Tell Me, Please, About Colonial Williamsburg

[RUDisney]

The kids have a 4-day weekend in October for Columbus Day. I'm considering going to Colonial Williamsburg for all or some of that time.

I don't want to go to the amusement park. How long should we account for the recreated colonial town? My kids, especially DS is into Revolutionary War strategies, etc. I think this would be a fun thing to do.

What should we see and do while we're there. If it only takes a day or two there, we'll drive to Richmond to see one of my friends, too. If there is enough to fill up the 4 days, we'll stay in one spot.

Any hotel recommendations are also welcome with any restaurants that are "must go". My kids loved eating at City Tavern in Philadelphia since you eat food typical of the colonial period on pewter plates. Something like that in Williamsburg would be nice so they can compare and contrast the similarities and differences.

 

[ntsammy5]

We haven't been for a few years, but there are several theme restaurants that are pretty good - go to their website to find them. As for hotels we've stayed at the Hampton Inn but there a lot of places to stay, again look on line to find a good deal - there are some homes you can rent right in the middle of it all. Great place to visit -

 

[Quiksilvr]

There are a bunch of those themed dining establishments down in C-dub. I have to be honest, the whole time I lived in Williamsburg I rarely went to CW for anything other than a sandwich at the Cheese Shoppe or candy at Wythe.

Four days seems like a lot to spend in Williamsburg if you're not going to Busch or Water Country.

I would recommend doing some of the CW activities that aren't just wandering around looking at old buildings (e.g., they do some cool ghost tours and they put on a "witch trial" at the old government building). Those were fun. You can also go to Jamestown (not much there unless you go to Fake Jamestowne) and Yorktown Battlefield (interesting for your Revolutionary War buff).

You can visit W&M and look at the buildings at Ancient Campus (i.e., the Wren Building). W&M is a great place to go to college but if you're a tourist there really isn't much to see outside of "Ancient Campus" that would be interesting. There are a million hotels in CW offering various levels of luxury and hospitality depending on how much you want to spend. The Hospitality House is downtown across from W&M and is pretty good. You could also think about renting out a condo at one of the million timeshares in Williamsburg. That might be cheaper than renting a hotel room.

 

[janey99]

YMMV on this response, but a colleague of mine took her kids (11 and 7) to CW over the summer. She's a lawyer, he's a teacher and they both value exposing their kids to high quality, educational yet still fun activities.

I was eager to hear her review when she came back, because I was thinking of taking my family there next summer.

Her review: I so desperately wanted this to be the perfect blend of education and fun. but the truth of the matter is my. family. was. bored. to. tears.

I had to laugh, because I felt the same way about the Kennedy Space Center!

Jane

 

[lovetoscrap]

I would say it would take you a good 2 or 3 days if you really want to see and do it all. There are Revolutionary City reinactments every afternoon, and they are different each day of the week. To go on all the home tours, the Governer's Palace etc takes time. I haven't eaten there but there are different options, and the website I think has menus and descriptions. You may need reservations at most of the sit down places.


If your kids really enjoy this time period then there is a great opportunity for them, and darned if I can remember the name of it. But there is a place in the main building before you get to the ticket line where you rent costumes-- the boys get a muslin shirt and a belt with a bag on it (I think) and the girls get a white dress with a colored ribbon. IIRC it costs about $20 per costume, hats are not included but can be purchased seperately to keep. Then the kids get a letter with instructions that need to be carried out. It is really cool! My girls got to go and plant vegetables in the garden, had to go and get a letter and take it to the print shop, and I can't remember what all else. And they had a ton more interactions with the reinactors everywhere since they were now a part of the town. Sorry I can't be more specific, but it was really a great experience that I highly recommend.


Also, Jamestown and Yorktown are just a hop away. Since you said your DS is interested in Revolutionary War, then you will want to visit Yorktown. There are 2 sites for Jamestown--one is the actual site which has a great Glassblowing demonstration area that keeps my kids spellbound for hours. They have also been doing archeological digs there and finding lots of things so that can be interesting to watch if they are going on when you are there.

And there is a recreated Jamestown that is VERY kid friendly and interactive. On our last visit there my kids got to help skin hides, make clay pots, braid rope, play several children's games, help reinact a cannon firing, chase chickens, dig out a log canoe, try on armor and I can't remember what all else. Youngest really enjoyed the ships-- all three have been recreated and are great to tour. Visiting the 2 Jamestown sites can take you all day.

There is a pass you can buy for admission to all 3 sites. The actual Jamestown site is a National Park so it is seperate, but not very expensive.

Visit www.history.org for Williamsburg and www.historyisfun.org for Jamestown and Yorktown.

You can also go to Yorktown Beach. Probably will be too cold for the water but there is a Tall Sail type ship you can ride on. Not sure the details on that.

You can easily spend all 4 days if you do Wburg, Yorktown and Jamestown.

 

[clarabelle]

We went a couple of years ago. Our kids (about 11 and 8) liked it -but would get worn out on the history after a half day.
We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge and that was a good mix for us -half day at Willamsburg or Jamestown and half day playing in the water park at Great Wolf Lodge.

 

[maelstrom]

Colonial Williamsburg was one of the most boring places I have ever visited.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is fun and yet still educational.

 

[Angelhalo]

My brother and I always loved CW and never thought it was boring.

