Localisms for Tourists who visit Williamsburg VA

You know it always happens when visiting a new destination…you may ask for directions or a cool place to dine and a friendly local explains everything except, the jargon and acronyms they are using. This means you really have no idea what they are talking about. So here are a few we decided to translate and explain for you when you travels take you to Williamsburg Virginia!

Local Tip: visit WilliamsburgFamilies.com before you go and check their daily calendar before and during your trip. It will give you great things to do for locals, tourists, kids, families and date nights. They also have Busch Gardens and Water Country USA discounts listed on their site.

⭐DoG St. – Duke of Gloucester Street – the main street in Colonial Williamsburg that starts at the confusing intersection of Jamestown Rd, N. Boundary St, Richmond Rd, S. Boundary St. and DoG St. It is mainly closed to traffic and has one end in Merchants Square and the other at the Colonial Capitol in CW.

⭐CW – Colonial Williamsburg

⭐WRL – Williamsburg Regional Library which has a Scotland Street location near CW and a Croaker Rd location in Toano.

⭐VLM – Virginia Living Museum – which is a fantastic museum with animals, outdoor paths and Dino park – it is in Newport News but only a short drive.

⭐New Town – shops, movie theatre, restaurants, businesses and residential area that sits between Monticello and Ironbound Rd. The trolley from CW stops there on its route

⭐High Street – shops, movie theatre, restaurants, businesses and residential area that sits between Richmond Rd, Ironbound and Treyburn Drive

⭐The Peninsula – this one is too confusing to explain so we we posted a map below.

⭐Jamestown Settlement vs Historic Jamestowne – The Settlement is a museum that has replicas of the Jamestown Fort, Ships and Powhatan Village – plus an amazing indoor museum. Historic Jamestowne has a public / private partnership with the National Parks and is the actual spot where Jamestown was built. It has archaeological digs, a museum, rebuilt church and so many other wonderful things to see. Both are must see locations.

⭐BG – Busch Gardens – only the best amusement park around and a big reason Williamsburg continues to be a destination location for families!

⭐WCUSA – Water Country USA – owned and operated by Seaworld (who also owns and operated BG) and it a great place to visit in the hot summer months in the Burg

⭐The Burg – Williamsburg!!

⭐Billsburg – another name for Williamsburg but also the name of Billsburg Brewery – a local favorite spot to grab a locally brewed beer, listen to music, enjoy food from a food truck and look out over the water.

⭐Yorktown Market Days – This is Historic Yorktown’s weekly Saturday Farmers Market. It is right downtown on the York River on Water St. They do have themed markets like the French Market and the Pirates Invasion which are extended hour markets but they all include a Farmers Market in them.

⭐Jamestown Settlement / American Revolutionary Museum – these are two separate museums in two different towns even though they share a website and facebook page. Jamestown Settlement is on John Tyler road before the Ferry in James City County and the American Revolutionary Museum at 200 Water Street, in Yorktown – both are amazing and both offer free admission with proof of local residency.

⭐JCC – James City County the county right next to York County and the City of Williamsburg. JCC mailing address is Williamsburg – just to make things a little more confusing!

⭐The Ferry – the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry that goes back and forth taking locals, tourists and business transport across the James River for FREE daily. It is run by VDOT. There are three ferry boats aptly named the Pocahontas, Surry and Williamsburg.

⭐VDOT – Virginia Department of Transportation

⭐GNP – Good Neighbor Pass is for CW and is a flat fee for locals to get unlimited access all year to the museums of Colonial Williamsburg and historic trades shops and gives you discounts on food, shopping and special ticketed events like Haunted Williamsburg and ice skating in the winter. $9.99 for 6 – 12 year old / $19.99 for 13 years+

⭐Social Terrace – it is the outdoor enormous patio of the backside of the Williamsburg Inn, it is open to the public and they have live music on Fri & Sat nights. It over looks the golf course, has tasty food and delicious drinks …oh, and comfy patio furniture. It is a local secret and dog friendly (or at least it was pre-COVID).

⭐ YCSD and YC – York County School District, York County

⭐WM – William & Mary – and we have a great article on secret spots to visit on the Campus of W&M.

⭐RVA, VB & NN – Richmond Virginia, Virginia Beach and Newport News

⭐GWL – Great Wolf Lodge – total family fun located in Williamsburg!

⭐Confusion Corner – I hesitate to even start this one because there are several that are considered to be the “actual” confusion corner but two in the running are the Jamestown Rd, N Boundary St, Richmond Rd, S Boundary St, and DoG St intersection and the other is the S. Boundary and Francis St. intersection. Long time locals and lifers can discuss this on in the comments all visitors need to know is keep your eyes peeled on these intersections! 🙂