Colonial Williamsburg and Outer Banks

[belle22]

Budget ideas for places to see (and places to eat) with kids ages 6 and 9. Any hidden gems in these areas?

 

[ADKSPiette]

We went to CW last year. My girls 8 & 4 were not too thrilled with CW in the hot July weather. It was hot, humid and there's lot of dirt when walking around. The re-enactment was pretty cool, though and they do put on a great 4th of July show.

They absolutely loved Water Country and Busch Gardens. Since we stayed in Timeshare and drove there, we had the flexiability of going to the market, packing a cooler each day and bringing lunch with us. It definitely was a nice break to leave the park for an hour, eat lunch in the car and go back to the park refreshed. I made lunchmeat sandwiches, chips, pickles, bottled water and cookies for snack. It was MUCH better than spending close to $50 for 4 meals that didn't taste good at all!

 

[stuffed with fluff]

Born and raised in Virginia Beach. Busch Gardens a must but can not think of anything in CW that is not expensive. Definitely get directions to Pierce's BBQ. Just off I-64

As for the outer banks (OBX), do you have 4WD? If not there is a 4WD tour in Corolla Light. Drive the beach up to Corova most likely see wild horses and beautiful views. The very first 1/4 miles in hard packed enough you might be able to drive on sand and park next to the surf.

Google the Lost Colony and get show times this is in Manteo on Roanoke Is. Kids should really enjoy play, it is very active. The play is held in an outdoor ampitheater so bring bug spray. Very well worth the money.

Aweful Authers at milepost 4.5 beach road has best seafood( steamed shrimp)and burgers go early with the kids. It is a raw bar. make reservations.

 

[stuffed with fluff]

That would be Awful Arthurs. Sorry did not proofread.

 

[Magalex]

We are staying at CW area from 6/11-6/17. We have the bounce ticket. I did extra research on the evening programs & some area museums. We may check out Virginia Living Museum close to Newport News. I am excited about some ghost tours at CW. Stop at the CW Visitors Center

Tavern Ghost Walk at CW..kid friendly
for tickets call 1-800-HISTORY

On Tuesday during our week they have an evening program called:
Listen, My Children: Legends, Myths,& Fables for Families

 

[Diegosmom]

Nags Head has the sand dunes (I believe free) those were fun to climb and we also did the wright museum...not sure of the cost but dont think it was much.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

http://commerce.4adventure.com/ESto... gardens va|busch gardens va&__utmk=131245327

We are going later this month. Above link is for a similar offer to what we got. Ours was $100 pp and included unltd CW. I don't see it here & we bought ours a few months ago.

$75 for 7 consecutive days of BG and WC USA is a great deal! We LOVE Hubba hubba highway in WC!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Sorry, no suggestions, but avidly reading as we are going here too. Our trip is in October. DH and I have been once before, but not with kids. It will be much different with our little ones.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We are going in August. Do you know if we can book our Ghost Tours now at that number?

 

[Magalex]

Check this website out:

www.history.org

The tabs at the top, the first one says VISIT click on that tab then go to CALENDAR. Enter your dates then if they have schedule up for August it will give all the programs with descriptions & times. The day programs require the CW pass. The evening programs are a separate ticket. Visitors need to reserve tickets for each evening program.

 

[ssawka]

In the restored area everything is expensive. Your best bet for dinner is any of the plethora of restaurants along US 60 (Richmond Highway). There you have the normal chains (Cracker Barrel, Applebees, etc.) as well as a few Mom & Pop's. One we've always enjoyed is The Jefferson. It's not as cheap as the chains, but it has a nice ambiance. Any, they have good peanut soup (a must when visiting VA). Also I can't remember if they have Sally Lunn bread or not (another VA delicacy) The taverns in the restored area are very good, but expensive.

One bargain tip is to visit the pottery in Lightfoot (along US 60). They make all the pottery and things for CW and they are open to the public. You can buy the same stuff for about half the price or less if you don't mind buying "seconds".

For OBX, I can't really help you too much as we always rented a house. You will find OBX is pretty residential. Also, as with a lot of beach towns, most of the restaurants are Mom & Pop's. Are you staying in a house? There is a Wal*Mart just before you get on the island, if you need any "beach stuff" or other staples.

There are many cheap things to do in OBX besides the beach. One is to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial. Another is to visit the sand dunes of Kill Devil's Hill (bring a kite). There are a couple of light houses that are open to the public, Currituck and Hatteras. Lastly, if you have the time, drive to the tip of the island of the island and take the ferry over to Ocracoke. I think the ferry is free and Ocracoke is a quaint little town.

 

[luvmy3]

If you can book your Ghost Tours now, definitely do it. If not get them for whatever day you want to go as soon as you arrive. We did one and I was in line as soon as the Vistor Center was open the day of the tour and by the time I got up there were practically sold out, I got the last 5 tickets.
We stayed on site (CW) and didn't have a car and ate there the whole week. It cost a fortune and there were only a few places that my kids liked.

