Hotel at a Glance: Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center

The tricorn colonial hats and old carriages of the historic district of Williamsburg are just one mile from the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center, but the hotel has historical significance of its own—it’s located on the site of the Civil War-era Fort Magruder and the 1862 Battle of Williamsburg. The hotel lobby features Civil War artifacts, and there’s even a replica cannon on the hotel’s grounds.

• Where you’ll stay: Guest rooms come with complimentary WiFi, and many come with a balcony or patio.
• The Veranda restaurant serves breakfast, which is included for two guests with this Getaway.
• J.B.’s Garage: Grab a beer and dinner and catch live sports on a big screen.
• Pizza night: Create your own personal or family-size pie at Fort Pizzeria.
• Take a dip in the indoor pool and hot tub, where a wall of windows lets in natural light. A seasonal outdoor pool is also available.
• Civil War artifacts on view at the hotel include uniform buttons, musket balls, and a quilt dating back to 1850.
• Nearby attractions: the College of William and Mary, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and Jamestown Settlement

Williamsburg, Virginia: Art and Entertainment in Historic Colonial Town

Part of the Historic Triangle of Virginia (along with Jamestown and Yorktown), Williamsburg was the capital of the colony and it played a central role during the American Revolution—American forces gathered here in 1781 to march to Yorktown for the war’s final battle. The city pays homage to this patriotic past with a living museum where fifers march in Revolutionary War regalia and costumed actors portray everyday colonists. Historians have carefully preserved and restored dozens of 18th-century structures within the town; buildings of note include the opulent Governor’s Palace, built in 1722 to house the British governor, and the residential home of George Wythe, the first Virginian to sign the Declaration of Independence. Yorktown Battlefield is only a short drive east; here, park rangers tell the story of the Revolutionary War’s final siege.

Back in Williamsburg, the 18th-century-style boutiques along Merchants Square sell everything from whimsical toys to hand-cooked Virginia peanuts. In addition to its historic sites, Williamsburg boasts a thriving artistic community, with original folk art and paint-by-number self-portraits of the Founding Fathers displayed at several galleries and art exhibits throughout the city.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.