Top Virginia Culture

With this tour, you can expand your knowledge of the colonial history of Williamsburg—dating back to the 18th century. Instead of reading a guidebook, enjoy a much more immersive way of learning about the city—by following a costumed guide around key landmarks. Along the way, hear stories about famous historical figures linked to the city—such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington—as well as fun facts about the monuments you pass.

Spend an entertaining and educational hour with a local guide who’s more than happy to share what they know about this historic town. Learn all about how events in the 1770s shaped America as it’s known today, and gain fresh insight into the attitudes of the founding fathers. Your friendly tour leader would love for you to pick their brain.

Don’t just visit Colonial Williamsburg’s most important historic landmarks—bring the complexities and drama of the colonial period to life with this immersive, insider history tour. Meet your guide at a convenient start point in Williamsburg, and set off on foot to really soak up the scenery. As you spot landmarks like the Governor’s Palace, Market Square, and more, your historian guide will share stories about the city’s former residents and political tensions.

This private self-guided tour offers independent travelers the freedom to set their own pace and start time while driving through Shenandoah National Park. After downloading an app, listen to audio that reveals secrets about Shenandoah’s history and its most impressive landmarks. Enjoy the flexibility to stop for photos or hikes in your own car without group constraints.

Join us for a spine-chilling ghost tour that takes you through the most haunted spots in town! Our route winds through eerie streets and shadowy alleyways, stopping at multiple legendary locations steeped in local lore. Along the way, you’ll hear chilling tales of restless spirits, tragic events, and supernatural occurrences that have shaped the community's history. Prepare for a night of intrigue and chills as we delve into the darker side of our town’s past!

Immerse yourself in the atmospheric setting of Colonial Williamsburg after dark—and learn all about the real-life murders, executions, and other sordid events that happened here—on this nighttime ghost tour. No separate ticket to Williamsburg is needed: meet your costumed guide at the Capitol Building and set off. Visit supposedly haunted landmarks like the Peyton Randolph House, and hear stories about pirates, witch trials, and more as you go.

Explore Old Town Alexandria, focusing on its food and its history, during this walking tour. Follow your guide to some of the area's historical highlights, learning about the nearly three-century history as you travel. Stop at several family-owned restaurants for regional seafood, Italian fare, fusion cuisine, and hand-crafted desserts. Tastings add up to make a full meal.

Discover Richmond’s 400-year history during a ride on board one of its 19th century streetcars by its iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. Pass by James River, where Richmond’s story began, Virginia State Capitol, and Jackson Ward, the “Harlem of the South. Discover how Richmond became the city it is today with fascinating and engaging live narration throughout the ride.

Discover Colonial Williamsburg and experience all this renowned historic city has to offer by prebooking your ticket and securing your spot at one of the world's largest living museums. Learn about life in colonial America and the American Revolution. Enjoy historical reenactments and theatrical performances, the vibrant gardens and art museums, plus guided and self-guided tours of the original 18th-century buildings and homes, and personal interaction with the townspeople. Parking fee not included.

Step back in time on a private ride through historic Fredericksburg in a fully restored 1920's Model-A. Guests meet in the heart of downtown and climb aboard cushioned seats for a 20-30min tour with open-air views and plenty of charm. Along the way you'll pass Fredericksburg's most treasured landmarks including the Mary Washington House & Monument, Huge Mercer Apothecary, Kenmore Plantation, Chatham Manor, and the Rappahannock Riverfront. Your guide shares fascinating stories of colonial times, the Civil War, and Fredericksburg's unique past while you relax and enjoy the ride. This tour is the ideal way to enjoy Fredericksburg highlights with history, nostalgia and fun all rolled into one unforgettable experience. Remember Don't Just Look at History, Ride in It!

Listen to ghostly maritime histories as you discover a darker site to the Atlantic coast on this haunted walking tour of Virginia Beach. Pass by a selection of paranormal hotspots along the boardwalk, including the Norwegian Lady Statue—a memorial to an 1891 shipwreck—and the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum.

Journey into the heart of 18th-century America with our immersive Three-Hour Colonial Williamsburg History Walking Tour. Explore the buildings that capture the spirit of a young nation on the brink of independence. Enter the elegant halls of the Governor’s Palace, seat of British authority—and later, revolutionary resistance. Walk the creaking floors of the Capitol Building, where debates that shaped the birth of democracy echoed through its chambers. Along the way, you’ll visit blacksmiths, printers, apothecaries, and wigmakers—living history tradespeople who carry on colonial craftsmanship. Each stop unveils another layer of the complex, fascinating world of 1700s Virginia. Perfect for history lovers, families, or curious travelers, this tour offers a vivid, interactive experience. *MUST HAVE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TICKET VALID FOR THE DATE OF YOUR TOUR*

Explore the history of Richmond's black artists, business leaders, politicians, and innovators on this tour of the Jackson Ward neighborhood. Known for its charming Victorian architecture and powerful historical legacy, the Jackson Ward was long known as the "Harlem of the South" for its innovative and impactful black population. On this historic walking tour, we explore the stories of Richmond's Jackson Ward, its rise, challenges, successes, and crucial figures. Learn about black-owned banks, insurance companies, theaters, and much more.

