OT: LIVE Report from Colonial Williamsburg: Final PHOTO update

[mainegal]

Good fencing. Look for how the gates on the fences close. Clever!

I made many trips to Williamsburg when I lived in South Jersey. It is a favortite place.

Be sure to do all the "Historic Triangle" - Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.

I love the salty ham! I ate it every meal it was ofered. And, yes, I needed lots of water!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We rode the shuttle bus all around the outside of the village, just to figure out what was where. And then went back to the Visitors Center.

We watched this movie "Story of a Patriot". It was about 35 minutes. DW and I liked it, but the kids were a little bored. I really liked it because it starred Jack Lord of Hawaii 5-O fame as the patriot. You can see him in the picture on the left.

The film was made in 1957, and was really well done. The production quality was impressive.

We checked out the gift shop. Kathy, they have refillable mugs here too. I'll have to get a picture.

Then it was time to check into our condo.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We're traveling a little differently this time. We rented a 2 bedroom condo. We're taking John and Kevin's advice, and we'll definitely swell to the size of our casing. We're staying at the "Historic Powhatan Plantation", and it's about 3 miles from Colonial Williamsburg.

It was actually an old plantation before they built timeshare condos on the property. We were welcomed by fife and drum at the old manor house when we pulled in.

We have a lovely view of a pond outside our deck.

We rested a little bit, changed at hit the pool.

Around 7:00p, we headed back to our condo. We bought some frozen pizzas from Target to eat in our room. While they were cooking we enjoyed our personal hot tub. What a luxury...

We enjoyed our pizza, and watched the finale of "The Next Food Network Star" and went to bed.
We had a visitor say good night to us before going to bed.

So that's it for our first day of vacation. Today we're heading into Colonial Williamsburg to check out some buildings and reinactments. Tonight at 7:30p we have tickets for "The Grand Medley of Entertainments".

 

[dpuck1998]

great report, looks fun. I'm really itching to go there soon. Just waiting for the youngest to get a little older. Be sure to let me know what age you think is old enough to go.

 

[AnneR]

We have stayed at Powhatan Plantion many times. Some of the units could use updating but always a relaxing stay. Watch out for the geese.

Some of our favorite Williamsburg activities are the wigmaker - one of the historical reinactors is a stitch - my girls when they were little believed that she would shave their heads.

The kitchen at the Governor's Palace cooks everyday - lots of fun to watch.

The brickyard - if you get there on the right day, your kids can help make bricks, nothing like playing in mud.

 

[cyberbox2]

Sounds like you guys are really enjoying the new experience. Growing up 45 minutes from Williamsburg, you kinda take it for granted but here in the last hand full of years, I have made it a point to really explore this entire area. It's close to home, but far enough away that it really does feel like your on vacation.

We are heading to Powhatan Plantation for the weekend of August 14th. It will be our first time at this resort and we are really looking forward to it.

For the first time, we celebrated our nations independence and watched the fire works at Historic Downtown Williamsburg, and it was awesome.

Just an idea of how many people were in attendance!

 

[cj9200]

I am a history geek and I loved Williamsburg when my family visited there when I was a kid. First took my daughter there when she was about nine and was worried she would hate it. She totally got into it and had to have a period costume so she could participate in the show. Lots of fun for both of us.

Enjoy Bush Gardens. Many great rides and the layout of the park is very scenic.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone: We spent the morning in Colonial Williamsburg, and we're taking a break back in our condo before tonights show. Here's a couple pictures from this morning.

Our swan was back this morning to say good morning (I think it lives right behind our condo).

Kathy- I had to get a refillable mug. Plus, we get to fill with this really yummy apple cider.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We've been enjoying all the people in their Colonial garb. They're really fun to talk to, and always in period character.

The girls played some period games.

 

[safetymom]

How much are the mugs? Did you see anyone bringing back old ones? Apple Cider would hit the spot. Love it.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

How much are the mugs? Did you see anyone bringing back old ones? Apple Cider would hit the spot. Love it.

Mugs are $10 (drinks cost $2.50). They're dated 2009, and I'll keep my eyes out if anyone has old ones.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Mrs. Washington was coming to town today.

Her coach was amazing...

The girls had a private audience with Mrs. Washington. DW had to ask her how many layers of clothes she was wearing.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We enjoyed a few of the colonial buildings today.

The public jail (Public Gaol) was a real favorite.

The wigmaker asked if she could shave the girl's heads.

We toured Wetherburn's Tavern.

Saw the silversmith.

And the hatmaker and tailor.

We had a small bite for lunch at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery.

OK, that's it for now. I'll be back with more later.

 

[cc911va]

I live in Northern VA and we travel to Williamsburg at least twice a year, kids participate in music in the parks at Busch Gardens and my wife has a confernce she attends in the fall.Here are a couple of suggestions for you to visit on your trip.

Sno-To-Go, a Hawaiian shaved ice/ice cream joing we cant leave Williamsburg without. It is right across the street from the Yankee Candle Store

http://www.sno-to-go.com/

The Raleigh Tavern Bakery

A really nice restaurant (pricey) The Trellis, owned by the guy that had the tv shows, the burgermeister and death by chocolate, Marcel Desaulniers.

http://www.thetrellis.com/

The gardens at the govenors palace

The glass blowing demonstrations near Jamestown

 

[Tonya2426]

Loving the TR Dave!!! It is bringing back lots of memories - I went to Williamsburg a lot when I live in VA.

I love the Trellis restaurant. What's not to love about a place that has Death by Chocolate.

 

[mainegal]

It is nice to be reminded that Disney World is not the only place to spend vacation time.

I am really enjoying the trip report and the memories it brings back of my own trips to Williamsburg.

Thanks!

 

[aspen37]

I'm loving your report Dave! I have been wanting to go to Williamsburg.
It looks like you guys are having a great time.

 

[aspen37]

Mrs. Washington was coming to town today.

Her coach was amazing...

The girls had a private audience with Mrs. Washington. DW had to ask her how many layers of clothes she was wearing.

It looks like Mrs. Washington always has a place to rest her arms.
Her coach looks beautiful.

 

[auroralark]

I love the pictures, Dave! They're really bringing back a lot of memories for me...now I want to go back! Can't wait to see more!

 

[lurkernj]

I was in Williamsburg last week with my family (DH, DS14, DS11). We had a great time.

One tip(if you didn't already know this), is that Busch Gardens(and water country) has a "meal deal" on their website. The cost is $20 per adult (I think it's $18 at watercountry). For this, you get two meal tickets and two extra drink tickets. The same person doesn't have to use them (we purchased two meal deals for 4 of us on three different days), and you also dont need to use them in the same day. One day we ate at Trappers in France, the rib combo platter was $14.99, we each had a dessert, and a drink, then got a frozen lemonade on the way out. The total for all this food was about $24 per person and we paid just $10 each. Another day we ate in Italy and had combo platters, desserts, drinks, and another frozen lemonade on the way out. The food in both places was great!

You probably don't carry a printer with you, but if your condo cluster has a "business center", you can try to purchase this there (we did this at our hotel).

Have a great time!!