Williamsburg questions
Oct 20th, 2004, 10:01 PM
#21
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Every fourth grader in Virginia visits Williamsburg and Jamestown. The thing I remember most about either of those trips (years ago) was watching the glass blower at Jamestown. I'm a local and still enjoy visiting the Jamestown Island and watching the glass blower. For kids, the Jamestown Fort is good. If you're going to either Jamestown or Yorktown, drive the Colonial Parkway, it's a peaceful drive and with the leaves turning colors, can be quite lovely. If your family has never taken a ferry ride, the one from Jamestown to Surry is free. Then you could have lunch at the Surry House Restaurant.
Absolutely get a pass of some sort so that you can go in the colonial buildings in Williamsburg. The interpreters in each shop have more information to share than just about their craft.
Eating at one of the colonial taverns might be good for a kid (even us older kids) since the atmosphere is not something you normally experience. Williamsburg has expanded so much (actually each week something new seems to pop up) and has most of the chain restaurants available, if that is what your family wants. Otherwise my favorites are Pierces BBQ, Shields Tavern, the Chickahomony House, College Deli, and the Polo Club. Saturday we saw that the Colonial Williamsburg cider cart beside Chownings Tavern had boxed lunches (and it was a great day for a picnic).
Busch Gardens is a fun visit for kids.
The WPF is okay if you want to shop; nothing of interest for kids.
I never did see why people raved about Nick's in Yorktown. The food was pricey and nothing special to eat. Besides, it's not there anymore.
Fall is a great time to visit Virginia.
Absolutely get a pass of some sort so that you can go in the colonial buildings in Williamsburg. The interpreters in each shop have more information to share than just about their craft.
Eating at one of the colonial taverns might be good for a kid (even us older kids) since the atmosphere is not something you normally experience. Williamsburg has expanded so much (actually each week something new seems to pop up) and has most of the chain restaurants available, if that is what your family wants. Otherwise my favorites are Pierces BBQ, Shields Tavern, the Chickahomony House, College Deli, and the Polo Club. Saturday we saw that the Colonial Williamsburg cider cart beside Chownings Tavern had boxed lunches (and it was a great day for a picnic).
Busch Gardens is a fun visit for kids.
The WPF is okay if you want to shop; nothing of interest for kids.
I never did see why people raved about Nick's in Yorktown. The food was pricey and nothing special to eat. Besides, it's not there anymore.
Fall is a great time to visit Virginia.
Oct 27th, 2004, 10:25 AM
#22
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Here's another thank you to all who contributed to this thread and a trip report.
We arrived Thursday night and checked into the Williamsburg Hospitality House. It was certainly adequate and a perfect place for parents of William and Mary students to stay while visiting.
Friday morning we walked across the street to the University Court "Center Court" recommended by kmchick. I think this was my husband's favorite tip from anyone for this trip. He said to be sure to thank everyone for all their great advice. My 8-year-old loves buffets and was a very happy little camper after eating here.
It was a dreary day and we then went to the Visitors Center to pick up our tickets for Cry Witch that evening and for the ghost tour the next. We watched the movie, for the first time, which was fun to see after having seen Williamsburg last year and recognizing DOG St. and some of the buildings in the film. Then we went to CW and saw a few buildings we hadn't yet visited (cooper, Randolph House). Due to the drizzle and cold, we grabbed a hot cider and some ginger cookies for the kids. That perked them up and pretty soon we decided to skip running around CW the rest of that day.
We went to lunch at Paul's Deli, right around the corner from the Hospitality House, and my son and husband absolutely gorged themselves on a pizza. My daughter and I had subs which we couldn't finish (too large). My children hated Paul's due to cigarette smoking (we decided we LOVE Florida's Clean Air Act!) but they found the greasy food tasty.
Then we checked into the Hampton on Richmond. We chose a suite for our stay and it was perfect for a family with children. The kids took a quick dip. My daughter proclaimed the water too cold (indoor pool) while my son stuck it out.
Then we went to dinner at Christiana Campbell's Tavern. The food was probably good, but to be honest we were all still so full from eating at Paul's that we could hardly eat. We ate upstairs by candlelight and my husband and son thought that the waitress tying a very large napkin around their necks (basically a tablecloth) was a good touch. She explained that clothing must be protected and this was the origin of the phrase "tie one on," being that gentlemen would come to the taverns for food and drink and, well, tie one on.
