Williamsburg programs & activities
 

My fiance and I are headed to Williamsburg & Jamestown for 2 full days later this month and would love to hear any recommendations folks might have for specific sites, activities, etc. to see while we're there. Since we don't have kids and we aren't big shoppers, we'll be skipping Busch Gardens and the outlet malls, but we thought it would be nice to see an evening program or two. Is the ghost tour any good? Any other evening events that are recommended?

We'd also like to eat in one of the historic taverns and would welcome any suggestions for which one to try. Any additional reasonably-priced restaurant ideas?

Please feel free to share any other must-see's/must-do's (or, on the flip side, things you thought were overrated or not worth the time).

Thanks!

First, start with:
www.colonialwilliamsburg.org

Don't miss dinner at one or more of the restaurants in the historic area. Shield's Tavern and Christiana Campbell's are my favorites. You will need reservations in advance.

Otherwise, enjoy spending a day or two visiting the many buildings and shops in Colonial Williamsburg . . . the capitol, Governor's residence, armory, etc etc.

I always wanted to go to Carter's Grove, but it was closed the last time I was there. The Wiliamsburg website gives descriptions of the evening programs - they all sound pretty good to me.

I haven't eaten at the taverns myself, but I believe that you go for the ambiance and not the food. Having said that, I ate at the Trellis one time and it was outstanding (but not very cheap).

Have fun!

I'm a Williamsburg nut. I go there once or twice a year for the past twenty years, at least. My favorite restaurants are Christiana Campbells or Chowings. Shields is good for lunch, but the chairs are not too comfortable, so skip dinner. The Kings Arm Tavern for some reason has poor service and the food is sometimes bad. I only go here anymore for lunch if the lines are too long at the others. Coordinate your evening program with dinner at the tavern. The evening programs last about one hour each. Go to dinner before or after. The Williamsburg web site does give good descriptions of the evening programs. If your want to walk, the ghost tour is good, so is the latern tour. I really liked the Cry Witch program or the medley program which they have at the main Courthouse. If you like music, they have a musical program at the Palace which is excellant. I think Carter's Grove is closed for repairs. During the day, they have some programs which are only open to Patriot Pass or Freedom Pass holders (they change the name all the time). The one at the stables is really good. If you have any specific questions after you check it out, ask and I will check back. Make your reservations for the programs and for dinner before you go. Buy your ticket to get in before you go, and you will get a discount on the evening program. If you want to splurge on another dinner, La Yucca is to die for. It's about ten minutes outside of the Colonial area. I have never had a bad meal there and its not really outrageous. The colonial taverns are good, but nothing to write home about. You go in large part for the atmosphere and the entertainment. They sing and play instruments. Have fun.

Actually, Carter's Grove is closed indefinitely for financial reasons.

And I think Shield's Tavern is alot of fun for dinner -- particularly for children who seem to enjoy the "pub" sing-a-long. Never noticed uncomfortable chairs. Perhaps next time request a heating pad?? Just kidding!

If you are there on a Saturday night, the 18th Century Play (they rotate between which one) is great. Best to order tickets ahead of time for evening events, as they sell out early. 1-800-HISTORY

I'm also a CW nut, going there 5-6 times a year for about 6-7 years now, but recent job changes I've only been 2x this year. Can't remember exact name of other evening shows, but will look them up & post again later.

Thanks for the replies. We've looked at the evening line-up (we'll be there Tues through Thurs) and were thinking specifically about "Legends, Ghosts, Mysteries and Myths," (I assume this is what people generally refer to as the ghost tour?) "Cry Witch," or the "Grand Medley of Entertainments." If you could choose only one of these, any advice on which to pick? I didn't see anything on the schedule that was referred to as a lantern tour, so perhaps it's not offered mid-week? Thanks again for all the help.

By the way, is it possible to have dinner at Christiana Campbell's or Shield's Tavern for $15-$17/entree or is that too low? We'll be on a budget so I'm trying to determine what we can and can't afford.

Which program you choose really depends on your interests. Grand Medley is a hoot, very slap sticky and full of cornball humor. It's great fun but if you have a real aversion to knock-knock jokes, pick another event. Cry Witch is very interesting history and a good study in human nature. The Ghosts, Legends etc is a "ghost tour" and a good one, or depending on your guide, a really great one.

Entrees at Christiana Campbell's and Shield's Taverns start around $20 or $21 and it's a la carte. The food is good but not to die for. The colonial experience is really why you're going and you can get that at lunch (tho the candlelight thing at dinner is very romantic). Chownings has a lower priced menu (burgers and BBQ) but is really more fun for an after dinner drink and entertainment. The Wmbg website has all the menus for the taverns.

Grand Medley ... (and some other shows, but not CryWitch) can be REAL fun, as the audience is invited to act as 18th Century audiences did ... they believed in exercising their right to free speech, and did so freely, often heckling the performers, yelling encore, or "off". The plays & Grand Medley can be as different as the audience for that show. In "Cry Witch", (a trial reenactment) audience will have an opportunity to ask questions of witnesses too.

As I recall, "Legends, Ghosts, Mysteries and Myths" was presented in the courthouse at night, a presentation of some of the storytelling visitors to a tavern might hear from locals and out-of-towners ... and was a lot of fun, but was NOT a walking tour. Of course I might "have my wires crossed"!

As of May, if any *ONE* of your party purchases a yearly pass, s/he can purchase tickets for the evening programs for $6 instead of the $12 that non-yearly passholders do... so the yearly passholder could purchase tix for the others in the party. For $6pp why not see them all?

BTW, there's also some good daytime programs that also require a ticket, even tho they are free. Some of the ones I've enjoyed are the "conversations" with Patrick Henry, George Washington, Jefferson, and Martha Washington. If you need a rest, try the rocking chairs in the breezeway of the Williamsburg Lodge, between the rooms and the tavern, facing the Folk Art Museum. Have a great trip.

It's been a couple of years since I've done the Legends and Ghosts thing but a while back I'm pretty sure it was a walking tour. I am sorry if I've posted outdated info. Rb_traveller is a very informed source for Williamsburg.

Thanks for the kind words, but I was wrong.

"Encounter and experience some of the strange tales and amazing legends that were the talk of the Colonial Capital and have been retold for generations." "Magic of the Historic Area comes to life by candlelight. One-hour walking tour." is the official website description.

I think I was thinking of "Spellbound": "As evening falls and shadows lengthen, experience the strange tales and amazing legends of earlier times, handed down for generations. Recommended for families." -- there was another one too, with a title of something like "Tales, Magic, & Conjurers" ... I've seen so many I confuse some of them.


I see that "Papa Said, Mama Said" is offered: "Meet enslaved people who have learned cultural morals and values from the stories of the past as told by their elders. Recommended for the entire family." I enjoyed this show too, as I did "Jumping the Broom", a slave wedding ceremony, & events leading up to the event.

At least up until a few years ago, you could just go into the taverns in the evening for a glass of lemonade or a beer, eat peanuts, and listen to the Colonial Williamsburg tavern singers. I've eaten at the taverns for a few rehearsal dinners etc. and thought that the food was absolutely terrible. Would strongly recommend just going for a drink/snack and eating your main course elsewhere.
I've heard rumor of a good afternoon tea at the Williamsburg Inn but I'm not sure how 'frou-frou' it is. The building is well worth seeing however.