Group Kayak Adventure in Jamestown
CategoriesJamestown By bestwilliamsburg

Paddle Into History: Kayak Tours Of Jamestowne Island Are Back! 🚣‍♀️🦅

Grab your friends, your coworkers, or your favorite paddling buddy—kayak season is officially open on the serene waters of Powhatan and Backwater Creeks, right behind Jamestowne Island! Whether you’re planning a private adventure or organizing a group outing (up to 10 paddlers!), this is hands-down one of the most fun, scenic, and unique ways to explore the natural and historical treasures of coastal Virginia.

🌊 Why You’ll Love It:

  • – Bond with friends or teammates while gliding through calm waters—perfect for everything from solo escapes to corporate retreats (like the one shown in our featured image!).
  • Our experienced guides will share stories about the Colonial history of America’s first permanent English settlement and the American Indian tribes who lived here for thousands of years. Spot wildlife like ospreys, herons, bald eagles, and more in their natural habitat.

  • – Take in breathtaking sunset views over the James River—you’ll want your camera for this one!
  • – Get a great workout in while soaking up history and nature.

🚐 After Your Paddle… Unwind Like a Local

Once you’re back on dry land, we highly recommend making your way over to Billsburg Brewery—right next door at the James City County Marina. Enjoy a cold craft beer 🍻 and savor something delicious from one of the rotating gourmet food trucks parked onsite.

Don’t forget to explore Historic Jamestowne before or after your tour to round out your adventure with an archaeological perspective!

🛶 Ready to Paddle? Book Your Tour Today!
We offer private kayak tours and small groups (up to 10 people). Whether you’re local or visiting, this is a memory-making must-do experience.

👉 Book your kayak adventure now with Best Williamsburg Tours!

See you on the water! 🌾🌞

CategoriesJamestown By bestwilliamsburg

🐝 Celebrate World Bee Day at Jamestown Settlement – May 24, 2025

Join us at Jamestown Settlement on Saturday, May 24, 2025, to commemorate over 400 years since the introduction of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) to America. This special World Bee Day event offers a unique opportunity to explore the vital role of honeybees in early colonial life and their enduring legacy.

🐝 A Transatlantic Journey: Bees Arrive in the New World

In December 1621, the Virginia Company dispatched beehives to the Jamestown colony aboard English ships. By 1622, European honeybees had established themselves in Virginia, earning the nickname “white man’s flies” from Indigenous peoples due to their association with European settlers.

These bees were more than just pollinators; they were integral to the colonists’ survival and economy. Honey served as a primary sweetener, beeswax was essential for making candles and sealing documents, and both were valuable trade commodities.

📜 The Significance of Honeybees in the 16th and 17th Centuries

During the 16th and 17th centuries, honey and beeswax were indispensable in Europe and the colonies. Honey was used not only as a sweetener but also for its medicinal properties, treating ailments ranging from coughs to skin conditions. Beeswax was crucial for candle-making, especially for religious and domestic use, and played a role in art and literature.

Beekeeping practices of the time involved using straw skeps and log hives. Notably, Charles Butler’s 1609 publication, The Feminine Monarchie, revolutionized beekeeping by identifying the queen bee as female and emphasizing the organized structure of bee colonies.

🏰 Experience Living History at Jamestown Settlement

Immerse yourself in the 17th-century world through Jamestown Settlement’s interactive exhibits:

  • Paspahegh Town: Explore a re-created Powhatan Indian village and learn about the Indigenous people’s relationship with nature, including pollinators.
  • Recreated 1607 Ships: Step aboard full-scale replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, the ships that brought the first colonists—and honeybees—to Virginia.
  • James Fort: Discover the daily life of early settlers within a re-created fort, highlighting their reliance on honeybees for food, medicine, and trade.

🧭 Enhance Your Visit with a Private Guided Tour

For a more in-depth and personalized experience, consider booking a private guided tour with Best Williamsburg Tours. Their knowledgeable guides provide detailed narratives and context, enriching your visit to Jamestown Settlement and beyond.

🌼 Plan Your Visit

Jamestown Settlement is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. Residents of James City County, York County, and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.

Celebrate the enduring legacy of honeybees and their pivotal role in America’s history this World Bee Day at Jamestown Settlement.

Learn how to use a navigation notebook - a traverse board - when you visit the ships at the Jamestown Settlement
CategoriesJamestown By bestwilliamsburg

Celebrate Jamestown Day on May 10, 2025: A Journey Through America’s Origins

Join the festivities at Jamestown Settlement on Saturday, May 10, 2025, as we commemorate the 418th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown—the first permanent English settlement in North America.

🛶 The Historic Voyage of 1607

In May 1607, three ships—the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery—arrived on the shores of the James River, carrying 105 settlers. Of these, 104 men and boys disembarked to establish the colony under the authority of the First Charter of Virginia, granted by King James I. This charter laid the foundation for English colonization in the New World.

🎉 Jamestown Day Highlights

Experience a day filled with engaging activities and demonstrations that bring history to life:

  • 10:00 a.m. – Godspeed Sets Sail: Witness the Godspeed depart from the ships’ pier, showcasing 17th-century sailing maneuvers on the James River. An artillery salute will signal its departure. (Weather permitting)
  • 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – Musket Demonstrations: At James Fort, learn how matchlock muskets were loaded and fired, a critical defense mechanism for early colonists.
  • 11:00 a.m. – Supplying the Colony: Assist sailors in unloading essential cargo from the Discovery, understanding the logistics of sustaining the colony.
  • 12:00 p.m. – Defending the Colony: Participate in drills as musketeers, pikemen, and targeteers, simulating the defense strategies against potential threats.
  • 1:00 p.m. – Navigation Techniques: Discover how English sailors navigated the seas using celestial methods during a “noon sighting” demonstration. (Weather permitting)
  • 2:00 p.m. – Bounty of the Chesapeake: Explore the fishing techniques and seafood preparation methods of the Powhatan people during spring.
  • 3:00 p.m. – Sail Handling: Engage in hands-on activities, learning how to manage sails—a vital skill for 17th-century mariners. (Weather permitting)
  • 4:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill: Join a 17th-century artillery crew and witness the firing of historical weaponry. (Weather permitting)

  • 🏛️ Explore the Living History Areas

Enhance your understanding of early American history through immersive experiences:

  • Paspahegh American Indian Village: Interact with interpreters demonstrating the daily life, culture, and traditions of the Powhatan people.
  • Recreated 1607 Ships: Board full-scale replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, gaining insight into the transatlantic journey of the settlers.
  • James Fort: Step into a re-creation of the original fort, observing the living conditions, fortifications, and survival strategies of the colonists.

  • 🧭 Enhance Your Visit with a Private Guided Tour

For a more in-depth and personalized experience, consider booking a private guided tour with Best Williamsburg Tours. Our knowledgeable guides provide detailed narratives and historical context, bringing Jamestown’s story vividly to life.

🎟️ Plan Your Visit

Jamestown Settlement is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. Residents of James City County, York County, and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.

Celebrate the enduring legacy of Jamestown and immerse yourself in the stories that shaped the foundation of America.