VA/Gettysburg Itinerary needs review
May 26th, 2010, 07:58 AM
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VA/Gettysburg Itinerary needs review
I am planning a trip for an extended family, and would appreciate a review of our itinerary. We arrive in Newport News mid-day, and plan to visit Jamestown Settlement that afternoon before checking in our hotel. Next day, spend in Colonial Williamsburg, maybe taking in a ghost tour that night. Third day, some of us visit Busch Gardens, while the history buffs visit Yorktown Battlefield, Yorktown Victory Center, and Historic Jamestowne. The biggest question: will 1 full day in Williamsburg be enough?
Morning of the 4th day drive toward Charlottesville. Tour Montpelier or Ashlawn Highland, Michie Tavern and take the UVA tour of the Rotunda if time permits. Stay in Charlottesville, taking the Monticello tour the morning of the 5th day. Drive part of Skyline drive in the afternoon. Stay the night in the park or nearby. Morning of the 6th day, tour Luray Caverns. Drive the rest of Skyline Drive and overlooks in the afternoon, heading north. Stay near Harper's Ferry. 7th day - see Harper's Ferry, drive to Gettysburg. 8th day - tour Gettysburg. Is one full day in Gettysburg sufficient to see everything? We are always ambitious in our vacation planning, but somehow we usually fit everything in! But I am concerned this go-round since we have a variety of age groups - children to senior citizens. Any advice would be welcomed - Thank You.
Morning of the 4th day drive toward Charlottesville. Tour Montpelier or Ashlawn Highland, Michie Tavern and take the UVA tour of the Rotunda if time permits. Stay in Charlottesville, taking the Monticello tour the morning of the 5th day. Drive part of Skyline drive in the afternoon. Stay the night in the park or nearby. Morning of the 6th day, tour Luray Caverns. Drive the rest of Skyline Drive and overlooks in the afternoon, heading north. Stay near Harper's Ferry. 7th day - see Harper's Ferry, drive to Gettysburg. 8th day - tour Gettysburg. Is one full day in Gettysburg sufficient to see everything? We are always ambitious in our vacation planning, but somehow we usually fit everything in! But I am concerned this go-round since we have a variety of age groups - children to senior citizens. Any advice would be welcomed - Thank You.
May 26th, 2010, 11:24 AM
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What a great trip! My thoughts. You could easily spend more time in Williamsburg. I don't know where you will squeeze the time, though. Go "What to See and Do" on their website and look at the calendar:
http://www.history.org/visit/index.cfm
There are many tours and different things are happening different days.
Jamestown settlement is also great! Good plan. The kids will love Busch Gdns, too.
I've been to Monticello, too and UVA, but not sure if you need an extra day there.
I think one day in Gettysburg is quite enough. When I went, it was just a huge battlefield and you could read about it, but it wasn't recreated in any way for you to experience it, more than by looking and reading about it. I see now, on their website, there are ranger talks, a film and cyclorama, so that would be a good way to enhance the experience.
http://www.history.org/visit/index.cfm
There are many tours and different things are happening different days.
Jamestown settlement is also great! Good plan. The kids will love Busch Gdns, too.
I've been to Monticello, too and UVA, but not sure if you need an extra day there.
I think one day in Gettysburg is quite enough. When I went, it was just a huge battlefield and you could read about it, but it wasn't recreated in any way for you to experience it, more than by looking and reading about it. I see now, on their website, there are ranger talks, a film and cyclorama, so that would be a good way to enhance the experience.
May 26th, 2010, 11:32 AM
#3
I have not done the Yorktown Victory Center myself so I can't tell you how much time it will take but if I were you I'd do that on the afternoon you are flying in. You are on that side of the peninsula anyway so it makes more sense. That way you can have lunch in Yorktown, visit the Victory Center and then drive the parkway into Williamsburg that evening. If you decide to do that, let us know and I can give you directions for the back way from the airport to Yorktown.
May 26th, 2010, 12:51 PM
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I highly recommend that you arrange for a tour of Gettysburg Battlefield with a Licensed Battlefield Guide (see http://www.gettysburgtourguides.org/). The requirements to become a Licensed Battlefield Guide are tough, so you can be sure that your guide knows his history. Going on a tour with one of these guides will make your tour so much more interesting and you will all learn so much more than if you just try to tour on your own.
May 26th, 2010, 01:17 PM
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Great advice everyone! Thanks so much. I have read about the licensed battlefield guides at Gettysburg, so I will consider that.