We then went to Cry Witch. It was a good night for it. When we entered and sat down, the interpreters were giving some background information for the trial. Unfortunately, soon thereafter, a very large group of middle schoolers without an adequate number of chaperones came in and sat down behind us. This group basically ruined the evening as they whispered, giggled and wiggled their way through the performance. My children were even annoyed by their disturbances. We enjoyed the performance the best we could, but had there been a different audience it would have been much better.
Saturday morning was sunny and beautiful. Sweater weather! We headed to the Jamestown Glassblower and a tour of the original Jamestown with an interpreter named Rachel Stanton. We all enjoyed the glassblowers, despite having watched one at Stone Mountain, GA, and my husband and I enjoyed listening to "Rachel" but her presentation was over an hour and my children lost interest.
Next, we headed out for lunch at Pierce's. Yummy. Man, do we like their barbecue! We couldn't decide whether it would be a good or bad thing if there were a Pierce's in Sarasota.
Saturday afternoon we returned to CW. We went to the Palace and my kids loved the maze behind it. Went to the wheelwright, cabinetmaker, gaol, bakery, fife & drums presentation.
That evening we went on the Legends Tour, which my kids enjoyed but then that night my son was afraid of dark corners and had to sleep in the middle of the room on the floor. Grabbed a piece of the famous Death By Chocolate from The Trellis and took it back to the hotel to enjoy before bedtime. Just FYI, one piece ($7) feeds four. Or perhaps one person with the highest tolerance for fat and calories ever!
Sunday morning we hit the Abby Aldrich Museum and loved especially the main floor, the one with the dollhouses, puzzles, etc. Right after this we walked over the the courthouse then doubled back and had brunch at the Bay Room at Williamsburg Lodge. We had actually considered skipping the brunch if it were just another hotel brunch, but they let us walk in and check it out and it looked so tasty we kept our reservation. If you are there on a Sunday and are feeling hungry, this makes a great midday meal and I guarantee you'll find enough to like.
We hit the bindery and the brickyard. At the brickyard we found out we were missing the firing of the kiln by only four days, and were sad to hear that because it sounds like a spectacular sight at night. Were we ever to go back in October (we may in a couple more years) we'd probably try to make our reservation for the right week(end) to see this.
Sunday for dinner we made a big mistake and went to Shackleford's (instead of Sal's or Casa Maya or Cities Grill, etc.). Again, cigarette smell (in nonsmoking). Service mediocre at best. Food just okay. Don't know why it wasn't that good as I've seen it recommended here but ya can't win 'em all.
Anyway, Monday was Yorktown Day, or something like that. We went to the NPS Yorktown this time and my son did the Junior Ranger program (cost $1) and preferred this Yorktown over the Yorktown Victory Center. The short film Siege at Yorktown was worth seeing. I remember my kids enjoying Yorktown Victory Center last year (although not nearly as much as Jamestown), so I'm not sure which I'd recommend if you had only one to see.
I am happy to say the leaves had turned a little more than the previous year, but we still did not hit it right for what I would consider peak colors. I (still) miss northern autumns.
We left Monday afternoon, got home Monday evening, and that was that. A short trip made much more enjoyable with assistance from you. Hope this helps other parents who are planning Williamsburg trips with school aged children.
We arrived Thursday night and checked into the Williamsburg Hospitality House. It was certainly adequate and a perfect place for parents of William and Mary students to stay while visiting.
Friday morning we walked across the street to the University Court "Center Court" recommended by kmchick. I think this was my husband's favorite tip from anyone for this trip. He said to be sure to thank everyone for all their great advice. My 8-year-old loves buffets and was a very happy little camper after eating here.
It was a dreary day and we then went to the Visitors Center to pick up our tickets for Cry Witch that evening and for the ghost tour the next. We watched the movie, for the first time, which was fun to see after having seen Williamsburg last year and recognizing DOG St. and some of the buildings in the film. Then we went to CW and saw a few buildings we hadn't yet visited (cooper, Randolph House). Due to the drizzle and cold, we grabbed a hot cider and some ginger cookies for the kids. That perked them up and pretty soon we decided to skip running around CW the rest of that day.
We went to lunch at Paul's Deli, right around the corner from the Hospitality House, and my son and husband absolutely gorged themselves on a pizza. My daughter and I had subs which we couldn't finish (too large). My children hated Paul's due to cigarette smoking (we decided we LOVE Florida's Clean Air Act!) but they found the greasy food tasty.
