We are off to Williamsburg, Va this year...

wcc · 06-24-2011, 08:41 AM

I am planning a family trip to Williamsburg, Va in July for a week. I planned on hitting the normal stuff like Yorktown, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Shirley Plantation, the Colonial Parkway, sunset sailboat ride, ghost tour, etc.

If you have any suggestions or 'must' see stuff let me know.

Also, is there any off the tourist path that would be fun to check out?

I was also wondering about restaurants for dinners especially. I would like to have a couple nice ones but mostly family friendly. Kids are 8 and 6 and wiggle a lot still. So any ideas for that would be great.

Lastly, the kids are begging me to take bikes. I think it would be fun to ride around William & Mary campus in an evening but are there some other bike/hiking trails that would be fun to take?

Any other tips on this trip would be appreciated. TIA!

R K T · 06-24-2011, 09:24 AM

I always wanted to go there when I was a kid.
Finally got to go about 5 years ago when the 356 Registry had their Holiday in Williamsburg. Over 200 356s and Williamsburg at the same time!
Touristy (of course) but not Disney. Very real and authentic. There is a great restaurant in Williamsburg that serves "period" food by servers that play the part. Sorry, can't remember the name, but just ask any one of the people working in the village.
Have fun....

A930Rocket · 06-24-2011, 09:33 AM

I went to Williamsburg as a kid. I thought it was great seeing all the history, the blacksmith and the making of rifle parts.

Fast forward many years and we took out kids to Williamsburg when they were about 10-12. They were bored out of their minds with it, while I still thought it was great.

I guess when you have the internet, etc. some old village just doesn't do it for them now.

Sorry to go off track...

Seahawk · 06-24-2011, 10:28 AM

A week in Williamsburg, in July, is a bit of a challenge.

It is going to be crowded and hot; equatorial, damp, air you can wear hot.

You can knock Williamsburg off in a day, so I'd recommend the following:

- Richmond is a very under rated place to visit, especially the historic district. There are many good places to eat and enjoy. See here: Historic Shockoe Slip - There is no better place to enjoy the riches of Richmond's past and present.

- Virginia Beach. Take the bikes. You can have breakfast in WB, take a dip at the hotel pool (which it BETTER have) then head to the Va Beach. I have eaten here once or twice, but it has been ten years: Jewishmother.com

- Kitty Hawk is a bit of a stretch but manageable if you time it right. Take your bikes.

- Monticello is closer than you think. So is Charlottesville. Take your bikes.

A week in Williamsburg is better than a week in Cold Harbor, but it is a horse race.

Halm · 06-24-2011, 12:01 PM

Went to school there, as did our daughter. We have close friends that still live there, so we frequent there a lot. The weather is pretty much as Seahawk said. So yes, the weather could be better, but then again, everything is running at full tilt.

You can knock out the Colonial area in a day, IF you walk without stopping. Must see is Duke of Gloucester Street, starting with the Capital ( a serious must see!) on one end and the Wren Building on the other. Excellent restaurants are Christiana Campbell’s, Kings Arms and (my favorite) Raleigh Tavern. A shop somewhere across the street from Raleigh Tavern makes divine gingerbread men.

Bush Gardens is a lot of fun. There is a water park there too I think. This time of year there is a big outdoor play, Common Glory running. It is on Lake Matoaka, behind Phi Beta Kappa Hall on the campus.

And I also agree on heading up to Monticello in Charlottesville. It is under 2 hours up there. That is Virginia horse county that is really beautiful.

wcc · 06-24-2011, 02:35 PM

Yeah, I thought about VA beach. Might be worth a day trip that way since we are so close. Same for Richmond as it's not that far away either. As far as weather is concerned we are looking forward to it. It's rained a ton here and and I swear it didn't get over 55deg today. We were going to go up north but it'll probably be snowing by then. LOL! Thanks for the input so far. Keep 'em coming.....

yetibone · 06-24-2011, 02:41 PM

When in Colonial Williamsburg and visiting the blacksmith's shop, DO NOT ask the man with the big beard why they have pritchel dogs hanging on the wall, but no pritchel holes in their anvils.

His response was glaring, and vulgar.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

It might not work with squirmy kids - depends on the kids - but you can have a more or less authentic 18th century dinner in one of the inns. It requires reservations of course. It might be a teaching moment, might be 3 hours of hell. I enjoyed it.

wcc · 07-12-2011, 01:38 PM

I added a full day in VA beach so any restaurant recommendations along the beach (oceanfront)? After dinner we thought we might walk the pier.

Rick V · 07-12-2011, 01:51 PM

Like Paul said, C.W. is a day trip. Va.B. well that is just like most beaches, don't forget Fort Henry while there. Instead of Busch Gardens, with the age of your kids I would recommend Kings Dominion, not as nice but geared more for kids. If you decide to hit Monticello let me know, I am 12 miles away, would love to say "hey"

A930Rocket · 07-12-2011, 04:14 PM

What about Jamestown? I thought it was interesting.

Rick V · 07-12-2011, 04:22 PM

They have started uncovering some recent findings in Jamestown. Not as "flashy" as Williamsburg but just as interesting.

VaSteve · 07-12-2011, 05:03 PM

Note: I have not been here. But I have heard good things:
Williamsburg Water Park - Great Wolf Resorts - Williamsburg Family Resort

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

My daughters loved Williamsburg and Jamestown. Yorktown was kind of boring for them.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

There is a place which sells beer in 32 oz mugs...

mmmmm....beer...

I still have the mugs

murphyjp · 07-15-2011, 06:34 AM

Dads family is from there, used to live there while in the Navy, and spent tons of time there as a kid. Uncle used to live in Williamsburg.

Food
Pierce's BBQ in Williamsburg is a must. Been there as long as I remember. The Whaling Company in Williamsburg is good too. At least last I was there. It is just down the road from Busch Gardens.
Bubba's in Va Beach is a good place for seafood. It is on Shore Drive about 15 minutes from the tourist beach area. Conveniently it is on the route back towards Williamsburg. Keep heading down shore drive and you can get on the interstate at the mouth of the tunnel.

Tourist stuff.
Seems you have a packed agenda. Brewery tours were available last I was there. Kids my not like it too much. May think about going to Nauticus in downtown Norfolk for some Naval content. Used to have active ships there, but that may have changed since 9/11.

VincentVega · 07-15-2011, 07:53 AM

If you get bored come up to Annapolis and/or DC, lots to do. I love taking out of town folks out on the boat to get some crabs, good times.

I think the Trellis in Williamsburg is overrated, but that chocolate cake is good. Take the family there just for the cake.

Kraftwerk · 07-15-2011, 08:36 AM

Well if it was Williamsburg BROOKLYN I might be able to help a brother out.

wcc · 07-18-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VincentVega

If you get bored come up to Annapolis and/or DC, lots to do. I love taking out of town folks out on the boat to get some crabs, good times.

I think the Trellis in Williamsburg is overrated, but that chocolate cake is good. Take the family there just for the cake.

We may take you up on this if it works out. My son would love it! Well we would too but he's really into it. I'll send you a PM.....

We are getting through activities pretty quick. Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg , william and mary bike riding, etc is done. We have busch gardens, va beach for sure left to do. So we have some free time yet to fill. A trip up to moticello may be in order soon as well...