Report from Williamsburg
 

Just got back from a week's stay at the Williamsburg Woodlands, and visits to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Water Country USA, Busch Gardens, et al. We had a lovely time and I might have some advice for anyone headed that way ... not to be presumptuous by writing here a rambling tale; butif anyone has any specific questions, I'd be glad to respond.

We are thinking of staying in Colonial Williamburg and I was wondering if the place that you stayed is in the "historic downtown" area and if you don't mind what did you spend per night? Thanks for your help?

The Woodlands is very close to the historic area. The main Williamsburg Visitor's Center (where you buy passes and see the orientation movie and so forth) is on the grounds of the Woodlands, and you then take a shuttle bus to the historic area itself. It's a nice quiet area. We stayed in a two-room suite in several two story buildings tucked in the woods. It was clean, quiet, and adequate -- $122 a night for three of us. It was two rooms -- a regular sized hotel room with a king-size bed, table, chairs, TV, etc.,; and a very small room with a loveseat, chairs, TV, and a murphy bed, plus a full bathroom and dressing area. <BR> <BR>If I went back, I would probably stay at the Williamsburg Lodge which looked very nice (from the outside) and which is DIRECTLY adjacent to the historic area -- you walk out of the hotel, and you're there. No idea of the cost. <BR> <BR>The suites were only a few dollars more than the regular Woodlands rooms, and I'd recommend them. And by the way, the new Woodlands Hotel is not yet open. If you stay at the Woodlands, be sure to ask to be away from the construction area. It was quiet in the afternoon and evenings, and you will be out all day when the work is going on, but it's not attractive. I don't think they're going to open till the Fall from the look of things. <BR> <BR>

Wow, you really think the Woodlands won't be done till fall? We have reservations there on August 28th and to tell you the truth would only want to stay there if we could get a room in the new building! Thanks for the heads up, I'll probably have to look into a back up plan now.

You should call and ask for an honest assessment. They said it would be open July 20, but the area is still fenced off, with construction traffic coming and going, albeit lightly. Personally I would hate to be a guest during a shakedown period those first few weeks, even if the building was ready. I would insist on a guaranteed, satisfactory back-up plan from the facility. <BR> <BR>P.S. I must say, I have never encountered such excellent, friendly, generous customer service as I did at the Woodlands, from every employee, front desk to shuttle driver to maids.

So glad for your report; we're planning a trip to Wmsbg. next spring and are also going to stay at the Woodlands. Did you go on the Lanthorn tour? If so, do you know where we can get the tickets? We'll have our 12 and 10-year olds with us, and wonder if they'd enjoy that tour, or anything else you can recommend. We're also going to get the Flex package, which includes all the places you went to. Thanks for any help you can give about what you think our kids would enjoy.

The Flex package is a GREAT way to go. When weather made us change our plans, we always knew we could go back to Busch, or Water Country, or whatever. And everything is so close to Williamsburg central. <BR> <BR>I don't know what the Lanthorn tour is, I'm embarassed to say. We had our 13 year old with us. He really didn't enjoy Colonial Williamsburg very much...just in small doses. Since you have a flex pass, don't plan on spending more than 2 hours at a time in Colonial, with kids that age... because here's a phrase we heard at least eight times during our several visits to the historic area, seriously: "Well, if you're so tired [or bored or cranky, fill in the blank], then I guess you're too tired [or bored or cranky] to go to [Water Country/Busch Gardens]." Most of the kids we saw were just waiting, waiting to go to the "fun" places and slouched through, like, the Governor's Palace tour, etc. <BR> <BR>But ... there were moments that were fun and interesting, just try to minimize the formal stuff, stay loose and go with the stuff that the kids appear to like! <BR> <BR>One recommendation for anyone, and you would never find this in any resource--we went to the original Jamestown settlement on Jamestown Island (not the "showplace" with the ships, have seen that before)...the original settlement was boring for my son, but on the way out, we followed a sign to a Colonial glassblowing place, deep in the woods, all by itself ... here was this gem of an historic trade, with four glassblowers in costume in an authentic building, pulling molten glass out of a furnace and making glass pitchers and things inches from us -- answering questions, twirling the fiery glass...it was cool, close-up, personal and so authentic. Who knew it existed?! My 13-year old son enjoyed that stop more than anything in the historic area. Check it out!

The lanthorn tour is done in the evening by lantern light. I haven't taken it but it seems very popular.You can get tickets for it from CW. They also have a ghost tour. For preteens I would make sure I watched a performance of the fife and drums and the cannon shooting. You can check your bulletin for times.

I should add, though my son is 13 and not interested, there were some excellent special events for younger kids. Visitors get a copy of a weekly schedule that lists days and times. We saw kids playing Colonial games in the back yard of one of the historic homes; a Colonial guy showing a group of kids how to march, carry "guns," and present arms near the Magazine; and there is a Young Colonials Club, where for a small fee the kids can be whisked away for 2-3 hours in the evening for all kinds of fun Williamsburg stuff while Mom and Dad go out to a nice dinner (or whatever!) For sure, check the Visitors' newsletter when you get your passes.

