Williamsburg, VA/Wash DC Vacation Suggestions Wanted

[iadreamer]

My DH, DD(11) and DD(9) and myself are planning our first trip to Williamsburg, VA through an exchange this April. We are staying at the Kings Creek Plantation in Williamsburg for a week and then heading back to Washington DC for a couple of days. Any suggestions on "Must Do Activities", restaurants, and discounts would be appreciated!

I am thinking of Colonial Williamsburg for 2 days and would like a suggestion on a historical tavern at which to eat while there. Any suggestions on the extra evening programs like Cry Witch, Ghosts, etc for my age of girls?

Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestown and Yorktown are musts on our list as well as Busch Gardens.

My DH wants to go to Mount Vernon on the way back to DC. Is it worth our time after just having been to Williamsburg? He would also like to see the Holocaust museum, but I think it is too much for our girls.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

 

[CarolynMink]

Do not forget the Smithsonian National History Museum. Admission is FREE.

link: http://www.mnh.si.edu/visit/

My children loved the museum at the age of yours. (And still love it.)

On my DD's 8th grade trip, "The Hope Diamond" was a big hit with many of the girls.

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum is a must for my DH & DS on every trip.

Have a great time.

 

[Dean]

My DH, DD(11) and DD(9) and myself are planning our first trip to Williamsburg, VA through an exchange this April. We are staying at the Kings Creek Plantation in Williamsburg for a week and then heading back to Washington DC for a couple of days. Any suggestions on "Must Do Activities", restaurants, and discounts would be appreciated!

I am thinking of Colonial Williamsburg for 2 days and would like a suggestion on a historical tavern at which to eat while there. Any suggestions on the extra evening programs like Cry Witch, Ghosts, etc for my age of girls?

Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestown and Yorktown are musts on our list as well as Busch Gardens.

My DH wants to go to Mount Vernon on the way back to DC. Is it worth our time after just having been to Williamsburg? He would also like to see the Holocaust museum, but I think it is too much for our girls.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

We just were at Williamsburg last month for a meeting. I surprised my spouse by staying in one of the historic buildings rather than at the lodge where the conference was. We really didn't eat outside the historic district other than our one always must do, The Whaling Company. You should be able to hit most things in the historic district with 2 full days other than extra pay events. Trying to see everything in a week is pretty ambitious for the entire area but it's a great location and we love the history and ambience. Our favorite Tavern is King's Arms with Christiana Campbell's second.

 

[ldo]

my kids LOVE Magiquest over at Great Wolf Lodge. You do not have to be a guest to do it. Sort of like the MK Villains game on steroids with a wand. Wands cost $20 or so and game loaded onto wand (good for 4 days) is $10. My kids share a wand. DS12 (has done it since 9) want to take 2 friends for the day to play Magiquest for his Bday (we live 2 hours away). It is great if you have a rainy day and also fun for a few hours after dinner. Colonial Williamsburg also has some sort of scavenger hunt/quest (we were there in Nov) that is fun for kids--RevQuest, I think. It is free. you must be at brief orientation in the AM (three times thru 10:30 AM) to get the clues. It takes about 4 hours to complete, but you can pick up on other days where you left off.

 

[graueMaus]

My DH, DD(11) and DD(9) and myself are planning our first trip to Williamsburg, VA through an exchange this April. We are staying at the Kings Creek Plantation in Williamsburg for a week and then heading back to Washington DC for a couple of days. Any suggestions on "Must Do Activities", restaurants, and discounts would be appreciated!

I am thinking of Colonial Williamsburg for 2 days and would like a suggestion on a historical tavern at which to eat while there. Any suggestions on the extra evening programs like Cry Witch, Ghosts, etc for my age of girls?

Kings Arms Tavern is my favorite, unless you can dine at the one that only serves dinner (can't remember the name).


Make sure you visit the working plantation which is along the walk from the Visitors Center to the town. The talks are a definite reality check as to how the majority of the population lived, and not the wistful romance of the era.


Pierces is a great place for BBQ in Williamsburg (it is NOT East Carolina style) ask a local for directions as it is a little tricky to find.

Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestown and Yorktown are musts on our list as well as Busch Gardens.

Check out the National Park Annual Pass for entry into Jamestown and Yorktown as they are National Parks. It may even pay for your families entry into both. Also check out the Junior Ranger program for both if you are looking for educational activities for the children.

Busch Gardens may be open at that time (schedule may be weekends only if it is open) and it is one of my favorite theme parks and I would encourage you to consider it. SOme of the best roller coasters in the country if your into that, but so much fun otherwise too. Good shows and good food as well (San Marco and Oktoberfest and new France have great food).

My DH wants to go to Mount Vernon on the way back to DC. Is it worth our time after just having been to Williamsburg?

Definitely, its a private foundation though. Just went with my sons Cub Scout Pack. It is not like Colonial Williamsburg at all. Definitely worth the trip. It is a full day of activity especially if you walk out to one of the farms.

 

[Dean]

Kings Arms Tavern is my favorite, unless you can dine at the one that only serves dinner (can't remember the name).

Christiana Campbell's, it's mostly seafood but they have some great friend chicken as does Chowning's.

