OT - Williamsburg?

[O2BNWDW]

A stay in Williamsburg is not complete if you do not venture into and take advantage of the opportunity to visit Colonial Williamsburg. The chance to visit this area along with Jamestown and Yorktown is a privilege in my opinion. Of course I am biased since I live so close.

This is the place where so much of what our country is today was started. As another poster said try to get a tavern reservation, that would be fun.

Please feel free to PM with any questions.

 

[spiceycat]

you can walk around Col WIlliamsburg FREE.

if you want the tours - then your spend the money for the tickets.

but you can see just about everything for free.

this place alllows pets (but not on their paid tours) - so we did both - I like the free one - hated the paid for one. Mother has to have a wheelchair and the paid one is NOT wheelchair friendly at all.

Spicey probably had more strangers taken pictures of him here than anywhere we have ever visited....



we also skipped the big museum (had a ton of people there) and went to Jamestown just paid the park forest reserve guy. and went to the museum at Jamestown - much cheaper and no one was there....

I want to go back to this. I didn't get to see as much of it as I wanted. Mother and Spicey both wanted my completely attention - I had enough - so we left early.

 

[GoPatsGoSox]

Thanks for all the info. on lodging. I was very curious about the Hospitality House because it looks to be so close to CW, but I remember reading some negative reports on trip advisor--of course, I'm never sure how seriously to take the reports on trip advisor. I have to admit, we were pretty sure about booking something walkable to CW because we plan on spending a lot of time there (kids are very interested in American history), however that site on the Wolf Lodge has me thinking. Has this place just opened? i don't remember seeing anything about it before now. And where is it located--is it far from the attractions? I don't think that Busch Gardens will be open when we're there, so I'm more interested in the historical areas.

 

[spiceycat]

the Marriott timeshare Marriott's Manor Club at Ford Colony - is very, very nice - but not close to anything.

So a car is a big need here.

you really need a car - both Col Williamsburg and Jamestown are worth a visit - and they are FAR apart.

If you are going in May - Bush Gardens is definitely opened - I think it is opened now.

 

[threeboysmom]

Hi! Thanks to all of you who have responded. This thread is so helpful!! I have a couple of additional questions regarding dining and the night shows at Williamsburg.

1) We are planning on eating at Huzzah. Is that a good restaurant or should we spend our money elsewhere? We're also eating at Backfin and the Trellis (without the kids). I'm also thinking of eating at Chownings Tavern because of the nightly entertainment/games? Is this a good idea for my family? My boys are 14, 13, and 7.

2) There are 3 shows going on while we are there. I'm wondering which one to go to out of the three. Also, do you need a CW ticket to attend or do you just pay the $12 fee per person? The three are 1) Cry Witch (appropriate for 7 yo?) 2) one similar but it's with 2 pirates instead, and 3) can't remember name - Liberty or something - but you enlist in the army as part of the program. Has anyone been to any of these? Recommendations?

Can't believe we leave on Friday! Everyone's wishing though that we were leaving for Disney instead.......

 

[BonnieA]

The Wolf Lodge did just open. It is located up near the pottery. Not near any other attractions.

Yes you can walk around Williamsburg for free and you can see lots of things going on. But you cannot go inside any of the buildings where the demonstrations or tours are. You can go in the shops that sell items (of course). You used to be able to also wander thru all the gardens without buying a ticket but I think they discourage that now unless you have a ticket. Also buying a ticket allows you to use the bus transportation around the colonial area and to the main parking area.

 

[spiceycat]

sorry can't help with the nights shows - we didn't do anything like that - I have food allergies - so I have to be very carefully where and what I eat.

Sorry!!!

we did however go outlet mall shopping - great place for that!

 

[katallo]

Thanks for all the info. on lodging. I was very curious about the Hospitality House because it looks to be so close to CW, but I remember reading some negative reports on trip advisor--of course, I'm never sure how seriously to take the reports on trip advisor. I have to admit, we were pretty sure about booking something walkable to CW because we plan on spending a lot of time there (kids are very interested in American history), however that site on the Wolf Lodge has me thinking. Has this place just opened? i don't remember seeing anything about it before now. And where is it located--is it far from the attractions? I don't think that Busch Gardens will be open when we're there, so I'm more interested in the historical areas.

If the Wolf Lodge is near the Pottery, it's about 10 miles from CW in a town called Toana. We have stayed at the Hospitality House several times and have always enjoyed it. Rooms and lobby are very Williamsburg. They have an outdoor pool and a parking garage. It is across the street from the College of William & Mary and a short walk to CW. You'll be very close to Merchants Square. Great little restaurant called Paul's nearby as well as a Wawa for snacks and beverages.