4 days IMO though is too long. two days would do just fine. We always do the main street in Colonial Williamsburg with all the old stores and the cobbler and all of that and then we do Jamestown. As on PP stated, it is a fake settlement, a recreation if you will, but it's still fun and interesting. I completely agree with the PP who suggested doing the kid thing with the rented costumes and the tasks. That makes it even better!!

I will always have a fond place in my heart for CW

 

[dumboiu]

do the ghost tour, tea at christinana campbell's, palace concert, etc in addition to the regular events that your ticket buys. look at www.history.org to see what additional events are being offered at the time you are going. the bookmaker was always a hit with my children. don't miss the bakery for some gingerbread cakes. have fun!!!!

 

[izzy]

A friend of mine just took her 2 kids Williamsburg the other week and they stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. She just raved about it. They didn't do any of the touristy stuff as they only live an hour from W'burg anyway.

The colonial part of W'burg is quite interesting. I also second Jamestown and Yorktown. And for the shoppers in the family, they have lots of good outlet stores in W'burg!

Having said all of that, four days might be a bit much unless you plan on going to Busch Gardens one day. Two to three days should be more than enough.

 

[rie'smom]

We loved CW, well, I loved it, lol. My daughter loved Busch Gardens.
Jamestown is a 10 minute drive. It's a wonderful place for history buffs.

 

[RUDisney]

For those who found CW boring, was it specifically something there (or something that was missing?) Do you typically enjoy going to other historic sites like Independence Hall, Washington, DC, Valley Forge, Monticello, etc?

I hated the Kennedy Space Center both times I went there. The second time I went as an adult. I thought maybe I'd appreciate it more with some miles on me. Nope, it was as boring as I remembered.

 

[clarabelle]

My kids - enjoy history -but can be a little bit impatient at times. In Willamsburg there was a lot of walking from house to house, this one was a church, this one a jail, this one was the governors house -stuff like that.
The speakers were interesting -but it was still a lot of just looking at empty or almost empty rooms. The staff are nice -they don't break character.

I liked it -I would go back -but the kids didn't go on about it like they would say WDW.

 

[clarabelle]

RU Disney -I think it was a lot like Monticello -spread out more -with the staff in costume and acting a part.

 

[ktbutterfly2011]

I'm 15 and I went with about 17 of my friends to Williamsburg about a month ago.
We sang in the Bruton Parish.

I had SOOOO much fun in Williamsburg. We got to walk around and do whatever we wanted and they make everything SO interesting!

 

[RUDisney]

RU Disney -I think it was a lot like Monticello -spread out more -with the staff in costume and acting a part.

That helps a lot because I've been to Monticello. I could see my DS and I getting into it big time. I just wonder about my DD and my DH, but they can always go back to the hotel if they're bored.

 

[PlutoPony]

We visited several times when DS was in the 3-5th grades and he really enjoyed it. Most of the people there are great at talking with kids - we found that as soon as DS started asking them questions it energized both him and the "characters". That's especially true at the craftsman shops, the Cooper and Cabinet/instrument maker especially stand out but all of them were pretty good. There's a "times guide" that's updated weekly with special programs (some free, some not) and what days things are open. Check that out as soon as you get there (and it may be on line now) and look for participatory things for the kids. There's usually something at The Magazine and the Powell house that's geared especially towards kids. In the past, The Stables has had a daily tour that's free but you have to sign up (limited spaces) so you might ask about that. Probably the best suggestion I can make is go to the Visitor's Center first to buy your tickets, and ask the person helping you to give you suggestions on where to go with the kids. They know their stuff and know what's open (some things are seasonal).

Jamestown Festival Park is good and worth a day, plus the drive down is pretty. I'm less sold on Yorktown Victory Park, it's just meh imo. Being a history buff, I insisted we go to the Yorktown Battlefield and find the spot where the surrender was done to end the Rev War. It's really just an empty field surrounded by trees, scenic and pretty. But standing there realizing how history was changed at this place was sobering (not trying to be melodramatic or anything ).

Sorry to go on..... part of the enjoyment of these places is being able to walk around and see things at your leisure. Not sure it would be as enjoyable, especially for kids, if you get a cold rainy weekend.

Lastly, Colonial Williamsburg website is decent so check that out. And if all else fails, Williamsburg has quite a bit of outlet shopping

 

[OceanAnnie]

A friend of mine told me about the Presidents Park in Williamsburg. The park has huge busts of all the presidents (and other things to see). We haven't been yet, but it's on my list of things to do! It looks like fun.

Here's the website:

http://www.presidentspark.org/Pages/About/index.html

ETA- Check out the photo gallery!

 

[lovetoscrap]

There are also other things to do that might help to "break things up". There is a Ripley's museum, and fun Go Cart place, lots of shopping-- they Yankee Candle store is huge and has candle making for the kids (not free, but pretty cheap). I can't think of the other stuff off the top of my head but there are area magazines/coupon books all over with pages and pages of things to do and places to eat.

 

[OceanAnnie]

There are also other things to do that might help to "break things up". There is a Ripley's museum, and fun Go Cart place, lots of shopping-- they Yankee Candle store is huge and has candle making for the kids (not free, but pretty cheap). I can't think of the other stuff off the top of my head but there are area magazines/coupon books all over with pages and pages of things to do and places to eat.

That place is so neat! I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but we really loved the "changes" that takes place in the Christmas room. Is it every 30 min.? I can't remember.