Roughly half the people living in 18th-century Williamsburg were of African descent, most of them enslaved, and their story is essential to understanding the town. This two-hour walking tour, run by Junket, a local company specializing in Williamsburg walking tours, puts that story at the center. A guide leads a group of no more than 20 through the Historic Area, focusing on resilience, freedom and the early Black communities of Virginia, and on the places where Black Americans lived and labored. The tour makes eight stops of about ten minutes each: the First Baptist Church, founded by free and enslaved Black worshippers and one of the oldest Black congregations in the country; the Brickhouse Tavern; the George Wythe House; the Governor’s Palace; the Peyton Randolph House; the Raleigh Tavern; the Mary Stith House; and the Courthouse. Along the way you hear about the lives of individuals who appear in the historical record, and about how the ideals of liberty argued over in the Capitol applied, or did not, to the people who served in these houses. It is rated 4.8 from 112 reviews on Viator, and it is one of the most thoughtful experiences in Williamsburg. This page links to the tour on Viator.
How it works: the tour meets at the Kimball Theatre, 428 West Duke of Gloucester Street, at the Merchants Square end of the Historic Area. Look for the guide in a white Junket t-shirt and arrive 15 minutes early. The listed start time is 13:00, and you choose your date and time on the booking calendar. It lasts about two hours, ends back at the meeting point, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, with a reserve now and pay later option.
What to expect: the tour is outdoors and on foot, with stops outside the buildings rather than ticketed entry, so add Colonial Williamsburg admission if you want to go inside the Governor’s Palace or the Peyton Randolph House. It is stroller accessible but not wheelchair accessible, and service animals are welcome.
Making the most of it: take this tour on your first or second day, then use your admission to see the same houses from the inside with their stories in mind. It pairs well with the Patriots Tour in the morning for two complementary views of the Revolutionary town.
What to expect
The experience
A two-hour small-group walk with eight stops around the Historic Area, focused on Black history, resilience and freedom in colonial Virginia.
Best time
An early afternoon on your first or second day, before you go inside the houses with your admission.
How long
About two hours, ending back at the Kimball Theatre.
Tips
Arrive 15 minutes early at the Kimball Theatre, look for the guide in a white Junket t-shirt and add Colonial Williamsburg admission to see the houses inside.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers and thoughtful travelers who want the full story of colonial Williamsburg.
- Families
- Best for teenagers and older children, who can follow a two-hour walk and engage with the stories.
- Couples
- A meaningful afternoon walk that adds depth to everything else you see in the Historic Area.
- Pair with
- The Patriots Tour in the morning and Colonial Williamsburg admission to go inside the houses afterwards.
- Time needed
- About two hours.
Good questions
Where does the Williamsburg Black history tour meet?+
It meets at the Kimball Theatre, 428 West Duke of Gloucester Street, at the Merchants Square end of the Historic Area. Look for the guide in a white Junket t-shirt.
How long is the Black history tour?+
The tour lasts about two hours with eight stops of roughly ten minutes each. It ends back at the meeting point.
Does the tour go inside the historic buildings?+
The stops are outside the buildings, and the tour does not include Colonial Williamsburg admission. Buy admission separately to go inside the houses.
Is the Black history tour wheelchair accessible?+
No, the tour is not listed as wheelchair accessible, although it is stroller accessible. Service animals are allowed.
Can I cancel the Black history tour?+
Yes, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start. A reserve now and pay later option is also available.
