Williamsburg, Virginia at a Glance
Location: About 2.5 hours south of Washington D.C., on the Virginia Peninsula
Access: Interstate 64 and Richmond International Airport; Norfolk International Airport; Washington Dulles International Airport
Major Meeting Spaces: Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Woodlands, Kingsmill Resort, Fort Magruder Hotel
Hotel Rooms: 2,194
Off-Site Venues: College of William and Mary,Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Contact Info:
Visit Williamsburg
757-229-6511
For your next event, consider enthralling your guests where George Washington held his own crucially important meeting: Williamsburg, Virginia. It was there that the general assembled the First Continental Army and altered the trajectory of American history.
Williamsburg has everything a planner could want for a unique event: a satisfyingly mild climate, verdant spaces, and instead of one central conference magnet, multiple unique and historic meeting hotels. Plus the ‘Burg, as locals call it, is home to the world’s largest living-history museum: Colonial Williamsburg.
Whether you plan to stay in or around the historic district, your attendees can dine at Washington’s favorite haunt (wooden teeth optional), chat with a Thomas Jefferson impersonator about the Declaration of Independence, and listen to marchers in tri-cornered hats play fifes and drums. Exploring Colonial Williamsburg’s historic buildings — like Virginia’s first capitol, the Governor’s Palace and the nation’s oldest continually operating church — is a great way to spend an afternoon or two.
Entertainment abounds outside the historic center as well. Venture into the city for the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, the Williamsburg Winery (Virginia’s largest), the Williamsburg Botanical Garden, the National Center for State Courts and the Virginia Musical Museum. Thrills are easy to find, too: Williamsburg has two major theme parks.
“With ample meeting venues in a region that boasts unmatched history and culture, attractions and activities, innovative food and beverage and charming places to stay, Williamsburg is a premier destination for small to midsize meetings,” Visit Williamsburg CEO Victoria Cimino said. The city has landed numerous awards for a visitor-friendly vibe too, thanks to its mild climate, food, abundant nature and of course, historic value.
“Where else can you explore an active archeological dig site on the grounds where America began?” Cimino added. “Or dip your kayak paddle into the waters of a peaceful river, get your thrills at a theme park and enjoy farm-to-table freshness, craft beverages or Colonial taverns?”
Williamsburg has everything to delight planners and attendees alike.
Major Meeting Hotels
Meet in Colonial Williamsburg at the modern Williamsburg Lodge. Its 45,000 square feet of event space hosts up to 1,000. The stately Williamsburg Inn has 48 meeting rooms and 67,000 square feet of event space.
Just outside of the historic area is the Fort Magruder Hotel, with 26,000 square feet of meeting space, accommodating up to 1,200. The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel hosts up to 250 in floor-to-ceiling windowed spaces surrounded by verdant outdoors.
Want everything under one roof? The Great Wolf Lodge boasts its famed indoor waterpark and 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The Kingsmill Resort is on the James River — a golfer’s dream. Up to 450 guests can enjoy the riverfront vistas from the 16,000-square-foot conference center or its 6,050-square-foot ballroom.
Unique Meeting Spaces
Williamsburg has several unique event venues. The ‘Burg is home to the College of William and Mary, the nation’s second-oldest university. Owing its namesake to England’s King William III and Queen Mary II, the Virginia Colony campus anchors the western end of the historic district and can accommodate nearly any size event, thanks to its boardrooms, ballrooms, amphitheaters and stadiums.
Or check out the historic district’s Bassett Hall, the former residence of the Rockefeller family.
Want to add an element of adrenaline to your event? “Groups can also rent certain areas or buy out the entire park at Busch Gardens Williamsburg,” Cimino added.
Before and After Activities
Few places offer as much revolutionary history as Williamsburg. From touring the opulent Governor’s Palace to experiencing every facet of Colonial life (bricklaying, wig making, bookbinding, gunsmithing, law drafting and 30-plus other time-transporting activities), guests aren’t going to run out of things to do.
Guests are free to wander the historic district, but some activities require tickets. Download the Colonial Williamsburg app to purchase tickets, book carriage rides and more.
The James and York Rivers flank the area — so plan an afternoon of outdoor activities like kayaking or paddleboarding. Golf lovers will enjoy a wealth of highly rated courses in Williamsburg.
Team-Building Opportunities
The Colonial Capital is a great place to grow stronger as a team. Williamsburg’s Go Ape is an interactive treetop adventure made with adrenaline-filled obstacles like rope ladders, net bridges, trapezes, Tarzan swings and zip lines. Paddle On Williamsburg offers yoga and fitness classes on stand-up paddleboards for private parties and corporate events. Make the trust fall look tame with pulse-pounding, ax-throwing fun at Axe Republic. Head to Busch Gardens or Water Country USA for thrills together, or reach out to Colonial Williamsburg Resorts for custom team-building group activities.