Then we checked into the Hampton on Richmond. We chose a suite for our stay and it was perfect for a family with children. The kids took a quick dip. My daughter proclaimed the water too cold (indoor pool) while my son stuck it out.
Then we went to dinner at Christiana Campbell's Tavern. The food was probably good, but to be honest we were all still so full from eating at Paul's that we could hardly eat. We ate upstairs by candlelight and my husband and son thought that the waitress tying a very large napkin around their necks (basically a tablecloth) was a good touch. She explained that clothing must be protected and this was the origin of the phrase "tie one on," being that gentlemen would come to the taverns for food and drink and, well, tie one on.
We then went to Cry Witch. It was a good night for it. When we entered and sat down, the interpreters were giving some background information for the trial. Unfortunately, soon thereafter, a very large group of middle schoolers without an adequate number of chaperones came in and sat down behind us. This group basically ruined the evening as they whispered, giggled and wiggled their way through the performance. My children were even annoyed by their disturbances. We enjoyed the performance the best we could, but had there been a different audience it would have been much better.
Saturday morning was sunny and beautiful. Sweater weather! We headed to the Jamestown Glassblower and a tour of the original Jamestown with an interpreter named Rachel Stanton. We all enjoyed the glassblowers, despite having watched one at Stone Mountain, GA, and my husband and I enjoyed listening to "Rachel" but her presentation was over an hour and my children lost interest.
Next, we headed out for lunch at Pierce's. Yummy. Man, do we like their barbecue! We couldn't decide whether it would be a good or bad thing if there were a Pierce's in Sarasota.
Saturday afternoon we returned to CW. We went to the Palace and my kids loved the maze behind it. Went to the wheelwright, cabinetmaker, gaol, bakery, fife & drums presentation.
That evening we went on the Legends Tour, which my kids enjoyed but then that night my son was afraid of dark corners and had to sleep in the middle of the room on the floor. Grabbed a piece of the famous Death By Chocolate from The Trellis and took it back to the hotel to enjoy before bedtime. Just FYI, one piece ($7) feeds four. Or perhaps one person with the highest tolerance for fat and calories ever!
Sunday morning we hit the Abby Aldrich Museum and loved especially the main floor, the one with the dollhouses, puzzles, etc. Right after this we walked over the the courthouse then doubled back and had brunch at the Bay Room at Williamsburg Lodge. We had actually considered skipping the brunch if it were just another hotel brunch, but they let us walk in and check it out and it looked so tasty we kept our reservation. If you are there on a Sunday and are feeling hungry, this makes a great midday meal and I guarantee you'll find enough to like.
We hit the bindery and the brickyard. At the brickyard we found out we were missing the firing of the kiln by only four days, and were sad to hear that because it sounds like a spectacular sight at night. Were we ever to go back in October (we may in a couple more years) we'd probably try to make our reservation for the right week(end) to see this.
Sunday for dinner we made a big mistake and went to Shackleford's (instead of Sal's or Casa Maya or Cities Grill, etc.). Again, cigarette smell (in nonsmoking). Service mediocre at best. Food just okay. Don't know why it wasn't that good as I've seen it recommended here but ya can't win 'em all.
Anyway, Monday was Yorktown Day, or something like that. We went to the NPS Yorktown this time and my son did the Junior Ranger program (cost $1) and preferred this Yorktown over the Yorktown Victory Center. The short film Siege at Yorktown was worth seeing. I remember my kids enjoying Yorktown Victory Center last year (although not nearly as much as Jamestown), so I'm not sure which I'd recommend if you had only one to see.
I am happy to say the leaves had turned a little more than the previous year, but we still did not hit it right for what I would consider peak colors. I (still) miss northern autumns.
We left Monday afternoon, got home Monday evening, and that was that. A short trip made much more enjoyable with assistance from you. Hope this helps other parents who are planning Williamsburg trips with school aged children.
Nov 13th, 2004, 07:30 AM
#24
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Padams - You and your boys will have a wonderful time at Williamsburg. I strongly urge you to buy tri-corner hats with cockade and feather early in your trip. It makes for great pictures! See if you can schedule "In Defense of Our Liberty." You enlist in the Army, learn about marching, muskets, etc.
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