heidijot

Good Morning,
On our way home form WDW, we are spending a day in Williamsburg to check it out for a future stay. What are some suggestions on what to see and do? Does everything require a ticket?? Can you walk around Colonial Williamsburg without one??
Any good resturants for adults and two 11 year olds??
Thanks,
Heidi

obxgirl

Without purchasing tickets, you can walk around the streets of the restored area and go into any of the buildings which are shops or restaurants.

Just wandering around will take you a good couple of hours. Many of the really engaging things for kids require a ticket. If you are going to be in town for a full 8 hours, you could take in many of the ticketed sights. The website (colonialwilliamsburg.com) has a really comprehensive list of what there is to do. Alternatively Wmbg offers a pass good for a year.

For lunch I'd recommend getting (take away) sandwiches from the Cheese Shop. If the adults want something sit-down and really good, try the Blue Talon Bistro. There's also an excellent hamburger on the menu for less adventurous eaters. Lunch at the colonial Chownings Tavern would be also be a fun atmosphere but the food is nothing special.

padams421

I think you should buy a ticket for the day as the Colonial Williamsburg buildings and programs that are most interesting (especially to 11 year olds) require a ticket. You will be limited to walking around looking at the outside of the buildings and going to the shops and restaurants without a ticket. I think the kids will be bored with 8 hours of limited access and will be asking you why you didn't buy them a ticket. Obxgirl's restaurant suggestions are good.

bennnie

One day tickets will run you $98 for a family of four.

Also in the area is Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Family of 4 can visit both for $50.

obxgirl

padams421, I absolutely agree with you that the OP's family will have a better time, especially the kids, if they purchase tickets. But I also choke a bit recommending that a family of 4 drop $100 for a day pass to CW that doesn't include two of the most popular sights (well, with adults anyway), the Gov's Palace and the Capitol building. The current ticketing structure really discourages daytrippers and families who come to town for a long weekend and want to spend a day each in Wmbg, Busch Gardens and Jamestown/Yorktown.

CW's management is always whining that visitorship is flat or down. But as bennnie suggests, these guys could walk around CW enough to get the flavor of the place, have lunch and then go to Jamestown Settlement and spend less than $100 for the entire day.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I'm a bigtime supporter of CW, including separate donations, yet I too have trouble asking people to lay out $100 for 8 hours.

CW keeps fiddling with the various tickets, and with what comes with each level of ticket. If you're quite sure you'll be back within a year, it would probably be worthwhile to purchase a 1 year pass for your 1 day and your return.

CW does have some great programs, but I agree that if you only do what can be done for free, you might never want to come back .. so if you don't get the annual pass, then spend a minimal time at CW then go to Jamestown, Yorktown, or even BuschGardens where you and the kids can enjoy the day. Really, 11 yr olds will not like just walking around CW. Enjoy.

girlwilltravel

I'm with everyone else on purchasing an Annual Ticket, especially if you plan on returning within a year. I know too many people who don't want to purchase a ticket and find that they simply just walked around some really charming streets. A walkabout would give you merely an idea of Colonial Williamsburg but not a true picture of what you can experience. Your two 11 year old kids (you didn't mention if they were boys or girls) won't be able to take anything away with them just walking around. But give them something to do (or a question for Thomas Jefferson, for example), and I promise they will want to return. Of course, I know this is a "recon tour" but at least give yourself a chance to really feel what CW has to offer. It would be like driving around the monuments in DC in a car, never getting out and then saying you visited DC. Eight hours isn't a lot of time, but I think you would be disappointed if you didn't give it chance. Obxgirl is right about the ticket situation and hopefully on your next trip the Annual Ticket you purchased will prove to be a bargain. She was also right about the Cheese Shop. It will fit any tastes. After WDW, Colonial Williamsburg maybe just what the adults need--a slower pace, too.
Whatever you decide, have fun!!