Watch the sun set over Chesapeake Bay on a 2-hour, small-group dolphin tour by kayak from Virginia Beach. Paddle along the coast as you spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and see the Cape Henry Lighthouses and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from the water.

*FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY-AGES 17 +* During this one-hour walking tour, hear the darker side of 18th-Century Williamsburg. Stories of murder, mayhem, and scandal--those things talked about in taverns, back alleys, and the courts--straight from the town's citizens. Each tour will be different, and the stories are a-plenty. Due to the sensitive nature of the subjects and the salty language of the time, this tour is recommended for mature audiences 17 and older. Please note that since every tour is different, the routes advertised may also differ. Please note: Due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on some days. Please see our website for information. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entrance or admission into Colonial Williamsburg-owned buildings. Since the tour is through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg it is weather contingent. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.

Enjoy a day of family fun at the Virginia Living Museum during your visit to Williamsburg. Explore indoor and outdoor animal exhibits and see more than 250 species of wildlife native to Virginia, including bald eagles and endangered red wolves. Kid-friendly highlights include discovery centers, interactive hands-on exhibits, and an outdoor Dinosaur Discovery Trail with life-like dinosaurs, dig pits, and fossils.

Discover the charm and history of Old Town Alexandria, one of the nation’s most beautifully preserved colonial cities just outside Washington, DC. Step inside the legendary Gadsby's Tavern - once the social hub of colonial Alexandria - where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams dined, danced, and debated. Stroll along cobblestone streets lined with 18th-century architecture as your expert local guide brings centuries of American history vividly to life. Explore Christ Church (Interior Visit When Open) - originally built in 1773 - whenever services or private events are not in session. From George Washington’s favorite tavern to a church that’s hosted presidents, patriots, and even royalty, this walking tour takes you beyond the monuments and into the real stories that helped shape a nation.

If you’re interested in learning about Williamsburg’s Colonial history then this private tour saves hours doing your own independent research. Pick between half- or full-day durations and join a private guide on a walk around the city, with insightful commentary throughout. The route is customizable to help ensure it's tailored to your preferences, and stops include major landmarks such as the Capitol Building, the Williamsburg Inn, and the Governor’s Palace.

Join us on an immersive walking tour through historic Fredericksburg, where Colonial-era history comes to life beyond the textbooks. Led by passionate local historians, our tour uncovers hidden stories, little-known facts, and fascinating figures who shaped the city. What Makes Our Tour Unique? Engaging Storytelling: More than just dates, we bring history to life with captivating tales, surprising facts, and interactive discussions. Exclusive Insights & Hidden Gems: Explore preserved 18th-century buildings and lesser-known landmarks beyond the usual tourist spots. A Thoughtful Blend of History & Fun Whether you're a history buff or just curious, we balance deep knowledge with entertaining anecdotes and humor. Small Groups for a Personal Experience: Our intimate tours allow for interactive discussions and time to ask questions. Perfect for visitors and locals alike, this tour offers a unique, engaging journey through Fredericksburg’s past.

Capture your holiday memories in Virginia Beach with a private photo shoot led by a local professional photographer. Enjoy a unique photo experience at scenic beach and hidden spots, and receive 45 fully edited photos within days of the shoot.

Standard history tours in Colonial Williamsburg often gloss over the lived experiences of Black Americans. On this Black history-focused walking tour, go beyond the standard curricula to focus exclusively on the resilience, stories, and journeys toward freedom of early Black communities. Visit a Baptist church secretly founded by both enslaved and free Black Americans, a colonial-era tavern, historic estates where Black Americans were forced to live and labor, and much more.

If you think history is boring, this tour is here to prove you wrong. Offbeat History takes you on a lively, 90-minute journey through the city’s most offbeat and entertaining stories—the kind that surprise you, make you laugh, and leave you saying, “Wait… that really happened?” With a guide who knows how to bring the fun, this tour dives into the odd characters, strange moments, and head-scratching facts that make Richmond anything but ordinary. You won’t hear about battlefield strategies or memorized dates—just unforgettable stories, unexpected twists, and a whole lot of laughs.

Delve into the eerie history of Williamsburg on the Forgotten Spirits of the Past ghost tour. This one-hour walking experience reveals the chilling tales of those forgotten by history—ordinary souls and overlooked tavern keepers who still linger in the shadows. Venture off the beaten path into hidden courtyards and narrow lanes, uncovering stories that reveal the haunted heart of the city. Ideal for history buffs and ghost enthusiasts alike, this tour offers a unique perspective on Williamsburg's past. Join us and meet the spirits that history left behind. - One-hour walking tour exploring the haunted corners of Williamsburg - Discover the stories of forgotten souls and lost spirits - Suitable for all ages; children 6 and under are free - Check for varying times and availability on our website