Williamsburg?

[debbiecarr98]

Yet another question... We are going the last week in Aug because we got the Super Grover Pass and want to use at BG and the water park. My question is this, what are the must do things in Colonial Williamsburg for kids 9 and 13 who are not particularly interested in history and have a short attention span (have disabilities, Aspergers), high functioning, but still want to get a taste of of the area. Also some good places to eat?
Thanks so much.
Debbie

 

[bas71873]

To eat, Pierce's BBQ and NY Deli. Two very poplular places. Not IN colonial W'burg, but not far at all. Plus, right along Richmond Road (a/k/a Rt. 60) there are TONS of places to eat, including all your chain places.

If you just want to get a "feel" for Colonial W'burg w/o spending any $$, you can just walk Duke of Gloucestor Street. There will be some buildings and shops you can go in for free (like Bruton Parish Church), but at least you can get a feel for the place without buying the passes to tour the major buildings. We did this just last weekend for the morning. We went down on Saturday morning, strolled through the shops in Merchant's Square, strolled through the free Sat. AM Farmer's Market and walked all the way to the end of Duke of Gloucestor Street and back. Got to see the phife & drums perform, passed a few horse drawn carriages, toured the musket building and some gardens. Didn't spent a penny . Then we headed to Busch for the rest of the day!

Oh, if you want to eat right there in Colonial W'burg, there are Taverns right along the main street that you can eat in. The cheese shop right there in merchant's square is good too and there are some local deli's, Paul's being one, that are nearer to the William & Mary College end of the street.

Have fun!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

We will be at BG on 8/28 ourselves! We BG and have a season's pass (actually I guess it's like yours - for all of the BG & SW parks). The last weekend of the month is Wild Days! This year - Julie Scardina of Jack Hanna's group will be there - they bring all kinds of animals to the park and there are special shows and interaction opportunities. This is held Sat/Sun - 8/28 & 8/29.

Something we haven't done yet - but want to - is to visit the Yankee Candle Factory - it's a Flagship store and evidently has tons of family things to do. I know there is a candy shop, Christmas shop, make your own candles at Wax Works, etc. I found this on the website - ** Rated as one of the top Williamsburg Destinations by Disney Family Travel **... so something to check out.

If you like seafood - one of our favorites is Captain George's - it's an all you can eat seafood buffet... we make a point to go at least once a year! http://www.captaingeorges.com/SetYourCourse.aspx?loc=1 (Not cheap - but AYCE crab legs seldom are!)

I always Priceline a room and usually get something nice for between $50-$70. Beware - there are a lot of "Mom and Pop" motels that are not so nice.

Hope you and your family have a great time in Williamsburg!

 

[Janet Hill]

Yorktown and Jamestown are great for kids (not the National Parks, but the ones that are state operated). Everything is hands on. My kids enjoyed being able to play with toys and try on armour. Attention spans aren't a problem they can just dart from one experience to another. My son is an aspie and he enjoys both of these parks.

Pierce's BBQ is a highly touted place, but beware, this is the sweetest BBQ, I've ever had (so sweet I couldn't eat it) and it is definately not a place for diabetics.

 

[MHT to MCO]

My husband and I went to Williamsburg/Busch Gardens 2 years ago and loved it! I think your kids would like Jamestown, especially being able to get on board and tour the ships that brought them to Jamestown.
Yorktown was mostly the museum, however out back there was a mock army site where they lit a cannon off and could listen to a "field surgeon" talk about the, ahem, grisly tools that were available to them and do a "demonstration". He was very amusing!
At Williamsburg, them may enjoy eating (or after dinner drinks for you and games for them ) at Chowning's Tavern. They teach you to play "gambols" a dice game and it gets you interacting with other people around you. (Good if there are other kids.) There was also some live music playing upbeat colonial music which was excellent! WE had fun, and I be kids would enjoy. We also did a haunted ghost tour at night, which was fun for us but it was about an hour long, no sitting, and listening to the tour guide the whole time - you know your kids best as to whether they'd enjoy that. Have fun, I know we did!

 

[MHT to MCO]

I forgot to mention:

Missy318, We visited the Yankee Candle shop, and Oh My Gosh...... if you like candles, even just mildly, this shop is awesome! I could have stayed for hours!

 

[bas71873]

I forgot to mention:

Missy318, We visited the Yankee Candle shop, and Oh My Gosh...... if you like candles, even just mildly, this shop is awesome! I could have stayed for hours!

