Jamestown Glasshouse
Jamestown Glasshouse
4.5
Full view
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
697 reviews
Excellent
463
Very good
183
Average
39
Poor
11
Terrible
1
ASH814
Aiken, SC827 contributions
Nov 2020
A friend travelling with us had never been to the Glasshouse and was so looking forward only to find most of the viewing space closed. The front was blocked off and only a few at the time could view from outside the walls on the back side. The viewing area only has half walls and it seems ridiculous that visitors cannot step inside to watch. All items being made that day were being poured back in to be recycled. Seems like a big overreaction to COVID! Answers to questions below only apply iof fully re-opened! Otherwise a waste of time and effort.
Written November 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deborahmG3532US
Gold Hill, NC159 contributions
Jun 2021
The artisan was personable as well as knowledgeable about glass blowing, she demonstrated creating a small vase with a heart shaped opening. A young boy asked how to make a really big vase and she explained it required a large amount of glass, which is normally done in two steps. She then placed a large glob of glass on the end of the pole, rolled it to cool it, then proceeded to 'blow' into the tube to enlarge the bulb. As the glass it expanded to a large diameter, it suddenly popped and she showed where the glass at the base had gave way. She tapped the glass on the concrete floor, and it exploded, she then proceeded to select a small fragment from the floor and explained it was 'cellophane glass' extremely thin and fragile. A totally cool, 5 star experience. I was able to purchase a beautiful piece of 'crackle' glass that was formed into a vase used to force bulbs.
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zephyr_Travel
Fredericksburg, VA3,037 contributions
Mar 2022
Came earlier in the day, as the site is small and the glassblowing viewing area can fill up quickly. I was neat to see several artists working on pieces. Theirs a perimeter path that has openings for viewing. The path around is wide enough to move a stroller. The gift store is tucked in one corner of the main building. It can fit only 4-5 people at a time to browse. Their are several one of a kind items you can get in store only. They do a new signature piece every year at the store.If you follow the outside path beyond the studio, theirs another building covering the historic site of the original glass blowing.
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James K
Morrow, OH830 contributions
Feb 2020
The glasshouse is an interesting stop. Inside, you will see craftpersons making glass objects in traditional manner. They do not have set presentations, as such, but are available to answer questions. And, for sure, there is a shop on site where you can buy the handmade treasures!
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean_Amy-2004
Gettysburg, PA5,807 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
The most unique piece of this glass blowing site is its proximity to the original 1609 glass blowing site. With current COVID restrictions, it is difficult to get a good view of the creation with the extra distance and barrier. The craftsmen still answered questions and the shop selling blown glass allows you to take home a special souvenir.
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GaryC
Sacramento, CA6 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Almost missed it as the building is rather hidden from the parking lot. And we didn’t even know it’s a working glass house. So was such an amazing surprise that it has an oven for melting glass and two glass blowers actually making what can only be called glass art. A VERY good instructor (?) was helpfully explaining the complete process and answering questions. We ended up buying multiple pieces at a very reasonable price. Go!
Written November 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen M
Smithsburg, MD399 contributions
Jul 2020
Should be fully functioning by July 13, 2020, as they are just opening up from the Covid-19 closures. Artisans love to explain the processes of glass blowing and we have found this to be one of the more interesting visits in the area. Great gift show as well, specializing in products made on site.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaineTraveler2017
Freeport, ME198 contributions
Oct 2021
The Glasshouse is an interesting place to watch glass blowing in action. The day we visited, they were making shot glasses. They have a great shop where I purchased a bulb forcing vase (love the green, crackled glass). They package purchases carefully and include informational cards.
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrookeFreckles
43 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
The loop is an easy walk, public restrooms in the parking area, ample parking. The glass blowers were blowing glass and were so friendly and informative. Ruins were very cool, there’s also a sandy beach on the James River that my boys were obsessed with. Don’t miss this stop if you’re coming to Williamsburg.
Written September 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngelaMB12
Hanover, PA230 contributions
Nov 2022
If you are in the area, stop by! A nice short trail through the woods leads you to the original glassworks, then you continue on to the current building. It was nice and warm inside on a chilly November day. It was so cool to see this process and I was so interested, I didn't even think to take photos. The NPS volunteer was excited to tell us what was going on and to answer our questions. There is a shop there where you can purchase the glass pieces made on site.
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D L
23 contributions
What was the cost to observe? Is there an entrance fee or tickets to buy??
Has covid stopped this event??
BrookeFreckles
43 contributions
Free to observe and it IS going on during covid. There is plexiglass to create space but still a very visible and interesting experience.
Karen S
1 contribution
Do I have to buy a ticket to walk around Jamestown, va
BixDoc
Durham, NC1,831 contributions
Historic Jamestown is part of Colonial National Park, part of the National Park Service, so an admission fee or a National Park Pass is required. A mile or so away is the Jamestown Settlement, which includes a recreation of a Powhatan Indian Village, the three ships that brought the first settlers here and a reproduction fort they built when they arrived. This is a separate museum with its own admission fee.
Mutlio8618
Bloomfield, NJ37 contributions
Hi,
What days of the week & hours of operation is this business open for people to tour and visit.
is there a fee.
Is there a website link?
Please add this info to your site.
Thank you very much,
Mike
Maurene_K
Dover, NH10,916 contributions
There’s no individual website for this attraction because Jamestown Glasshouse is part of the Colonial National Historical Park, a National Park Service unit comprised of Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield. Sorry, but TripAdvisor will not let me post the actual website, but you can google National Park Service and get the website that way.
As is the case with many National Park Service (NPS) sites, the hours are usually 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Glasshouse hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The whole national park site is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25th and January 1st.
There is a fee that will get you into all parts of Jamestown and Yorktown; however, the Glasshouse is off the main driveway up to the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center and is separate from the main part of the grounds. There should be no fee.
F.Y.I. - The NPS has a website for sales of goods, including the Jamestown glass. It’s eParks. And, they are having a 20% off sale right now. I’ve bought things from that website before, and it’s reliable. No need to lug the item around. For the purist, the original color of the Jamestown glass was green.
Additionally, attractions in the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown can be confusing because there are NPS sites and Commonwealth of Virginia sites with similar names. Historic Jamestowne is NPS; Jamestown Settlement next door is Commonwealth. Ditto in Yorktown. And, some people confuse Colonial National Historical Park with Colonial Williamsburg.
Also, if you use a GPS, it may not recognize Jamestown as a separate entity. That’s because it is really Jamestown Island which is a part of Williamsburg.
I hope that you enjoy your trip as much as I enjoyed mine in April!
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Claim your listingJamestown Glasshouse - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Jamestown Glasshouse
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Jamestown Glasshouse Information
Excellent Reviews | 463 |
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Very Good Reviews | 183 |
Jamestown Glasshouse Photos | 245 |