Anyone have any ideas for Williamsburg VA

[shame711]

We can’t do the ‘World’ this year so we decided to have a relaxing vacation a little closer to home. We own a timeshare and already have accommodations and are planning to do one day at Bush Gardens and one in historic Williamsburg.

Anyone have any money savings ideas or must do for Williamsburg?

 

[mickeyluv]

We really enjoy going to Water Country, USA in Williamsburg. It is near Busch Gardens and my DD and nieces and nephew really enjoy it!!

Have Fun!!

 

[weregoingtodw]

We can’t do the ‘World’ this year so we decided to have a relaxing vacation a little closer to home. We own a timeshare and already have accommodations and are planning to do one day at Bush Gardens and one in historic Williamsburg.

Anyone have any money savings ideas or must do for Williamsburg?

There was recently a thread on here re:this same subject - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778630 - you might find some ideas in there.

Other things to do -

1) tour Colonial Williamsburg - although that's definitely not 'budget minded'! If you opt not to purchase tickets, there's still plenty to do. You wan wander around the grounds of the buildings, go to the Visitor Center, etc. without a ticket. See http://www.history.org for more info.

2) Merchant's Walk - great little shopping area, mostly boutique type stores, many high-end but a few little privately owned shops have reasonably priced merchandise

3) Busch Gardens/Water Country - there are always discount coupons floating around for those at fast food restaurants, grocery stores and on soda cans

4) Virginia Living Museum (Newport News) - this is a great place to take the kids, relatively inexpensive as well

5) Virginia Beach - you're only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours away, depending on traffic

6) Richmond - TONS to do in Richmond; about 45 minutes away

7) Miniature golf - there's a really fun looking course right off Route 60, at the Bypass

8) Outlet mall shopping - need I say more?

9) Jamestown Settlement/Yorktown Victory Center - if you'd like a dose of history but aren't ready to cough up the big bucks for Colonial Williamsburg, consider this instead. See http://www.historyisfun.org.

10) Plantations - there are quite a few plantations in the area between Williamsburg and Richmond. Just taking a drive to look at them all is really fun, and many are open for tours.

If you haven't already, be sure to visit Busch Garden's website, as there are quite a few "hopper-type" deals that will bundle together several area attractions for a set amount of days.

Those are just a few of the many things in the area; I'm sure you'll have a blast!

 

[cbrfan]

Colonial Williamsburg is really very nice and educational. My sister used to live near Carter's Grove. I found that to be an interesting tour. But Busch Gardens and Water Country are always must-do's for us.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

In Hampton,VA (30 min away) there is the VA air & space center. Has alot of Nasa related items click here for more info

 

[ckoncurat]

If your kids are younger, try Jamestown and Yorktown. these are living history museums, and they can meet indians, soldiers and settlers, go in their homes and ships, help cultivate a garden, try on armour, watch troop movements, etc. etc. My kids were bored silly by williamsburg, but they LOVED Jamestown. It is also MUCH cheaper than colonial williamsburg.

 

[Chris]

We can’t do the ‘World’ this year so we decided to have a relaxing vacation a little closer to home. We own a timeshare and already have accommodations and are planning to do one day at Bush Gardens and one in historic Williamsburg.

Anyone have any money savings ideas or must do for Williamsburg?

This is the first year we're not going to Williamsburg in 7 years!!

Anyway, we always buy the 3 day tickets to Busch Gardens and Water Country. We normally go for about 5 days, 3 day's in the park, 1 by the pool and sometimes 1 shopping!

Have fun.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We may stop in Williamburg this year since we will be driving right through it to get to Virgina Beach to see family. We did Bush Gardens and Water Contry a few years ago with DN who was then 9 and it really is a lot of fun.

They have some bundled package tickets that can save a lot of money.

It isn't Disney World, but it isn't Ceader point either. Kind of a nice combo. It really is pretty, with a variety to do for everyone. MY DN liked Water Countery the best. (it was on the top 10 water parks, number 4 or 5 I think, just under BB and TL.)

