Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg is not just a single landmark, but a massive 301-acre living-history museum that meticulously recreates Virginia’s 18th-century capital. Funded in part by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. starting in the 1930s, this sprawling historic district features dozens of original and reconstructed buildings, including the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol, and the Raleigh Tavern. Rather than offering a static exhibition, the site uses costumed interpreters to depict daily life for all colonial residents—from wealthy politicians and trade artisans to the enslaved population that made up nearly half of the city in 1775. Visitors can wander through historic gardens, ride in carriages, dine on period-inspired cuisine, and watch live blacksmithing or brickmaking.