What not to miss at Williamsburg VA.....

[Disneyfix]

We are going to Williamsburg for a couple days over Easter what are the must dos? It will only be 3-4 days. I have no clue what to visit.
Thanks

[Dave2001]

LarryJM,
Thanks for the correction. I had my photo directories mislabeled. Your comments are right on. There is a lot to see and do. We have been to Colonial Williamsburg several times.
Jim Shoe,
I agree that Historic Jamestowne would probably be boring for the kids.
Also as an aside, the 7 day ticket includes Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne.

[Disneyfix]

WDW.BWV wrote:
After the history experiences, Williamsburg is a huge outlet shopping destination. If you feel the need to indulge in seafood, there are several options. We prefer Captin George's Seafood Buffett

What are people favorite places to eat? Not super pricey please. Sounds like there are interesting places to eat......

[Jim_Shoe]

One clarification: Historic Jamestowne is the actual landing site of the first settlers and is part of the historic triangle and the ticket. Its primarily an archeology site. I love it but kids might be bored. Some parents, too. Jamestown Settlement is next door and has the ship mockups and fort, but its owned and operated by the state of Virginia and requires a separate admission ticket. Still very much worth it, and kids will love it. If you go, the mockups of the ships that brought the first settlers to America are actual size. Imagine sailing across the Atlantic in one. Or trying to stand up below deck if you're taller than 4 feet high.

[LarryJM]

Dave2001 wrote:
Historic Jamestown was nice because they have the ships there plus the fort and an Indian village. They had quite a few costumed people there giving demonstrations and talks. I think the kids would enjoy it.

There are lots of activities at Colonial Williamsburg that get the kids involved as some have mentioned.

At the Yorktown Victory center they have a small encampment setup. They use volunteers, mostly kids in a skit to fire an old cannon. No danger to the participants. Lots of noise and smoke.

I'm sure you just mis spoke, but Historic Jamestown is not where the fort, ships and Indian village are that is the commercial "JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT" Historic Jamestown is the NPS site right next door. While the settlement is nice IMO the real meat is the NPS site and make sure you get a Ranger/Volunteer tour there that goes into all the digs and history uncovered.

As far as Williamsburg goes it takes a week or more to see all the various presentations, etc. since some are only done once or maybe twice a week. It takes some planning to do it all and IMO the presentations/tours/demonstrations at Williamsburg are very informative and interesting. Also, don't miss the tour of the Rockafeller home (Bassett Hall) used during the initial building of Colonial Williamsburg.

We spent two weeks at Williamsburg a couple of year ago and had plenty to do, but didn't "power visit" anything and took our time. We got the annual Colonial Williamsburg pass and often only went for a presentation/demo on a particular day and then on to something like Historic Jamestown to finish off the day's activity.

Larry

[Dave2001]

terrytrailertrash wrote:
Following this post, too. Curious about the summer heat?

June July and August can have highs in the mid to upper 80s. And it can be quite humid. Nights are usually in the mid 60 degree range. We try and plan outdoor activities in the mornings and indoor activities in the afternoon. Part of the afternoon could be pool time for the kids. I know most kids appreciate a break from sightseeing.
I would recommend copying the “things to do” or “see” from the internet on Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding area. Then cross off what does not interest you. There are a lot of things to see and do in the Hampton Roads Area. Amusement Parks are also there. Also look at multi-day and multi-event passes.

[terrytrailertra]

Following this post, too. Curious about the summer heat?

[Dave2001]

Historic Jamestown was nice because they have the ships there plus the fort and an Indian village. They had quite a few costumed people there giving demonstrations and talks. I think the kids would enjoy it.

There are lots of activities at Colonial Williamsburg that get the kids involved as some have mentioned.

At the Yorktown Victory center they have a small encampment setup. They use volunteers, mostly kids in a skit to fire an old cannon. No danger to the participants. Lots of noise and smoke.

[WDW_BWV]

After the history experiences, Williamsburg is a huge outlet shopping destination. If you feel the need to indulge in seafood, there are several options. We prefer Captin George's Seafood Buffett

[agb2529]

Disneyfix wrote:

Could you pick out the top couple events that you liked. We have 2 kids 13 +10. Thanks.

One of our personal favorites is the evening program "Cry Witch" - they stage a candlelit trial in the Capitol of someone accused of being a witch. If you get there early and sit up front you can get picked to sit in the jury box. DW always votes to burn her! It's an extra admission ticket but well worth it, I think you can get a discount with some of the ticket packages.

Another thing the kids will like are participating in the military drills held during the day, take a close look at the schedule when you arrive to see when things are happening so you don't miss out. There are pirate & ghost programs as well, if you check the website once you know when you are going you'll be able to set up a schedule. For evening entertainment we like going to Chowning's Tavern where they have live entertainment and period games you can play.

Those are a couple of top choices but we really love the whole area, one of our favorite destinations and gives you a great appreciation of the history around when our country was in its infancy.

