Williamsburgh VA long weekend?

[tjmw2727]

DH and I are considering taking our girls 9 and 11 to Williamsburg VA for a long weekend in August. Probably Thurs -Monday to see Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Is three full days enough to see BG and CW and what are the must do's?

I am looking at two options, Embassey Suites and Kingsmill with and without packages.

Is there enough at BG to warrant two full days with my dd's? One is about 49" and the other about 53" and they will ride (and love) any thing they are tall enough for.

Is one day enough for the Colonial attractions, my 11 yo is really into that era right now after the latest american girl movie.

Any tips hints and advice would be very much appreciated in the way of attractions, accomodatations and even discounts.

Makes planning a Disney trip seem like kindergarten

Oh - and our choices are the 2nd to last weekend in August or Labor day, DH is leaning toward Labor Day weekend - is that a crazy time?
Thanks,
TJ

 

[Tigger&Belle]

If you like water parks I would consider adding Water Country. You can do a combo pass for Water Country/Busch Gardens for 3 days and can then hop between them. It's been awhile since we've been at Colonial Williamsburg, but we spent one day when we went.

 

[Mercy]

I'll second what Tigger&Belle said about adding Water Country, especially since you're going in August. We've done this trip several times and always had a good time. Two days at Busch Gardens is probably good, because in August you may have to contend with longer lines for the rides. Or maybe a morning/afternoon at Water Country and then the late afternoon/evening at BG. I think you can get park hopper type passes.

As for Colonial Williamsburg, well my boys would have been bored stiff, so we never went. BUT, if you and your girls are into history that would be good. I think probably one day is all you need for that.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks!

I didn't even know there was a water park (duh) which makes for an interesting dilemma as dd's and I love waterparks but dh dosen't like them much. If we choose the Kingsmill he could golf 9 while we do the water parks since they have a shuttle!

Ok so after checking - the Kingsmill Resort has some early morning privlidges and head of the line privledges but still seems reasonable for a package with admission to the BG and it does include the water park. At Labor Day I assume it would be worth a small price -yes?

TJ

 

[cbm26002]

I think you can get away spending one day for BG, but you can also upgrade to a 2day ticket before you leave the park if needed. I love CW and I'm content to spend one day or several days there. If you only have one day, I don't think it leaves you enough time to tour the buildings. When I only have a day, I usually walk through the gardens and outside exhibits, then do some shopping at Merchents Square, and dinner at one of the taverns. There are many reenactors around and it's fun to get the kids engaged with them. My DD once had a great conversation with Ben Franklin outside the Capitol. I haven't done the water park there, but I know they do have park hopper passes. Don't forget to stop at the Outlets and Pottery Factory (That takes at least a day!)

 

[jonestavern]

DH, FIL, DS17 & I will be in Colonial Williamsburg next Fri/Sat/Sun--I can tell you that finding out a total cost for tickets & rooms--we are staying at the Colonial Houses--is a real pain in the hiney-ho. Anyone who complains about the CMs at Disney's ressie center hasn't dealt w/Williamsburg.
I have been on the phone with 4 different reps--all very nice, polite,
patient souls--but a myriad of price quotes all for the same rooms--whew! then when my confirmations showed up,the numbers, monetary & confirm #s, not as quoted, so back to the drawing board.
I understand there is one admission for Col Will--very reasonable--but does not cover all the park. I do understand there are separate tours at individual prices (Haunted Williamsburg, African-American Colonial Experience, Witchcraft Trial etc), but trying to get a total on the rest is mind boggling & no equivalent of the DIS boards that I can root out There is also a Felicity program if your DDs are into American Girl dolls.
There is a composite ticket for Jamestown, Yorktown & Williamsburg-
I will be taking notes for a trip report--will be at HHI 1st--this Col Will is becoming quite the challenge & I am determined to triumph!
But most likely, not before I've spent far more $$$ than was absolutely necessary

Harried!
Jean

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks Jean and good luck!

I didn't realize you could do an inclusive package so I have to look into that. I am pretty sure we want a two room set up so we will likly to the Embassey Suites and purchase tickets separately or book the Busch property and just purchase the CW stuff.

My dd's will go crazy if there is a Felicity program do you have a link by any chance?

