Colonial Williamsburg
 

My wife and I are spending 5 days/4 nights in Williamsburg at the end of July. We are both HUUUGGEEE history buffs and have done plenty of research on the things to do in Williamsburg but are a bit overwhelmed. I'm hoping that you guys can lead us in the right direction. We're obviously going to hit Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg but I wanted to know what else we could do to stretch our time to the limit and see as much as possible. There's also a dinner show that I heard of somewhere and can't find it anywhere, if anyone knows about that and could fill me in....I appreciate all responses.

Ryan

Not exactly a show, but do reserve for a dinner at one of the taverns. There's often music at that time, sometimes a fiddler, sometimes a singer. And the food is excellent, the drinks interesting and good.

Yorktown for sure. Both the battlefield and the Victory center

Ditto to dinner in one of the historic taverns

concerts and organ recitals

Dinner theatre http://www.williamsburgdinnertheatre.com/#!/page_SPLASH

If you are driving through Virginia, Monticello is a good stop.

Do not miss Yorktown battlefield and center - give it at least half a day.

Be ready for weather that is both very hot and humid and plan your schedule around it. The last time we were there it was 99 and almost 100% humidity. So start early and consider hibernating in the middle of the day.

The James River Plantations on VA 5 are worth viewing, and some of them are easy from Jamestown.

There are sort of two Jamestowns: the Federal historic site and the reconstruction. I found the reconstruction itself boring, but the museum there is spectacular, worth the price of admission itself. It also has an excellent cafeteria with local specialties.

Be sure to see the Abbey Aldrich Rockefeller folk art museum in Colonial Williamsburg.

We were there in the fall a few years back and enjoyed one of the evening tours of Colonial Williamsburg.

Thanks for the replies. Is there a difference between Historic Jamestown and Jamestown Settlement? Are they located in the same place??

For the 5 days, I'm thinking of this for an itinerary:
Colonial Williamsburg
Jamestown
Yorktown
One of the days at the end, I'm going to make the short drive to Richmond to see my mother so that'll be an all day trip, I'm sure. So, is what I have laid out OK? Keep in mind that we are big history buffs and will be just thrilled to be walking around all those areas and taking it all in. Let me know what you guys think, thanks!!

>> Is there a difference between Historic Jamestown and Jamestown Settlement?<<

Yes, there are two different sites at Jamestown (two sites at Yorktown as well)

Are the 2 sites located at the same place?

Also, what about tickets? Do I need to purchase them in advance or what??

<i>Are the 2 sites located at the same place?</i>

Yes, the two Jamestown's and the two Yorktown's are co-located.

The National Park Service runs the original Jamestown site and the Yorktown Battlefield. Jamestown Settlement & the Yorktown Victory Centers are run by a non profit foundation with the state of Virginia and focuses on Native American and African experience as well as the European history.

There is a ticket scheme that will give you multi day access to all 4 of these sites and Colonial Wmbg.

https://jyfemail.jyf.virginia.gov/eS...egoryCode=9009

You can buy tickets ahead or you can purchase day tickets at each place.

Either going to or coming from Yorktown, make sure you take the Colonial Parkway. It's a beautiful drive along the James and York Rivers with some places to stop and admire the view.

If your time allows, take the Jamestown-Scotland ferry across the river at sunset. It's a beautiful view and tranquil trip. Osprey and eagle sitings are common.

Depending on where your mother is in the Richmond area, consider taking Route 5 from Williamsburg to Richmond. Another pretty drive passing along the way a half dozen historic plantation homes mentioned above.

Hope it's a great trip. Lots to see.

Thanks so much for the replies and the info. I'm so excited to see how much we can get done in the time there. My mom lives in Mechanicsville, just outside of Richmond, btw.

You can plot a path up Route 5 to Mechanicsville, transfer to 295 and then back to the conventional roads to Mechanicsville.

Route 5 is not a great trip after dark (two lanes, tree canopy) but a very pretty one during the day.