Birdie, your suggestion about going to Yorktown makes sense. I had read that Jamestown Settlement would probably have more for the children (ages 9 and 14), so that's why I had chosen it for that afternoon. Does anyone know if that is the case, or would Yorktown Victory Center be as engaging for children?
Orcas, to clarify - do you think we could drive toward Charlottesville from Williamsburg and have enough time to do the Monticello tour, see Michie Tavern, and see UVA in that one day? We could then tour Ashland or Montpelier the next morning before moving on to Shenandoah N.P.
Does anyone recommend seeing Ashland Highland over Montpelier, or vice versa? I seem to be more drawn to Montpelier for some reason. We might have time for both...
Birdie, your suggestion about going to Yorktown makes sense. I had read that Jamestown Settlement would probably have more for the children (ages 9 and 14), so that's why I had chosen it for that afternoon. Does anyone know if that is the case, or would Yorktown Victory Center be as engaging for children?
Orcas, to clarify - do you think we could drive toward Charlottesville from Williamsburg and have enough time to do the Monticello tour, see Michie Tavern, and see UVA in that one day? We could then tour Ashland or Montpelier the next morning before moving on to Shenandoah N.P.
Does anyone recommend seeing Ashland Highland over Montpelier, or vice versa? I seem to be more drawn to Montpelier for some reason. We might have time for both...
May 26th, 2010, 01:21 PM
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The other place I am considering is Harper's Ferry, WV since it looks like it would be "on the way" as we drive from Shenandoah N.P. towards Gettysburg. AAA rates it as a "GEM", so I hate to pass by and not stop and see it. I am just wondering, again, if the rest of my party might be "historied" out at this point. I, myself, know I can never get enough of our great country's hsitory!! Comments? I saw that there is a visitor's center, John Brown's fort, bus ride down to the town, etc. Sounds interesting...
May 26th, 2010, 03:01 PM
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Harper's Ferry is worth a stop. They have a pedestrian bridge across the river and you can go across and stroll along the river on the C&O canal. Very close to Harper's Ferry on the way to Gettysburg is Antietam in Maryland and is definitely worth a stop also. It's not as developed as the other battlefields but has a visitor center and a very pretty drive around the battlefields (wonderful biking roads). If you are a Civil War history fan (or the War of Northern Aggression as my southern DH says), it is should be included.
May 26th, 2010, 04:24 PM
#10
Charlottesville/Monticello is 2 solid interstate hours drive from Williamsburg. A visit to Monticello and a tour of UVA's rotunda is definitely possible to do in a day. I'd leave Wmbg early if you're visiting in the summer months as weekend crowds and summer heat/humidity can dim your Monticello experience. Timed tickets are available but in busy times there can a bit of a wait for the docent led tour of the house which is the first part of the visit.
My opinion, do Monticello and then head into C'ville for lunch.
I think Michie Tavern is awful and if there is anything worthy Xing off your list, I'd rank it first to go. The tavern itself has historical relevance but this place is largely a tourist trap with an overpriced cafeteria line of "southern" glop and a tacky shop of souvenirs.
As a reference point, I live in the Wmbg area and can sometimes be a bit cynical about Colonial Wmbg's willingness to tap the visitor dollar but MIchie Tavern is not, IMHO, worth the time given how many other historical places you have on your list.
Ashlawn and Montpelier are both somewhat "lesser" places to visit after Monticello, both very worthy sites for history and period aficionado's, but might not hold as much interest for those already up to their eyeballs in history.
I think that Montpelier is still undergoing a major renovation although when I was there a couple of years ago it didn't really interfere with the visit and in some ways enhanced it. It was a great opportunity to see conservation and reconstruction in progress, particularly the early 20th century (via the DuPonts) interpretation of "colonial." The grounds are great and the history is there but, for me, the work in progress was fascinating and the highlight of the trip. Definitely check their website to see what's up there.
BTW, anything Birdie says is absolutely worth listening to.
Have a great trip. I haven't been to Harpers Ferry in years and would love to hear a trip report including your experience there.
My opinion, do Monticello and then head into C'ville for lunch.
I think Michie Tavern is awful and if there is anything worthy Xing off your list, I'd rank it first to go. The tavern itself has historical relevance but this place is largely a tourist trap with an overpriced cafeteria line of "southern" glop and a tacky shop of souvenirs.
As a reference point, I live in the Wmbg area and can sometimes be a bit cynical about Colonial Wmbg's willingness to tap the visitor dollar but MIchie Tavern is not, IMHO, worth the time given how many other historical places you have on your list.
