What to do in Williamsburg VA while house and pet sitting

The historic city of Williamsburg VA is a must-visit for history lovers, from the thoughtfully laid out Jamestown settlement to the preserved sections of the Yorktown battlefield, the city is brimming with history. That’s not all the iconic city has to offer though, with river cruises and a fantastic decorative arts scene, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

So if you’re heading that way on your next pet sit and wondering what to do in Williamsburg VA, look no further than our guide. 

Williamsburg VA attractions

Visiting Williamsburg is like taking a step back in time. The iconic spot is perfect for history buffs who want to learn more about the culture of the US while having lots of fun in the meantime. Known as the Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown triangle, the area is chock full of historical play by plays you’ll love. Here’s our fave things to do in in Williamsburg VA: 

1. Colonial Williamsburg: Colonial Williamsburg is the largest outdoor living museum in the country and provides authentic 18th-century experiences as part of their educational mission. Book ahead for a guided tour, visit the Governor's House or visit the Peyton Randolph or George Wythe House.  

2. Jamestown: Site of the original 1607 settlement, Historic Jamestown is a living history museum that recreates life in the Jamestown colony. You can visit gallery exhibits, try on English armour or even climb aboard life-size replicas of the ships that brought colonists to Virginia in 1607. 

3. Jamestown Glasshouse: No visit to Jamestown is complete without a visit to the historic Jamestown Glasshouse. You can see the remains of the original furnaces used by America’s first English glassblowers and watch today's glassblowers make wine bottles, candle holders and glass trinkets. 

Free things to do in Williamsburg VA

Here at TrustedHousesitters, we love a budget-friendly experience, so we’ve compiled a list of our top favorite free things to do in Williamsburg VA that won’t cost you a dime.

1. Duke of Gloucester Street: Take a stroll down Duke of Gloucester Street and take in the experience that Franklin D. Roosevelt described as "the most historic avenue in all America". On Duke of Gloucester Street you can walk eight blocks from Blair Street to the east and Boundary Street to the west and discover the original offices, shops and religious government buildings, now used for exhibitions, shops and an active church. 

2. Freedom Park: Freedom Park is the site of an 18th Century cemetery and home to one of the country's earliest Free Black Settlements. There’s many historical recreations in the park, including three historically accurate recreated cabins, as well as a 600-acre forested retreat with approximately two miles of multi-use trails, and mountain bike trails that wind through historical sites and forests.

3. James City County Marina: The Marina is your spot for biking, kayaking, canoeing and more. You can bike or paddle to where America’s founders once travelled, from Jamestown to Williamsburg and everywhere in between. Located on Powhatan Creek just across from the Jamestown Settlement, the full-service marina is stocked with plenty of cold beverages, ice cream and refreshments to keep you going during your visit. 

Fun things to do in Williamsburg VA

Wondering what the fun things to do in Williamsburg VA are? Discover the top Williamsburg attractions, exciting activities and must-see places to visit here:

1. Water Country USA: If you love a good water ride, you’ll love Water Country USA. The Mid-Atlantic’s largest water park offers water rides and other attractions all in the theme of a 1950s or 1960s surf theme, as well as live entertainment, shops and plenty of restaurants. 

2. Williamsburg Premium Outlets: Because you can’t return home empty handed, head to the Williamsburg Premium Outlets. You’ll find more than 120 designer outlets to browse including Burberry, Calvin Klein, Nike and many others. 

3. Williamsburg Winery: Located on the Southern side of Williamsburg, the huge Williamsburg Winery is set over 300 acres of farmland overlooking picturesque rolling hills. Choose from a variety of different tours and tasting flights to experience what the winery has to offer.

What to do in Williamsburg VA with pets

Wondering what to do in Williamsburg VA with pets? There’s nothing better than being able to take your latest fur-baby along for the day. Here’s our top three favorite experiences to share with your pooch: 

1. Waller Mill Dog Park: Perfect if you want to give your pup some off-leash socialization, the Waller Mill Dog Park is a fenced dog park with a dedicated small dog area, as well as trees and benches for owners (and sitters!). 

2. Williamsburg Botanical Gardens: The botanical gardens is a dog-friendly place, so long as your pup is well behaved and kept on the leash. Explore the beautiful array of colorful plants together or choose one of the many hiking and walking trails at Freedom Park. 

3. Colonial Ghosts: Fan of the supernatural? Go on a spooky tour through Colonial Williamsburg with your paranormal-loving pooch. Ranked as one of the top ten ghost tours in the US, Colonial Ghosts shares real hauntings commonly experienced by locals and eyewitness haunting interviews. 

Best restaurants in Williamsburg VA: Food and drink

When it comes to the best restaurants in Williamsburg VA, there’s an abundance of options. As you might expect, the food in Williamsburg has a historical touch with traditional Southern cooking and regional cuisine popular, as well as many contemporary options too. 

1. Pierce’s Pitt Bar-b-que: When it comes to classic Southern favorites, you can’t go wrong with BBQ. The charming local BBQ joint specialises in full racks of ribs, brisket and pulled pork as well as roast chicken, hush puppies and crinkle-cut fries. 

2. Food For Thought: Food For Thought is a unique spot with walls covered in inspiring quotes from various philosophers, inventors and scientists. The food is a twist on regional heritage cooking with classics like shrimp and grits as well as an amazing vegetarian menu and tasty vegan desserts like hazelnut torte and homemade sorbet. 

3. The Cheese Shop: Aside from an amazing selection of cheeses, The Cheese Shop is famous for its incredible sandwiches. Their secret? House dressing! It’s so well loved, the shop sells it in jars. 

House and pet sitting in Williamsburg VA

Now you’ve taken in our ‘what to do in Williamsburg VA’ guide, we know you’re excited to explore and discover all the history, sights and sounds the city has to offer. All that’s left to do now is find a house and pet sit. Join us over here and connect with loving pet owners and their furbabies.