Anyone been to Colonial Williamsburg?

[Rajah]

Sure are a lot of Williamsburg questions recently!

Anyway, DH and I will be going out to the DC/Richmond area to go pick up our new kitten in June and we're looking for something to do while we're out there to make it a fun getaway in addition to getting the kitten. Right now we're debating between Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the Smithsonian, or Colonial Williamsburg. I've seen all 3, but it's been about 12-15 years and I don't remember much about any of them. I remember I enjoyed Busch Gardens, even as a kid who didn't like coasters, I remember I loved the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum (the two we'd likely try to see if we did Smithsonian), and I remember I enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg, but all I remember of it is dirt or cobblestone streets, the College of William and Mary, costumes, and the blacksmith who made a nail for me. Not much to go by. I remember more of the other two.

DH is leaning toward the Smithsonian, I'm on the fence between that or Busch Gardens (the temperature is the problem there), and DH wants to know what there is to do at Colonial Williamsburg. Besides finding blacksmiths who make nails, I can't remember enough about that one to answer him.

So... any thoughts?

 

[catsrule]

I have been to all 3 too, but it was many years ago also, so I'm not much help.

 

[SPAGo 98]

i much prefer BGW to the Smithsonian. but that's just me, i get bored very easily.

 

[Leota]

I just got back from Williamsburg 2 weeks ago, Rajah. We didn't do Busch Gardens, although it looks fantastic (I don't do mega-Coasters either) BG looks to be well themed.
Williamsburgh is really a neat place, as are Jamestown & Yorktown, which are nearby in the Historic Triangle. All close at 5 pm, then you are left with little to do but mini-golf & outlet shopping. Williamsburgh has many shops, houses etc....which you can go into & interact with the folks there & learn alot about historic life. They also have re-creators who will act as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams etc... My favorites at Williamsburgh are the Blacksmith, the kitchens at the Govenors Palace & the gardens - some really amazing gardens...At Jamestown, I really enjoyed the Native American village (they call it the Powhaton village, but then explain why it shouldn't be called that) It is fascinating to me to see how they lived. At Yorkstown, of course the military encampment is the highlight - talking to the soldiers is very informative. The Historic Triangle is about 3 hours south of DC.
As much as I loved Williamsburgh, tho, I love DC - Our capitol is one of the best cities to visit IMHO - There is so much to do there. Not just the Smithsonian, which is fantastic. I could easily spend a week in DC & not get bored. I used to travel to DC at least 6 times a year for conferences & each time, would squeeze some time in to go see the sights. My personal choice would be DC - you could even scoot up to Baltimore (1 hr) if you wanted to.
Whichever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[DaveH]

Rajah, we are going to Williamsburg on May 23-26. We live in metro DC. I have never been to BGW and it has been almost 30 years since I have been to colonial Williamsburg. I did a google search on Williamsburg and found a couple of sites on Coloial Williamsburg. The site for BGW I found lacking but they do tell you some about the attractions, I was looking for info on the shows also.

Maybe you guys like to maybe set a meet in the area while you are here.

 

[NCRedding]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a beautiful park--set in the trees, the coasters are awesome, but they also have some enjoyable shows, and pretty good food. They often run specials on entrance fees. We've also done Colonial Williamsburg and DC, hard to pick between the 3. What we have done in the past is to get a passport for either the season or for the year, and combine this with the colonial Williamsburg-makes a nice trip. There are also a ton of outlet stores at Williamsburg is you like to shop. If you go to Williamsburg, try to eat at the Trellis Restaurant--the chef is the "Death by Chocolate" cookbook/show. They definitely do not like kids at the restaurant--we lost our babysitter at the last minute, and ended up taking our DD--it was a disaster. For adults though. it is great.

 

[Cindy B]

You will like the Smithsonian as well. but then it becomes which museum.. American History, Natural History, Air and Space, Sculpture Musuem, The Smithsonian Castle..

I love DC, its one of my favorite places.

I've never been to Williamsburg, so I can't really help you.

 

[piratesmate]

We've been to all 3 several times - and it's really hard to choose! We took DS when he was 9 & he wanted to spend all of his time talking to people in the encampment at Colonial Williamsburg. I was bored & mostly remembered dirt & cobblestone streets, too. We took DD when she was 9 (they're 10 years apart & he stayed home) and we put off going to CW until the last day. We were really sorry we did that because we discovered they have a deal where children can "rent" a costume for the day & with it they get a "letter from a resident who is out of town" asking them to do things for them. The tasks take the girls through key parts of town & help them learn about colonial life. For boys, much of their time is spent at the encampment and, I THINK, they might apprentice also. I wish we'd know about that for DS. I know you won't have children with you, but you may be able to do it anyway. I think it makes much more of the experience!

If I only had one day, I'd probably choose to go back to Jamestown, though. I have a fascination with all things Native American & the village there was GREAT!

At the Smithsonian, we like Natural History and Air & Space - but the American History Museum was fascinating! We skipped this one the first few times in DC. But it's wonderful! I'm not big on "history" - unless it's living history like Jamestown or CW. I think it's misnamed - it should the Museum of American Culture - or something like that. This is where you find Fonzie's leather jacket from Happy Days, Archie Bunker's chair, Howdy Doody, etc. The Holocaust Museum was something I'm glad we didn't skip - even though I cried through most of it.

We all really enjoyed BGW - even though most of us don't do roller coasters. I think there is plenty of other things to do. It's even fun to just walk around & shop in the different "countries." And, of course, it's open into the evening unlike the historic properties or DC.

 

[vellamint]

Hi - bumping up because I am wondering if anyone know how much it costs to rent a costume for the day and if they have them for boys as well. We have four children so I am hoping it is not too expensive!

Anyone here get a chance to have thier children do this?

 

[piratesmate]

I'm sorry that I can't remember how much it was to rent the costume. It's been 2 years now, since we were there. They DO have boys costumes & the boys spend part of their day at the military encampment. The "tour" that they take (it's like a scavenger hunt) is different than the girls. I think it may have been about $15 or $20. Be prepared that it doesn't include the cap - which they will sell you. They have several different prices for the caps.

I have to admit, for one child the cost didn't phase us. If we had 4 we probably would have swallowed pretty hard before doing it - esp after the cost of getting in to the historic area in the first place. It's well worth it, but . . . .

Also, since the boys have different places to go you may either want to split up or plan to do it on two different days. I think it would be hard to get all the tasks completed in a day for both.

Hope that helps.

d