My husband is celebrating a big birthday in October, just a few weeks after we send our only child off to college. So I want to surprise hubby with a trip to Yorktown and Williamsburg for his birthday. He is a HUGE history buff and this year is the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown (I think). I've never been and would appreciate suggestions for good, romantic (preferably historic) places to stay and eat. Thanks much!

We were in W-burg end of June/beginning of July and stayed at A Williamsburg White House. www.awilliamsburgwhitehouse.com I was totally pleased with our stay there. The innkeepers, John and Debie, were sooo great! The breakfasts were fantastic. It is a great location-close to Colonial W-burg and College of William and Mary. It may even appeal more to your husband because each room is centered around a president. We stayed in the Roosevelt Suite (Teddy Roosevelt theme), so there were bits of memorabilia about him everywhere (tastefully, of course). There is such a cool bed in this suite as well. Take a look at the pictures on the web site. I thought it was romantic. Some may see this as a downside on a romantic trip...you do eat b-fast with everyone at the dining room table. I can understand not wanting to do that. Maybe ask John or Debie if there are other possibilities.

We had a blast visiting both Jamestowns, Yorktowns, and Colonial w-burg. I need to get my trip report on here! As a history buff, he will love it! Let me know if you have any other questions. For dinner, I would highly recommend Fat Canary. Delicious!!

May 11-12-13 is the big celebration of the founding of Jamestown.Go to the jamestown website and they will show you all the events scheduled .
melissa

I live in Yorktown and teach in Williamsburg and am seriously into food.
Skip food in Yorktown. Do the history there and eating and history in Williamsburg. Get the Patriot Passes which allow you to see all the stuff in Williamsburg. It may allow for Jamestown too, which is nearby and a must for history buffs. You may want to watch A New World--the recent Terrence Malick retelling of the Pocahontas story-- before visiting JAmestown.
Now for food..yes, you must go to The Fat Canary. I eat all over the east coast, and it is still my favorite restaurant. Make a reservation well in advance to be safe, but sit at the bar if space is available b/c you can chat with other foodies and travel buffs and the bartenders are wonderful. Much fun. I've never had a bad morsel at The Fat Canary. If you are also seriously into food, consider making reseravations at A Chef's Kitchen. For $70 pp. you'll have a 6 course meal that you watch the chefs prepare and explain ala Food Network style. This includes wine pairings. Pierce's Barbecue is a great lunch spot though a little hard to find now that they've done so much with the roads in preparation for the big anniversary of Jamestown. Oh and the people who own Fat Canary also own the next door Cheese Shop where you must have a gourmet sandwich. You picked a great place to take your hubby. Even though we live nearby, my husband still seems to need to go to Colonial Williamsburg for some made up reason every weekend!

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I am having quite a time finding a place to stay--everything is booked up. But I'll keep trying!

If you have to get outside of walking distance, try the Embassy Suites, which is a 5 min drive to Williamsburg and 15 to Yorktown. Depending on your weekend (and I forget the date) one of the October weekends is going to be BIG with all of the events surrounding the victory over the English in 1781. Ditto on Fat Canary - we moved here from Europe and it's the best we've found in this close area. Warner Hall Inn in Gloucester is absolutely lovely if you don't mind the drive. Please enjoy our area - it's obvious that many of us love it and we love to share the best that this area has to offer.