NOTE: This Blog is a compact version of my original article published in Hilton Grand Vacation Gateway Guide. Visit the full article here for details including other HGV articles and resources.
Introduction & Planning The Trip
The Hilton network of Grand Vacation clubs, vacation resorts and hotels around the world and in the U.S.A. offers a great opportunity to explore multiple sites of interest while enjoying a comfortable stay. The HGVMax website is a useful tool where we look up seasonal offers and plan a vacation around it. One such vacation opportunity presented itself around Thanksgiving 2024 when we found a good deal on the Hilton Vacation Club Historic Powhatan in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Arriving in Williamsburg
I was aware of the famous Colonial Williamsburg history museum near the resort. My wife informed me that the ‘member update’ session during our stay will provide us with complimentary tickets to the museum. Further research of nearby attractions yielded even more good news! We realized this HGV location is in the ‘Historic Triangle’ of Colonial America Exhibits that includes the Jamestown Settlement, Colonial Williamsburg as well as the Yorktown Battlefield!
The resort itself is easily accessible via major highways that connect Williamsburg to Interstates from the south and also a couple of hours from the airport in Washington D.C. The condo style houses are surrounded with a scenic park and the establishment itself is restored from a 18th century plantation. The helpful staff provided us with enough information and tips for us to plan visits to all the major sites during our 5-night stay.
The Jamestown Settlement – The Beginning of The Colonies
Historic Jamestown settlement is the site of the first English settlement in North America that occurred around 1607. The site is now a history museum and park.
The settlement is a few miles from downtown Williamsburg and only 8 minutes drive from the resort.
Exhibits include a museum with several galleries showcasing colonial life in America, native American village exhibits and Colonial era fort exhibits that were established during the time of Pocahontas and John Rolfe.
The biggest attraction in Jamestown are the 3 restored ships docked to the port that were part of the first British fleet to reach the shores of the USA. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to board and explore the replica ships, when docked. A narrator provides live commentary about the ship and its first voyagers and also answers questions about the current ships’ activities.
Colonial Williamsburg – A Living History of Colonial America
Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum presenting a part of the historic district in the city of Williamsburg. The 301-acre historic area includes several hundred restored buildings from the 18th century, when the city was the capital of the Colony of Virginia; 17th-century, 19th-century, and Colonial Revival structures.
The Main Entrance and visitor center is about 15 mins drive from the resort. The visitor center offers a free bus shuttle to the historic town, but a more scenic route is available through a walking trail that passes by re-created settlements from the 17th century.
Some of the key attractions and events in Colonial Williamsburg include the Governor’s Mansion, Colonial Trial Show, The Capitol Building, Musket Firing demonstration at the Armory, Williamsburg Arts Museum, College of William & Mary and a re-enactment play on the Main Street.
While our complimentary pass offered access to some of the re-enactment plays and historic buildings, many areas within the historic town are freely accessible to visitors without a pass. Shops, restaurants and activity areas for kids are conveniently situated in and around the historic town. Take advantage of the free map at the visitor center to plan your visit and see the timed events at your own pace.
Yorktown Museum and Battlefields – Birth of the U.S.A.
The Colonial National Historical Park is located about 20-25 mins drive southeast of Williamsburg. The key sites of the park include the battlefields of Yorktown where the British Army was defeated in the American Revolutionary War, the Colonial Parkway, and the Colonial Naval History Museum located in the Visitor center. Over 3 million people visit the park each year. We recommend keeping a full day at hand to visit this area due to its large size and distance from Williamsburg.
The siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown, was the final battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was won decisively by the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, with support from the French Army and Navy over the British Army commanded by General Cornwallis. The ‘Surrender Field’ is a must-see historic site where the British Army was defeated in the American Revolutionary War.
Final Thoughts
The Historic Triangle of Colonial America in and around Williamsburg offers family-friendly attractions that can be explored at your own pace over a weekend or few days. Multiple HGV locations in the area are well suited for a convenient stay when exploring these sites and are located within 15-30 minutes drive from the sites. If you are staying in the area for up to a week, additional sites can be explored at Washington D.C., Newport News or Virginia Beach all within 1 to 2 hours drive from Williamsburg. We highly recommend the Historic Powhatan HGV resort for a trip in the area.