cakelady

Two couples, age mid 50's, going to Williamsburg, VA first week of Sept. What are some "must-do" and "must-see" things we should know about? Also, restaurant recommendations? We'll be staying in a time share condo.
And best places to drive to for some ocean beach fun things to do and sites to see. thanks.

Birdie

I would be glad to help you. Let me know your interests: museums, shopping, outdoor activities? What time share are you staying at?

janis

Some basics. Get the yearly pass - it is only about $3 more than a 1-day ticket. That way you don't have to try to see everything in a day. Bite off small bits of Williamsburg - it can be very tiring. So go for a few hours and then go someplace else or just back to the condo to lay by the pool.

Be sure to take in some of the evening events - Candlelight concerts, mock trials, ghost walks, and so on. You will get a full schedule in the program you get at the ticket office.

Go to a Patrick Henry and/or Thomas Jefferson performance. really great.

eat at least one dinner in one of the historis taverns - you must book ahead for those.

Use the free shuttle bus to circumnavigate - the place is a lot bigger than it seems.

Take Colonial Parkway from one end to the other - Yorktown at one end - Jamestown the other. if you do both on the same day count on it taking all day long.

Visit some Civil War battlefields - Petersburg, around Richmond, etc. Visit some of the James River plantations - if you do all of them it will take most of a day.

For a long but great day - drive over to Monticello. it is a long drive but a really remarkable place.

that is just for starters -

and for shopping - there are several outlet malls in and near Williamsburg.

Gekko

Be sure to have dinner at a couple of the "historic" restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg. They are all excellent. Do make Reservations in advance.

For a special occasion dinner, you can't go wrong with the Williamsburg Inn. Excellent cuisine. Gentlemen must wear jackets. The Inn is worth seeing in any case.

I agree that Jamestown is worth a visit.

Finally, if you do nothing else, if you only do one thing, be sure to see the movie "Story of a Patriot." Okay, it's not that important, but do see it (at the visitor center or in your room at the Inn or the Lodge).

Enjoy Williamsburg!

SFImporter

Story of a Patriot cracks me up! It does get you in the right historical mood, but we chuckle all year over the scene where the lady of the house receives flowers from someone, barely looks at them and then tosses them to her slave/servant saying, "Virginia, put these in water."

Last time I was there "Story of a Patriot" - a very bad copy of it - was playing over and over again on one of the hotel TV stations.

Retired_teacher

My husband and I spent four days in Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding area last summer. Here are some suggestions:
Purchase the Liberty Pass as it will give you a 10% discount on all meals and purchases within the historic area.
Book your walking tours as soon as you arrive as the "good" ones fill up quicky.
Walk the streets after dark or take a lantern tour for a feel of the town's colonial atmosphere.
Eat at a colonial tavern and be sure to make your reservations when you arrive to assure the day and time you require.
Visit the Williamsburg Inn and "window shop" at their beautiful colonial furniture store.
Stop at Carter Grove Plantation if you haven't seen other antebellum plantations.
Go to Yorktown to the NPS site for a historic look at the Battle of Yorktown.
Visit the old ruins of historic Jamestown.

Lorna

A highlight of our trip was dinner at The Trellis. This is an upscale restaurant founded by the creator of Death by Chocolate. Great dinner and even better dessert! The outdoor cafe there is also good for a late evening dessert.

I second the recommendation to buy the yearly pass and take your time going through Historic Williamsburg. We found that we went every day that we were there and just did a few houses at a time. This kept them from all blurring together and provided a respite from the heat. Also did a candlelight harpsichord concert at the church. Unforgettable!

janis

Just a quick note - Carter's Grove is closed for the next two years.

cakelady

Thank you all for your responses so far. I hope I get more. All seem to be very helpful. I'm getting excited about the trip now. Thanks again.

obxgirl

To update Janis' comment, the official word is that Carter's Grove will be closed for 2 years, however it's almost a given that it won't open again as a Colonial Williamsburg property. Visitor numbers at CW are WAY down due to Sept 11th, the DC sniper murders in 2002, and the recent war in Iraq. The property will be sold as soon as a willing buyer emerges.