Special thanks to Chris for taking the time to post this very helpful info; it sure comes in handy for those of us who are planning a visit to Williamsburg soon. And thanks to Susan for her information also. Can hardly wait to go! Oh and Chris (or anyone), did you eat at any of the taverns, or at the Woodlands? Any recommendations, or comments? Thanks again.

We stayed at a B&B "Governor's Trace"...could walk through the back entrance of "Williamsburg" area...btw historic Williamsburg happens to be 'free'...it's only if you want to go INTO the houses and interact with the people dressed in colonial garb that you have to pay for tickets. Since we're from New England we felt we didn't need to see anymore colonial interiors or talk to anymore colonial people... <BR> <BR>Colonial Williamsburg is not a 'closed' area per se as is Plimoth Plantation...you can walk the streets freely and experience all there is to experience. You can eat in their taverns, etc., etc.

There is so much to do there, but one thing I wished I'd known: the ticket for admission gets you the shuttle bus from the visitor center and entry into specific historic buildings, etc. But you don't need that ticket just to enter the restored area and walk around, go into the restaurants and stores. If I had it to do again, I might consider buying the ticket for a minimum of time to do the rounds of the ticketed buildings, then go back the next day to putter for free.

In response to the question about eating at any of the taverns: Yes, we had dinner at Shields' Tavern (tried for Christiana Campbell's, could never get a reservation) and it was WONDERFUL. Lovely atmosphere, the best service we ever had from a delightful Colonial waitress, a fantastic fiddler who arrived at the perfect moment during dinner and played a bit, delicious food. Dress was very casual; dinner cost $125 for the three of us, including wine and dessert and it was well worth it, especially after living on chicken fingers and fries at Busch Gardens and Water Country the rest of the week. I highly recommend Shields, and heard Christiana Campbell's was also excellent and seafood oriented. Reservations are a MUST -- the day before. We couldn't get a reservation the same day, calling at 10:00 am for that night. <BR> <BR>Without a week's stay and a Flex pass, I agree with the poster who advocated the free walking-around, there's lots to see and enjoy. Though, last but not least, with Williamsburg passes, you get a discount at the Colonial taverns.

Hi, I went to Williamsburg last summer with 3 kids. I agree with a previous poster Colonial Williamsburg does get long for kids. I would recommend having lunch at the taverns. You don't need reservations especially if your willing to eat a little early or late. It is much less expensive than dinner and my kids loved it. I believe there are 3 taverns all close together and allvery good. they do have the menus posted outside which helps kids pick which place to go. My kids enjoyed Jamestown very much, more hands on.

How would anyone feel about a couple days in Williamsburg in January after a business trip to D.C.?? Just wondering!

Sorry we don't allow tourists in Williamsburg. Just kidding. Actually that is the time the locals come out because there are so few tourists. January can be wonderful. Very quiet. We've been known to have 70 degree days then or 2 feet of snow. If you're a golfer bring your clubs. You may get lucky with the weather. As to taverns, each of them has their own personality. Shields I think was designed to copy a tavern for the common folk, chicken, ham etc. Kings Arms (my favorite) has peanut soup (fantastic), game pie, prime rib. Christiana Campbells is seafood oriented while Chownings is very British. Chownings also has gambols after dinner at night. Drinking, tavern games, music etc.

For any of the OFFICIAL Colonial Williamsburg activities: Lantern Tour, tickets, lodging ... call 1-800-history or go to http://www.history.org <BR> <BR>Yes, you can go into the restored area "for free", but why not enjoy the whole experience? The night time programs (usually $9-12 extra) are very good ... see "Cry Witch" or "High Life Under Stairs". <BR> <BR>During summer months a bus for $1 (all day unlimited travel) runs from the Pottery Factory to the Water Park, passing many of the hotel areas. Excellent choice for older folks visiting Colonial Williamsburg but with older kids in tow ... old enough to go to Busch Gardens or the Waterpark, but who you don't necessarily want driving around. <BR> <BR>(remove any x from my e-ddress to reply) <BR>

I just returned from Williamsburg, and can recommended two places to eat ... both on Merchants Square: Berrett, and Trellis. Another nice place, with a menu very similar to Berrett's, is River Edge, about 25 minutes out the Colonial Parkway toward Yorktown (your hotel can give you directions). Our business dinner for 115 at Shields Tavern was very good. When you go to walk around Willamsburg, the best parking is in a lot on Frances Street ... which is also a good way to get to Merchant Square. Ask your hotel for a very clear map ... it can be a bit confusing because there are many streets and highways intersecting at numerous angles. If you're coming east on 64 from DC, the best exit for Willamsburg is 242A onto 199 west, then exit in under a mile onto 60 (west takes you to Willamsburg, east to numerous motels). Have a nice trip. Ciao