One kind of strange warning, our car was borken into at the hotel, or at least attmepted to to. Someone actually drilled a whole in our door handel in an attmept to brake in. However with our power locks it did nothing. It did cost me $200 to get fixed though. When I called the hotel to "warn them" they could car less. I think they were concerned about getting sued. I just wanted them keep an eye out for it and alert the police to the mater. So it isn't as safe as WDW.

 

[Princess Glenda]

Check eBay or the restaurant.com website for Gift Certificates to various Williamsburg restaurants. We really enjoyed Seasons and the Country Harvest Buffet. Do you live in VA? I live in VA and our county Parks and Recreation Dept. offered a 2 for 1 ticket last year. BTW, there is a new indoor water park opening there this summer, but I am not sure about the date.

 

[Stacy9402]

I also Great Wolf Lodge opens on 4/27. It is an indoor waterpark. Looks awesome. But you have to stay there(lodging) in order to go there. They have a website just doa search for Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg.

 

[shame711]

Thanks you guys are great!

 

[KarenAylwood]

Hey! I just PMed you but I just wanted to say that I live in Williamsburg

The Great Wolf Lodge looks awesome (saw it on the news when it opened and they had their grand opening today). It only has suites and they start at around $200 (at least that's what they said on the news).
Oops I just re-read your post and you already are staying somewhere...

Ok. So. Water Country would be your best bet for a water park, but it depends on when you're planning on coming- it's COLD here right now!!
Busch Gardens is also opening a new ride called the curse of Dark Castle (something like that) that looks really cool- it's the first ride of it's type and is a mix of a ride and 3D! Although it looks scary so I don't know if I'll get my chicken-butt on it this year!

I graduated from W&M and am at grad school there now, so after 5 years of parent visits I have been to just about every restaurant I can think of (or know someone who has). PM me if you want any info about anything!! Oh and word of warning: it's outrageously hard to navigate. It took me 4 years to get a handle on where I was and where I was going!!

 

[KarenAylwood]

Just to add some other stuff- I re-read the thread

Other things to do -

1) tour Colonial Williamsburg - although that's definitely not 'budget minded'! If you opt not to purchase tickets, there's still plenty to do. You wan wander around the grounds of the buildings, go to the Visitor Center, etc. without a ticket. See http://www.history.org for more info.

2) Merchant's Walk - great little shopping area, mostly boutique type stores, many high-end but a few little privately owned shops have reasonably priced merchandise

3) Busch Gardens/Water Country - there are always discount coupons floating around for those at fast food restaurants, grocery stores and on soda cans

4) Virginia Living Museum (Newport News) - this is a great place to take the kids, relatively inexpensive as well

5) Virginia Beach - you're only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours away, depending on traffic

6) Richmond - TONS to do in Richmond; about 45 minutes away

7) Miniature golf - there's a really fun looking course right off Route 60, at the Bypass

8) Outlet mall shopping - need I say more?

9) Jamestown Settlement/Yorktown Victory Center - if you'd like a dose of history but aren't ready to cough up the big bucks for Colonial Williamsburg, consider this instead. See http://www.historyisfun.org.

10) Plantations - there are quite a few plantations in the area between Williamsburg and Richmond. Just taking a drive to look at them all is really fun, and many are open for tours.

1) there are many different tickets you can buy if you want to only do a few things- you can save money that way. The Governor's Palace is the most impressive (IMO) so of course that's only included in the most expensive one. But you can walk the grounds and go into all the little shops (which btw sell all the same stuff) for free.
2) Merchant's Square- very touristy but the shops are fun to look in (esp Wyth Candy ). You HAVE to go to the Cheese Shop for lunch!! A tip- you can go in early, decide what you want and then call ahead. It's much faster that way- every tourist within 10 miles goes there at lunch! It's right on DoG street (Duke of Glouchester), which is the same street most of the Colonial stuff is on. So you can just walk down there when you're in CW.
3) Food Lion usually has discount coupons. There are about 3 right around the burg.
4) never been there but heard it's cool!!
5) If you go in the summer plan on it taking at least an hour and a half - 2 hours. BF lives there... traffic is HORENDOUS esp in the summer and on Fridays!!! If you go- go to the VA Marine Science Museum- it's really great!
6) Richmond- short pump and stony point are really good (but mostly high end) outdoor malls, the Richmond Art Museum is GREAT and free- I LOVE it, and have been there at least two or three times. I know the head curator there. Also I think there is a children's museum that's supposed to be good.
7) It's called Pirate's Cove- you may have heard of it- it's a chain. Very good. There is one on Richmond Road too but isn't too great at all.
8) I work at the outlets!! I can tell you where to go to get a GREAT coupon book for it.
9) I LOVE Yorktown and they are building a bunch of new buildings right by the James River. The best and most scenic way to get to both Jamestown and Yorktown is by the Colonial Parkway. Don't go at night though- it's scary!
10) Never been to a plantation but heard they are pretty good. Also, a visit to a plantation is included in one of the passes for Colonial Williamsburg.

