Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Don’t just learn about American history… live it! At Colonial Williamsburg, America’s Colonial past comes to life through beautifully restored architecture and authentic reenactors. Stroll down these historic streets while this tour tells you everything you need to know about Williamsburg, early America, colonial life, and more.

Williamsburg has a long and complex history that predates the creation of the United States by almost 150 years! Dig into the town’s origins, the dramatic struggles which unfolded here during the revolution, and the people who put Williamsburg on the map.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

The tour of this beautifully preserved slice of Colonial America begins at the Visitor Center, where you can get your first taste of the nation’s largest living museum.

Note: This 2.5+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Colonial Williamsburg in 2-3 hrs.

Your first stop is at the doorstep of the Peyton Randolph House, the former home of a fiery revolutionary and one of the oldest buildings in Williamsburg! You might not have heard of William Randolph, but he was a trusted ally of folks like Thomas Jefferson

A simple two-story 18th-century white frame farmhouse nestled on 585 acres of lawn, garden, and woodlands, Bassett Hall once was the Williamsburg home of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller .Philip Johnson, a member of the House of Burgesses from King and Queen County, Virginia, is believed to have built the 18th-century frame house sometime between 1753 and 1766.
Purchased by Burwell Bassett around 1800
Union cavalryman George Armstrong Custer guest in home during the Civil War

Built between 1701 and 1705, the first Williamsburg statehouse served the colony of Virginia until fire destroyed the building in 1747.The first floor of the west building was for the General Court and the colony’s secretary, the first floor of the east for the House of Burgesses and its clerk. Arched windows marched across the facades. Stairs on one side led to the Council Chamber, a lobby, and the Council clerk’s office
stairs on the other side led to three committee rooms. A second-floor conference room connected the classically corniced structures, and a six-sided cupola on the ridge of the hipped and dormered roof crowned it all. Though the west wing was completed by July 1703, it took Cary until November 1705 to finish all the work.

Next is the unassuming little Secretary’s Office, where all the documents needed to reconstruct Williamsburg’s colonial days were stored

After that, you’ll arrive at the Raleigh Tavern, where rebellious Virginians met to plot a possible revolution against their British rulers. These meetings even welcomed famous names like Thomas Jefferson!

Then you’ll come to the Colonial Williamsburg Magazine, the site of a tense standoff between American patriots and British soldiers trying to steal all the gunpowder from the town before it could fall into rebel hands

Directly opposite the Magazine, you’ll find the old courthouse, where residents of Williamsburg heard the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the very first time

Up next is the Play House Stage, a recreation of one of America’s first theatres. The original may have failed terribly, but this one still puts on shows on a regular basis!

Then you’ll see the extravagant Governor’s Palace, and maybe start to get a sense of why the residents of Williamsburg didn’t particularly care for their British royal governors!

Up next is the house of George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who stands out from most of his compatriots because of one simple fact: he was an abolitionist. In Virginia, a state which used a huge amount of slave labor, this didn’t exactly make him a lot of friends!

Continuing on, you’ll arrive at the oldest building in Colonial Williamsburg: the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. Here, you’ll learn not just about the church’s surprising history, but also about how it’s the whole reason Colonial Williamsburg exists in the first place

After that is the Bowden-Armistead House, the history of which showcases some of the deep divisions which cut through Williamsburg around the time of the Civil War. See, the owner was a northerner, and you can probably imagine how his Virginian neighbors felt about that…

Your route takes you next onto the campus of William & Mary College, the oldest college in the United States

The final stop on your tour is the Wren Building, an impressive structure which isn’t just the oldest building on the William & Mary Campus, but the oldest college building in the entire United States!

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
• How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
• Minimum Mobile OS Requirement: iOS 14 or later / Android 9 (Pie) or later. It is compatible with iPad models that have a GPS chip.

• Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour
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• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales, history, and facts for a memorable journey!

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Trending Williamsburg Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out

You’re not done yet! It’s time to set up the tour you purchased.

Follow these steps now, while in wifi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date or while onsite.

1. Find the tour setup instructions:

>> Email: search for the phrase “Your tour operator sent you a message” OR “Set up your Action Tour Guide self-guided tour now.” If it’s not in Inbox, check All Mail.

>> Viator App Messages: open the app, check Bookings, select View Voucher, and click on Contact Tour Operator

>> TripAdvisor App Messages:
open the app, check Account, select Messages

>> Text: check for a text from 415-980-4997

>> Can’t find it? Ask us to resend: https://actiontourguide.com/redeem/

2. Follow the set up instructions NOW, not later:

>> MUST do this before traveling to site. Requires WiFi/signal.

>> Do NOT wait until your travel date to access the tour for the first time. The tour is not tied to your travel date.

>> If you’ve reserved the tour for multiple participants (e.g., four people), the same password can be redeemed multiple times (e.g., four times).

3. Not familiar with our self-guided audio tours? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial

⚠️ Important Note:
Your purchase is for the audio tour ONLY. It does not include entrance tickets to parks or attractions.

The site entry is free. This audio tour covers approximately 30 buildings from the outside. The visitor center sells a $45 ticket to see some of the buildings from the inside. This audio tour has stories of all of those buildings. I recommend not buying a $45 ticket upfront. After you finish the audio tour, you can buy it from the ticket counters.

Have a question – We’re here to help! For quick answers, visit the app’s FAQ section or our website at actiontourguide.com/faq. If you need further assistance, please call us at +1 412-205-8152, chat with us online, or email us at support@actiontourguide.com. We’re committed to providing you with the support you need every step of the way!

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Action Day Trips.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at America/New_York.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 3.5 Stars based on 34 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.