College of William & Mary - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Students typically label Williamsburg a quiet, touristy, historic town but wouldn’t call it a town without a thriving college atmosphere. While it’s a beautiful city, there is a constant and heavy tourist population—many an undergraduate has been stopped in Colonial Williamsburg to take a picture for a family or has been interrogated by a fascinated and awestruck tourist about their college experience. Most don’t mind it at all, though. And while fun used to be harder to find in “the ‘Burg,” recent development in the area has greatly increased the options that students have when it comes to having fun and enjoying the town. While the Wawa on Richmond Road will always be a classic hangout, students now have the option of going to the Movie Tavern a mile or two up the road, or to New Town for some pool, shopping, and entertainment. The Kimball Theatre in Colonial Williamsburg shows movies, theater performances, and occasionally concerts, all at a reduced price for students.

In spite of the new college-oriented town development, students are often still left looking for fun. To abate the occasional lack of action, organizations on campus always try to bring interesting speakers, popular movies, and cool musical groups to campus. Most students find that this suits them fine and claim they always have plenty to do. There are no other universities in the immediate vicinity, but there are several in driving distance. The nearest shopping center requires a short drive or a long walk, but the bus system runs throughout open hours. Williamsburg is growing for college students, giving students more options for fun while preserving its charm and history.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The sense of history even just... The sense of history even just walking around campus is amazing. Plus, the campus is gorgeous in the spring and fall. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

There are lots of good rides at... There are lots of good rides at Busch Gardens and there is a W&M night every October where students get in for a discount and basically take over the place. It also means the town tends to cater towards tourists more than students, although that’s beginning to change. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It’s kind of a quiet town, but you... It’s kind of a quiet town, but you can find fun if you want it. There are delis and frats to visit, and many upperclassmen have off campus houses and host parties. There are no other universities in town, which is fine. Stay away from the copious horse poop in Colonial Williamsburg—it’s nasty. Visit Colonial Williamsburg at night and play a game (capture the flag is good). 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Colonial Williamsburg is nice, and... Colonial Williamsburg is nice, and there’s plenty to see there. There are also tons of other historical things around the area (Jamestown, Yorktown, various plantations), so if you like history, it’s right up your alley. The sense of history even just walking around campus is amazing. It’s really neat to walk around Old Campus and think about all the history. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Williamsburg is probably the... Williamsburg is probably the weirdest college town in the world. As the home of Colonial Williamsburg, a huge section of the town is a ‘living museum’ theme park—in other words, pretending to be in the 18th century. This means it’s beautiful and there’s lots of interesting stuff to see. We also have Busch Gardens Williamsburg, one of the best theme parks in the country. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Williamsburg:
• The first theater in the British North America opened in Williamsburg in 1716.
• Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, and the first Continental Congress met there in 1774.
• Colonial Williamsburg is hailed by many ghost-hunters as a haunted town. Hear all the stories on a ghost tour.
• It is home to the oldest man-made lake in the Western hemisphere, Lake Matoaka.
• Between 700,000 and 1,100,000 tourists come through Colonial Williamsburg every year.

Famous People from Williamsburg:
Bruce Hornsby, a well-known jazz pianist, is from Williamsburg and got his start playing in the Green Leafe Café.

Local Slang:
CW – Colonial Williamsburg
Confusion Corner – The corner of Jamestown Road, Richmond Road, and Duke of Gloucester Street, where no one knows for sure who has the right-of-way.
DoG Street – Duke of Gloucester Street

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