Jamestown
Just 7 miles from Williamsburg, Jamestown is the site of a British colony founded in 1607. At the Jamestown Settlement Museum, you can board replicas of the ships that brought colonists to North America, or wander around a re-created 17th-century fort and Powhatan village, chatting with actors in costume. Not far away is Historic Jamestowne, where you can tour an archeological dig and watch glass artisans at work.
Freedom Park
History is everywhere in James County, including this 600-acre park, the site of a Revolutionary War battleground and one of the first free Black settlements in America. It also has 20 miles of biking and hiking trails, as well tree swings and zip lines.
Little Creek Reservoir Park
If you need a break from the historical sightseeing, escape for a day to this 1000-acre park to the north of Williamsburg, which is centered around a placid reservoir whose tendrils extend in many different directions. A one-mile walking tour circles the reservoir, but most people spend their time on the water: You can rent a canoe to paddle around its shoreline or a motorized boat to search out hidden coves where you can fish for largemouth bass, saugeye, and black crappie.