plantlady

I purchased the 400 anniversary package which allows us into Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg the length of our stay at The Woodlands. We can pick up the tickets any time on Tuesday, hopefully early afternoon. We check out Friday Morning. I would love to hear from anyone who has done this tour. How much time should we allow for each site, when is the best time to see or get into certain programs. Etc. We will be with our 11 year old granddaughter. Is it worth making reservations to eat in one of the taverns? If so which one?

cheapbutnice2

Rather than give your question justice, be aware that CW has a great, weekly newspaper that gives the full schedule of their events during your stay. 2 full days with an 11 year old will be very hard to see everything. Depending on the time of year, GD may prefer a few hours a day at the pool-I think that the Woodlands is a great pick for value and location.Hope that you get other suggestions but we have stopped going to the Taverns-too expensive-there are plenty of other alternatives to get that CW charm!

svlockwood

Either Christina Campbells or Chownings is wonderful for a true taste of colonial times. Right on Market Square, you may want to try The Fat Canary or the Trellis, but call right away as reservations can be difficult.

Weespxx

HI Plant Lady - let me try to do this without being too long (and boring). My company brings middle school studnets to Williamsburg so I'll give you suggestions based on what we do:

1) Jamestown Island - spend 1-2 hours there. It is the original site and they (National Park Service) have done a lot to make it more innovative - the new movie in teh visitor center is great. Start there and spend a bit of time in the museum part before walking out to the site of the original James Forte and New Town. Depending ont he weather, archeaologists (spelling) will be digging and your granddaughter will be able to ask questions of them.

2) Jamestown Settlement - 2 hours. It is fabulous - I would go outside first. There are costumed interpreters who can lead you through the Powhatan Indian Village, 3 Ship area, Forte and Waterfront area. It has a decent cafe but if you are at Jamestown and it's time for lunch, head back down Jamestown Rd to the first stoplight and turn right into the Carrot Tree. It's a great little Williamsburg eater.

3) Colonial Williamsburg - agree 100% with previous poster about "The Week", the newsletter that Colonial Williamsburg puts out. Some of their programs are fabulous! Spend 1 day here. Eat lunch at The Cheese Shop and you won't regret it. You can also stop by the Raleigh Tavern Bakery for a treat of gingerbread.

4) Fat Canary is amazing .. but for your granddaughter, you can eat very good, but more casual, food at Aroma's coffee shop. The taverns are overpriced, but Chewnings can be fun - a bit bawdy at night though.

5) an Original Ghosts of Williamsburg is a great tour - it depends on your granddaughter's ability to hear ghost stories, though.

6) Yorktown is great for a morning. Go to the Victory Center and then walk on the beach and get an ice cream.

Good luck and have a great visit!

MoonGirl

Re: taverns -- As a former Williamsburg resident, I might recommend skipping these if you were going by yourself or with another adult. However, I can tell you that my very first trip to Williamsburg was on vacation with my family as an 11-year old, and eating at one of the taverns made a very big and lasting impression. We ate at the King's Arms on that trip. Christina Campbell's is also lovely, and was my favorite as an adult. However, Chownings, as indicated by several posters above, is probably the most lively and unique, in addition to being the most college. The website indicates that the entertainment is suitable for "families" from 5-8 p.m., after which it is likely to become more bawdy.

MoonGirl

whoops -- I meant to say above the Chownings is the most "casual" (although it certainly does attract its share of college students in the evening . . .)

reneeinva

You may want to increase your time at both the Settlement and Historic Jamestowne. The new galleries at the Settlement are incredible and the new 24 minute video is not to be missed.

Check out www.americas400thanniversary.org and www.jamestown2007.org for more details.

plantlady

Thanks you! thankyou! this is just the kind of info I've been hoping for. my grandaughter is a history person and would rather do this trip than Disney.

My grandaughter is mature for 11 . I am interested in signing up for several evening programs at W'burg. The Ghost tour sounds interesting, as does Cry Witch, any comments on these or other evening programs would be appreciated. I think a will make plans to eat at one of the taverns. Thanks again for all your help.

Weespxx

The Ghost Tour is really a great tour. Cry Witch might be a bit too advanced for even a mature 11 yr old. What about Colonial Dance/Dance Diversions? In Defense of Liberty is great and so is Grand Medley, but that is only shown on MOnday nights. If you check to see which evening programs are offered (you can search on history.org in the calendar section) I would be happy to give you some favorites from our student groups.

plantlady

Hi weespxx, I'll take your advice and pass on Cry Witch. We will be At W'burg all day on a Weds. After looking at the calendar I think we'll see "Papa Said, Mama Said", and go on the Bits and Bridles walking tour. We maybe can fit in the ghost tour Tues. nite. Thanks again. Looking forward to our trip!!

