Colonial Williamsburg-Questions-HELP please!

[vellamint]

Our family is unexpectedly going to Williamsburg for 5 days next week. I cannot find much information on the web. I know they will enjoy Water Country and Busch Gardens (will buy 3 day passes for them) but need more information as to what my children might find interesting in Colonial Williamsburg or Jamestown. My husband and I would like to visit these area but if the kids (ages 11, 10, 8 and 8) will find it extremely boring (as in there is nothing for them to actually DO or shows) I will need to reconsider. I am also concerned about what to do (if anything) after all the attractions close in the evening as they all close at 5 or 6 pm. Any suggestions at all or do I need to plan on staying in our hotel for evening (which is really a friends timeshare). I dont think they have any planned activities.

Thanks for reading my ramblings but I am used to having months and this board to help plan my vacation and feel like a fish out of water!!!!

 

[Blondie]

I think your children would enjoy Colonial Williamsburg.

Virginia Beach isn't too far, maybe you could do a day trip?

 

[abaldacci]

my child's school go on a trip there every year and my dd loves to go. she is a little older going on 14.

 

[vellamint]

I dont think we will try Virginia Beach this time as we are coming from New York and have NEVER driven anywhere near this far with or without the kids before. Does anyone have a suggestion as to which site gives the best and truest directions???? I have tried Mappoint and Mapquest and they vary by 1/2 hour which makes me nervous also. We will be driving after 8 pm so it will be all in darkness...I am told the road are all lightless and dont want to get lost!!!!!!

 

[Dream]

Your kids should love Williamsburg and Jamestown! In fact, there is so much to do and see that you can't do it all in 5 days. Make your first stop the visitor center in Williamsburg...all hotels will give directions. They have a film of the history and maps and pamplets and you also buy tickets there and sign up for any special programs. Check times for any special events like parades and mock battles etc. There are blacksmiths to watch and glass blowers that are really cool. Make sure to have lunch in a tavern called "Chownings". You can eat out in the cool shady garden if it is not terribly hot and the food is awesomely presented in period style. If your kids are really picky you might want to check the kids menu first. Make sure to stroll through the Williamsburg Inn and maybe have dessert in a restaurant called "The Trelilis". If you like chocolate, do they ever have a dessert for you! There is an awesome toy store very close to the Trellis on Duke of Gloucster Street that is also a don't miss with your age kids.
Jamestown has forts and stockades and reproductions of the boats used to get to Jamestown that are actually in the water and you can tour them. This place is boy heaven! They will learn history by having fun! Yorktown is also a beautiful little town to park and stroll through. Very quaint and on the water. There is also an awesome place called "The Williamsburg Pottery". Hard to describe this one...some outlet stores but much more than that. You'll just have to explore this one on your own! There are awesome outlet malls in Williamsburg...you could easily spend a day there. There is also a really neat wax museum the kids will like. There is the usual putt putt and movie theatres, restaurants galore
The very best way to "do Williamsburg" is to stroll and discover, so don't worry about having no time to plan! Like I said, the visitor center can help you choose what to see and do! Have fun..it's an awesome palce.

 

[laurenk]

It is really easy to drive to. Take 95S, and right before Richmond look for signs for 295S(left exit). Take that until 64E. All of the signs will be clearly marked. We just came back from BG and WC. We had the 3 day bounce tickets. Have Fun!!

 

[kinlaw6450]

Have you tried www.williamsburg.com or http://www.williamsburgcc.com/ I've been tons of times (living right here) but I go there to find "new" things to do.

P.S. I'll be there Sept 6, missed by a bit!

 

[vellamint]

Thanks for all the information....and Lauren thanks for the left exit info and the reassurance that it is easy to drive to......you think night driving will be hard!?

 

[laurenk]

I am from Long Island origionally. If you make it from NY to Northern Virginia fine the rest of the trip is smooth sailing We always travel to NY at night to avoid all of the craziness on the roads from D.C. on up. Have a great time!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with the previous posters. Kids that age will have the history of this place fresh in their minds from school, so they won't be as removed from it as you are. Historic Colonial Willamsburg has LOTS of tours and fun living history adventures. I spent several days just doing those before I took in the other things available. Washington's boyhood farm is not far from there either, and is fun. I did the Patriot's pass so I could do any number of days I wanted.

 

[Leota]

I think you can do the Historic Triangle in 2 days -
Norfolk has a fantastic museaum & science center right on the water - It is about 1 hour south of Williamsburg.
The drive is really very easy - you spend the majority of the drive on 95S - just dealing with going around Baltimore & DC. Don't be intimidated by it - it's a breeze....
When you go to BG, be sure to ride the Alpengeist & tell us all about it!
Good Luck!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am not a big fan of Williamsburg. When we went anout 15 years ago with a one year old, I found them not to be "kid friendly" at all. We really did like Jamestown though. There are 2 Jamestown Parks, a federal and a state. We liked the one with the boats better.

 

[Dream]

Breezy-Carol....I agree that Billsburg is not "baby friendly" but things have changed a lot and it's much more hands on for the older kids.