College of William & Mary Campus

The College of William & Mary is America's second-oldest institution of higher learning, chartered in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II. Its historic campus in Williamsburg sits at the western terminus of Duke of Gloucester Street, making it a natural extension of any Colonial Williamsburg visit — and one of the best free family activities in the area.

The Sir Christopher Wren Building is the campus's crown jewel and the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States. While its interior is typically accessible during limited hours, the exterior is always visible and impressively beautiful. Thomas Jefferson attended classes here, and the building has survived three fires and nearly 330 years of history.

The Sunken Garden is the campus's most beloved gathering place — a terraced green lawn stretching between the Wren Building and the main campus, flanked by colonial-era brick buildings. It's one of the most beautiful college green spaces in America, and families enjoy walking its length, sitting on the terraced walls, and taking in the sense of history. During nice weather, students play frisbee, study on blankets, and generally create a scene that makes the campus feel alive and welcoming.

For families with teenagers considering college, William & Mary's admissions office offers free guided tours led by current students. These tours provide an authentic look at campus life at a prestigious public university and can be inspiring for teens starting to think about their futures. Even if college is years away, walking a beautiful campus can plant important aspirational seeds.

The campus is compact enough to explore in 30-60 minutes and integrates seamlessly with adjacent Merchants Square and Colonial Williamsburg. Many families walk the full length of Duke of Gloucester Street — from the Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg, past the taverns and trade shops, through Merchants Square, and ending at the Wren Building — creating a continuous walk through 400 years of American history.