 

[staceymay00]

My DH wants to go to Mount Vernon on the way back to DC. Is it worth our time after just having been to Williamsburg? He would also like to see the Holocaust museum, but I think it is too much for our girls.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

We went to DC for spring break two years ago, but have not been to Williamsburg. My kids enjoyed Mount Vernon, more than I thought they would. They were 7, 9 and 11 at the time. I would have liked to visit the Holocaust museum, but felt it would be too much for my kids to take in at that age, especially the younger two. We also visited the Smithsonian Natural History, Air and Space and the American History museums. They were all very good, but I wish we had spent more time at the American History Museum instead of the Natural History Museum since we have been to other great natural history museums liked Field Museum in Chicago. We visited the National Gallery of Art. That was my pick, not my children's choice...although they did not seem to mind the visit once we were there, especially the East Building with contemporary works. The big surprise for me was the Library of Congress - amazing building and my kids were interested, as well.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[PinkLemonade7503]

I second Pierce's. Really good BBQ. There is also a cool restaurant called "Food for Thought", that I first read about in some travel magazine.

There is a big outlet mall, and a Flagship Yankee Candle store that has some activities.

Are your girls into American Girl at all? Colonial Wiliamsburg used to have a tour of all of the places in Felicity's books. They don't give it out anymore, since she has been retired, but you can find it on-line. If you can't, message me, and I can get it for you. If you aren't familiar, I highly recommend reading Felicity's books before you go. They are perfect for their age group, and should get them excited for the things they will see.

The food at the taverns is really bland, gross, and expensive. It's highly authentic. So, it might be nice for one meal, but there are tons of better restaurants in Merchant's Square, if dinner tasting good is important to you.

I highly recommend Mount Vernon. I actually think it is done a tiny bit better than Colonial Williamsburg, but Williamsburg is a whole town, so it is quite different.

I went to the Holocaust museum when I was about ten. It is not something that will ever leave you, and it will absolutely change the tone of your day and entire trip. It is very heavy. I don't know that all children that age could handle it, and thinking on it, I was too young. I think it is better suited to middle school age. The more graphic pictures are shielded from casual view, so if you don't want to the see them you don't have to. But, again, it is very heavy, and I personally would wait until they are older.

The Spy Museum is also cool, and a lot of people love the Air and Space museum the most. All of the Smithsonian museums are free.

Have a great trip!

 

[iadreamer]

Are your girls into American Girl at all? - WOW, Thanks! We have Felicity and I was thinking of reviewing her movie, books before we go and am sure she will go with us. I didn't know they related stuff to her. Will definitely look into this!

 

[iadreamer]

Thank you!! Lots of great suggestions that will keep me busy on the internet for a few days! I think I enjoy planning the trip as much as taking it.

 

[Robin"D"]

Hello,

We live the next town over from Williamsburg. Here are our recommendations for you:

#1: Bush Gardens
#2: Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg conduct a night time/inside Ghost tour which pretty good/ go to their web site/ and the "original Williamsburg Ghost Tours is Great/ they have their own web site as well.

Eats: I do agree with Peirce's BBQ/ one of our favorites & the King Traven/ good food.

#3: Jamestown settlement is a must/ plus the drive out their on the Colonial parkway is nice

D.C.:

Take advantage of all their free museums that they have...and the monument's/ and great way to see D.C. is the hop on / hop off bus....it hits all of the high lights in D.C./ just a thought

Hope you have a great time/ we love it!
Retired from the military and decided to stay in this area
any other questions/ I try to answer for you.

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[Donut23]

Air and Space museum out by Dulles airport is a MUST DO. Space shuttle Discovery is there, plus many of her grand sisters if air travel too big for the museum on the Mall.

 

[disneydenisel]

Sounds like a great trip! We are doing it in June but backwards...D.C. first and then Williamsburg. Staying in timeshares, yay. I just started requesting passes to the White House and Capitol and other D.C. places. I hadn't thought far enough ahead about Williamsburg. Are you getting passes to the White House if you can for your D.C. portion?

 

[amym2]

I wrote a long response yesterday, but it seems to have disappeared! Here goes again...

We visited Williamsburg this summer with our kids, who were 11(DS) and 9(DD) at the time. We also stayed at Kings Creek Plantation (not through DVC, my sister owns a timeshare there) and it was ok, although if we were to stay there again, I'd request a unit in the Cottages or Estates. We were in the Townes and had a ton of maintenance issues. Suffice it to say, it is not DVC, but it was okay.

We spent 2 1/2 days in Colonial Williamsburg, and I was afraid it would be too much, but our kids LOVED it! A 3-day ticket is the same price as a 2-day ticket, so keep that in mind. We did RevQuest the first day (I thought it's only run during summer and spring break, but maybe they have expanded it) and while it was a ton of fun, I wished we had waited until the 2nd day to do it. It's very time consuming and involved, and you have to finish it by a certain time (3pm I think), so we didn't take time on that day to really tour any of the buildings. DS is a huge history buff, but DD isn't and surprised us by really enjoying all of the tours. Don't miss the Gaol (jail) and the coffee house by the Capitol!

