Anyone have any ideas for Williamsburg VA

[KarenAylwood]

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.

That's the VA Marine Science Museum I mentioned- very good. They've added on to it over the years, there's an IMAX there too!

I've been on the ghost tours that WM students give of CW and WM, it's very good but hard to find a good guide if you're from out of town. The one in CW I've heard isn't as fun and there are usually TONS of people on the tour. I went on the Yorktown Hauntings Cruise http://www.yorktownhauntingscruise.com/ with my mom and BF and it was GREAT. It's a cruise on the james river and then a walking tour of Yorktown. Our guide was WONDERFUL and as I remember it may have even been cheaper than the CW tours (don't quote me on that!). It's less well-known so that makes sense. Give them a call and they'll tell you the price.

If you don't want to go all the way to VA beach for the beach, you can go to the Yorktown beach as well. It's very quaint down there and the Yorktown Pub is a GREAT place for a burger. It's a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but very charming (and after YEARS they FINALLY just started accepting credit cards a few months ago! ).

ILUVPOOH1 mentioned the Winery- fun and you get a glass too! You only have to pay if you're sampling (it was $7 the last I went), the tour is free otherwise. They show you a video and give you an actual walk-around tour of the place and then let you sample about 6 wines. I have been to a lot of wineries that only let you sample wine and don't actually give you a tour.

If you know anyone from WM you can get 25% off CW tickets as well- they don't have to be a relative either.

 

[MrsPete]

We went to Colonial Williamsburg a couple years ago, so I have a few tips:

You can walk through Historic Williamsburg for free; people live in some of the houses -- it's a public place. However, if you want to go inside the buildings you'll need a ticket. It's a clip-on badge-type thing with your picture, and the costumed actors won't talk to you unless you're wearing one -- after all, they're paid through ticket sales. The tickets are well worth the price. A one-year membership is only a couple dollars higher than a one-day admission.

When you tour the historic section, start at the Governer's Mansion. The tour is arranged so that you sort of hear "phase one" at that point, then there's a natural progression to the historical information as you work your way towards the legislative building and the jail. We started on the opposite end, and we realized too late that it would've been better the other way. If you have small children, don't expect them to enjoy visiting EVERY house; it's better to have them enjoy hitting the high points rather than be forced to visit every nook and cranny. The town square provides plenty of "rest and run" space.

Our favorite building by far, though it's not an official part of Historic Williamsburg, was the old church. They welcome everyone (no admission required -- again, not an official portion of Williamsburg). We were fascinated to learn that people were buried IN the aisle -- it was considered a big honor. And we were very interested in the "boxes" for each family; you can sit in George Washington's family box. The reason for boxes will interest you! The real-life Pocohantas was baptised (and renamed Rebecca) in that very church.

If you have girls, I strongly suggest that you purchase the American Girls' Felecity books before your trip. We read them together, and it made a fantastic introduction for the trip. My girls had some concept of colonial life, and they were very excited to see the buildings that were mentioned in the book series. In the bookstore (in the building where you'll buy your tickets) you can buy a large, full-color map of Historic Williamsburg as seen through Felecity's eyes (it's an American Girl product, and it is ONLY available in that one bookstore). The map includes references to the book series and a scavenger hunt kids can complete as they walk through the historic district. It was well worth its 2.50 price.

Busche Gardens was fun, but I have few specific memories of it.

The outlet shopping is nice in Williamsburg. I particularly enjoyed visiting the Pfaltzgraph outlet, where I was able to find very low-priced items to replace some of my broken everyday dishware. Don't shop anywhere until you've picked up one of those coupon books (available at every convenience store and restaurant); competition is tight in Williamsburg, and those books are full of coupons.

We stayed in the SpringHill Suites, which was between Historic Williamsburg and Busche Gardens. It was an ideal location with several chain restaurants and shops within walking distance.

In conclusion, we thought Colonial Williamsburg was great. My husband's company is having a conference there this summer, and I'm looking forward to having some time there with just my youngest daughter.

 

[pumpkinfish]

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

Hey, I live in Newport News!! What a small world! I actually work down at Prime Outlets


My two cents to the OP is to come visit me @ the outlets Drop me a PM when you are planning on coming around. DH and I have APs to Busch and WCUSA! We would love to meet up if you want!

Good luck with the planning!

 

[KarenAylwood]

We went to Colonial Williamsburg a couple years ago, so I have a few tips:

You can walk through Historic Williamsburg for free; people live in some of the houses -- it's a public place. However, if you want to go inside the buildings you'll need a ticket. It's a clip-on badge-type thing with your picture, and the costumed actors won't talk to you unless you're wearing one -- after all, they're paid through ticket sales. The tickets are well worth the price. A one-year membership is only a couple dollars higher than a one-day admission.

you! The real-life Pocohantas was baptised (and renamed Rebecca) in that very church.



The outlet shopping is nice in Williamsburg. I particularly enjoyed visiting the Pfaltzgraph outlet, where I was able to find very low-priced items to replace some of my broken everyday dishware. Don't shop anywhere until you've picked up one of those coupon books (available at every convenience store and restaurant); competition is tight in Williamsburg, and those books are full of coupons.

Actually they will talk to you if you don't have a badge on because they don't necessarily know who belongs there and who doesn't. All of the WM students are allowed to visit all of CW for free with our college ID (well for the years you attend- we have a sticker of the year on the back that makes it valid). You just have to be able to show your ticket (or ID) to get into a place, but there are colonial people roaming everywhere!!
Actually if you're in town when I am I could even get you a 25% off discount on CW tickets.

The Pfaltzgraph outlet is by the pottery. I can't believe I didn't mention the Pottery!! There are all kinds of outlets there and the pottery itself is really cool. It's right up rte 60 from the Prime Outlets.

And pumpkinfish- you saw that I live in Williamsburg... but did you see that I work at the Prime Outlets too???



It's a small world after all... it's a small world after all, it's a small... small... world

 

[weregoingtodw]

And pumpkinfish- you saw that I live in Williamsburg... but did you see that I work at the Prime Outlets too???

Really? Which store? I'll drop by & say hi! I'm in there at least every few weeks, supporting my other habit - shopping.

 

[pumpkinfish]

I work at Guess?....and you KarenAylwood? How funny is this!

 

[KarenAylwood]

J Crew!! We're right across from eachother!!!

 

[sheri236]

visit the williamsburg winery for sure if you enjoy that sort of thing-yummy!