Any Williamsburg, Virginia advice?

[Lisa F]

We love Berret's restaurant. It's a little bit higher end, but the food was excellent. It's mostly a seafood restaurant but they have other things as well. It's down by the shopping center that is between the William and Mary campus and Colonial Williamsburg. Right across from there is a restaurant called "The Trellis" which I have heard is the inventor of the death by chocolate dessert. We haven't ever made it there though, but my MIL has heard from friends that it is wonderful (but expensive, even more than Berret's). These are both more "adult" restaurants and appropriate for an adult's night out.

Lisa

 

[Cruise04]

I've also heard the Trellis is very good! A lady at our credit union told me that and she's also a part-time travel agent. She said they have eaten there several times and prefer that over the taverns.

And that time that you are going should be great. The VA kids are usually still in school, the weather is usually pretty decent and nice and it's a beautiful time of year. Have fun!!!!

 

[cadburysmom]

You will LOVE Williamsburg! We mainly go in December for the Christmas decorations and the Grand Illumination. We started going during the summer but loved it so much that we paid for the annual pass and started going at Christmas too!

I agree with the above posters that the "Trellis" restaurant is wonderful. Also, all the taverns are very good and all the servers are in Colonial dress. My favorite tavern is Christiana Campbell's which is world renown (or at least out to be) for their fantastic spoon bread. The server usually spoons it directly out of the pan and onto your plate, then sprinkles on a little sugar. It might sound strange, but trust me, it is wonderful! My mouth is watering as I speak...oh yeah, and I just remembered, if you are lucky enough to eat there, the sweet potato muffins are to die for! Be sure to call ahead and make reservations as the taverns do book up quickly....

Just can't wait for my next Williamsburg trip!!

Hungry mom from NC

 

[barbeml]

DH and I were there in October 2001.

Christiana Campbell's is wonderful. Just walking Duke of Gloucester Street is fun and very "atmospheric." Market Square is a great place to browse shops and have lunch.

Sorry to buck the trend, but we absolutely HATED Busch Gardens. It was a totally miserable experience and an unbelievable rip-off. From an excruciating wait for the privilege of paying to park to the horrendous food and non-existent staff, it was wretched.

They have no concept of crowd control--it became dangerous in several areas as the lines for coasters were ten across and completely clogged all the walkways. If you enjoy thrill rides, you may not mind waiting two hours to get on one. There were no rides that we could find that were for non-thrillseeking adults. There was no decent food, and we heard people complaining of waiting half an hour in line for a soda. Restrooms and water fountains were "well hidden."

The shows were scheduled to run only twice a day and concurrently, so we were only able to see one, after a long wait in an outdoor unthemed and unshaded queue. So, after hours of walking and standing, the only "attractions" we saw were the Irish Dancing show and the pathetic train ride, and our dining experience consisted of very tiny BBQ sandwiches on soggy buns with limp french fries and watered-down soda, none of it cheap. I will admit that the eagles were beautiful.

We struck up a few conversations with folks and no one was impressed by the place. You could not pay me to go back there.

I'm wondering if anyone has been to nearby King's Dominion and what they thought.

Barbe

 

[Lucky4me]

We went two years ago in April and will be there this year too. We love Busch Gardens too. I don't go on any of the coasters, but still loved the 3D rides, the shows and THE FOOD. I can't believe what I'm looking forward to the most is the popcorn in Ireland. It's made fresh all day and they pour real butter over it. Mmmmmm.
If you squint real hard while walking through BG, you can almost pretend (almost) you're in Epcot WS. Now if only the weather will cooperate! April can be a bit iffy. I think June will be a great time of year to visit there. Have a great time!

 

[damo]

My best tip is the single rider's line for Apollo's Chariot. You have to "excuse" your way through the regular line to get into the single rider's line. We rode that amazing coaster about 50 times in three days. We would just get into the back of the regular line and start saying "excuse me, I'm going to the single rider's line" You can save a lot of time doing that. Apollo's Chariot is a very, very smooth B&M hyper coaster. Great airtime!

Make sure you eat lots of desserts. They are terrific.

We were there in the extreme heat as well. The simulator ride in Ireland is a nice way to cool off, as is the 3D show about the Lighthouse. The kids will like the horses and the birds.

There are lots of shows to watch with dancers and acrobats, etc. Take a few days to enjoy it all. It is a beautifully landscaped park.

