Kristin

Hi, My Mom and I are considering a trip to CWburg right after Xmas. (we won't be there for the "grand illumination"). I enjoyed CW in the summer as a kid, but am wondering once we've seen the decorations, etc., will we be bored??? I started second-guessing our 3-day itin. due to some comments I've read on this board. People seem to also go to the outlet malls, Jamestown, Busch Gardens, etc., but that's in the summer, and we're not really interested in doing those things in Dec. I guess I'd be interested in knowing who has done this trip after Xmas, and how many days of CW in Dec. is enuf. Thanks.

BerryBerry

3 days may not be enough. CWbg. has a full program of Christmas activities from Thksgiving to New Yrs.

While the "magical" stuff (carols in the Gov. Palace, special tours in many of the buildings, etc.) the decorations are still there and the activity list is full

I suggest you call the HQ in Wmsbg and as them to send you an agenda for activities while you are there.

Also, try this website.

http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/...as/xmashdr.cfm

mom

My own opinion, and no more than that, is that three days is probably more than enough. Even in summer, 1 1/2 to 2 days is more than adequate. Plan on spending one of your 3 days puttering around elsewhere -- see if the other plantations are open or even go to Richmond for the day. It is a charming city (maybe an hour away) with a surprisingly good art museum.

Camille

I went last year with husband and two days was plenty,,,, unless you are going to go into every single house and do every activity.

xxx

Kristen,

If you're only coming to see the decorations you can do that in an afternoon.

Perhaps you'd field more answers if you told people what activities you and you mother enjoy.

Jane

3 Days is too much!!! We were very disappointed in Colonial Williamsburg. Boring! Thank you Busch Gardens for salvaging our trip.

xxx

Yeah Jane, American history has nothing over beer swilling theme parks.

Kristin

Thanks for your replies----it sounds like eating, plantation trips and wandering CW will be our activities. My Mom's really not into museums, altho she's really excited about going to Williamsburg. Also,I know I can do this research on my own, but does anyone happen to know if Busch Gardens is open in December, and what is it exactly? Is it just an amusement park with rides? Is it a nice clean place? Thanks again dear travelers!!

r-travels

Gee - I go to CW as many times as 6 times a year, usually for about 2-3 days, and I can't get enough! It's not just the "museum" quality of the place that I enjoy, it's talking with the various in-period people, listening and asking questions. I enjoy the evening programs too.

I've been there the first weekend in Dec, as well as last weekend in Jan, but never during the time Kristin is visiting.

The plantations are very worthwhile too, and I always stay at least one night in Virginia Beach at a beachfront hotel. Even in the winter, I turn down the thermostat, open the balcony door, and enjoy hearing that surf all night long. (no x in my *real* eddress)

ddd

Kristen,

Busch Gardens is not open in December. It is, in fact, just an amusement park with rides. It's also a nice clean place.

Susan

Try to find out a schedule of events so that you can make reservations early. There are a lot of Xmas dinners and performances but they tend to fill up. I haven't been to any of them so I can't make specific recommendations.

r-travels

I forgot while writing last night: official CW website:
www.history.org
Phone 1-800-history

sara

The plantations are definitely worth a visit, tea at the Williamsburg Inn, Yorktown battlefields and then lunch in Gloucester, if you drive out to some of the plantations you can also dine at Indian Fields Tavern. You can also visit the College of William & Mary (Wren building) and head toward Norfold/VA beach/outer banks. I think that it is a great wandering place but if you are not into museums or shopping . . .