We love reading reviews of places and one of our favorite spots for checking out reviews is TripAdvisor. With more than 3,500 reviews, Historic Jamestowne is listed as the #1 thing to do in the area and is also the #1 historic site and the #1 museum in the area. Historic Jamestowne is a jointly administered between Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service. All archaeology efforts are conducted by the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation. With historic grounds to wander, guided tours and a museum filled with artifacts, there’s plenty to explore at Historic Jamestowne.
Historic Jamestowne also has a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. Per the TripAdvisor website, “TripAdvisor gives a Certificate of Excellence to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers.”
Some of the best reviews comment on the guided walking tours that are offered. Guided tours are offered daily at various times. Currently, Monday through Friday, there is a walking tour at 11 a.m. and on weekends, there is a walking tour at 2 p.m. Check the weekly schedule for other available programming. During the warmer months (April-October), there are “behind the scenes” tours including an archaeology-inspired “In the Trenches” tour as well as a “Curator’s Artifact” tour that offers an intimate look at the artifact collection.
One of the more recent reviews states, “Unquestionably, the best tour I've had in my life on this continent, as a history buff.” Other reviews comment on the museum and its array of artifacts. Per the Historic Jamestowne website, “More than 4,000 artifacts are on vivid display at the Nathalie P. & Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium, the award-winning archaeology museum at Historic Jamestowne. See a slate covered with words and pictures from 400 years ago, learn from the largest collection of Colonial period American Indian artifacts in Virginia, and find the tiny toys that children played with.”
One of our tips is to make sure to stop by the Jamestowne Glasshouse. Glass is thought to be the first industry in America when three German glassmakers came over in 1608. Artisans and interpreters are at work every day at the Jamestowne Glasshouse producing glass by hand in a similar manner to what the Jamestown colonists did more than 400 years ago.
In 2015, Archaeology Magazine listed the discovery of “Jamestown VIPs” as one of the top 10 discoveries. Four graves were further analyzed and discovered to be Reverend Robert Hunt. Captain William West, Sir Ferdinando Wainman and Captain Gabriel Archer.
Currently, archaeologists are excavating in the Memorial Church looking for evidence from Jamestown’s early churches. Check out the December Dig Update on YouTube. Follow Historic Jamestowne on Facebook for more dig updates and other information.
TripAdvisor did not sponsor this post, we just think it’s a great travel resource. Keep in mind that the #1 thing to do can change at any given time based on reviews! Share your suggestions with us on Facebook or email us at tourism@jamescitycountyva.gov.