Williamsburg Localisms Explained: DoG St., Confusion Corner, The Burg and more…

Williamsburg Localisms Explained: DoG St., Confusion Corner, The Burg and more

We do it all the time, we use abbreviations, acronyms and jargon when discussing our favorite places and things to do in the Williamsburg Area. But for new residents, tourists and everyone who is not hip to the latest slang – this can be frustrating. So we put together a few of the abbreviations or localisms that we use on WilliamsburgFamilies.com and on our social media with regularity. Hopefully this will clear up a few of them! Feel free to add your favorites in the comments!

⭐DoG St. – Duke of Gloucester Street – the main street in Colonial Williamsburg that starts at the confusing intersection of Jamestown Rd, N. Boundary St, Richmond Rd, S. Boundary St. and DoG St. It is mainly closed to traffic and has one end in Merchants Square and the other at the Colonial Capitol in CW.

⭐CW – Colonial Williamsburg

⭐WRL – Williamsburg Regional Library which has a Scotland Street location near CW and a Croaker Rd location in Norge.

⭐VLM – Virginia Living Museum – which is a fantastic museum with animals, outdoor paths and Dino park – it is in Newport News but only a short drive.

⭐New Town – shops, movie theatre, restaurants, businesses and residential area that sits between Monticello and Ironbound Rd. The trolley from CW stops there on its route

⭐High Street – shops, movie theatre, restaurants, businesses and residential area that sits between Richmond Rd, Ironbound and Treyburn Drive

⭐The Peninsula – this one is too confusing to explain so we we posted a map below.

Jamestown Settlement vs Historic Jamestowne – The Settlement is a museum that has replicas of the Jamestown Fort, Ships and Powhatan Village – plus an amazing indoor museum. Historic Jamestowne has a public / private partnership with the National Parks and is the actual spot where Jamestown was built. It has archaeological digs, a museum, rebuilt church and so many other wonderful things to see. Both are must see locations.

⭐BG – Busch Gardens – only the best amusement park around and a big reason we are still a destination location for visitors!

⭐WCUSA – Water Country USA – owned and operated by Seaworld (who also owns and operated BG) and it a great place to visit in the hot summer months in the Burg

⭐The Burg – Williamsburg!!

⭐Billsburg – another name for Williamsburg but also the name of Billsburg Brewery – a local favorite spot to grab a locally brewed beer, listen to music, enjoy food from a food truck and look out over the water.

Yorktown Market Days – This is Historic Yorktown’s weekly Saturday Farmers Market. It is right downtown on the York River on Water St. They do have themed markets like the French Market and the Pirates Invasion which are extended hour markets but they all include a Farmers Market in them.

Jamestown Settlement / American Revolutionary Museum – these are two separate museums in two different towns even though they share a website and facebook page. Jamestown Settlement is on Jamestown Rd before the Ferry in James City County and the American Revolutionary Museum at 200 Water Street, in Yorktown – both are amazing and both offer free admission with proof of local residency.

⭐JCC – James City County the county right next to York County and the City of Williamsburg. JCC mailing address is Williamsburg – just to make things a little more confusing!

⭐The Ferry – the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry that goes back and forth taking locals, tourists and business transport across the James River for FREE daily. It is run by VDOT. There are three ferry boats aptly named the Pocahontas, Surry and Williamsburg.

⭐VDOT – Virginia Department of Transportation

GNP – Good Neighbor Pass is for CW and is a flat fee for locals to get unlimited access all year to the museums of Colonial Williamsburg and historic trades shops and gives you discounts on food, shopping and special ticketed events like Haunted Williamsburg and ice skating in the winter. $9.99 for 6 – 12 year old / $19.99 for 13 years+

Social Terrace – it is the outdoor enormous patio of the backside of the Williamsburg Inn, it is open to the public and they have live music on Fri & Sat nights. It over looks the golf course, has tasty food and delicious drinks …oh, and comfy patio furniture. It is a local secret and dog friendly (or at least it was pre-COVID).

⭐ YCSD and YC – York County School District, York County

⭐WM – William & Mary – and we have a great article on secret spots to visit on the Campus of W&M.

⭐RVA, VB & NN – Richmond Virginia, Virginia Beach and Newport News

⭐NOVA – Northern Virginia

⭐GWL – Great Wolf Lodge – total family fun located in Williamsburg!

⭐Confusion Corner – I hesitate to even start this one because there are several that are considered to be the “actual” confusion corner but two in the running are the Jamestown Rd, N Boundary St, Richmond Rd, S Boundary St, and DoG St intersection and the other is the S. Boundary and Francis St. intersection. Long time locals and lifers can discuss this on in the comments! 🙂

⭐Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown.

⭐The Parkway – The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful road that runs from Jamestown River near the Jamestown Settlement to the York River in Yorktown. It runs through forests and has beaches you can stop and visit along the way, fishing spots and scenic views of the rivers. It links the Historic Triangle. It is perfect for visitors and tourists a like to take a drive down the Parkway.

⭐What did we miss? Tell us below and we can add it!
Thanks everyone!

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  • bada

    Olivia Bada utilizes her expertise in digital strategy, including writing, graphic design, sales, marketing, SEO, and social media, to establish WilliamsburgFamilies.com as a premier platform for community news, events, and engagement. Her professional approach ensures the site effectively connects with both local and visitor audiences. View all posts CEO

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