We have to choose between Jamestown or Colonial Williamsburg, what would you recommend for 8-10 year old girls? I have heard that Col Williamsburg may be a bit boring for them, and that Jamestown has more interesting exhibits and hands-on activities. We'll be going to Busch Gardens and Water Country and are looking for one "day of learning" while in the Williamsburg area. Thanks!

Tasha
I am way over 8-10 yrs old and I liked Jamestown better. Of course, one of the reasons is that it was soooo hot the day we were in Williamsburg and there is soooo much walking to do. I would suggest that you read up on both places,consider the month you will be visiting, and your families tastes. Have fun whatever you decide!

Both are worth doing, but they do offer different experiences. Williamsburg can wear you out, especially on a hot day. It is interesting, though.

Jamestown I think may do a better job of portraying what life was like then. Mainly because it is not as touristy.

This may be one you do a little research and let the kids pick. If they have studied one in school that may be of more interest.

Enjoy your trip.

My vote is for Williamsburg. Been to both (and Fredericksburg) and IMO, Williamsburg is in a class by itself. MUCH more to see and do to capture their interest and attention.

Also, if your girls are into AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS, Williamsburg had special events with that theme, for girls and their dolls. I know they fill up fast so call right away if you're interested. We were shut out both times we went.

Your girls are the perfect ages to read the American Girls books, and the one set in and around Colonial Williamsburg is the series about Felicity. Meet Felicity, Felicity Learns a Lesson, etc. You can check them out of your local library, probably. See www.americangirlsstore.com for more info. Williamsburg has a special "lesson" and "tea" with a reenactor who portrays Felicity's teacher. The girls might really enjoy it. It is by reservation and has an extra fee. Jamestown Settlement is neat with it's info about the REAL Pocahontas (she was 10 and ran around naked like all Powhatan kids of that age when John Smith came to town - NOT like that Disney fairy tale!) You could probably do both of these things in one day, then stroll around historic Wmsbg in the evening to get ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. Have fun!

Be aware that Jamestown has two attractions. One is the original site with archeaological digs, the other is the re-created Jamestown with many activities being demonstrated. The only advantage to Jamestown is the compactness of the area. Colonial Williamsburg is very spread out.

When we went a few years back, we had a package for admission to CW, Jamestown, Yorktwon, Busch Gardens and Water Country. We would do the educational activity in the morning, Water Country in the afternoon and Busch Gardens in the evening. Check the Virginia is for lovers website.

Our family was in Williamsburg Area this spring and our 8 year old girl liked Jamestown Settlement better than Colonial Williamsburg, although I recommend both if you have time. You might consider one of the evening programs in Colonial W-burg. We went to a tavern for dinner and then to the Capital for 18th century dance program. My child enjoyed both. You can find info on Colonial W-burg site (search will find site). Also I called about the American Girls program and it was my understading it had been discontinued but maybe it was just for the time I was there.

Early American history has a limited appeal for young children but Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown (the real site operated by the Park Service) and Jamestown Settlement (next door to the Park Service site) offer a multitude of activities to engage and entertain kids.

I think Williamsburg offers more to do (and the comment about it being too touristy is just bogus) but, as noted, Wmbg is much bigger and that can really take a toll on kids' enthusiasm on a hot day.

Here is a url describing Col Wmbg familiy activities for the summer season: http://www.history.org/visit/planYou...mmerFamily.htm

I believe the American Girl/Felicity activities have been phased out. But the stories are still a great intro to colonial life.

If choosing between Jamestown and Jamestown Settlement, the latter has more engaging stuff for kids. It's sister site, the Yorktown Victory Center, is a very pretty ride down the Colonial Parkway. Both places have plenty of kid themed stuff. Here is the url: www.historyisfun.org

For a one day excursion, your money will go farther at Jamestown Settlement or maybe a dual Jamestown/Yorktown ticket. You could visit both in a day.