Ok, that's about it!

 

[marriedmarylander]

I don't know if it's been said but you could drive to the beach for a day if you enjoy the beach.

 

[tinan]

It seems like everyone has it pretty well covered. I just wanted to mention to anyone considering Great Wolf to request the top floor. I stayed at the one in Sandusky and they have poor building plans. The walls and floors are very very thin and you can hear everything. I was up til all hours of the night when I stayed there. The people above us obviously were either sick themselves or comforting a small child. All I heard was their footsteps all night. I was told that they always get complaints about the noise levels.

 

[rachael95]

I love Williamsburg, if we ever move from Knoxville, I'd want to live up there. It's so pretty.

Nauticus would be a neat place to visit. Kind of a maritime museum but had some things kids would like too and it wasn't too expensive. It's not a long drive and it's close to the beach so you could spend some time there.

If you do go to Colonial Williamsburg, the first time we went, we couldn't afford the tickets, so we just walked the streets and took the free tours. That was fun. The second time we went, we did some of the night tours and took part in one of the reenactments of a witch trial. Those were worth the money. I wished we could have done it the first time we were there too.

Re-reading these posts makes me want to go back...

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

If you plan to eat out there are a lot of great Williamsburg restaurants in the entertainment book. Think you can probably get one pretty cheap now.

 

[tinan]

I totally forgot to mention the Spirit of the Norfolk. If you like dinner cruises and seeing Navy ships this is a nice cruise. My family and I have been on it several times over the years. (Mom loves VA Beach). I believe they have both a lunch and dinner cruise with entertainment. They also cruise past the Navy base and tell you about all of the different ships that are docked. The Maritime Museum is in that same area so you could make a day of it there.

 

[ILUVPOOH1]

My family has been going to Williamsburg every year since I was little.

My top things to do:

1. Tour Colonial Williamsburg

2. Busch Gardens- don't forget to stop in Italy to see the stage show, and sip some wine

3. Water Country USA- this is a must if you have kids. Best water park I've ever been too!!!

4. Jamestown Settlement- Again hands on and great for kids

5. Carter's Grove- it was closed for remodeling last time I was there, But it's a neat tour when open

6. Ghost Walk through Williamsburg--- FUN NOT SCARY--goes at dusk, the guide arries a lantern and takes you through the colonial town talking about "haunts" there. We took the tour that takes you by the College Of William And Mary (lots of spooks there) This is a walking tour- wear comfy shoes!! Also, I recommend doing this the night BEFORE your tour Williamsburg, its fun to get to go inside some of the houses from the tour and look to see if you can catch a glimpse of the "ghosts"

7. Williamsburg Winery- for adults, need I say more?

 

[DisneyPhD]

I totally forgot to mention the Spirit of the Norfolk. If you like dinner cruises and seeing Navy ships this is a nice cruise. My family and I have been on it several times over the years. (Mom loves VA Beach). I believe they have both a lunch and dinner cruise with entertainment. They also cruise past the Navy base and tell you about all of the different ships that are docked. The Maritime Museum is in that same area so you could make a day of it there.

There is also a musem in VA beach that has marine life stuff (I forget the name if it, it has been 5 years or so since I have been there.) It is rather fun.

The whole area is a rather nice area. We go because we have family there, but we would even with out family, just an added perk. (they never come to visit us though )