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Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Virginia City Was Just Named the Most Underrated Travel Gem in the U.S.
Luxury vacation rental service Wander recently conducted a study to determine the most underrated travel destinations in the U.S. By analyzing data from Google, Numbeo, Tripadvisor, and Instagram, Wander ranked often overlooked U.S. destinations that travelers can experience without the crowds. According to the report, Williamsburg, Virginia, came out on top, earning an impressive score of 9.29 out of 10. Williamsburg might not be at the top of most people's vacation wish lists, but it should be. With dozens of historical and cultural attractions in a compact city center, it's the kind of place where travelers can quickly dive into the city's roots and discover something new around every corner. As one of Virginia's historic capitals, Williamsburg is part of the state's famed Historic Triangle, along with Jamestown and Yorktown. The city has played a key role in shaping American history, including the Civil War Battle of Williamsburg. It's also home to the College of William & Mary, the second-oldest university in the country. While the city is most known for Colonial Williamsburg—the world's largest living history museum, spanning 300 acres—Williamsburg has far more to offer beyond its 18th-century roots. Explore the newly renovated Muscarelle Museum of Art, which houses nearly 8,000 artworks and compelling exhibits. This includes Haiti to Harlem: Toussaint L'Ouverture & Jacob Lawrence , which is on display through Jan. 4, 2026. Stroll through the Williamsburg Botanical Garden in Freedom Park, or paddle down the James River at sunset. Foodies will appreciate Williamsburg's culinary scene, which includes historic spots like King's Arms Tavern, contemporary establishments like the AAA Four Diamond-rated Fat Canary, and quirky spots like Food for Thought. Sip a flight of meads on tap or by the bottle at Silver Hand Meadery, or enjoy barrel-aged beers and craft lagers at Virginia Beer Co. For some lighthearted fun, head to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Set across nearly 400 acres of landscaped grounds, the park has been named 'The World's Most Beautiful Theme Park' by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Rounding out the top five underrated U.S. spots are two destinations in Montana—Bozeman and Missoula—followed by Fairbanks, Alaska, and Charlottesville, Virginia. To learn more about the methodology, visit
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Another Williamsburg area hotel to close to become apartments
JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A Historic Triangle landmark could soon be going away. Last Tuesday, the James City County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center that'll allow the 303 room hotel to be transformed into 126 market rate and 'affordable' apartments. As part of the plan, the New Jersey-based would-be buyers will remove the Virginia Rail Fence, stockade walls and replica cannons that have lined the front of the property for The , with its stockades and cannons, have been hard to miss for decades along Pocahontas Trail south of Williamsburg. But according to the attorney representing a new buyer, too many travelers have missed turning in throughout the years. 'This is on a Tuesday afternoon when a lot of people were in town, and there are two cars in the parking lot, one of which was mine,' said Vernon Geddy III, the attorney for the hotel's buyer. In a presentation last week to the James City Board of Supervisors, it was explained that the new buyer would take the more-than-300 room hotel and convert it into 126 apartments, with room for retail. Forty percent of the units would be rented at rates considered affordable. The stockade, cannons and name, however, would go, and the property would be renamed The Foundery at Williamsburg. 'We need that kind of thing,' said James City County Supervisor Barbara Null. 'We need to be able to use these buildings instead of tearing them down, so I'm very happy about that.' But it doesn't necessarily please James City County Supervisor Ruth Larson, especially when the more than $80 million Williamsburg Sports and Events Center is under construction next to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center. The 200,000-square-foot sports center is expected to open in 2026. Williamsburg Sports Complex expected to bring millions to local economy 'I'm disappointed to see a hotel go and see that room those rooms be lost because we know already, I believe, we have booked 40 weekends in the first year of the sports center,' Larson said, 'and I hope I'm not letting something out of the bag, but I'm sure we'll get a more precise number soon, and some of these tournaments are quite large in every piece of rooms that we have.' Larson noted no new hotel has opened in James City County in nearly 20 years. Nearly 20 hotels close in 20 years as Williamsburg visitation wanes, but tourism leaders 'bullish' on the future There's no word yet on when the hotel could close for good. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