TJ

 

[jonestavern]

here is Colonial Williamsburg's official website
http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/
Do call & speak with a rep & ask about the programs. Like the CMs, talk to a few of them to get a complete picture. I got one--Jim, I think--who was very informative regarding all the extra programs available
Fell free to e-mail me if you have questions

Jean

 

[PlutoPony]

Your daughters are at a good age for W'burg - they have or will be soon studying this time period in school. Labor Day weekend will be JAMMED at Busch if weather's good so I'd avoid the weekend there if at all possible and go during the week. Start touring W'burg early in the day (when things open at 9 am is nice) as crowds really build as the day goes on. Personally we prefer eating lunch "downtown" in Merchant's Square - several options there - and it's not a big area, so eating before noon is a good thing if possible. Also, there's a restaurant out by the Visitors Center called "Huzzah" that's very good and family oriented. If you can spend the $$, taking a carriage ride thru the Colonial area is lots of fun. Those can only be booked the day of the ride and fill up fast - I went to the Visitor's Center at 9 am to snag one. DS was 10 at that time and really enjoyed it! Make sure you go to the Benjamin Powell House as they usually have very good children's activities. If you have time, go out to Carter's Grove Plantation (part of CW but a drive out) - it's been recently restored and was closed the last couple of time we were there. If you have "extra" time (yeah right ) Jamestown Festival Park is worth the time with life sized replicas of the ships the settlers came over on (you'll be surprised at how small they are) and other good things. It's a pretty drive down. There's so much to do in that area! Have fun!

 

[hiwaygal]

Just a note about CW...

If you are only going to spend the day there here is the "daily pass" info:

Capital City Pass
Spend a full day as a citizen of our colonial capital!

Adults $34
Youths Ages 6-17 $15
Optional Tickets:
Audio Tour $6
Governor's Palace $6
Museum Ticket $6
(Includes Bassett Hall & Wallace Decorative Arts Museum Gallery)



INCLUDES:
NEW - The Revolutionary City, a Colonial Williamsburg adventure!
A single day’s admission to selected Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area sites including the Capitol, Great Hopes Plantation, and authentic 18th-century exhibition sites such as the Courthouse, Gaol, Magazine, and the homes of Peyton Randolph and George Wythe. Note: excludes Governor's Palace, Bassett Hall,
DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum Gallery (unless added separately), and Colonial Explorer Activities.
Orientation Walk
Complimentary Historic Area shuttle bus service
Viewing of the movie short Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot
Free Parking at the Visitor Center

CW is really only open from 9am-6pm (or maybe 8-5) then pretty much all the historic trades areas close.

You can, however, walk through the area for FREE. Visit any of the stores, purchase separate tickets for carriage rides and evening programs, etc.

When I worked there, and folks told me they only had a day, I would tell them which buildings they could go into without a ticket (Bruton Parish Church, Greenhow's store, Tarpley's Store, the grocer, the printing press store, and a couple of others). And encourage them to walk around, ask questions (talk to the folks in costume),and enjoy the atmosphere...but $34 a day just seemed a bit much for a busy day and maybe only seeing 6 or 8 exhibit places (trades and homes).

To really see all of CW, you need at the very least 2 days. A week if you are REALLY into it and want to visit all the "regular" museums connected to CW (DeWitt Wallace Gallery, etc.)...but most folks really only want to see the historic area (and that's my favorite part too).

For BG, you can do that in 2 days...and I'm not sure about Water Country.

There is also President's Park nearby...it's kinda cool but certainly shouldn't take more than a couple of hours.

Jamestown is really neat too...and might be a good alternative to CW. The time period is 17th century (late 1600's) as opposed to CW's 18th century (late 1700's)...but I don't think their prices are as high and it can easily be done in a day.

I hope that info helps!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thank you so much everyone espeically the tips on CW - I think we will skip the ticket the first day and explore and do a carraige ride, we will love that.

We have booked a condo at Sonterra Powhaton and will do Busch on Friday - its the best we can do. Then we will take it easy sat, sun and part of mon at CW and maybe Jamestown.

Special thanks to hiwaygal - we won't buy the first days ticket but will do the carraige ride and then see if we want to do evening or next day activities at a $. Dh will be traveling most of the summer so this is going to be a true family reconnecting vacation. Pool time, meal time and just chilling at the condo will all be a great part of the vaction.

Thanks again and any additional tips hints or ideas are most welcome.

TJ

 

[hmwnick]

couple more ???s

I checked out the website mentioned earlier & noticed on some of the ticket options they had:
evening Colonial performances & Colonial Explorer Activities
but didn't have an explanation about them. Anyone know what these are?

What would I do w/out this site! I know nothing about traveling to VA & you guys are really helping me out! My DS will be SO EXCITED to see all this history!

Thanks again!

 

[hiwaygal]

Evening Colonial performances are usually pretty cool!

They vary based on the time of year (for example at Christmas, they get a bit more extravagant). There is almost always a "concert" of some sort at the Capitol on Sunday evenings. Sometimes there are concerts at the Governors Palace. They used to do "Tavern Nights" and there were lots of different things going on. They also do a "Witch Trial" at the Capitol or the Courthouse and they used to do a Pirate Trial (based on Blackbeard) but I'm not sure if they still do that or not.

