My wife and 3 kids (ages 10-15) are going to Williamsburg in late September 2001. As this is our first time, could we have some ideas on an itinerary? We will be going for about 5 days. Thanks in advance.

You're smart to go in late Fall. That's when we usually go, but stopped by in early-August because we were only a few hours away at another resort. Crowded, hot, awful!
Your 15 year-old may find it hokey. Mine did the first time, so I let him take a friend the second and it worked out fine.
Lots to do and see. You'll want to get the Patriot Pass, which will give you unlimited entrance into all the shops on Duke of Gloucester Street that have people in colonial dress plying their trade (blacksmith, baker, jeweler, basketmaker, etc.) It also lets you into the Governor's Mansion, which is a must see, as is the Capital building. Try to do both early in the day as lines do form during the day. There are lots of programs available for the evening and you'll pick up a free newspaper when you buy your tickets at the Visitor's Center. Ghost walks by lantern are fun, as are programs at the Capital building.
Make reservations on arrival at one of the four colonial taverns in the restored area. The Kings Arms is a favorite of ours. Even better, go for breakfast and ask for a table by a window facing Duke of Gloucester Street. You'll see a deserted street that comes to life as the workers dressed in period costume come to work along the street. For a few minutes you can really feel you're back in the sixteenth century.
I'd also advise signing up for the James River Plantation tour. You'll get entrance into four fabulous plantations (including Tyler's home) that you can drive to.
Oh, another restaurant we really like is the Seafarer on Richmond Road (the main drag). Excellent crab cakes!
Finally, consider giving the kids a day at Busch Gardens, only about five minutes away.
If you haven't checked out the Web site yet, I'm sure you can get a complete agenda set up by browsing it. I think its www.colonialwilliamsburg.com (or do a search).
Have a great time!

Water Country will probably only be open on weekends at that point...if you haven't overdosed on history, take the short ride to Jamestown - it is worth the trip. There is outlet shopping nearby and we went to the Nauticus in Norfolk (maritime museum)-the kids enjoyed that experience as well.

Dan, Mel & Paula have got you covered. Williamsburg is great. Do get the Patriot Pass my kids had a great time just wandering around listening to period characters. (Favorites were the 2 kitchens) Fall is THE BEST time to be there.

Both Busch Gardens and Water Country will be on a limited schedule. Make sure you also check on closing times. They are usually earlier. I always recommend arriving at BG by 9:30 to beat the traffic and get good parking. The first place I would stop is the CW visitors center to pick up a schedule of events and building openings. One other must I'd add would be a fife and drum demo and cannon shooting at the magazine. If you go to Jamestown keep in mind that there are two museums with different entrance fees. The Jamestown Settlement is a recreation with the ships, and Indian village, and the fort. I usually recommend this for visitors with children. The other is the National park with a museum, the foundations of the settlement, and a nice archaelogical presentation. The park also has a nice drive around the island with signs describing life for the Colonists.
My kids love Nauticus in Norfolk about an hour away. It has naval displays including the USS Wisconsin, oceanic displays, and marine animal displays. There are lots of hands on games, films, and battle recreations. I'd recommend you go on a weekday. There are also boat tours that leave from the museum that will bring you past the ships at the Norfolk Naval Base.

To continue: If your family likes zoos. The Virginia Living Museum 1/2 hour away in Newport News features fish, birds, and animals native to Virginia. It is very nice. In Hampton, also 1/2 hr from Wmsbg is NASA's Air and Space Museum. Not as big as the one in DC but still lots of fun plus an IMAX theater. There are also boat tours of the Naval Base leaving from next door to the museum.
Closer to Wmsbg you can hike or take a canoe nature tour at York River State Park 15 min away. Or hike, fish, or boat at Waller Mill Park in Wmsbg.There are also nature boat tours leaving from the marina next to Jamestown. Have fun!

Did you know that you can rent and stay in one of the houses right in the historic area? We have done this twice and the children loved it. It is part of the Lodge and you can get room service(delivered on a bike) and have the fireplaces lit!! Pricey but part of the history lesson. We even dressed the part with costumes we bought in the shops.

Also definitly do the Witch Trial. We understand the one held in the large venue is better but we could not get tickets. The smaller venue was excellent and my teenagers loved it!

If your kids are okay for one evening on their own, reserve a table for two adults in need of a break at one of the finest restaurants in the world, which happens to be right in Williamsburg, The Trellis. You will pay Virginia prices for a world-class meal. Order Death by Chocolate; build your meal around it and it will be a lifetime memory.