 

[Cruise04]

From people that live in that area, I've been told that Kings Dominion, which use to be an awesome and great kids park, has become a gang park. Now whether or not this is true I don't know since I haven't been there in 15 years but I did have family that went there 2 years ago and they said it had gotten so bad.

 

[CindysGusGus]

Barbml, im not trying to flame you in anyway but I have never heard of someone coming away from Busch Gardens with that opinion. They actually have limits to the park capacity and will turn people away when it hits the limit. I am sorry that you had such a terrible experience. I can tell you if you did not like Busch Gardens I would not try Kings Dominion. In the summer a typical wait in line is over 2 hours. My DH and I figured on average you can maybe ride 3 or 4 major rides in one day, and thats a long day. I hope maybe someday you can forgive BG Williamsburg and try just one more time.

 

[barbeml]

What a shame to hear such bad things about Kings Dominion. My Dad just moved to Fords Colony in Williamsburg and was hoping to have a number of places to take my little nephew. NJ's Great Adventure has turned into "Gang Adventure" too. So sad, it used to be a beautiful family place.

CindysGusGus--Maybe I am spoiled by WDW, but we really wanted to like Busch Gardens and just hated it. Other friends and family members have been very disappointed by it too. Hey, it is not their fault if I don't care for thrill rides, but it was so much more than that. I was seriously frightened by the lack of crowd control and the impassable walkways.

I wish there were more parks like WDW closer to home! Now I have heard some very good things about HersheyPark, so maybe we will give them a try.

Barbe

 

[KristiKelly]

DH & I went Aug. 2002 and it was HOT!!! DH wanted a steak dinner and were told by someone @ hotel to go to Berret's, the food was ok, but more than we had really wanted to spend ($80 I think for 2) and didn't have the kind of meal DH had been wanting. When we left the restaurant, we realized, just around the corner was Berret's Grill or something like that, it was part of Berret's but more casual & less expensive, well we know now.

We also did the ghost tour, that was fun, but we had a corny tour guide.

We did Busch Gardens one day. We were so glad that we didn't have our kids, unlike WDW, Busch Gardens is very hilly, some people looked so exhausted pushing strollers up hills in 98 degree temps. It was fun though, DH loved the roller coasters, something he doesn't get alot of @ WDW. Have a great trip!

 

[frndofpooh]

I lived in Williamsburg for three years, and I currently live 2 hours away with season passes to Busch Gardens. Next to Disney, Busch Gardens is one of the best, most family friendly and well themed parks in the country. I highly recommend it. If you also are interested in Water Country USA, you can get a special 2 day ticket to both parks.

The posters that mentioned the Trellis are definitely correct. It is a fantastic restaurant and its chef did, in fact, invent Death by Chocolate. In addition to that, they have many other wonderful desserts. There are many nights when I have left the Trellis feeling as if I would explode, but never regrettuing it! It is not cheap (although no more expensive than most sit-down WDW restaurants), but if money is an issue I would highly recommend lunch. It is less expensive and still has wonderful selections. I also would have no hesitation bringing a young child in for lunch, as long as he or she has reasonable self control for that age. It is located near the end of Duke of Gloucester street closer to William & Mary.

Christiana Campbell's is our favorite tavern restaurant. While it is similar to the others, it has more of a seafood bent. If you go, make sure you have the spoon bread.

If you are looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat, be sure to go to the Cheese Shop. It is a little gourmet shop that makes the best sandwiches. It is located across the parking lot from the rear of the Trellis.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[barbeml]

I am glad you mentioned the Cheese Shop! I had the best ham & cheese sandwich of my life there!

 

[Cruise04]

Oh yeah The Cheese Shop!!! That place is great. They have some very unique cheeses and they let you try before you buy. Another great shop there is the Peanut Shop. Expensive but some of the best peanuts - I think. And Wyatt Candy Store - oh dear!!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

The Cheese Shop is GREAT! We were in Williamsburg two days and ate lunch there both days. What a turkey sandwich! DS had PBJ I think.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We were there at Christmas...it was just gorgeous! I'm another one that bought annual passes. Woooooooooooo hooooooooooo! And it looks like I'll be having a return trip to Virginia if I don't move there first! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! So I WILL be going back to Williamsburg!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Busch Gardens is second only to WDW, IMO. What a beautiful park!