Ashlawn and Montpelier are both somewhat "lesser" places to visit after Monticello, both very worthy sites for history and period aficionado's, but might not hold as much interest for those already up to their eyeballs in history.
I think that Montpelier is still undergoing a major renovation although when I was there a couple of years ago it didn't really interfere with the visit and in some ways enhanced it. It was a great opportunity to see conservation and reconstruction in progress, particularly the early 20th century (via the DuPonts) interpretation of "colonial." The grounds are great and the history is there but, for me, the work in progress was fascinating and the highlight of the trip. Definitely check their website to see what's up there.
BTW, anything Birdie says is absolutely worth listening to.
Have a great trip. I haven't been to Harpers Ferry in years and would love to hear a trip report including your experience there.
May 26th, 2010, 08:19 PM
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rksh, It's been awhile since I've been there, but Jamestown is run by the Dept of Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is a reenactment of the colony life, so is fantastic for kids (and adults). Yorktown, when I went, was a do-it-yourself park, so wasn't nearly as interesting. You'd have to check the websites to see if this has changed.
May 27th, 2010, 08:11 AM
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This is a terrific itinerary.
I do not recommend driving from Williamsburg to Charlottesville with the intention of doing Monticello and the Rotunda the same day. I like your original plan better. A fenderbender in Richmond on busy I-95 can be a miserable experience. You do have to get tickets at the Monticello visitor center a couple of hours in advance, so being around early the next day works better.
Parking near the University is a great hassle. I hope someone can give you (and me!)some good ideas where to find a space.
Downtown Charlottesville is a couple of miles from the University and is a pedestrian mall with a number of restaurants, plenty of room for kids, and a great ice cream place!
We went to Barboursville to visit the vineyard (and the ruins of a house designed by Jefferson) last month, then went on to Montpelier. I liked the house a lot, and the tour was excellent. Those who don't want to do a house tour can enjoy the handsome grounds.
Many of these sites are good places for picnics if you can find a takeout or deli that will do the work for you.
I do not recommend driving from Williamsburg to Charlottesville with the intention of doing Monticello and the Rotunda the same day. I like your original plan better. A fenderbender in Richmond on busy I-95 can be a miserable experience. You do have to get tickets at the Monticello visitor center a couple of hours in advance, so being around early the next day works better.
Parking near the University is a great hassle. I hope someone can give you (and me!)some good ideas where to find a space.
Downtown Charlottesville is a couple of miles from the University and is a pedestrian mall with a number of restaurants, plenty of room for kids, and a great ice cream place!
We went to Barboursville to visit the vineyard (and the ruins of a house designed by Jefferson) last month, then went on to Montpelier. I liked the house a lot, and the tour was excellent. Those who don't want to do a house tour can enjoy the handsome grounds.
Many of these sites are good places for picnics if you can find a takeout or deli that will do the work for you.
May 27th, 2010, 12:40 PM
#16
Directions from PHF to Yorktown:
You want to leave the airport on McManus Blvd. I don't know where on the airport circle the car rentals are but the circle is so small you can go around it again if you miss McManus. McManus comes in to the circle directly opposite of the terminal.
Go to the end of McManus and take a right on Denbigh Blvd.
Go about 3 miles and take a left on Rt 17. It's just after the farm. Pops will be on the right. Riverside Health in the strip mall on the left.
Take a right onto Cook Rd. I believe it is the 4th light. Log Cabin day care will be on the right.
Go to the end of Cook Rd and take a left at the T. You'll then take a right (but not a hard right) onto the road with the dividing yellow line. Follow the curve to the left in front of the memorial and take a right down to the waterfront.
Go left along the waterfront. There is a parking garage on the left across from the shops. You can get a sandwich at the sandwich shop or a nicer lunch at the Riverwalk Restaurant. Carrot Tree, http://www.carrottreekitchens.com/inn.htm, is in town off of the waterfront.
If you continue on the road along the waterfront, you will come to the Victory Center on the right, and the access road to the parkway on the right.
The parkway will bring you to Williamsburg. You can't follow it all the way to Jamestown now because part is under construction. If you let me know what hotel you are staying in, I can give you directions to get there.
As mentioned before, there are two attractions at Yorktown and two at Jamestown. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation runs the two re-creations while the National Park Service owns the two park sites. I don't know enough to tell you which one your children would prefer, rksh, but friends have told me their children enjoyed the Victory Center.
I have to echo obxgirl's opinion of Michie Tavern (and it isn't because of her very nice compliment). I don't think it is worth the time, money, or calories.
If you need restaurant suggestions or anything else, let us know.