Oh, and if you pick up on of the vacation guides, there is a coupon for free make your own candle dipped candle. You can pick those up I'm sure at any hotel, 7-11, etc. There are LOTS of good coupons in those things.

 

[Priorityonecb]

The Yankee Candle store is a highlight for both of our kids. In fact, we are going to Water Country on Thursday and they requested a trip to Yankee Candle afterwards to make molds of their hands! (and stop by the candy store too I am sure!!).

 

[3DisneyGals&1Grumpy]

Oh, and if you pick up on of the vacation guides, there is a coupon for free make your own candle dipped candle. You can pick those up I'm sure at any hotel, 7-11, etc. There are LOTS of good coupons in those things.

We just did this last week. We actually picked up a coupon for the free candles in the vacation guide at Yankee Candle. Just ask and they will show you which one.

All the new fall and Halloween things are out. Smell the Apple Cider. It just might replace Spiced Pumpkin as my favorite fall scent.

 

[bas71873]

There is also the Ripley's Believe It or Not "museum" across the street from Yankee Candle. I've never personally been, but my nephew (he's 10), liked it when he went and when we drove by last weekend, it was packed. Oh, and get a Sno to Go from the little hut next door to Ripley's. Mmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[rrconnelly]

I agree with bas71873 about The Cheese Shop! We just came back from Williamsburg a few weeks ago, and we discovered The Cheese Shop on our first day. We ate there several times during our trip. It is a neat wine/cheese shop, but in the back of the store, there is an amazing sandwich counter, where you can order delicious sandwiches. Their amazing house dressing is definitely a must. They have inside seating in the front, as well as outside tables in the front and the side. You will love it!

 

[debbiecarr98]

Thank you all so so much for your replies! I am so excited! We went to VA Beach last year and I fell in love with VA! I will definitely use all of your great suggestions!!

 

[debbiecarr98]

We will be at BG on 8/28 ourselves! We BG and have a season's pass (actually I guess it's like yours - for all of the BG & SW parks). The last weekend of the month is Wild Days! This year - Julie Scardina of Jack Hanna's group will be there - they bring all kinds of animals to the park and there are special shows and interaction opportunities. This is held Sat/Sun - 8/28 & 8/29.

Something we haven't done yet - but want to - is to visit the Yankee Candle Factory - it's a Flagship store and evidently has tons of family things to do. I know there is a candy shop, Christmas shop, make your own candles at Wax Works, etc. I found this on the website - ** Rated as one of the top Williamsburg Destinations by Disney Family Travel **... so something to check out.

If you like seafood - one of our favorites is Captain George's - it's an all you can eat seafood buffet... we make a point to go at least once a year! http://www.captaingeorges.com/SetYourCourse.aspx?loc=1 (Not cheap - but AYCE crab legs seldom are!)

I always Priceline a room and usually get something nice for between $50-$70. Beware - there are a lot of "Mom and Pop" motels that are not so nice.

Hope you and your family have a great time in Williamsburg!

I hope you have a great time too! I want to sneak a visit in to your area at some point, we went on the Blue Ridge Parkway and it was one of th most beautiful places I have ever seen!!

 

[debbiecarr98]

We just did this last week. We actually picked up a coupon for the free candles in the vacation guide at Yankee Candle. Just ask and they will show you which one.

All the new fall and Halloween things are out. Smell the Apple Cider. It just might replace Spiced Pumpkin as my favorite fall scent.

Will check out, SPiced PUmpkin is my all time favorite too!

 

[Belle5]

Jamestown would be great for your kids. We went last summer and did CW, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown, Busch Gardens and Water Country. By far the two favorites were Water Country and Historic Jamestowne for the adults (parents, 23, 21, 19, 16) and Water Country and Jamestown Settlement for my then five and eleven year olds.

Oh, yes...we loved Yankee Candle!

 

[nancycg56]

If you go further up Rt. 60 there are loads of outlets if you want to go shopping. There is shopping in Merchant's Square as well and The Cheese Shop is one of our favorite places to stop when we go up.

The Yankee Candle Shop is great and the Ripley's Museum is a hoot. There is a Go-kart place further up on 60 if you like that and a mini golf place on Bypass Road.

All the major chains have hotels in the area so if you stay with one of those, you'll be fine.

 

[Janet Hill]

You might also try renting a timeshare for a spacious and cheap place to stay. You could probably get a week for ~ 350 - 500 depending on size.