So if you've never been to Williamsburg before, you should know that the town is open to the public, but you have to pay to go into the historic buildings. Each adult ticket is about $50, give or take, depending on the package you get. Is it worth it? That depends on your level of interest, time, budget, and mood. If I were going with small children for the first time, I would probably walk around for half an hour first to gauge everyone's interest. Is the 4-year-old asking questions about the people in costume? Do they seem curious about what is inside the buildings? If so, then walk over to the Lumber House (ticket sales) and buy your admissions. Are the kids bored or whiny? Then save your money and do something else. You can try again when they are older.

Anonymous wrote:Blacksmith ship will be a hit with the 4 year old.

Bakery is also pretty interesting. The 4 year old will like that.

Walk through the Native American district. The 4 year old will be fascinated by the loin cloths.

Four year old will like the maze behind the governors palace.

Is this new? We haven't been since before Covid.

I think a 4 yo will love CW. My kid loved it at age 5 and enjoyed it at 2.5 as well. Of course the 1 yo won't care, but so what? We didn't stop traveling or doing things just because we had a baby/toddler, if the adults and/or older siblings would enjoy the activities.
Once we stayed at a place (Powhatan Resort? Not quite sure) that had a mini golf course and indoor pool included... that was fun for the kids in the evening. My kids also liked the glass-blowing demonstration at Jamestown (the NPS sites, not the recreation of the settlement, though I'm sure that's fun, too).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, no. Just go to Great Wolf. Been to Williamsburg twice and still don't get the hype.

Great Wolf with a 1 yo ? Who can’t swim? WTAF!? plus your risk of getting brain eating diseases.

Yeah, there are tons of little kids there. They have an entire little kids section. It's not like the parents are going to dump a one year old in a raft and send it down a lazy river alone. Sigh.

We took my then 1 year old two Great Wolf Lodge and he had a blast he loved the sprayers and the little slide.

No the Great Wolf Lodge can be controversial to some folks depending on your comfort level with germs but in my experience the pools and facilities were clean, the park was very well organized and the staff are very friendly.

You can't see brain eating amoebas - so of course it "looked clean".

I think CW is fine for both ages.

There is a small bakery (somewhat hidden) with an entrance beside one of the taverns which makes square gingerbread cookies. There is usually a small line, but the cookies are great. I recommend finding that place. I always loved going to CW as a kid. I also really liked the printer's shop, because it was so visual.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, no. Just go to Great Wolf. Been to Williamsburg twice and still don't get the hype.

Great Wolf with a 1 yo ? Who can’t swim? WTAF!? plus your risk of getting brain eating diseases.

Yeah, there are tons of little kids there. They have an entire little kids section. It's not like the parents are going to dump a one year old in a raft and send it down a lazy river alone. Sigh.

We took my then 1 year old two Great Wolf Lodge and he had a blast he loved the sprayers and the little slide.

No the Great Wolf Lodge can be controversial to some folks depending on your comfort level with germs but in my experience the pools and facilities were clean, the park was very well organized and the staff are very friendly.

+1

I wouldn't buy tickets at this age, but we've been many times when my children were similar ages and have enjoyed it, doing the activities that the PP suggested.

We generally stay at either the Woodlands or the Lodge and have found them both good options with young kids. You can walk or take the shuttle from either.

Do YOU want to go to Colonial Williamsburg? If the adults are interested, then buy tickets and take the kids along. Children under 6 are free. Like previous posters said, the 4-year-old will enjoy the maze and some of the trade shops.

However, if you are going for the sake of your kids, maybe hold off on buying tickets until they are a bit older. You can probably fill half a day with free activities around town. Kids will enjoy the animals and seeing people in costume. Sometimes they have children's games or military demonstrations on the green. There is usually an afternoon parade.

Or take the money you would have spent on tickets and invest it in something more kid-friendly. Maybe do a carriage ride. Rent a colonial costume for the 4-year-old. Take them to the gift shop and buy colonial toys or a tricorn hat. Visit the bakery or Wythe Candy Shop in Merchant Square.

As for where to stay, we had good luck with an AirB&B. Much cheaper than the hotels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, no. Just go to Great Wolf. Been to Williamsburg twice and still don't get the hype.

Great Wolf with a 1 yo ? Who can’t swim? WTAF!? plus your risk of getting brain eating diseases.

Yeah, there are tons of little kids there. They have an entire little kids section. It's not like the parents are going to dump a one year old in a raft and send it down a lazy river alone. Sigh.

Miserable!

I feel like a 4 year old might get a lot of of Williamsburg and the only goal for the one year old is to keep them reasonably contented while taking the 4 year old to stuff.