So we’re taking one! To Williamsburg, Virgina.
Not until August, but still. It’s giving me a reason to go on.
A few weeks ago I spent some insomnia-time googling “family-friendly vacations,” and Williamsburg was one spot that kept coming up over and over. I did a little more research, and last week we booked our trip.
We’re definitely spending a day at Colonial Williamsburg and hitting Monticello, but I’m looking for suggestions other than that… most importantly, where to EAT!
Anyone out there been to Williamsburg? Give me a list of must-sees!
Are you driving? You should go to DC and to the sites there, too.
We drive through Williamsburg on our way to Corolla, NC. It’s beautiful! Unfortunately we’ve only hit McDonald’s there so I have no good restaurant suggestions… Hope you have a great vacation! I always need something to look forward to as well. I live for vacations!!
Hey, I live in Williamsburg. I’m as enthusiastic about attractions in DC and elsewhere as anyone, but I will tell you that you and your family can easily spend your entire vacation here in town and have a multitude of awesomely fun experiences. Colonial Williamsburg alone can take a couple of days (it’s 300+ acres), plus there are free shuttles to Jamestown Island (original 1607 site and archaeological dig), the Jamestown Settlement (re-creation of ships, Powhatan village, and fort), Yorktown battlefield (original site/National Park) and Yorktown Victory Center (re-creation of 1780s farm and a Continental army encampment). Tired of history? Then there’s Water Country, Busch Gardens, and a slew of other local attractions. Ghost walks. Outlet shopping. And more “usual” pursuits like go-karts and mini-golf. There are a ton of good restaurants in any price range as well. Are you into ethnic/international foods? There’s Japanese, Indian, Thai, Korean, Greek, southern barbecue, locally owned stellar seafood places, and of course any chain restaurant you want.
I actually work at Colonial Williamsburg–what kinds of things are your kids into? Horses and sheep? Carriage rides? Trades are so awesome and fun and kids as well as adults get a kick out of them… Look up RevQuest at history.org and get started on your vacation before you even get here!
Head over to Norfolk and take a cruise around the shipyard/naval base. I’m sure you could Google Shipyard tours in New Port News/Norfolk and get some ideas.
When we went a few years ago, there was a pass you could order in advance that included Williamsburg, Jamestown, the Jamestown Archeology site and Yorktown. We really enjoyed that trip. But it does get incredibly hot in August so be prepared to take it easy! (Maybe even put water breaks in your spreadsheet activity schedule which we all know you will probably make 🙂 The day we went to Williamsburg, it was so hot that James said the air-conditioned shuttle was his favorite part!
Since we both love history, we went to Williamsburg on our Honeymoon in 1977. It was great. The standards are great (Governor’s Mansion, House of Burgesses, etc.) But we really loved the Wythe house. It is a great tribute to the men and women who shaped our nation. Worth the trip. We went in October, so it wasn’t as hot, and the leaves were turning.
I’d love to go back.
UP
Oh, and on your way home, stop by your Aunt Diane and Uncle Charlie’s and take in the sights in Lexington.
Lots of history.
UP
I highly recommend a breakfast at Astronomical Pancake House on Richmond Rd. if you are planning to visit Busch Gardens make plans to eat there!! You can buy a dining pass that let’s you get the huge sampler platters and 2 sides for CHEAP. they are big enough to share between 2!! And there I suggest you eat at the Smokehouse or Italy.
Out in Williamsburg it’s really a toss-up but I like The Cheese Shop by the college of W&M. Great place for a yummy lunch.
And dinner, any place will do. Le Yaca isn’t kid friendly but oh so yummy! The Whaling Company is really nice.
Have fun!
We go to Williamsburg at least once a year, Colin’s parents usually get the boys season passes for Christmas. You could spend several days doing the historic stuff and then do the splash parks, etc for a few days. I recommend eating one nice dinner in one of the historic restaurants, but otherwise there’s a lot of diverse food in the area. Youll need reservations for in park restaurants. We usually do not stay in the park, but at a B&B or in a condo because there’s usually Colin’s entire family! I love Jamestown, find it kid friendly, and wouldn’t miss that. I’d do DC as a separate trip, there’s way to much to see in Williamsburg as is.
We went there last year. Lets just say me and my sister and 7 kids was boarderline suicidal. It was very interesting had it been just me. Make sure you buy the passes instead of buying each ticket individual you will save a ton. Busch Gardens was fun there. We spent 2 days there. Got a killer deal on tickets there. If you need info on the tickets let me know and I will let you know who we went thru we researched where to get the best prices on packaging the different stuff. Enjoy your trip. It really is a pretty cool place I learned a ton of stuff I didn’t know.