If it were me, I'd choose Williamsburg. Rent colonial costumes for the girls, sign up for one or two of the family themed activities, do the maize in Govenor's Palace garden, and wander around the shops and houses with plenty of stops for lemonade, cookies and ice cream. Do dinner at one of the taverns and end the evening with a carriage ride around town after dark.

Have fun and get to Busch Gardens early in the day!

Williamsburg is in a class by itslef. I would pick Williamsburg.

Thanks for all the advice, I was surprised to receive all the helpful comments!! I like the idea of Jamestown for maybe a 1/2 day, then Colonial Williamsburg for the evening activities. We are going in July, so it will probably be hot and humid. I do need to factor in the weather for this decision - (we don't want to spend the day hearing "I'm hot, can we go now?!")

We went to Jamestown 2 summers ago in July with kids and the heat was unbearable. Noone had a good time because of that. That aside, Jamestown was better than Williamsburg for our girls.

There are no more American Girl doll events at CW.

There used to be a "Revolutionary Fun" pass but it has changed to a Williamsburg flex pass - www.williamsburgflex.com. You might want to check that out and compare admission prices, this might be a good option for you.

I checked out this website, and it does offer a lot of ticket options. I have AAA, so I need to figure out if the discounted tickets are a better deal than the packages.

Just wondering, since we will be there for July 4, does anyone have a recommendation for where to go for fireworks or other special events that day/night? (or where NOT to go?)

Unless it is pouring with rain, Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens are VERY busy on the 4th of July. WIlliamsburg does a fireworks display on the Palace Green. People stake out a spot on the grass hours in advance. Lots of picnic dinners. The fireworks are good tho not huge like the DC mall or Disney's Epcot. I'm sure Busch Gardens does fireworks too but perhaps someone else knows the specifics.



I'm not a huge fireworks fan so a few hours a

Whoops. Hit reply too soon. I was about to say I don't like the big crowds and long wait for a few minutes of fireworks. My husband and daughter (12) do enjoy it and have gone every year for the last five.

Here's another "thumbs up" for the evening programs at CW. Many of them sell out early, so it's a good idea to order your tix ahead of time (1-800-history). If you're there on a Saturday, try to see the 2 hr 18th Century Play. Prices are $6 if you have the annual pass, $12 if not. Performances I saw this weekend were "Jumping the Broom", a re-enactment of a slave wedding ceremony (& events leading up to it), "Medley of Entertainment" -- a vaudeville-like traveling show, and "Mama Said, Papa Said" -- slave story-telling. The programs aren't just very entertaining, but teach as well.

Hey OBXGIRL, I couldn't believe the Cheese Shoppe FINALLY moved!

We recently returned from a trip to Williamsburg (and Jamestown), and would hate for anyone to miss it such a great piece of American history.

My 8yo loved almost everything, though his favorites were the blacksmith and the silversmith. The interpreters were very good, and did a good job of engaging the kids. The colonial garden was another favorite; the gardener had our kids help him, including pulling a bucket up from the well - HARD work. Our son also enjoyed the reinactment of a trial & the fife and drum concert. We had drinks at Shields Tavern, where they showed us how to play the dice game "buck."

The buildings are all air-conditioned inside.

Check the Williamsburg schedule - the evening programs are only scheduled periodically, and none of those when we were there sounded good to us.

There is a series of books set in Williamsburg about kids who really lived then; the kids will love seeing the places they read about (the series is "Colonial Williamsburg: Young Americans"). There are also 2 "My America" books set in Jamestown, "Our Strange New Land," and "The Starving Time."

I second the notion for the Grand Medley of Entertainment. It's very slapsticky and the audience members are encouraged to call out rude comments to the entertainers. I don't know who enjoyed it more, my daughter or my 80 year old uncle.

Yes, rb_traveler, the Cheese Shoppe is finally reincarnated across the street! Even a month ago it looked like it might never happen. It's still the best place in town for sandwiches tho.