Exclusive Private Colonial Williamsburg Walking Tour by a Local
Description
Let's go back in time together! Join your licensed guide on this fun, engaging walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. See the major historic sights, learn how our democracy began, and walk in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers – and maybe bump into them! Discover the special places only a local knows, like delightful gardens, where they hide the sheep, and favorite spots for 18th-century cookies. Starting at The Williamsburg Inn, you'll view the Capitol, stroll by trades and shops, and see horse-drawn carriages on your way to the Governor’s Palace. Our walk ends close to Merchants Square where you can shop or grab a bite. Our guests are saying: “We rank Cyndi in the top 2% of professional guides we’ve experienced.” “She knows her history and shows a lot of enthusiasm for it.” “She was a pleasure to be with.” - She has had the honor of being ranked nationally in the Top 10% of guides in the country. - This tour can be customized to your interests to make the most of your time here.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your licensed guide will meet you at the elegant Williamsburg Inn, 136 E. Francis Street, and escort you back in time to the 18th-century. As we walk up Duke of Gloucester Street we will enter a different, slower-paced town. We will learn why the Colonists decided to break off from Great Britain. We will experience the sights, sounds, and scents of the 1700s, when Virginia was the largest and wealthiest colony in British America.
We will immerse ourselves in the 18th century as we walk up Duke of Gloucester Street, "the most historic street in America." We will stop to view the Capitol Building, where our Founding Fathers debated British taxation and finally proposed independence. Along the way we will pass by busy trades, merchant shops, and taverns. And maybe even visit the dark jail cells and shackles of the Public Gaol (Jail) where Blackbeard's pirates were imprisoned.
Walking down Duke of Gloucester Street, we will talk about Virginia's role in declaring our independence and chat about Colonial life here in the capital city. We will see costumed interpreters and observe the busy shops, working trades, and taverns for hungry travelers where our Fouding Fathers debated independence. We will stop by the Courthouse where we'll share the punishments doled out to convicted criminals and perhaps take a photo with your feet in the "stocks."
On our way to the magnificent Governor's Palace, we'll pass by horse-drawn carriages, perhaps encounter a patriot, and walk up Palace Green to see the mansion that showcased the wealth and power of the British empire.
We will conclude our tour at the historic Bruton Parish Church, near Merchants Square. This gives you the option to continue touring the historic area or to visit Merchants Square with its 40 shops and restaurants. Shops include Lululemon, Talbot's, and Scotland House, and award-winning restaurants, from fine dining to casual spots. You may want to continue touring or grab a bite, or go souvenir shopping. Your guide will let you know their favorite spots!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This is a 1.5 mile walking tour.
- Not recommended for those with difficulty walking, walkers, or Rollators.
- Colonial Williamsburg has a lot more walking than visitors may realize.
- We are happy to connect you with a good local scooter rental company.
- Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking, walkers, or Rollators.
Reviews(43)
We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour with Cyndi Young. With it being just the two of us, Cyndi fully customized our tour, accommodating our needs and providing MUCH MORE than a scripted series of points of interest. Cyndi is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history of Williamsburg and the American Revolution, as well as the amenities and services available to guests. She has a kind and engaging manner.
This was a great tour with our guide, Cyndi! She was informative and such a wealth of knowledge of all things Colonial Williamsburg and beyond. She paid close attention to our comfortability today, as it was hot and muggy, so she made sure to stop in shady parts to talk history with us (my husband and I). She gave us plenty of recommendations for food prior to our tour and recommendations for books to read after our tour, and the afternoon was just so pleasant. She is friendly, warm, and knowledgeable. Book with her now; you won’t be disappointed!
Hi Katie and Andrew, It was a joy to be with you this week! It's always so much fun to be with guests like you who love history. And you teach history too, which must be so rewarding for you! It was a fun afternoon, and thank you for spending it with me! Please stay in touch and let me know about all your adventures!
Cyndi of Friendly Williamsburg Tours contacted us prior to and after the tour. She was very helpful and answered a lot of questions. I was anxious about how everything would work. Cyndi is very experienced with visiting Williamsburg, so she was able to reassure me. My husband and I enjoyed having a private tour--this was our first time! Cyndi is very knowledgeable about Williamsburg and its history. She is very friendly and polite. She modified the tour for us as our ability to walk very far on a 95 degree day was limited. She timed it perfectly so we got to see and hear the musicians marching down the street in their historic costumes. Folks, you'll really enjoy a private tour with Cyndi!