On another note, the CG that we always stay at is Newport News Park, a huge wooded county park about 15-20 min away from Williamsburg. Electric and water HU and a dump station, roomy sites with way more privacy than you'll get at any of the RV parks. The only issue you might have would be getting around if you don't have a vehicle although I think you'll run into that anywhere in the area.

[Disneyfix]

Dave2001 wrote:
American Heritage CG is a great place to stay, it is very clean and has trash pickup at your site every morning. It is eight miles from Colonial Williamsburg. From the CG you can take Route 60 to the Colonial Parkway. There are quite a few restaurants and shopping areas along the way.

We did the 7 day ticket called America's Historic Triangle Pass (see below). It was nice because we could mix up our visits to all three areas depending on the weather. Buy your tickets online before you arrive. At Colonial Williamsburg you go to a special desk to get your pass and the line was non-existent. The non-ticket holders had lines. Also there is not much if any discount I could find on the 7 day ticket.

America's Historic Triangle Pass includes:
Seven (7) consecutive days’ admission for Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Victory Center, and Yorktown Battlefield.
10% discount on most additional Colonial Williamsburg tours, evening programs and carriage rides.
Need to Know
Your voucher must be exchanged for a ticket at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center before visiting Yorktown or Jamestown sites.
Ticket does not include walking tours, evening programs, or special events for which a separate ticket is required.
Some regular daytime programs require reservations.

Could you pick out the top couple events that you liked. We have 2 kids 13 +10. Thanks.

[Disneyfix]

1775 wrote:
In three or four days you barely have time to see Colonial Williamsburg. If you are making this trip to see history, spend your time at CW. There is plenty to see and if you try to split what you visit to all of the historic sites in the area - or the amusements - you are going to come away without any real appreciation for anything. When in Colonial Williamsburg you now can get a ticket good for the length of your trip - same price - which compared to other places is very reasonable. See the Rev City program that takes place throughout one entire day - all of it takes place on the streets and the historic properties. Go see one of the Nation Builders programs and encounter Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, or George Washington. You will come away from one of these swearing you just met the real man. Go into all of the buildings and trades locations. There are evening programs each night that have their own tickets - see Cry Witch, take the Tavern Ghost Walk. If you have kids there are special kids' programs. All of this is living history - not static museum displays. You are going to meet and encounter people who lived in this city before and during the Revolution.

This is not to say that Jamestown, Yorktown, and Busch Gardens are not nice. They are very nice, but you really need a lot more time to do justice to any one of these and see CW also on the same trip.

And yes, American Heritage is the campground to stay at - paved and level sites, clean, and very nice people running it.

What I needed to hear.
Thanks

[1775]

In three or four days you barely have time to see Colonial Williamsburg. If you are making this trip to see history, spend your time at CW. There is plenty to see and if you try to split what you visit to all of the historic sites in the area - or the amusements - you are going to come away without any real appreciation for anything. When in Colonial Williamsburg you now can get a ticket good for the length of your trip - same price - which compared to other places is very reasonable. See the Rev City program that takes place throughout one entire day - all of it takes place on the streets and the historic properties. Go see one of the Nation Builders programs and encounter Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, or George Washington. You will come away from one of these swearing you just met the real man. Go into all of the buildings and trades locations. There are evening programs each night that have their own tickets - see Cry Witch, take the Tavern Ghost Walk. If you have kids there are special kids' programs. All of this is living history - not static museum displays. You are going to meet and encounter people who lived in this city before and during the Revolution.

This is not to say that Jamestown, Yorktown, and Busch Gardens are not nice. They are very nice, but you really need a lot more time to do justice to any one of these and see CW also on the same trip.

And yes, American Heritage is the campground to stay at - paved and level sites, clean, and very nice people running it.

[rjf7g]

Having lived in VA my entire life, I have been to that area many times. My answer - it depends on what you want to experience. Do you want to focus on colonial life, American Revolution, Civil War, military, marine life, beer, wine, shopping, amusement, etc?

[Mike_Taverniti]

Nobody is more expensive than Disney. Disney is outdated and overpriced. Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are important places in Americas history. Well worth a visit.

[Dave2001]

American Heritage CG is a great place to stay, it is very clean and has trash pickup at your site every morning. It is eight miles from Colonial Williamsburg. From the CG you can take Route 60 to the Colonial Parkway. There are quite a few restaurants and shopping areas along the way.

We did the 7 day ticket called America's Historic Triangle Pass (see below). It was nice because we could mix up our visits to all three areas depending on the weather. Buy your tickets online before you arrive. At Colonial Williamsburg you go to a special desk to get your pass and the line was non-existent. The non-ticket holders had lines. Also there is not much if any discount I could find on the 7 day ticket.

America's Historic Triangle Pass includes:
Seven (7) consecutive days’ admission for Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Victory Center, and Yorktown Battlefield.
10% discount on most additional Colonial Williamsburg tours, evening programs and carriage rides.
Need to Know
Your voucher must be exchanged for a ticket at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center before visiting Yorktown or Jamestown sites.
Ticket does not include walking tours, evening programs, or special events for which a separate ticket is required.
Some regular daytime programs require reservations.