Adult fun in Williamsburg, VA
 

My husband and I are going to spend 3 days in Williamsburg, VA at the end of April. I am looking for some ideas/activities that would be geared towards adults. I know that we are going to spend a day at Bush Gardens. I am thinking about spending a day at Colonial Williamsburg or attending some of the evening programs, but I would like to know if it’s worth the money and if adults would enjoy it without children. I am open to suggest about other attractions in the area as well. Are there any good Italian restaurants? Lastly, we are staying at the Radisson Hotel, does anyone have any comments about this hotel. Thanks!

Be glad to hear what others say as I'm sure we will return to historic Williamsburg. Certainly it should be enjoyable without children, in fact I would think more so. In an effort to market W'burg to today's kids I hope they haven't dumbed things down. I recall some programs that give us a good slice of Colonial life but it's been so long I wonder if there are new programs. But why would you ask about Italian restaurants? :-) How about Colonial fare, roast chicken and hard cider perhaps. BTW, I recall that cider did have a kick!
Ozarks Bill

Any restaurants you would recommend in Williamsburg?

There is a great new bistro in the Colonial Williamsburg area (6 months old) and I am reaching into memory but I think it's called the Blue Talon. Not Italian , but great food.

Colonial Williamsburg is great for adults. To complete the experience I would definitely include a dinner at one of the colonial taverns. We enjoy Shields, which is owned by Colonial Williamsburg and features colonial period food and entertainment.

Other noted restaurants are the Trellis, the Fat Canary, Seasons. For lunch the Chickahomony House is popular.

Colonial Williamsburg could take two days, but if you perfer to do one and spend the other day doing something else, Yorktown and Jamestown are both less than 30 minutes away. There are plenty of outlet stores nearby if that's what you want to do.

I just returned from Williamsburg last week. In my estimation, one day isn't enough time to see Colonial Williamsburg. Especially if you really like history and want to really see the town. There is a tremendous amount of walking you can do so wear comfortable shoes. We never did make it to Jamestown so I can't comment about there, we will go there next time. To me Busch Gardens was just another amusement park. We took two of our teenagers with us and they had a great time. The lines were horrific. I believe until school is out, they have some alternate schedule. Only open on weekends of something like that so check out the website to be sure.

We didn't stay at the Radisson but passed by it and it looked fine from the outside. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn which was also fine.

I love the area and am a fan of history so I really enjoyed our visit. I think the area is very pretty. Enjoy your trip.

A very nice restuarant is the Williamsburg Inn. I do not remember if jacket is required or not. This is definitely not a kid friendly restaurant and would be a nice treat for a couples trip. I think the history in Williamsburg is great and is geared more for adults or older kids. The programs designed for elementary students is not the same tour you would get. I think you will have a nice time. Don't forget it is also a college town with William and Mary's campus butting up to the Colonial Williamsburg property. It is also a nice place to visit.

I know that everyone is different but I always try to stay in a CW property, avoid the overpriced Taverns and have dinner at the Williamsburg Lodge.My wife and I visit 1-2 times a year and greatly enjoy the atmosphere but we buy historic area admission only when included in the lodging package.

The dining room at the Williamsburg Inn definitely requires a jacket and tie. I find it a bit stuffy.

I tried to post this earlier to day. Apologies if it ends up being a double post.

Late April is a great time to visit Williamsburg. The gardens should be in bloom. CW is not a theme park. They work pretty hard at maintaining an "authentic" atmosphere. There's plenty to keep adults busy. The website colonialwilliamsburg.com has an extensive list of the programs available.

In the evening, Chownings Tavern is a fun place to have a drink and enjoy the balladeers and costumed singers. Between 5 and 8 pm, it's a family event, after 8 pm the enterntainment is geared for grown ups. Dinner at one of the other colonial taverns is really popular. Book ahead if you're visiting on a weekend.

