As you’re exploring Greater Williamsburg, be sure to make some time for outdoor exploration at these places.
Image from Waller Mill Park
Experience Greater Williamsburg’s Outdoor Attractions
There are a variety of experiences to have when you visit Williamsburg, as well as nearby Yorktown and Jamestown. The Greater Williamsburg area may be known for its historical sites, but the area also offers an abundance of scenic outdoor attractions. As you’re exploring Greater Williamsburg, be sure to make some time for outdoor exploration at these places.
Outdoor Attractions in Williamsburg
From exploring the local parks, kayaking the waterways of the York River or biking down the Colonial Parkway, there are a number of outdoor experiences to have in the Historic Triangle. Here are some of our favorite outdoor attractions in the Greater Williamsburg area.
Click here to read about outdoor activities in Williamsburg to experience at these places.
Colonial National Historical Park
Colonial National Historical Park is brimming with outdoor adventures waiting to be had, as well as plenty of educational historic sites.
Visit Historic Jamestowne where the first permanent English settlement was established in North America. Yorktown Battlefield is where General George Washington defeated General Cornwallis in the last battle of the Revolutionary War.
Click here to read more about Historic Jamestowne.
Click here to read more about Yorktown Battlefield.
Bike or drive down the 23-mile Colonial Parkway. This scenic roadway stretches from the York River in Yorktown to the James River in Jamestown.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is rich in history and outdoor exploration. Located within the park is the Williamsburg Botanical Garden, Go Ape Treetop Adventures and several historic sites.
Freedom Park was home to one of the country’s earliest free Black settlements in America. Visit the recreated cabins to get a glimpse into life in the 1800s for these citizens. Freedom Park also boasts two miles of multi-use trails and 20 miles of mountain bike trails.
The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is a secluded piece of natural paradise away from the busier parts of the city. The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is a public garden where locals and visitors alike can relax and enjoy the garden’s natural surroundings, including plants, insects and wildlife.
Click here to read more about the Williamsburg Botanical Garden.
For an action-packed experience, take to the treetops at Go Ape Treetop Adventures. Located at Freedom Park, Go Ape offers two different ziplining adventures that will send you soaring through the wooded landscape.
Click here for a Go Ape coupon.
Click here to read more about Go Ape Freedom Park.
James City County Marina
Resting on the historic Powhatan Creek, the James City County Marina is a great spot for some fun on the water. Rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard or canoe and paddle the waterways that Captain John Smith traveled. The marina is also close to the Virginia Capital Trail and Jamestown Island making it a great locale for bikers to take a scenic ride.
New Quarter Park
Just off the Colonial Parkway is New Quarter Park. The 545-acre park has plenty of recreational activities for all ages to enjoy. Head out on the miles of hiking and biking trails, play 18 holes of disc golf, take advantage of the park’s sports fields and much more. Kayaking, canoeing and fishing are also available for some fun on the water.
Waller Mill Park
Located between I-64 and Route 60 West is Waller Mill park. The centerpiece to the park is a 360-acre lake that is perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking and more. The 2,705-acre park features boat rentals, hiking trails, a disc golf course, picnic shelters, a dog park, playground for children, boat and kayak ramp, fishing pier, ball fields and a boat house store.
Click here to read more about Waller Mill Park.
York River State Park
York River State Park is a 2,531-acre park situated along the York River. The park features an estuarine environment with both freshwater and saltwater marine and plant life. York River State Park’s land has trails for hiking, biking and horses and even more to see and do on the water. The York River is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Explore the serene waterways in a kayak or canoe.
Click here to read more about York River State Park.