Shandy1977

When you go to the original Jamestown site, be sure and take a good look around the new Archaearium. They have incredible artifacts in there, including skeletons on display. There is a sign notifying you of the room with skeletons before you go in, in case your granddaughter is sensitive to it. The whole museum has been finished for the 400th anniversary and it is great. Seeing the rebuilding of the fort and the ongoing archaeology site in action is great, too.

In Colonial Williamsburg, two programs I recommends are Colonial Dancing and In Defense of Liberty. Colonial Dancing is especially popular with girls your granddaughters age. We bring 4th graders there each year and they love both programs. Allow at least one full day to really explore the sites in the town because it is SO worth it.

Another big vote for Yorktown from me, too. Going out to the actual bunkers and standing on that field, especially Surrender Field... it is amazing. The history of what happened in that site really seems alive.

Enjoy your trip! No matter what, I think you will enjoy it!

lindaskis

plantlady - we traveled to Williamsburg last June with our 11 and 14 year old boys. Unfortunately, it rained for almost half of our trip so I have some rainy day advice (which I hope you don't need.) In case of rain, of the three attractions Williamsburg is your best bet. Do not go to Jamestown Settlement in the rain because all of the guides are gone and it loses most of its educational impact. Generally, we found that the children had about 4 or 5 hours of history in them each day and then they became a little antsy and we had to break it up. We were staying on site at Williamsburg so it worked out well. A short walking tour of the College was of interest to both children. My boys would rather do just about anything other than shop so I didn't really get to the stores in Williamsburg - my loss!

I highly recommend the ghost tour but get tickets in advance to the later tour that starts at dusk - we couldn't get tickets for that later performance and it would have been much better at night by candlelight! We stayed at Williamsburg for four nights and spent two full days at Williamsburg, a full day at the Jamestown exhibits and a full day at the Yorktown exhibits. Yorktown was by far their favorite. I had to rip them away from the victory center and then they were fascinated by the battlefields and methodically followed the tour without letting us skip even one. I recommend bringing a kite along that day - when we were there the wind was tremendous! At Williamsburg we ate at the Kings Arms Tavern. It is very expensive and I thought it was not as authentic as Chownings which is much more cost effective. Have a great trip!

girlwilltravel

Hi plantlady,
My first recommendation would be to log onto the official Colonial Williamsburg webiste and check out all events and programs. Times and dates are listed and you can plan from there. There is so much to see and if this is your first time to visit it can be a little confusing. I would make sure that you grabbed "Thomas Jefferson" Bill Barker. A treasure and terrifc experience. Is your 11 year old granddaughter interested in the American Girl Felicity? This is her hometown! My daughter (when she was 10) and Felicity have walked the streets hand in hand a few times. There is brick making (in season), weaving, spinning, furniture making, boot making,book binding,rare breed animals, etc. The Revolutionary City is in it's second season and involves the audience. There is so much to see! When you check in, grab those tickets and an event newspaper and go.
I would recommend that if you want to have a meal in one of the taverns, call and make reservations ahead of schedule. My favorite is Christiana Campbells (George Washington visited there often) and Kings Arms Tavern for dinner. They are expensive but well worth the cost of making memories. Also, try the Trellis where "Death by Chocolate" was born and an experience in itself. Their menu takes advantage of the fresh seafood available in the area. Very good. For lunch try the Cheese Shop, although you might want to order and pick up and find a nice green spot to enjoy your lunch. Very crowded but the crowds never bother me.
Jamestown is great, especially this year and you've bought the perfect ticket to celebrate the 400 year birthday.
You will love the Woodlands, very family friendly, although I haven't stayed there in years. Take the shuttle or the longer walking path to the historic area. Yorktown Battlefield is amazing and the giftshop there has great books on the battle fought there.
I could go on and on! Do some research, make some plans and then be flexible. Remember, you are making memories your granddaughter and you will cherish forever! Enjoy!

MinnieNo1

What a treasure-trove of information. We'll be visiting Williamsburg in late May. I don't like to over plan in case of the weather, but do want to make advance reservations if I should. I'll be checking out the restaurant recommendations. For my one "grand" meal, I don't mind spending a bit more. I would rather have the atmosphere. Any suggestions? Also on the Ghost tours. Are these something that I should reserve ahead of time?