Williamsburg, VA

[Stitch1010]

Hi! We're taking a trip to Williamsburg soon. Do you know of any great things to do or places to visit in the area? I've never been before, so any information would be great. Thanks so much!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Colonial Williamsburg has a lot to see if you like history. Then there are the Jamestown Parks- a Federal and a state park. Busch Gardens Williamsburg and I believe a water park also.

Google is your friend.

 

[marcyinPA]

We went a few years ago. We LOVED Water Country. If you are going in season, go there for sure.

 

[Stitch1010]

Thanks! Water Country sounds fun and we will be visiting Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens!

We have looked things up, but I was just curious if anyone had personal favorites or tips.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We loved our trip to this area...

You should really look at the Williamsburg Website and get to know all they have to offer.. The evening living history program, when we went, was just spectacular!!! Of course, this might be lost on many, but I found the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony to be very meaningful. There are aspects to this that one will 'get' if they have followed the living history program. It was two-parts on two consecutive nights when we were there, several years ago.

We timed our tour of the Governer's Mansion so that we could see Thomas Jefferson make an appearance when we came out.
I do not know if the same man is doing this, as he is getting a bit older... but the man we saw portray Thomas Jefferson has made a life's work out of this passion.
He is world renowned.
He looks JUST EXACTLY like Jefferson at that age in that time period. More than an uncanny resemblance.

Make reservations at the Historic Restaurants well in advance if possible.
We really wanted to go back to Christiana Campbell's Tavern. OMG, I wanted that crab stuffed mushroom appetizer. But, we didn't call fast enough, and did not get in. They also have strolling entertainment come thru your dining area during your seating...

Loved the water park.
NOTE: water shoes are a MUST!!! everything from frying hot pavement (even from the shoe-drop to the entry to the slide or attraction.. and some rough concrete in the pool areas, etc...)

Also loved Bush Gardens.
And, those who are like me and others who are Southern Tea drinkers, will know what I mean when I say they have GOOD tea!!!! icey cold with a lot of ice.
We caught the shows at both the Italian and the German areas. (German is air-conditioned to a degree.... it was HOT when we were there!!!)
Both shows were truly worth seeing.

We also tied in a one day bus trip to see DC...
(This was the year for DS to really be studying US history)
If this is a chance to see DC, which you might not otherwise get a chance to see, then this is also something that is worth much consideration.

It has been several years, and I can't give current details.
But, we highly recommend a vacation trip to this area!

And, as always, go to tripadvisor as you plan your trip to get all of the info and details you might need.

 

[Ceila]

To add to Wishing's list, we loved the Jamesown Glasshouse. http://www.nps.gov/jame/planyourvisit/glasshouse.htm

 

[SMD]

To add to Wishing's list, we loved the Jamesown Glasshouse. http://www.nps.gov/jame/planyourvisit/glasshouse.htm

I second this recommendation.

 

[chisnpeke]

Love Williamsburg. Eat at Food For Thought. It was excellent.

 

[Disneychick75]

Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown were all great. The kids enjoyed those, we all liked Busch Gardens which we think is the most beautiful theme park, and the kids had fun at water Country. That was one of our favorite vacations. We also spent a week in Washington DC.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Williamsburg is down the street from us. I agree Bush gardens/water country. Colonial Williamsburg is neat and so is Jamestown. I love going to the Yankee candle there. There is some outlet shopping too. I am not really a big fan it is always soooo crazy.

 

[Angeni11]

This is our favorite resturant there (and of friends who live there).

http://www.leyacawilliamsburg.com/

The food is fantastic albeit not the cheapest place to eat but well worth it. Like many of the resturants there you need to make reservations.

 

[marcyinPA]

Love Williamsburg. Eat at Food For Thought. It was excellent.

Funny how people have different experiences! We ate there and were disappointed. This was probably 6 years ago now- so hopefully it's gotten better!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm perfectly happy with the old town area. Be sure to visit it at least 2 days. Not all things are open every day.

LOTS of pancake house type places. I don't know what the must tries are, but very much worth researching. We went to one off the beaten path.

It was: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ncake_Waffle_House-Williamsburg_Virginia.html

We thought it was very good. The ratings don't seem to support as good as we thought it was for breakfast. But it was recommended to is and we very much enjoyed it.

We also liked Food for Thought.

Pierce's Pitt BBQ was also recommended to us and quite tasty.

If you want to relaxin a pool at the end of the day, lots of hotels have indoor pools.

And I always enjoy eating in the Taverns for dinner in Williamsburg. Some serve lunch and it is much cheaper.

There is a spy challenge at Willaimsburg. I cannot remember of it is for kid/families or if any adult can join. But worth checking out. Unique way to experience Williamsburg.

And if you can visit with any of the historical figures, it is very interesting. Check those schedules.

 

[deedeetoo]

I have to disagree with other posters about Busch Gardens. We spent a week at Virginia Beach this summer and went to Busch Gardens for one day. We were very disappointed. None of us liked it and we won't go back ever.

Why?