Hi Sally! You and your husband Roger are quite the adventurers! It was an honor to be with you on our tour. Not only did you explore Colonial Williamsburg with me but during your stay you drove over to Jamestown and then up to Yorktown to explore the battlefield there. I'm so glad you are discovering the area and that you are also taking your time doing it. I'm so glad we had a chance to sit every now and then and to see the fife and drum parade. Exciting! Please, once again thank Roger for his dedication and service to our country. We are grateful! I am, and I know you are, very proud of him, and it was truly an honor to be with you both. Please keep on traveling. Huzzah!
Cyndi Young was awesome!! Extremely informative. The tour does require walking, however Cyndi was very accommodating when we needed to sit and rest. Most personal experience… we got to meet George Washington and discussed his upcoming trip to the southern states.
Hi Jason, It was such a pleasure to stroll back in time with you and your parents! Yes, wasn't it fun meeting President Washington? It was kind of him to chat with us on his journey through our city to the southern states of the new United States of Ameria. He is so dignified and engaging. Thank you for joining us and please come back soon!
Cyndi was incredibly knowledgeable about details, dates, relationships and events in the history of America’s beginnings! She is also very personal and thoughtful and quite concerned out our comfort. Cyndi felt like a comfortable friend with a vast store of information.
Hello Kathy! Thank you so much. It was fun going back in time with you! And it is great to be able to tie up the tidbits of history here that we've absorbed over the years. And to actually see our history in action here in Colonial Williamsburg. An enlightening adventure! Please come back again soon and see us!
From the first few minutes, introducing us to the main characters of Williamsburg, to the very end of our walk, Cyndi shared the rich and important History of this area. She helped tie up some loose ends for us as we asked questions, even how the Queen City, in NC, ties into this story. Cyndi definitely knows and enjoys this Beautiful area. We had a great time; stopped to take pictures along the way, saw a few of the main reenactors (G.W. being one), and learned a lot about this Historical town, from Cyndi. We think you will also!
Thank you Roger! Yes, we had such fun! Yes, isn't it great making those connections between our historic Colonial towns. We had so many "Aha" moments! Thank you so much for joining me on our trip back in time, and please come and see us again soon. Huzzah!
Cyndi was exactly the right person for our tour. She filled in the bits on US history we were missing - not having grown up here - and gave us great jumping off points to go on with. Got loads of local information too. My ten year old was completely engaged for the entire tour as was I! I absolutely recommend this tour and guide!!!
Dear Chantal, It was a pleasure to explore Williamsburg with you and your daughter! She is insightful and smart! I love chatting with our guests from other countries and who are eager to learn more about our American history. Don't forget to watch the musical "1776" (available on DVD on Amazon.com and on Amazon Prime). It is just as relevant today as it was in 1972, and is hysterically funny. It is a good intro to our history and celebrates the founding of the United States. Thank you, and please come back and see us soon!
I met up with Cyndi Young who was gracious, passionate, extremely knowledgeable and knew where the sheep were hiding that day! She paced things so well, kept the story alive. We stopped for a treat, pictures whenever I wanted. Warm, engaging and easy to spend time with. We went “ over “ scheduled time. I never felt rushed. Highly recommended!!!!
Thank you so much, Rhonda! We had a great day, didn't we? And we found the sheep! Fun! I'm so glad you're exploring places you love and living your dreams! Please stay in touch and please come by again soon!
Fantastic time with Cindi Young. Her knowledge and enthusiasm made our experience very special and personal.
Dear John and Sue, Thank you for a wonderful afternoon together on such a beautiful day here in Williamsburg. It was a pleasure going back in time - and having Thomas Jefferson's favorite ice cream - with you. And we caught the Fifes and Drums marching and saw history come alive! I was so impressed with your enthusiasm and can tell how much you love history. Please come again, and I look forward to seeing you soon!
I’m taking a road trip with my 82 year old mom and we had Cyndi as our personal tour guide. She took us at a pace that was perfect for us. Shared so much history beyond what you saw with extra historical photos and items. Even offered to take our picture for our memories. We would highly recommend booking her as your personal tour guide!!!
Thank you! You and your mother are amazing! You both are so interested in history and it was pleasure to walk around the historic with you. Your mother is fabulous, and she was walking even faster than we were! I hope you enjoyed a fine dinner at the Williamsburg Inn, and I am wishing you fun and safe travels!
