Yea! We've been given a free week at a condo in Williamsburg, VA beginning 11/29th. Now we have to plan what to do best with our time. We have a 15month old son who naps twice a day (hopefully will on vacation too) so we have limited time windows, eg 11-2pm and 4-6pm.

Besides seeing historic things like Jamestown, etc., we like outdoors/hiking. Restaurant recomendations for lunch and early dinners welcome too.

We're staying at the Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony, love any suggestions.

Thanks

I usually have a lot of suggestions for hiking but unfortunately two of my favorite hiking parks are closed because of Isabel. You can call them when you arrive to check to see if they are open. York River State Park has great trails through marshlands and along the river. Call 1-800-933-park to see if its open. Waller Mill park is a Williamsburg City park and has some nice trails plus ducks you can feed. There is a James City County park just down the road from Ford's Colony on Centerville Rd. I haven't been there but I've heard that they have some nice trails. Make sure you go to the historic district. The main streets are closed to traffic and are a great place to wander and let a toddler run. Also the William & Mary campus. In Newport News, 1/2 hr away, there is the VA Living Museum a great museum for toddlers everything is at stroller level with lots of great animals to look at. They have a nice boardwalk into the woods that was damaged by Isabel but they have been busily repairing it. Also in Newport News there is a city park with trails. Check everything before going to check on trail status. Get directions and go out to Midcounty park. There is a great playground there. Afterwards you can go to the cafe in the Ukrops food store for lunch. Go there first to stock your condo. Great prepared meals. Dinners: Sal's by Victor, Casa Maya. Lunches: Golden Horseshoe (feed the ducks afterwards). Do a search for others.

Won't your toddler nap in the car, or in his stroller?

if possible, I would suggest you extend your trip a few days, even if you must pay for motel, in order to take in the Grand Illumination at Colonial Williamsburg, which (* I think ... confirm it! *) December 7.

Grand Illumination is on 12/7 this year. Birdie has the hiking information down -- the only trail near you I can think of that is open is the one behind Jamestown High School. It might be called Greensprings Park.

The Dining Room at Ford's Colony is an excellent splurge if you are looking for high-end dining options. If Waller Mill is reopened or if you like BBQ, Pierces Pitt BBQ has a fanatical following and is quite good and inexpensive very near to Waller Mill Park. If you can provide more ideas about the kind of food you like, we can probably make some suggestions.

Mike: Have you heard anything about the Dining Room closing to anyone except members? I know the Lounge area closed.(I miss it! Especially because you could smoke cigars there.) I also know that David left but I hadn't heard anything except rumors about the DR. I keep meaning to call out there.

I'm not sure, although I believe that they are still open to the public. I just read a news story this afternoon that they were dumped from the AAA 5 diamond list today. They had been 5 diamond for 8 years. Virginia still has three entries on the list as Maestro in the Ritz Carlton joins Richmond's Lemaire (overrated in my view) and the flawless Inn at Little Washington. The Inn has actually been 5 star since the advent of the list.

I don't know if the Dining Room was dropped because they closed to the public (which would be a travesty) or because the standards have fallen without David. I haven't been back since he left in September. I am looking forward to his new venture (the Blue Talon?)

I'd recommend lunch at Barrett's Seafood-adjacent to the Colonial area. I had a great lunch there in early October.

Darnit! We were at the Ritz in Tysons this weekend and passed up the chance to eat at Maestro. The only opening was at 10. Should have gone for it. It will only be more popular now. Loved the Inn, never heard great things about Lemaire.
Greensprings Park is across Rt 5 from Jamestown High. Its a national park. The trail behind the high school is supposed to be nice. It may be called Greensprings trail.