If someone you know works for a big company, have them get you discount coupons for BG tickets, which BTW, are substantially less expensive than Disney. For that matter, if you will be there 2 weeks, you might do well to buy annual passes. When we were there in summer '01, annual passes were a few dollars more than a 3 day pass.

Water Country U.S.A. has a very nice section for toddlers. It was included in the 3 day passes we bought for BG.

The shows at BG are outstanding, especially the ones in the Globe Theatre and in Ireland.

When you dine inside the park, go ethnic. Don't bother with the burgers and dogs--go to Germany and eat the German food specialities. How I love that German brew hall--the food and the show. There's also a wonderful pub in Ireland--try the sausage there.

To the person who asked about Turtle Cay--if it's the one in Va. Beach, it's beautiful! You'll love it.

 

[disykat]

My 11 year old is not great in the water. On the website it looked like the little kid stuff had height limits, and the big stuff looked pretty overwhelming. He's not even crazy about getting his head in the water. Is there anything there he can do? Thanks. (he loves the beach and anything where he can be on a float)

 

[shortbun]

When we were there, on Sunday morning, we had a lovely
and delicious waffle/breakfast at this little Italian restaurant
on a main road. Linen table cloths, opera playing and great
service but NOT expensive at all. I think it was called Marinos
and on Richmond Road. They are not open for breakfast any
other day, I think. Based on breakfast, I'd go back for a great
meal some evening.
Also, the coffee shop on the 2nd floor of Barnes and Noble in
the shopping district of Colonial Wmsburg is quiet and cool.
There is a tiny little elevator or you can take the stairs. They
have a nice children's section up there too. We sought solace there last June a couple of times.
Take hats, in the historic district there is a shortage of shade.
We also found a really good chinese buffet in a shopping center
and played some fun minature golf right out in front of it. Find
a student to ask about the buffet. Thats how we got both the
buffet and the breakfast leads - a Wm and Mary student.
Learned that from using "Let's Go" books all over the world-
students know where the good but cheap food is with a little
bit of atmosphere.

 

[luv2nascar]

We are from PA but my parents relocated to VA about 45 min away from Williamsburg 10 years ago and they love it
We get down 1-3 times a year. Our 8 year old has practically grown up at BG. Land of the Dragons (section for little kids) impressed her more than WDW I think.

We have a 7 mo DD now and I'm looking forward to her growing up there also. We always go the the Octoberfest in Germany for food. The show in Octoberfest is nice too. We don't ride much definitely not coasters (kids mostly ride) and we always find stuff to do.

My parents always get annual passes every year.

We're pretty much done most of the touristy things to do in VA in that area. And believe me there is a lot to do. The Trellis is a very good restaurant. We did take DD when she was 2 1/2 maybe 3 yrs old. She was always very well behaved so I didn't worry about that. We have eaten in the taverns in Williamsburg. I sick on seafood there but I guess that can happen anywhere. Just don't do Williamsburg in 90+ degree weather. We did that and almost died.

Waterside used to be very nice. I believe they have changed it around some since I've been. We love the Nauticus museum there and the USS Wisconsin was DH favorite to tour. DD always like to take the ferry from waterside to Portsmouth and then we would walk to the children's museum. It is one of those play and touch everything museums that kids love. The used to have a Jewish Mother restaurant there but I believe that closed.

The Jewish Mother is my favorite place to eat. It is a out in Virginia beach deli sandwiches and Matza ball soup to die for. Not an upscale joint if you know what I mean. They do have bands and entertainment at night.

DD has always loved going to the beach. We just went to a museum over Thanksgiving can't remember the name?? history of airplanes or flight something like that. Has an IMAX theater there also. We all enjoyed our day there.

Lots of malls to shop in. MacArthur center is nice and has theaters inside. Nice area for kids to play for free.

The aquarium out at the beach is nice too. DD always enjoys it.

 

[dandelion]

Bumping this up and also to ask some new questions.

1) any suggestions for which would be "better," Easter weekend itself or the weekend after?

2) any hotel recommendations - good or bad.

We are two adults with two kids, a girl 7 and a boy almost 5. Driving down from upstate NY, hoping to get into some before spring makes its way to NYS.

Thanks for all the info previously posted, I'm already excited about that cheese shop!