Parking in Colonial Williamsburg: The Basics
Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area is a mile-long pedestrian zone. No personal vehicles are allowed on Duke of Gloucester Street or in the restored colonial blocks. That means parking happens on the perimeter, and your experience depends heavily on where you leave your car and how far you are willing to walk.
The good news: there are multiple options at various price points. The bad news: on peak weekends, the most convenient lots fill by mid-morning. Here is what you need to know.
Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center Lot
The main visitor parking is at the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center on North Henry Street. This lot is free for all visitors, regardless of whether you hold a CW admission ticket. From the visitor center, a free shuttle runs to the Historic Area throughout the day. The ride takes about five minutes.
This is the default option for most first-time visitors. It works well on weekdays and during shoulder season. On busy weekends, especially in summer and during October, the lot can fill by 10:00 AM. If you arrive after that, staff will direct you to overflow parking.
Merchants Square and Prince George Street
Merchants Square, at the west end of Duke of Gloucester Street, has metered street parking and a small surface lot. Rates are modest but there is a time limit, typically two hours. This works for a quick lunch or shopping trip but not for a full day of touring.
Prince George Street, running parallel to the south side of the Historic Area, also has limited metered spaces. Availability is unpredictable, especially on weekends.
On-Street Parking in Surrounding Neighborhoods
The residential streets north and south of the Historic Area, along North Henry Street, North Boundary Street, and Francis Street, have some unrestricted street parking. Availability varies by time of day and season. This is where experienced visitors and locals park when the main lots are full, but spaces are limited and turnover is slow during peak periods.
Hotel and Inn Parking
If you are staying at a property within walking distance of the Historic Area, your parking situation is already solved. Most of the independent inns and guest houses along North Henry Street and the surrounding blocks offer private on-site parking included with your stay. You park once on arrival and walk everywhere for the duration of your visit.
This is one of the underappreciated advantages of staying close to the Historic District. While day visitors are circling for spaces at 9:30 AM, you are already on Duke of Gloucester Street with a coffee in hand. At Armistead House, private off-street parking is included for all guests, and the Historic Area is a two-block walk from our front door. See our rooms to find the right fit for your visit.
Larger hotels along Richmond Road typically have their own lots but require driving to the Historic Area and finding a separate space once you arrive.
Tips for Stress-Free Parking
Arrive early on weekends. Before 9:30 AM is ideal for the visitor center lot during peak season. By 10:30 AM on a busy Saturday, you may be directed to overflow.
Use the shuttle. The free shuttle from the visitor center to the Historic Area runs frequently and saves you the hassle of hunting for closer spots.
Walk if you can. If your lodging is within a mile of the Historic Area, skip the car entirely. Williamsburg's flat terrain and sidewalked streets make walking practical and pleasant, especially in spring and fall.
Check event calendars. Colonial Williamsburg events (Grand Illumination in December, July 4th celebrations, military encampments) draw significantly larger crowds. On these days, plan for overflow parking and allow extra time.
Consider a multi-day visit. Trying to see Colonial Williamsburg in a single day creates parking pressure because everyone arrives and departs on the same schedule. Spreading your visit across two days lets you arrive at off-peak times and avoid the morning rush entirely. For more answers to common visitor questions, see our FAQ page.
2026 Parking Note
With the 250th anniversary driving higher-than-normal visitation throughout 2026, expect parking to be tighter than usual across all options, including on weekdays during summer months. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation may open additional overflow areas during major event periods. Check their Plan Your Visit page for the latest information before you arrive.
Skip the Parking Hassle
The simplest solution to Colonial Williamsburg parking is not needing to find a spot at all. Book a room at Armistead House with free private on-site parking, two blocks from the Historic Area.