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All the United States Virginia Williamsburg

The Atlas Obscura Guide to Williamsburg

12 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Williamsburg, Virginia


places map stories leaderboard
Sponsored by logo

Do, See, and Listen

Curated for You

Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg logo
Let’s Go

Unusual Attractions in Williamsburg

Off the Beaten Path

Williamsburg, Virginia

President Heads

Giant busts of 42 U.S. presidents are sitting in a field in Virginia.

Added By
Hannah Frishberg
The Dilliard Complex (former Eastern State Hospital) before it was closed in 2006

Williamsburg, Virginia

Eastern State Hospital

America's first public mental health facility.

Added By
Mike Bison

Williamsburg, Virginia

The Archaearium

This museum explores the grim reality of life in the earliest British colonies in America.

Added By
Edward Denny

Williamsburg, Virginia

The King’s Arms Tavern

Dine like an American revolutionary at Colonial Williamsburg.

Added By
Omnia Saed
Permanently Closed

Williamsburg, Virginia

Presidential Pets Museum

The "first cat," "first dog," and even a presidential pygmy hippo all get their due in this museum.

Added By
Rebekah Otto
Hoppin John Risotto

Williamsburg, Virginia

Chowning’s Tavern

Enjoy dishes that founding fathers once ate at this Colonial Williamsburg pub.

Added By
Omnia Saed
Wren Hall and Lord Botetourt.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Lord Botetourt

Affectionately known as "Lord Bot," this historic statue has a cult social media following and rightly claims to be “the most metal inhabitant of the Wren Yard.”

Added By
NefertitisNeck
Virginia Musical Museum

Williamsburg, Virginia

Virginia Musical Museum

Home to the organ played at General MacArthur's funeral.

Added By
Edward Denny
See All 12 places

Explore the Map

Hidden Wonders

What Do You Want to Do in Williamsburg

Museums (4) Unique Restaurants & Bars (2) Statues (2)
Visit Williamsburg logo
Plan your getaway at VisitWilliamsburg.com

Williamsburg Stories

Articles and Podcasts

Sheep at Colonial Williamsburg on a sunny day.
Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg

Little Lambs, Big Back Story

Originally smuggled into the American colonies, the Leicester Longwool sheep went extinct here during the rise of Merino wool. Then Colonial Williamsburg brought it baaa-ck.

Read more
Written By
The Podcast Team
May 31, 2025
  • A tiny, whiskered archaeologist (aka a common black rat) emerges from its nest.

    rats

    In Colonial Williamsburg, Thieving Rats Save History

    By Amy Crawford

  • Culinary historian Michael Twitty (left) and interpreter Robert Watson pick case-knife beans by torch light at the Sankofa Heritage Garden.

    gardens

    At Colonial Williamsburg, a 'Landscape of Resistance' Is Thriving Once Again

    By Omnia Saed

  • Podcast

    President Heads

    Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg

  • New menu items made for a tasting—held at a different venue due to renovations—before the reopening.

    restaurants

    The Colonial Tavern Dishing Up 18th-Century Vittles

    By Kayla Stewart

  • “Desire is nothing new,” says Michael Bronski, a historian at Harvard University.

    museums

    Excavating a Queer History of Colonial Williamsburg

    By Sabrina Imbler

  • The Governor’s Palace dining room in Colonial Williamsburg filled with fake jellies, candied ginger, chocolate almonds, pies, and marzipan fruits and animals.

    museums

    How Museums Make Their Fake Foods Using Real Recipes

    By Stephanie Burt

Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg

Let’s Go

Williamsburg Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Edward Denny
    2
  2. Rebekah Otto
    1
  3. Hannah Frishberg
    1
  4. NefertitisNeck
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Williamsburg.

Places Edited

  1. blimpcaptain
    5
  2. CC
    3
  3. ickaimp
    3
  4. PushingUpDaisies
    3
  5. crgyoung
    2
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Braecrest
    10
  2. Kev Obie
    8
  3. lamcdonald01
    8
  4. OBellus Fun
    8
  5. Rural Exploration VA
    8
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Williamsburg.

Recent Williamsburg Activity

  • jill123 848858ec

    has been to President Heads

  • christierussell81

    wants to go to President Heads

  • musicrainday8923

    has been to Eastern State Hospital

  • elissabettencourt

    wants to go to President Heads

  • effie1cool

    wants to go to President Heads

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