 

[ccstrickler]

On the OBX Jennette's Pier just reopened. It has wind turbines, one huge fish tank (so far) and for a "suggested $2 donation you can walk out on the new pier--1500' into the ocean. At this point you can also see the "beach renourishment" taking place in Nags Head. A word of caution when you go into the pier there is a huge souvenier shop just geared to kids! Product placement anyone? Sam and Omies across from the pier is good.
Also, at mile post 2 (ish) there is a good hot dog place, Spankeys. Definitely better than Cap't Franks.
There are the usual chains here, fast food and sit down. Local restaurants that are "kid friendly" include Mako Mikes (7 MP), Mama Kwans (MP 9), Barefoot Bernies (MP 5 ish). For ice cream there is Booty Treats (Booty like pirate) on the beach road, pricy but good. If I think of others I'll post. BTW, Awful Arthurs is expensive, but good. My neighbor is a waitress there.

Kids are out school!! Two more days until we are too!!!!!

 

[3boymthr]

We're going to OBX too, in August. We're renting a house but I'm loving all the great restaurant suggestions. Are there places to stop and get coupons for discounts for things like mini-golf, etc.? And where do the mile markers start i.e., is mm1 in duck or Kitty Hawk or further north?

 

[tkitty]

Check out Waller Mill Park. We took a picnic lunch, and then rented a paddle boat. The kids loved it. It was so relaxing. We had a small ice chest along and took lots of pictures. I think it cost around $8 for each hour and you leave your DL with them. (They provide free life vests) Lots of fun! As you can see here.

 

[pantherlj]

budget for OBX

Obviously the beach No fees for parking.

There are some really fun free programs at Jockey's Ridge state park (some have limited registration)

http://www.jockeysridgestatepark.com/calendar.html


The girls love to go crabbing at the sound. You can get a crab trap for $10 or so.

If you really want budget without cooking there is a Little Caesars Pizza in Kill Devil Hills, $5 a pizza.

Mustian Street Park is a nice park/playground in Kill Devil Hills. Fun kids playground, picnic tables, restroom.

 

[pantherlj]

We're going to OBX too, in August. We're renting a house but I'm loving all the great restaurant suggestions. Are there places to stop and get coupons for discounts for things like mini-golf, etc.? And where do the mile markers start i.e., is mm1 in duck or Kitty Hawk or further north?

Yes, you'll be able to find a couple of guides at a welcome center or at any grocery store. Sunny Day is also online if you want a sneak preview

http://sunnydayguide.com/outer_banks/index.php

mile markers start as soon as you cross the Wright bridge so mm 1 would be heading into Kitty Hawk, MM4.5 or so would be the start of Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head starts around 9. It goes to around 20 at Oregon Inlet. There are no mile markers up through Duck/Corolla.

The girls favorite putt putt is in KDH - it has a little train ride that takes you to the start. Professor something ... If you want to do laser tag, we much prefer the one at Destination Fun over Gear Works.

 

[Metro West]

I'm a little ashamed to admit this but....

In all the years I lived in Charlottesville, I never made it to Colonial Williamsburg. We went to Busch Gardens and Jamestown but never anything more than that. We went to the Williamsburg Pottery a few times when I was a kid and I loved the little restaurant in Lightfoot...I think it was called Stern's or something like that. They had the biggest burgers I'd ever seen! I don't even know if it's in business now.

When we used to vacation in OBX, we used to do Jockey's Ridge, The Lost Colony, the Hatteras lighthouse and the typical tourist stuff. I remember going to Brew Thru every year to get the new t-shirt design as well as WRV. I loved their t-shirts. Awful Authur's was fantastic!

If I ever won the lottery, I would buy an oceanfront house in OBX in a heartbeat!

 

[ssawka]

I'm a little ashamed to admit this but....

In all the years I lived in Charlottesville, I never made it to Colonial Williamsburg. We went to Busch Gardens and Jamestown but never anything more than that. We went to the Williamsburg Pottery a few times when I was a kid and I loved the little restaurant in Lightfoot...I think it was called Stern's or something like that. They had the biggest burgers I'd ever seen! I don't even know if it's in business now.

When we used to vacation in OBX, we used to do Jockey's Ridge, The Lost Colony, the Hatteras lighthouse and the typical tourist stuff. I remember going to Brew Thru every year to get the new t-shirt design as well as WRV. I loved their t-shirts. Awful Authur's was fantastic!

If I ever won the lottery, I would buy an oceanfront house in OBX in a heartbeat!

The Brew Thru! Now you're talking real attractions! We have not been to OBX in years, but I don't know that I can go back now that the Weeping Radish is gone.

 

[Cibahwewah]

There is a pretty lighthouse and gardens on the northern Duck/Corolla end. We stayed at the Hampton Inn. Good rates and very very nice for a Hampton Inn. That end is much less crowded and much less touristy. We also spent a few days on the southern end--Ocracoke. Also much quieter. Coquina Beach is a lot of fun too....don't ruin the surprise for the kids before you get there. We made a habit of "avoiding the middle of the OBX."