We had lunch at Kings Arms Tavern and enjoyed it (DS loved the fried chicken; we enjoyed trying the peanut soup). Lunch is less expensive than dinner, but they don't take reservations for lunch, so get there early. We've had good meals at Chowning's in the past, but it was closed the 2 full days we were there (I believe each tavern is closed 2 days per week, so that may limit you).

We also really enjoyed "Food for Thought" for dinner outside the the colonial area, and Berret's Seafood in the Merchants Square area (pricey, but the apple crumble alone was worth it!).

We didn't do Jamestown, Yorktown, or Busch Gardens (DD was just under the 54" mark and she is our roller coaster lover) but will definitely go back sometime to do those.

Mount Vernon is definitely worth a stop. They have some cool interactive exhibits. The restaurant there is pretty good as well. Our kids love the Smithsonian American History Museum, and it tied in nicely with the rest of our trip. Happy Planning!

 

[iadreamer]

We also stayed at Kings Creek Plantation (not through DVC, my sister owns a timeshare there) and it was ok, although if we were to stay there again, I'd request a unit in the Cottages or Estates. We were in the Townes and had a ton of maintenance issues. Suffice it to say, it is not DVC, but it was okay.

I am prepared that it was not DVC. I saw a review that with a trade for a 2 bedroom you end up in the Cottages.

We had lunch at Kings Arms Tavern and enjoyed it (DS loved the fried chicken; we enjoyed trying the peanut soup). Lunch is less expensive than dinner, but they don't take reservations for lunch, so get there early. We've had good meals at Chowning's in the past, but it was closed the 2 full days we were there (I believe each tavern is closed 2 days per week, so that may limit you).

Do the taverns have different experiences? I have read that the food is ok but overpriced, so I was trying to find one where you feel immersed in the colonial lifestyle. Musicians, entertainers, etc. Would they have these at dinner and lunch (or neither)?

 

[iadreamer]

I just started requesting passes to the White House and Capitol and other D.C. places. Are you getting passes to the White House if you can for your D.C. portion?

My husband likes politics and knows our representatives, so he is working on it! My kids are excited about the White House. I have heard that tour is not that great? The Cherry Blossom Festival will be happening when we fly in. Really hoping they will be in bloom!

 

[iadreamer]

Do you every find coupons for Busch Gardens? I was looking at the Bounce Pass, but it doesn't seem to be a good deal except saving you time in line to buy tickets. Maybe I'm missing something or it is a better deal if you buy with a hotel stay?

 

[Dean]

Do the taverns have different experiences? I have read that the food is ok but overpriced, so I was trying to find one where you feel immersed in the colonial lifestyle. Musicians, entertainers, etc. Would they have these at dinner and lunch (or neither)?

They are different, they are expensive (menu's online) and they are all very nice. Dinner will be a much better ambience than lunch as well as give you access to meals other than mostly sandwich's. We ate at all 4 a month ago, 3 at dinner. I'd order them from Kings arms, Christiana Campbell's, Shield's and then Chowning's. I don't think they do musicians at lunch. The plates are normally huge so we shared at 2 locations for dinner with a soup or salad each and still left food. If I only had one, I'd do Kings arms obviously. If you look at the menu's and decide on the fried chicken (very good and large), I'd do Campbell's over Chowning's. Another reason to chose dinner is that lunch will take time out of your passes and the area closes for most things at 5 pm.

 

[amym2]

Do the taverns have different experiences? I have read that the food is ok but overpriced, so I was trying to find one where you feel immersed in the colonial lifestyle. Musicians, entertainers, etc. Would they have these at dinner and lunch (or neither)?

Yes, when we had lunch at Kings Arms there was a musician that came into the room and played some sort of colonial flute. I think he played 3 songs. I was pleased, because I wasn't sure we'd get that at lunch.

DS and I shared the peanut soup and fried chicken, and they brought out both already split (even the peanut soup in two tiny bowls) for no extra charge. The portions are definitely large enough to share. Like anywhere else in a touristy area, the food is overpriced, but like WDW you are paying for the entertainment and immersive experience as well as the food. Definitely worth doing at least once!

The Merchant Square area is at one end of Colonial Williamsburg, and you can walk or take the free shuttle that goes around CW. I forgot to mention the Cheese Shop there- yummy sandwiches! The area is a nice alternative to the taverns, but I wouldn't say it's much less expensive for meals.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I think if your husband really wants to see the Holocaust Museum you should make that happen. Perhaps he could go to that museum and you could take the girls to the Smithsonian? I went to the Holocaust Museum on my own while I was on a co-op down in Richmond, VA in college. I went it right at opening in the morning. After a while I got hungry and went looking for some lunch. I got down to the lobby where I thought I might find some lunch and saw that they were closing everything up for the day. The museum was so absorbing I spent an entire day inside and didn't even realize it. I do agree that it may be a bit heavy still for your girls, but it's a must do if your husband has interest. I also kind of hate museums, and I felt compelled to read every single plaque in the place.

I'm trying to find out the name of a charming little eat in movie theater in Virginia that we went to. It was a really old historic stage theater that they had converted into a dine in movie experience. It was really cool. Would that interest you?