Well first, there are two main types of rides there: roller coasters (the extreme kind) and kiddie rides (like the kind you have to be under a certain height to go on). My kids are teens but aren't into roller coasters so there were 6 rides that we could go on: a simulator ride in Ireland, a simulator/motion ride in Germany similar to those at Universal, and three water rides, and a swing ride. We also rode the gondola cars over the park a few times because we were so bored. While the areas are very pretty to look at, there isn't anything going on. We did watch the percussion show in Italy while eating and that was good. We went to the British show in the theater and about the only good thing about it was the air-conditioning. We didn't see the show in Germany. If you have little kids or roller coaster fanatics then you many enjoy it more than we did but we thought there just wasn't much to do there and it wasn't worth the money.

 

[marcyinPA]

I have to disagree with other posters about Busch Gardens. We spent a week at Virginia Beach this summer and went to Busch Gardens for one day. We were very disappointed. None of us liked it and we won't go back ever. Why? Well first, there are two main types of rides there: roller coasters (the extreme kind) and kiddie rides (like the kind you have to be under a certain height to go on). My kids are teens but aren't into roller coasters so there were 6 rides that we could go on: a simulator ride in Ireland, a simulator/motion ride in Germany similar to those at Universal, and three water rides, and a swing ride. We also rode the gondola cars over the park a few times because we were so bored. While the areas are very pretty to look at, there isn't anything going on. We did watch the percussion show in Italy while eating and that was good. We went to the British show in the theater and about the only good thing about it was the air-conditioning. We didn't see the show in Germany. If you have little kids or roller coaster fanatics then you many enjoy it more than we did but we thought there just wasn't much to do there and it wasn't worth the money.

Honestly, we didn't think it was that great either. We went there first, and then the next day to Water Country. We all had wished we did two days in Water Country instead of doing BG. My kids don't do those intense roller coasters either- and they were preteens at the time. Just not that much to do. We did really enjoy a show in Ireland- but honestly we were completely
done and ready to leave by 5 pm.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have to disagree with other posters about Busch Gardens. We spent a week at Virginia Beach this summer and went to Busch Gardens for one day. We were very disappointed. None of us liked it and we won't go back ever.

Why?

Well first, there are two main types of rides there: roller coasters (the extreme kind) and kiddie rides (like the kind you have to be under a certain height to go on). My kids are teens but aren't into roller coasters so there were 6 rides that we could go on: a simulator ride in Ireland, a simulator/motion ride in Germany similar to those at Universal, and three water rides, and a swing ride. We also rode the gondola cars over the park a few times because we were so bored. While the areas are very pretty to look at, there isn't anything going on. We did watch the percussion show in Italy while eating and that was good. We went to the British show in the theater and about the only good thing about it was the air-conditioning. We didn't see the show in Germany. If you have little kids or roller coaster fanatics then you many enjoy it more than we did but we thought there just wasn't much to do there and it wasn't worth the money.

I am not much of a fan either. The hilly terrain seals the deal.

 

[olwyngdh]

I am not much of a fan either. The hilly terrain seals the deal.

I would trade Busch Gardens for 6 flags New England any day!! I miss living there and having an annual pass--we went often and always found a lot to do. Now I live near 6 flags. We had season passes one year, and haven't wasted the money on them since--it is a seriously crappy park---dirty, poorly maintained rides, lots of hills and stairs, bad overpriced food--ugg. We have been spoiled between Disney and BG--and even Kennywood in Pittsburgh!

 

[Wishing on a star]

We are not roller-coaster fanatics...

So, for us, we really did enjoy Busch Gardens.

Maybe it is kind of apples and oranges...
But, I would go to Busch Gardens, where I would never want to visit a concrete, metal, roller-coaster, type of place.

Yes, it's the kind of park that most people can visit and experience what they want in one day. It isn't Orlando.
Both of these parks are smaller and more limited. That's true.

But, hey, most people in the area are not looking to spend several days in the parks.... We enjoyed the BG-WC combo. Two days that went well with our trip schedule!

 

[lovetoscrap]

You need to know that there are 2 different "Jamestowns". One is Historic Jamestowne, the actual site of Jamestown, and is a National Park and also where the Glasshouse is located. Very cool if you want to see some portions of the actual buildings and the location of the fort. Sometimes they have archeological digs going on that you can watch. And very pretty to walk around. There are home foundations that have been uncovered and you can walk around and get a sense of what the area was like. But generally it is not always very interesting for small children.

There is also Jamestown Settlement which is a recreation of Jamestown and of a Native American Villiage. It is very interactive with the fort and buildings recreated, lots of historic interpreters to talk with, and many hands on things that makes it great for kids. It also has recreations of the 3 ships that came to VA and you can go on board and again, they have historical reenactors and interactive things for the kids to do. If you have younger kids I recommend planning to spend more time at Jamestown Settlement. They probably won't be as interested in the actual site, although they do usually enjoy the Glasshouse where they can watch them actually blowing glass and creating items. As I recall the Glasshouse is before you get to the gate to pay an entrance fee so you can go there without having to pay to get in (I think, someone correct me if I am remembering wrong)

 

[bas71873]

I don't know when you are planning your trip, but WC will close for the season on Labor Day. BG is currently open 7 days/week, but after Labor Day, it will be Fri, Sat, Sun only. Once Howloscream starts Sept 12 and runs through end of Oct, BG will be NUTS on those weekends and will often close to capacity crowds. Just be prepared if you go during that time to get there when the park opens and don't leave until you are ready to leave for good. Saturdays are obviously worse than Friday's and Sundays, but those weekends are crazy. TONS of fun, but crowded.