The Colonial Explorer Activities are "newer" tours/activities for kids. I'm not sure what the age restrictions are. There used to be one where they had a group of kids "shadow" some "colonial" kids through a days activities and chores (not sure if they still do this). I think they're usually a couple of hours.

Any of these activities usually requires a separate ticket/admission. I don't know much about the childrens tours because they weren't offering them when I worked there and I don't have kids. But DEFINITELY try to do one evening program...there is just nothing like seeing the historic area all lit up at night...it's a whole different feeling.

 

[tjmw2727]

Great stuff, thanks - so much helpful informaton.

So here is the plan, feel free to comment or make suggestions - pro or con.
Labor Day weekend, I know major crowds but its the only weekend that works

Thurs - Mon at the Sunterra Powhaton Plantation, looks like condo style townhomes probably timeshares. We got a great rate for a one bedroom with full kitchen. Seems close enough to the attractions as well as having some nice amenities onsite.

Friday - Busch Gardens all day!

Saturday - Colonial Willimasburg 1/2 day without tickets arriving at opening. We will try and book a carriage ride and explore the areas that don't require a ticket to see what we may want to do on Sunday. Spend the afternoon swimming, biking and boating at the resort. Evening exploring the area and hopefully a nice dinner - suggestions are welcome.

Sunday -If there are enough activities that interest us at CW we will return and buy tickets or book specific activities. Otherwise we may go to Jonestown, water country or return to BGW. DH would probably be interested in driving to the beach, is 1 1/2 hours a good estimate?

Monday - free day to do favorites or things we didn't get to do. Heading home about 2ish.

TJ

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think you are definitely doing the right thing to walk around the Colonial area without buying tickets first. That alone might be plenty for your family.

Don't know where the resort you picked is exactly, but I want to tell you that I like the Kingsmill area very much. Most of the hotels there are fairly new, and therefore, have the latest and nicest amentities.

Busch Gardens itself is a fabulous park. Make sure you have at least one meal in the Festhaus. Save room for dessert, too. They serve wonderful German specialities like Black Forest cake, apple strudel and Vienna 7 layer cakes.

Also, BG's shows are all great. It's a park known for its rollercoasters, but I'm a wuss and go for the shows more.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[PlutoPony]

Don't think there are many places within the historic area you can get into without tickets - Bruton Parish Church comes to mind, but you can walk around and soak up the atmosphere. As I recall, a ticket also gets you on the CW busses that run around so without that you'll need to walk everywhere. Parking close to the Historic Area is pretty difficult so I'd just park at the Visitor's Center and walk from there - there's a path from there in that's marked (think it puts you fairly near the Governor's Palace). Just wear comfortable shoes! If there are particular buildings you want to go into, pick up a guide at the Visitor's Center (big multi page paper that's free).... that will tell you what's open which days and white time special events are held, etc.

 

[hiwaygal]

One and a half hours to Virginia Beach from Williamsburg is a good estimate. Last year there was a bus that ran back and forth...definitely look into that. It will save you the hassle of driving and finding a place to park down at the beach. The worst part of the drive (especially on a Sunday afternoon) will be coming back from the beach to Williamsburg...the tunnel will most likely have at least a 5 mile back-up (especially on Labor Day weekend).

There are several places to visit in the historic area that do not require a ticket. Going from the west end of town to the east end there are:
Bruton Parish Church
Greenhow Store
Mary Dickenson Store
Prentis Store
The Post Office (above the printer/bookbinder)
M. Dubois Grocer
Tarpley's Store
The Golden Ball (silversmith)

And up by the Governor's Palace is McKenzies.

Then there are the Tavern Restaurants (make a lunch or dinner reservation if you can)
King's Arms
Shields
Chowning's
Christiana Campbell's

And you can also go to the Raleigh Tavern Bakery (great for a breakfast or snack). It's behind the Raleigh Tavern.

And that doesn't include the Fife and Drum Corps who do a parade on every Saturday (I think around 1pm...but check the time to make sure...this is a "don't miss").

If you like seafood, try Barretts (sp?) in Merchants Square for dinner (again, check to see if you need reservations).

If you get a chance and have a "thing" for chocolate...the Death by Chocolate Cake at the Trellis restaurant (again in Merchants Square) definitely lives up to it's name!!

The Cheese Shop in Merchants Square has great sandwiches.

If you want something "away" from the historic area...try Second Street (varied menu) or Captain Georges (seafood) for dinner.

 

[tjmw2727]

Just popping back to say our trip is booked and thanks everyone.

I am going to print the ideas here as I will definately have forgotten them by Labor Day!

TJ