jamestown settlement/williamsburg ?

[caitycaity]

has anyone ever been there before?

dh and i have been to williamsburg before, and are planning to go again in april. we were thinking of maybe checking out jamestown too.

how long should we plan to spend there? a day? less than a day?

also, is yorktown better to see than jamestown (for adults)? we'll only have time to see one this visit.

tia!

 

[Pam]

Caity,
We've been to both Yorktown and Jamestown - and you might be able to do both in the same day.

Both are very nice - Jamestown nudges out Yorktown if you can only do one - but I really think if you have a full day, both could be possible!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

I'd do Jamestown over Yorktown. you may only need half a day., depending on the crowds, to see the national park and the living hsitory museum, which is next door.Jamestown make sure you go to the glass hose and watch them make glass. I still ahve the paperweight I got in 1974. it sits next to the one I got in 1996.

 

[piratesmate]

We took DD with us in 2000. We decided to skip Yorktown as it seemed more "military" & something in which she wasn't interested. We were told that we should only expect to spend a couple hours at Jamestown. Frankly, DH & I probably would have spent ~6 hours there ourselves - but that may have been because we were enjoying watching DD enjoy the visit. DD was/is fascinated with Native Americans & the whole Pocohontas story. (Though they'll tell you Disney got it wrong!) She wanted to go back another time.

In addition to the visitor center which is a self-guided walkthrough (very interesting) they had . . . .
. . . . an Indian village set up with guides showing you how they lived. Visiting children are asked to help with various chores that Indian children would have had - making rope, hoe the ground to plant seeds, smoke fish, etc. There were also games they could try.

. . . . replicas of three ships in which settlers came from Europe. They're amazingly small! You can walk on all 3. There are displays of things related to the voyage. (I forget what exactly.)


. . . . . rebuilt the fort area. There were a few interpreters there, such as someone making armor & maybe doing thatch(??), as well as the whole self-guided thing after the guided part. Many buildings to go in & out of, look around, etc.

Since you've been down there before, you do know about Captain George's, right?!?!?! We like seafood & that's always a planned stop for us.

Deb

 

[caitycaity]

Since you've been down there before, you do know about Captain George's, right?!?!?! We like seafood & that's always a planned stop for us.

actually...no. tell me more.

good to hear that jamestown will take less than 1 full day.

 

[NCRedding]

We love the Williamsburg area. I agree with the above posters: Jamestown settlement is a little bit more interesting. They do offer a cheap ticket to both Jamestown Settlement and to Yorktown Victory Center--I think it is worth it to go to both--we have done it at least 2X in the same day. Also, Yorktown is separate from the victory center--it has historic homes to view at least from the outside--we've ridden through the area, but never stopped. Capt. George is an excellent seafood restaurant on Richmond Road (I think that is the name--its the main drag). If you like beef, eat at the Yorkshire--also on the same road. Avoid the Applebees on that road at all costs.

 

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by caitycaity
actually...no. tell me more.

good to hear that jamestown will take less than 1 full day.

Captain George's
is a buffet with the most incredible assortment of seafood I've ever seen - but then I'm land locked here in SE PA. It's not cheap, but we feel it's well worth the money. Of course we usually eat until just before we explode.

This is their contact info:
5363 Richmond Road | Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 565-2323

My other favorite place is just up the road . . . if you're into Christmas as much as I am, a stop at the Christmas Mouse is essential!

Deb

 

[Dream]

Another vote for Jamestown if you have to choose....but it won't take a full day. Another special place to eat is in Williamsburg in the historic area...a place called "The Trellis". Can be a little pricey...but worth it!!!

 

[WillyJ]

Another vote for Jamestown!! Both are interesting, but Jamestown has more to do and see. . . and 4 or 5 hours should be enough to do most everything.


Deb, I definitely agree with you about the size of that ships!!! I was stunned that anyone would attempt to cross the ocean on something that small!!


It's a cool place to visit. . . but the 2 things that stand out to be were the ships and the decriptions of the "bloody flux" . . .

Don't ask. .

LOL!!

Enjoy your trip Caity!!

 

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by WillyJ
Deb, I definitely agree with you about the size of that ships!!! I was stunned that anyone would attempt to cross the ocean on something that small!!

I took one look at the smallest & thought, "I wouldn't cross the Thames in that, let alone the Atlantic!" It's amazing that this continent was ever populated!

Deb

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

You can definately do both in one day. I have always preferred Jamestown over Yorktown. But, I've been so much, I can probably do both of them blindfolded lol

There are ton of outlets and the Pottery on 60 if your interested in some shopping too.