Five must-see cities near Williamsburg, Virginia

When travelers think of the Greater Williamsburg Area, Kingsmill Resort, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, or Colonial Williamsburg often come to mind. In addition, the nearby cities of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia to the north feature an exciting mix of past and present. So, add these five cities to your travel itinerary — they’re all less than an hour's drive from Williamsburg and well worth the trip.

Newport News

Newport News is located just 20 miles south of Williamsburg. The Endview Plantation is one of the last remaining colonial buildings in the city. As one of the wartime Confederate headquarters, Newport News invites today’s visitors to experience its history on a guided tour, before exploring the nature trail, herb garden, and outbuildings. Don’t miss nearby Lee Hall Mansion, which was also pivotal in the Civil War and played an important role in the defense of the Peninsula.

This is a city known for several historic African American firsts. Visit the Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center, home to respected lawyer J. Thomas Newsome, who was one of the first African American attorneys to argue before the US Supreme Court. Be sure to stop by the James A. Fields House too, which was named after its owner, the city's first African-American judicial officer. The home later became the city's first hospital for African Americans.

Animal lovers will enjoy the Virginia Living Museum, the first living museum east of the Mississippi. Explore military and maritime history at The Mariner's Museum and Park and enjoy its 500-acre park with its lake and trails. The museum is also home to the world's largest maritime library. Attend festivals and enjoy the city's great outdoor recreation spots in one of over 32 parks or experience the region’s culinary traditions at fabulous local eateries.

Hampton

Located 29 miles from Williamsburg, at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, Hampton is the literal center of the east coast and the heart of Hampton Roads. America's oldest continuously English-speaking city features multiple historic sites, entertainment options, and shops with a local flavor, as well as independent restaurants and stunning beaches.

Hampton was also the birthplace of America’s space program, NASA’s Langley Research Center, and its public Virginia Air & Space Science Center. The Air Power Park celebrates NASA and branches of the US military.

Enjoy another of the city's historic sites by visiting one of the first African American universities in the U.S., the top-ranked Hampton University. Its museum boasts the world’s first collection of African American fine art, as well as objects and artwork from various Native American cultures and tribal groups.

Norfolk

A 45-mile drive from Williamsburg, this coastal metropolis sits on 144 miles of shoreline and is home to the area's major airport. Norfolk offers lively waterside entertainment, mouth-watering cuisine, a zoo, a planetarium, shops, multiple museums, and striking historic locations.

Many attractions are connected to the city's largest industries: the military and defense. Norfolk is considered NATO’s home in North America and is the site of the Joint Force Command. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) sponsors an annual festival and a cafe you can visit on weekdays. Tour the Naval Station Norfolk by bus or explore the interior of Battleship Wisconsin. Finally, visit the Hampton Roads Naval Museum or Fort Norfolk, the latter authorized by George Washington.

Check out the concerts, festivals, and fairs sponsored by Festevents throughout the year. Norfolk Botanical Gardens grows more than 175 varieties of rhododendron and azaleas and 3,000 individual rose bushes, and it holds several annual events honoring Native American traditions. Visit the Moses Myers House: it provides an insight into the life of a prosperous Jewish merchant family during the Federal period of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A large percentage of the furniture and paintings are original to the home where five generations of the Myers family lived between 1792 and 1931.

Virginia Beach

A budget-friendly day at a beach 60 miles from Williamsburg is another great option. Virginia Beach is a popular beach destination in Hampton Roads' biggest city. Choose from three well-maintained beach areas at Oceanfront or rent boogie boards, slingback chairs, and umbrellas on Resort Beach.

Walk along the top-rated beach boardwalk to find a plethora of entertainment options and endless dining choices, including breweries, food events, and local grocers. Play with dolphins, take boat trips, or visit the Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Combine camping, nature, and beachfront activities in First Landing State Park, the place where English colonists first landed in 1607. Stop by the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum to learn more about the area’s coastal history and visit the Military Aviation Museum to look back at America's military aircraft history.

Interesting off-beach activities abound in the City of Virginia Beach, including shopping options that go beyond souvenirs. Art lovers can stop by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Enjoy any of the 293 parks in the city, including Mount Trashmore, the city's eco-friendly answer to landfills. If you love ducks and migratory birds, spot them at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum.

Richmond

An alternative to Hampton Roads is to take a day trip 53 miles north from Williamsburg to the City of Richmond or "RVA." Located next to the James River, this cosmopolitan city features five regions subdivided into 12 neighborhoods. RVA ranks number one for craft breweries and wineries per capita, with over 200 restaurants in the downtown area alone. Multiple vendors also offer exciting food tours.

Richmond's cultural scene includes numerous festivals and events — many exclusive to RVA — and at least 258 attractions, including 80 historic sites and museums and 48 performing arts venues. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden presents interactive exhibits and live butterflies, while the Edgar Allen Poe Museum and Enchanted Garden is a literary shrine to the poet. Get a balanced view of the conflict at the American Civil War Museum and visit four outstanding art galleries at the Glen Allen Arts Center.

Appreciate RVA's long multicultural history in Street Art during performances of the Richmond Triangle Players or at RVA First Friday’s arts celebrations, held every first Friday of the month. The Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives explores Jewish history and culture in Richmond and Virginia, while exhibitions at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts display Native American art and civilization.

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