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Explore Colonial Williamsburg with new interactive app

Posted at 3:43 PM, Oct 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-16 15:43:08-04

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Colonial Williamsburg is combining history with technology through their new Colonial Williamsburg Explorer mobile app.

Visitors can use a location-based tool to track and meet characters like the official mascot, Liberty. App users can also take pictures with the “Colonial Camera,” which  has several fun Colonial Williamsburg-related filters.

Users will be able to make reservations to Colonial Williamsburg restaurants through the app, which is free and can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Guests who show they have downloaded the app will receive 10 percent off purchases at Colonial Williamsburg retail stores and receive a free appetizer with purchase of an entree at any Colonial Williamsburg restaurant. The offer lasts until November 1.

“Guests visit the Revolutionary City to immerse themselves in the 18th century, yet they still look to their mobile devices to guide them and enrich their experience,” said Andrea Sardone, Colonial Williamsburg executive director of marketing. “We listened to what they want, and we’re confident this new app will add fun and efficiency to an authentic trip back in time.”

Other functions of the app include:

  • Location-based greeting: When the app opens, users with location-based services enabled will see a photo and message based on their location relative to or in the Historic Area.
  • Favorite events: Users receive a notification a short time before “favorited” events begin.
  • One-tap directions: One tap generates map-based walking directions to a selected site or event.
  • Utility button: In the map, a quick-access button displays key locations by category: parking, bus stops, restrooms, ticketing, and “Near Me,” which recommends and displays three nearby locations for the user to visit.
  • Downloadable map: Users can download a copy of the map for offline use.