You want to leave the airport on McManus Blvd. I don't know where on the airport circle the car rentals are but the circle is so small you can go around it again if you miss McManus. McManus comes in to the circle directly opposite of the terminal.
Go to the end of McManus and take a right on Denbigh Blvd.
Go about 3 miles and take a left on Rt 17. It's just after the farm. Pops will be on the right. Riverside Health in the strip mall on the left.
Take a right onto Cook Rd. I believe it is the 4th light. Log Cabin day care will be on the right.
Go to the end of Cook Rd and take a left at the T. You'll then take a right (but not a hard right) onto the road with the dividing yellow line. Follow the curve to the left in front of the memorial and take a right down to the waterfront.
Go left along the waterfront. There is a parking garage on the left across from the shops. You can get a sandwich at the sandwich shop or a nicer lunch at the Riverwalk Restaurant. Carrot Tree, http://www.carrottreekitchens.com/inn.htm, is in town off of the waterfront.
If you continue on the road along the waterfront, you will come to the Victory Center on the right, and the access road to the parkway on the right.
The parkway will bring you to Williamsburg. You can't follow it all the way to Jamestown now because part is under construction. If you let me know what hotel you are staying in, I can give you directions to get there.
As mentioned before, there are two attractions at Yorktown and two at Jamestown. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation runs the two re-creations while the National Park Service owns the two park sites. I don't know enough to tell you which one your children would prefer, rksh, but friends have told me their children enjoyed the Victory Center.
I have to echo obxgirl's opinion of Michie Tavern (and it isn't because of her very nice compliment). I don't think it is worth the time, money, or calories.
If you need restaurant suggestions or anything else, let us know.
May 28th, 2010, 12:26 PM
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Thank you Birdie for the direction! We will skip Michie Tavern and enjoy lunch someplace else. Any restaurant suggestions for lunch and/or dinner in Charlottesville?
Also, I think we may have time now to do a tour/tasting at one of the wineries near Charlottesville. I did some research, and since we will be in Charlottesville mid-week, it looks like we will have to make an appt for a tour, since most places offering tours do so on Sat/Sun only. Ackislander recommended Barboursville, and I have emailed them to clarify if their tours by appt are for any day of the week, or just on Sat/Sun outside of the scheduled times. King's Family and Prince Michel wineries offer private tours also. Could anyone advise on these latter two, in case Barboursville does not offer mid-week tours? Thank you!
Also, I think we may have time now to do a tour/tasting at one of the wineries near Charlottesville. I did some research, and since we will be in Charlottesville mid-week, it looks like we will have to make an appt for a tour, since most places offering tours do so on Sat/Sun only. Ackislander recommended Barboursville, and I have emailed them to clarify if their tours by appt are for any day of the week, or just on Sat/Sun outside of the scheduled times. King's Family and Prince Michel wineries offer private tours also. Could anyone advise on these latter two, in case Barboursville does not offer mid-week tours? Thank you!
May 28th, 2010, 01:40 PM
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Hamilton's (434) 295-6649 or The Downtown Grille in downtown Charlottesville (434)817-7080 are upscale but wonderful for families as I have brought my 13 year old to the Grille, enjoyed a wonderful martini and they cooked her lemon chicken that was upon her request - it wasn't even on the menu! Kings Family Vineyard is very nice and cozy, and I loved the modern pollakvineyards.com Their Meritage was really terrific and the view is incredible - also its near King. Prince Michel is pretty far on North 29, if you were staying in C'ville, the vineyards I mentioned are closer to town. Are you staying at the Omni? It has awesome chocolate cake! A shameless plug: consider making the circuit tour north on I-81 and bring your family to Shenandoah Caverns, they will be amazed! (and there is free VA wine sampling at The Yellow Barn) Also - www.virginiawine.org has all the info you need to choose a great winery. If you go to Montpelier,(which I would highly recommend, almost more than Montecello) Barboursville and Horton is very close by. Enjoy your trip - especially the Shenandoah National Park. (but choose a section like Rockfish Gap to Swift Run - it can be kinda long for the kids after a while) We are all celebrating the Blue Ridge Parkway's 75th anniversary!
May 28th, 2010, 03:38 PM
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It has been quite a few years since we were in Gettysburg but make your first stop the Visitors' Center. See the electric map presentation and the ranger talks are very informative. You can also drive around the battlefields with a CD or cassette to listen to for information at various stops (you get it at the Visitors' Center). Also, if anyone in your party loves teddy bears, the Boyds'Bear Barn (gift shop) is a feast for the eyes. It is not far from the battlefields - there are signs.