The interpretation of a rural slave family that was housed on the grouds of Carter's Grove has been moved to the restored area.

In addition to the other great suggestions you've received, I'd add the evening entertainment at Chownings Tavern which includes singers, fiddle music, and games. It's all very family oriented until 8:00 pm after which it takes on a somewhat bawdier atmosphere. It's a hoot.

As a local, my favorite restaurants are:

Cities Grille (John Tyler Hwy)
Berret's Seafood (Merchant Square)
Florimontes (Williamsburg Crossing) for lunch
Cheese Shop (Merchant Square) for lunch
Pierce Pitt BBQ (the real mccoy)
Sals (Wmburg Shopping Center) lunch or dinner

IMO, the Trellis is overpriced, serves mediocre food and is resting on past laurels. It would not get a second glance in a major metro area. The one exception would be the desserts which are quite spectacular. I know others disagree but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Directly across the street from the Treillis is a brand new place called the Fat Canary. Its chef and ower opened two wonderful eateries in the Outer Banks (Blue Point Grille and Ocean Blvd) and I'd eat there just knowing that.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Unfortunately, the Liberty Pass is no longer sold :^( but do purchase the annual pass, the evening programs will cost you $6 instead of $12. If you're there on a Saturday, see the 18th Century Play (they rotate between 2 or 3). Many evening programs sell out early, so consider ordering tickets in advance (1-800-HISTORY).

When I go to the beach, I want the OCEAN, so during my Virginia visits, usually a 4-5 day weekend, I go to Virginia Beach on Sun or Mon, as the rates earlier in the week are much lower than Fri/Sat, and it's a bit quieter. Often on Sundays some special event is being held on the boardwalk (which is really about 20' wide concrete with an adjacent but separate bikeway). In both cities is a "Captain Georges Seafood Buffet", which some like and some detest .. I don't much like fish/seafood so my opinion wouldn't matter. Try Endview Plantation between WBG & NN, do a harbor tour from NN, Hampton, or downtown Norfolk (a nice visit itself), or visit Nauticus (maritime/navel museum) with adjacent (& free!) battleship USS Wisconsin.

E

If you go to Norfolk, check out the Wild Monkey in Ghent for dinner--great food, hip, casual atmosphere.

Birdie

Wow you've had some great responses! When you do Colonial Williamsburg make sure you see a performance of the Fife & Drum Corp. They should list them in the newsletter. Make sure you go through the Abby Aldrich, a fun and interesting folk art museum. Take a walk down Duke of Gloucester street early in the morning or in the evening. You'll feel like you're back in the colonial times. Definitely drive the whole parkway. If the weather is nice, bring a picnic from the Cheese Shop and stop along the way. When you go to Jamestown, keep in mind that there are two Jamestown sites, the national park which contains the archeological sites of the true town and then there is the settlement which is a re-creation of the fort and Indian village. I usually recommend the national park to adults.
For eating: have lunch at the Golden Horseshoe golf club behind the Williamsburg Inn. Eat outside on the balcony overlooking the course. Have drinks at the Inn and dessert at the Trellis. Have dinner at any of the spots Obxgirl recommended. If you want a "splurgey" dinner, I think the Dining Room at Ford's Colony is better than the Inn. Have breakfast at the golf club at Kingsmill or drinks at the marina there on the river. Dinner at one of the colonial taverns is an experience but I would recommend making your reservations ASAP. Sometimes bus tours take up all the prime times. I think you can look at the menus on the CW website. Each tavern has a different menu focus but all have about the same decor. Have fun!

cakelady

Birdie: Would you please email me direct, I have some more questions. Also, you asked & the condo we are staying at is the Fairfield Williamsburg Patriots' Place. Thanks.