Colonial Williamsburg... Any input welcome!
 

Family vacation, in July, w/ 3 kids (3, 5, 7). Never been. Seasoned travelers, walkers, history buffs, and flexible. Is it worth it, in the heat? Good hotel choices, w/ suites, and pools? Bush Gardens too? Any help and ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance.
PS Had a great time in Paris- Thanks for all the help & info!!

Absolutely, it's worth it.

We spent six days in Williamsburg a couple of years ago and loved all of it.

We went to Busch Gardens a lot because we are coaster buffs. But we also enjoyed several things in Colonial Williamsburg.

I really can't give you the name of a motel because we stayed at one because of budgetary reasons. It was one right next to a brand-new HOOTERS if that tells you anything. But it was quite good.

The one thing I remember most about Williamsburg is I never got down the road system. There are a couple of places where it is almost a guarantee you will go the wrong way, even it fou have Robin Williams' LOLA (you know of of RV).

Anyway, there are plenty of thigs to do, but I would recommend taking part in a witch trial and signing up for the nightly ghost story walk. They were both extremely good.

Oooh, I am jealous. We spent a week in Wmsbg a couple of years ago and it was very nice. Since you are history buffs, I can't imagine you would be disappointed. Don't know about summer weather, both my visits were in fall. The old "tour in morning and evening and relax at pool in hot afternoon" method works for even the hottest of vacations. I bet there is a water park associated w/busch gardens or in the area, too. I can't speak to lodging bc we have a timeshare, but magnumholmes is right about the tricky road situation! Very curious! There is a WalMart out at the interstate exit where we bought groceries. Seems like that area was just developing, so lodging choices near there should be new. We loved eating at Sal's (italian place in town) and at the Cheese Shoppe (sit outside or in window and people watch). BTW I found a Goodwill store in town and was able to buy a hooded Wm and Mary sweatshirt for, like, 3 bucks. Might not be your scene, but I am cheap. My husband didn't score at thrift store, but did get nice looking Wm and Mary tshirt at the local KMart for way less than giftshops.

Thanks. Haven't heard about the witch trial. Good for our age group (Out, Damn spot!!) Glad to know the night walks are cool too. We do the mid afternoon pool thing also. Thanks for the info about the road system. We're driving down from Nj and I'm glad for this warning. Did AAA maps help? Any other Not to miss things? :)

I love Williamsburg, but I have to warn you it will be brutally hot and humid. We thought it was worse than Florida in mid-July or Las Vegas in the summer.

We stayed at the Kingsmill Resort which is lovely. Unfortunately, we couldn't take advantage of everything the resort had to offer because of the heat.

I have promised myself that the next time I go to Williamsburg, it will be either early spring or fall.

You can still have a good time, but you must be prepared for the heat and humidity.

I can vouch for the heat and humidity in Williamsburg. We visited the first week of June a couple years ago, and I could not believe how intense the sun was; we were drenched in sweat. And that was just the beginning of summer! If your family can tolerate it though, I recommend staying at the Woodlands Resort. It's beautiful, clean, great pool, cont. breakfast, etc. It has continuous bus service to Colonial Williamsburg, and a path you can take to walk there if you choose. There are also several different packages you can purchase to suit your family's needs. It's nice having everything (except food) included in one price.

Colonial Williamsburg is great. Can't advise about the weather in July, but July is hot everywhere. Historic Triangle also includes Jamestown Settlement (400th anniversary) and Yorktown. Here's a good link for info: http://www.historictriangle.com/attractions/. Numerous hotels in area and many choices on the property too. Try www.virginia.org .

Aside from doing the historic triangle other good ideas with kids are Busch Gardens/Water Country USA, Great Wolf Lodge (hotel with an indoor water park!). Heading south you can go to the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News and the Nauticus Museum in Norfolk. In Virginia Beach you have the beach, the Virginia Aquarium and a really fun thing would be to take a dolphin/whale watching cruise.