There are some Italian restaurants in town. They mostly tend to be casual pizza/pasta type places, nothing upscale. These are my preferred ones:

Sal's Italian Restaurant & Pizza - 1242 Richmond Rd  - (757) 220-2641  
Doraldo Restaurant - 7093 Pocahontas Trail - (757) 220-0795 
Giuseppe's Italian Cafe - 5601 Richmond Road Rd - (757) 565-1977 

Otherwise, I'd recomend the already mentioned Blue Talon Bistro and Fat Canary. The latter is upscale and a bit pricey but worth it. Definitely book a table.

Busch Gardens will be open Friday-Sunday until sometime in May. The week jersey was here coincided with spring break for this part of the world. The park was open all week long and packed with locals.

The Radisson Fort Magruder is a nice hotel and wll located between the restored area of CW and Busch Gardens.

Have a great visit.

Thank to everyone for the wonderful advice. I am thinking about attending one of the following evening programs:
1. Legends, Ghosts, Mysteries, and Myths
2. Cry Witch
3. Papa Said, Mama Said
4. Dance Our Dearest Diversion
Any advice?

When we were in Williamsburg 2 summers ago, we stayed at the Radisson for 3 nights. It was a good hotel & I would go back. Although we spent very little time there during the day, the rooms were quiet & comfortable at night. One thing though, I don't know if it was us or the directions, but trying to find the hotel the first time (it was 10 at night & dark) it took us awhile to actually find it. We went past it a couple times, but after that we had no problems getting to it.

Williamsburg should be gorgeous when you arrive. Everything is starting to bloom now. We are at least 2 weeks late so we should be at peak azaelea time when you arrive. Just walking around the gardens will be fun. Make sure you explore in CW. Many people don't realize that the gardens are open to the public. If the weather is warm try to have one lunch on the patio at the Golden Horseshoe golf course. I would recommend a dinner at one of the taverns. I think it is worth the experience. Look at the menus online and book ahead. Shields is closed. I think you will find Giuseppe's to be nicer than the other two. Sal's is very casual but has good food. A movie at the Kimball is always a nice experience. The screening room is like watching a movie in a friend's great media room. Plus they sell wine! Popcorn, wine, and a movie. You can't miss. I wonder what wine our experts would recommend to go with popcorn?

toyia22, Of the events you've listed, I like Cry Witch and Ghosts tour. Papa Said/Mama Said is also very entertaining. Your number 4 involves participatory dancing and, uh, that's not me.

Seems like I'm echoing obx but I too like Sals by Victor (there's other "Sals" in the area - you want the one in Williamsburg Shopping Center). Sal's is a family place and everyone seems to know each other - a very local favorite. I always seem to get the "Chicken Victor" and the same waitress as well, who remembers me and my order.

Pierces' BBQ is another great spot.

Like OBX, I've seen the first 3 on the list, rate them all great, and the participatory dance isn't my thing either.

Maybe a local can comment on "Rosie Rumps Regal Dumpe" -- sounds like some dinner served with entertainment??

I am a local. I echo the recommendations of the Blue Talon and the Fat Canary. The latter fills up fast. You need reservations. Yorktown has a new waterfront mall. Jamestown is sprucing up for 2007. The dogwoods and azaleas are just starting. Plenty to do. The Radisson is just fine, good location.

is the new Yorktown waterfront mall the site of the former "Nicks"?

They are improving both sides of the street along the waterfront. I haven't walked down there to see exactly where everything is located. I know they haven't touched the Yorktown Pub or the hotel.

rb, You are right about the general location being where Nick's used to be.

Yorktown has tried on numerous occasions to revamp the waterfront. Hope they get it right this time!

I like the Yorktown Pub too.

Just returned from Williamsburg today. Suggest eating at Pierres Bar-be-que and the Old Chickahominy House on Jamestown Rd. At Yorktown, we had a delightful lunch at Carrot Tree Kitchen. Take an evening and eat at Chowning 's tavern and stay around and learn how to play games - what fun! We liked Shields Tavern aslo in Williamsburg. As for the Raddison -don't know. Wehad an awful time at the 1776 Ramada Inn. Beds were the worst I have ever slept in. Staay away from them