Haven't gotten the level of specifics looking for by tagging onto an active thread, so I'll start a new one, adding a few extra questions.

In doing some research on Fodor's forums, I encountered the suggestion that 2 days would be about right for a thorough exploration of Colonial Williamsburg. But in looking at the list of attractions, which includes:

Bassett Hall, Brush-Everard House, The Capitol, The Courthouse, George Wythe House, Governor's Palace, The College of William & Mary, James Geddy House & Foundry, The Magazine & Guardhouse, Peyton Randolph House, The Public Gaol, The Public Hospital, Raleigh Tavern, and Wetherburn's Tavern, plus the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum

I'm wondering if that's feasible in just two days unless all but the two museums are walk-bys. If seeing all this, would it indeed take just two days, or longer?

For example, how big are the two museums? If one is thorough, is 2 hours total enough for both? A whole day for both? Somewhere in between?

If the houses, taverns, and William and Mary are not just walk-bys, how long would it take for each? An hour? More? A little less?

Also saw that it will again be possible to reach Yorktown and Jamestown from Williamsburg via shuttle bus in season (March to October). Yorktown has both the Yorktown Battlefield and Yorktown Victory Center to offer, while Jamestown has both Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement (the shuttle bus stops at all four and seems to run efficiently). If seeing the two options in Yorktown and the two options in Jamestown this way, should one budget one full day each for Yorktown and Jamestown or two full days each?

Also, how much of the Yorktown Battlefield attraction can be seen without a car?

Many thanks.

We've always had a car, but I would guess without one, a few hours to see the Yorktown VC, walk down into town, look at the house with the cannon ball in it, etc. would do. The battlefield area has a drive through with markers at some of the points of interest and would be a very long walk without a car. Depending on how much time you want to spend at the National Park area in Jamestown you could spend half a day or more there.

My family and I spent a full day in WIlliamsburg and felt like we were able to see everything at a leisurely pace. We were there when it was 1000 degrees out so it was not too crowded. Perhaps w crowds there would lines for everything??
Many of the taverns, etc are walk bys.

I think 2 days would be more than adequate.

We visited Jamestown - we spent a little over a 1/2 day here. There is a nice museum and lovely grounds to walk in addition to battle field. We felt like we saw everything is that time.

Enjoy!!

We spent 3 day. We bought the colonial pass and spent two day doing colonial williamsburg. My kids favorites were the Governor's palace and the goal. We could have done it in a long day, but we like to break it up with really good relaxing meals and a little shopping. Jamestown was my families favorite. The tour of the Indian village and boats is a most. It took us most of the day. We did york at the end of Jamestown and the kids were two tired to bother.

My family and I spent a full day in WIlliamsburg and felt like we were able to see everything at a leisurely pace. We were there when it was 1000 degrees out so it was not too crowded.

I think we were there the same day! One full day at Williamsburg was fine, so two will likely be plenty.

We enjoyed Yorktown -- first went to the visitor center where we enjoyed a little playlet that the kids participated in. Then we took the driving tour ending at the last battlefield where there was a narration on tape. It was very moving.

Re Jamestown - keep in mind that there are two Jamestown sites -- the Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestown. A half a day is still probably enough to see both.

Just saw that st7307 posted -- sorry if I repeated anything she said.

I think 2 days is enough time to cover the highlights in Colonial Williamsburg, although you could easily spend more time depending on your level of interest in colonial american history and what other places (historical and other) you're visiting in the area.

I think Birdie mentioned this on another thread you posted on -- the DeWitt and Abby Aldrich are co-located. Two hours ish would be a decent amount of time to cover the two. I'm a fan of decorative arts and folk art.

I don't think I saw any of the trade smiths on your list and those are, to me, some of the most interesting parts of CW -- silversmith, blacksmith, bookbinder and printer, apothecary, gunsmith. When are you planning to visit? If it's soon, the gardens will be stunning. There are a variety of special programs (see the CW website) as well as the living history reenactments.

>>Also, how much of the Yorktown Battlefield attraction can be seen without a car?

I don't think two days is too much for Williamsburg if you taake your time, do the tours, watch the background films at the Visitors Center. The Museums are brilliant, esp the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. I have never had enough time there.

Two years ago we took an Eglish visitor to the Peyton Randolph house, which has some of the most famous architectural woodwork in the country. It had been converted into a living history center in which we were all given little pictures of the person we would represent as we walked through the building. The woodwork was never mentioned, and it was really a dreadful experience. I was embarrassed. But there are lots of other good ones.

You will need to allow time to walk into the town at least as far as the Merchants Square shopping area to get a meal. Lunch in CW is mediocre or over priced or both. But it is an easy walk (only a block or two) as is the William and Mary campus.

We were at the Jamestown Experience only a couple of weeks ago with visitors from Nantucket. The kids liked the reconstruction and so forth but the museum was fantastic. It gave a good picture of early Virginia history as you would expect, but it also covered English commercial activity in the new world and at home and a lot of American indian life and culture. Many of the artifacts are superb, and there are a number of high quality paintings. I only had an hour or so and could have used an afternoon. When we go back with more visitors, I'll skip the reconstruction and go to the museum. The cafe has good food, mostly freshly prepared, which is a good thing as it is way out in the middle of nowhere.

Further to ackislander's post, we happened upon a "trial" when we were at CW and it was very interesting. I think it was for treason, but everyone in the "cast" was dressed appropriately and it seemed quite authentic.