think your home security system is impressive? Try over 500 pieces of period-accurate weaponry mounted on the walls as decor. That’s how the royal governors rolled.

The palace gardens, designed by colonial botanist John Custis IV, feature twelve topiary gardens and a quarter-mile hedge maze that’s perfect for losing your friends.

Catch the daily tours and definitely check out the grand ballroom where Governor Dunmore threw the legendary Queen’s Birthday Ball in 1774.

Relieve Revolutionary Drama at the Capitol Building

This H-shaped structure is where 88 delegates basically said ‘Return to sender, address unknown’ to King George III seven weeks before the Continental Congress made it official.

Check out the 40-foot-long courtroom and the circular House of Burgesses chamber where Patrick Henry dropped his greatest hits. The Council Chamber still rocks those original English leather chairs and that famously slashed portrait of King George III.

Four daily programs let you experience colonial justice through mock trials based on actual 18th-century cases.

Explore Trade Shop Row

Twenty-two shops along Duke of Gloucester Street show off how people made stuff before Amazon Prime.

Watch blacksmiths forge period-accurate nails and hardware at the original 1775 forge. See cabinetmakers create furniture using 18th-century joints and hand tools, and check out wigmakers working their magic with human, horse, and goat hair.

The printer’s shop is basically ye olde Facebook, running two period presses to spread news one broadsheet at a time.

Drop by Raleigh Tavern

Built in 1735 and reconstructed in 1931, this was basically the colonial equivalent of that one coffee shop where all the cool kids hang out. That was especially true after Governor Dunmore dissolved the House of Burgesses in 1774.

The Apollo Room hosted Phi Beta Kappa’s founding on December 5, 1776. There’s a lot of interesting history here, like Thomas Jefferson’s social awkwardness during a ball held here.

Check Out the 300-Century Old Colonial Gardens

Ninety acres of ‘I can’t believe this isn’t Pinterest’ gardens, including the Governor’s Palace gardens with their 1720 parterre design, kitchen gardens growing 30 heritage vegetables, and an apothecary garden with 50 medicinal plants.

The maze garden features 1,800 American holly trees trimmed to six feet. You might even spot Leicester Longwool sheep and American Milking Red Devon cattle living their best lives in nearby pastures.

“Train” with the Continental Army

The western encampment recreates a 1775 Continental Army camp with 15 white canvas tents. Watch kids (yes, kids) aged 10-18 absolutely crush it in the Fifes and Drums Corps with period instruments.

Catch musket demonstrations at 11 AM and 2 PM to learn the 13 steps to fire a Brown Bess musket, and stick around for the 3 PM artillery shows featuring a light six-pounder field gun in action.

See Where Washington Knelt at Bruton Parish Church

One of America’s oldest active Episcopal parishes, complete with original box pews where Washington, Jefferson, and Henry probably sat planning the revolution while pretending to pay attention.

The 1761 Snetzler pipe organ still works its magic, and the churchyard houses over 2,000 graves, including three colonial governors. Catch those candlelight concerts every Thursday and Saturday at 8 PM for some authentic period tunes.

Watch Mock Trials at the 1770 Courthouse

This 1770 courthouse lets you get in on recreated trials based on actual 18th-century court records.

Daily programs at 10 AM and 2 PM feature original judicial furniture and authentic legal documents.

Check out the magistrate’s bench, bail dock, and period writing implements, plus demonstrations of various punishments from the public pillory to the meticulous recording of judgments.

Haggle and Trade at the Historic Market Square

Thursday and Saturday morning markets feature period-appropriate goods, with local artisans selling handmade candles, soaps, and textiles.

And yes, you can shop for real here, complete with a background of proclamations being read from the courthouse steps.

Feast at Colonial Taverns & Restaurants

You’ve got tons of authentic spots to grab a bite at Colonial Williamsburg. The Shields Tavern for working-class fare and King’s Arms Tavern for fancy upper-class cuisine.

There’s Chowning’s Cider Stand, Dubois Grocer, an uppity clubhouse bar, and a cocktail lounge, among others.

Do check their website, as some of these places close seasonally.

Educational Programs: Actually Fun Learning (No, Really)

Over 100 daily programs throughout the historic district, from 18th-century archaeology at the Geddy House to colonial games at the Powell House.

Ghost tours are great for learning about the supernatural beliefs of that period. Catch any of the daily Revolutionary City performances including Patrick Henry’s ‘Liberty or Death’ speech and the Declaration of Independence reading.