How to Spend July 4 in Williamsburg, Virginia

Experience a truly patriotic July 4 when you head to Williamsburg, Virginia.

Spend the day at The American Revolution Museum, where, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., you can explore all of the museum’s normal galleries and outdoor living history displays, but also enjoy some special, holiday-only activities. Interpretive programs, artillery demonstrations and educational demonstrations abound, whether you just want to learn more about Revolutionary-era hearth cooking or you want a 30-minute run-down of the Revolutionary War’s events. If you want to participate in the special art event occurring that day, bring an old t-shirt to repurpose and head over to the museum’s education classrooms at 10 a.m.

Once night falls, you have two great options for taking in some fireworks displays. Take a fireworks cruise on a schooner with Yorktown Sailing Charters to see fireworks from the water. Tickets start at $100, and the experience is open to everyone ages 6 and up. You can also head to Colonial Williamsburg, where fireworks are preceded by public readings, musical performances and more. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is offering free July 4 single-day tickets to the Historic Area, but you must claim your tickets online.