When will Colonial Williamsburg open? That’s a great question, and one being asked by visitors hoping to visit Williamsburg this summer. What many may not realize that access to the historic area was never closed.
As the nation’s largest outdoor living history museum Colonial Williamsburg can be divided into three parts, the outdoor grounds of the historic area, the shops and restaurants in Merchant’s Square and the colonial buildings where interpreters live and work recreating 18th Century life.
These indoor buildings are the areas that normally require a ticket, and these are the areas that are currently closed.
It is expected they will remain closed until Virginia enters Phase 2, which expected to be in late May or early June. That being said, throughout the historic area guests have been visiting.
At 301 acres there is plenty of room to spread out and maintain a safe social distance. On any given day families visit the area for a walk through time, or a picnic lunch on the palace green. Moms and Dads who have become home-school teachers can count the outing as a field trip as they immerse themselves in the history of our nation.
One of the most popular exhibits this spring has been the baby lambs. Who could resist these little balls of fluff? Throughout the historic area animals can be seen unaffected by world events. Lush gardens beckon visitors and around almost every turn the sweet smell of spring fills the air.
Merchant’s Square, the shopping and dining area adjacent to the historic area is also accessible without a ticket. From late March until mid-May some of the shops were closed and most restaurants were only open for takeout. On May 15 when Virginia entered Phase 1, almost all reopened with a reduced capacity and enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures to ensure the safety of guests.
When you are ready to get away, Williamsburg is waiting for you.