I knew the heat would be bad. Bad enough to go somewhere else? Great wolf looks fun for the kids. Will also hit the triangle, of course. Can't go all that way and not! Do we need the week at Williamsburg or should we move on after 3 or 4 days? I think if we go slow we can last the week there. Between the heat, Bush Gardens, Water World (or whatever!!), the triangle, the hotel pool and maybe some true R & R, a week will be perfect. Food thoughts? Thanks again! :)

Food thoughts....do you like waffles? I think there is some sort of ultra-cosmic concentration of waffle restaurants around Williamsburg....and yes they are as good as anywhere.

Have you looked at the reviews on TripAdvisor for any of the places you are staying?

A couple of years ago we stayed at the Patrick henry and appreciated the fact you could, literally, walk into Colonial Williamsburg from that location...but, of course, had to drive everywhere else.

I think you could find enough to do in the area (besides just CW) to last a full week.

We visited CW and Bush Gardens when the kids were 3 and 5 and they enjoyed it. We stayed with friends and at a military hotel, so I can't help with regular hotel/dining suggestions. Our trip was in mid August, and I am a terrible heat wimp, but honestly I did not find it miserable at all. Just take it easy during the heat of the afternoon and and you will be fine.

Yes, have checked out most of the travel sites. I need good input, from my Fodies, before I jump! With 3 young kids, yes, we love waffles! Good to know! We'll stay someplace fun for the kids. Mostly looking at places that offers enough stuff for them when trying to escape the heat. Any good adult places to eat? Our kids are more on the adult food than chx fingers & FF. As in artichokes, shrimp and crab cakes! (Bad idea introducing good = $$ food to them- Chx fingers are missed!!):)

It is worth the trip. Williamsburg is a lot of fun especially for the ages of your kids.

We went in Spring last year and it would get pretty hot by noon until 3 so I can't imagine the heat in July. Yikes! But that's what the pool is for and it's always good to take a break. We enjoyed Bush Gardens. We were there 10 minutes before the park opened and we were able to do all the rides we wanted to go to in one day.

Merchant square has a lot of good restaurants. There is a thread here that talks about restaurants in the area. Wealth of information. Have fun!

If you are a history buff and love to walk then you've chosen the perfect place to visit. Go to the Colonial Williamsburg website, go to programs and you will be able to get an idea of what you can experience. The Revolutionary City is in it's second season and will take you right to the heart of our history.
I can recommend the Williamsburg Inn, Providence Hall wings and the Williamsburg Lodge. Both has suites and pools. There is a new Spa nearby these two hotels. Or you might want to check out the Woodlands hotel; great for families. A tavern dinner - Kings Arms or Christiana Campbell's would give a great evening of food and music. Trellis and Seasons is a good choice, too, in Merchants Square. Lunch is a must at the Cheese Shop. Great sandwhices and root beer or ginger ale. Colonial Williamsburg has a combination ticket for all CW, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, I believe. With the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown at hand, this would be a grea time to take the kids.
It is hot, very hot and humid. I've been there in July and August and you have to plan ahead for the heat. Bottles of water in back packss and frequent breaks is a must. We try to do our walking early in the day, break for lunch and rest then start again late afternoon. Busch Gardens is great in the evenings. For the little kids they have a wonderful Dinosaur area with cute rides. Irish dancing was a favorite for us.
FYI -our first trip with our daughter to CW was when my daughter was 5. I gave her a few disposable cameras, keep her feed with light snacks and water, lots of sunblock and a hat, steered her to the animals at CW and brick making and she had a blast. The evening lantern tour was her favorite - the guide allowed her to carry the lighted lantern. I have found that children are particularily pulled into the action at CW. She was even given her favorite meal at that time at Christiana Campbells Tavern - a perfect grilled cheese sandwich. There are a number of children friendly programs. Check out the website for more information.
Go and have FUN!