Colonial Williamsburg? About This Page:

[Carousel96]

We will be in DC next summer and want to pop into Colonial Williamsburg on the way home.
I haven't been since the early 1990's and know they've made pretty significant changes since then. I have one friend who's been and thinks they ruined the place, so I'm looking for broader opinions.
Is it a one day stop or two?
Has anyone stayed in the historic cottages on property? Is it worth the price tag?
Have you done the costume rental option for kids? Pictures? (it would save me making a dress for DD, but "white lawn dress" sounds like a nightgown to me!)

We're museum/culture/history folks when it comes to vacation planning -- so we'll be picking up Jamestown and Yorktown, but have zero interest in the outlet malls and amusement park.

[DopeyGirl]

We're about 40 minutes south of Colonial Williamsburg and have been up a few times since we have lived here (also, Colonial Williamsburg is 3 hours SOUTH of DC . . . so just to make sure, you are coming south from DC first then heading back north towards MN, right?)

For us, even the first time we went, Williamsburg was a one day trip. We were able to see everything and take a bit of time with it, but didn't dwell on anything TOO too long. If you feel that you would spend a ton of time on each place, then you might want to go with the 2 day pass, but with the longer summer hours, you would probably be OK with one.

Costume rentals are around $20, I think, and that doesn't include hats (if you want them). I think if you want hats (bonnets or tri-corner hats) you have to purchase those. Pretty much, the girls' dresses DO look like nightgowns, though, I think.

As far as Jamestown and Yorktown . . . if you want to see the ACTUAL "stuff", skip the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. For the actual settlements/areas/artifacts, you will want to go to Historic Jamestowne (Home--Historic Jamestowne) and the Yorktown Battlefield (Yorktown Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)).

Last summer, we spent an entire day at Historic Jamestowne and the entire next day doing the battlefields at Yorktown . . . it was AWESOME (we took a TON of pictures. ). Jamestowne is a bit of walking (much like Williamsburg is) so that can easily be a whole day if you take the time to check everything out/read all the signs . . . Yorktown is all driving and stopping to read the signs/parking to get out and walk over to some sites, so if you do all of the trails and read every sign, it could take up a lot of one day.

We bought the annual pass combo for Jamestowne and Yorktown, so as soon as the weather warms up, we plan on going up a couple more times to see everything again before we move.

As for the staying on site, sorry I can't help with that.

[jimmymac]

You don't "pop" into Williamsburg from DC - it's over 2 hours away. If yiou rush it, you can see it all ina day, but you'd probably enjoy it more if you relax and give it a second day. Staying on site is not worth it; we stayed at a Holiday Inn 5 minutes away. Costumes run $20-$30. and for some reason doesn't include hats

[DDuff]

Still one of my kids favorite trips. We spent an entire week in the area but really only parts of 2 days at Colonial Williamsburg. Favorites there - The apprentice program for kids. A really well led tour where your children visit 3 trades and the kids get hands on experience. We also did a pirate trial one night at the courthouse and it was a lot fun.

We didn't stay onsite but I'd love to do that one day.

[Carousel96]

Originally Posted by jimmymac

You don't "pop" into Williamsburg from DC - it's over 2 hours away.

You're right -- bad choice of words. Relative to starting in Minneapolis, it's popping in. But "loop down" would probably be better. We plan to go after seeing DC but before heading home. Definately moving out of DC to do the southern stuff.
DH wants to come home via Monticello and his parents in Cleveland, so it'll be a road trip no matter what!

[Straitlover]

Originally Posted by jimmymac

Costumes run $20-$30. and for some reason doesn't include hats

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to wear a rented hat! Especially a kid's hat. I'm sure it's way too much trouble for them to bother w/ the cleaning between rentals. Costumes are easy, just throw them in the wash. I don't even trust the plastic liners that some places use.

Just typing this out is making my head itch!

[Fortissimo]

Make sure you do a Haunted Williamsburg tour while you are there! It was tons of fun!

I'm not sure I would do the costume rental in the summer. Heck, we were in shorts and almost died of the heat and humidity. I was thinking, which was my first mistake, that how much hotter could Williamsburg be than WDW? WDW has air conditioned shops and restaurants, Williamsburg/York Town/ Jamestown have few.

I agree with Sarah about the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. They were okay but we much prefered the Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield.

Of our DC and Virginia trip a few summers ago, I do believe Monticello was our favorite, with Mount Vernon a very close second. If you do go to Monticello, make sure you eat at Michie Tavern - Welcome to Michie Tavern!. Oh, and John Monroe's house, Ash Lawn-Highland, Home of James Monroe was also right up there in our top 5 for the trip!

[mom2twingirlies]

DH and I went several years ago. I would say if you are museum, culture vacation type people and you have the time, I would think you might want 2 days to take your time.
I don't know about the costume rentals or staying on site.

[Lemap760]

When the ex and I stayed right on property back in 2003 I didn't think it was really worth the extra expense. The shuttle buses will run as late as the activities going on and after everything shuts down we either went off property or watched tv in the room. Also the parking for on property cottages is very tight.

[jenjen1127]

I used to go to Williamsburg with my parents years and years ago (in the 1960s). Back then I loved it. I wanted to introduce my grandson to some history a couple of year ago so we drove down to Williamsburg and I was so disappointed. It seemed so run down from what I remembered. Maybe it's just because I'm used to Disney World now . Anyway, a couple of days should be enough to see all the sights but don't stay on site because there are so many options on Rt 60 which leads into the historical part of town.

[graygables]

We needed a couple of days and did Williamsburg and the Jamestown settlement, which, once it was finished for the 400th anniversary, we thought was very nice and enjoyed our afternoon there immensely. We haven't done the historic Jamestowne/Yorktown battlefield in years, so we'd have to add on a day for that as well.

[abh218]

I have also been doing some research into a road trip back to my home state! We've been looking at Williamsburg and D.C. I think it has to be two trips for us though. There's just too much to see and do -plus I have family/friends I probably SHOULD visit!

Everyone here has mentioned some good tips/ideas...I'd like to add to the list of suggestions.

D.C. We don't want to miss the Smithsonian Air & Space out at Chantilly. You might want to check into that (if you haven't already) as it would be on your way into the city. (the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)

Mt. Vernon - Also you can now tour Ferry Farm which was George Washington's boyhood home. I think it might be more of an archeological site than anything. Maybe someone on here has been and can tell us more?!

Old Towne Alexandria - Lots of ambience, dining, shopping. The U.S.S. Sequoia used to be docked there...looks like it's in port in D.C. near the Capital.

Williamsburg - The Haunted Ghost Tour is great. It's based on the books of L.B. Taylor. These books are in a series about ghosts in VA. Someone mentioned the pirate tour. These programs - particularly the evening ones are terrific. "Cry Witch" is awesome...we think so much of the NE witch trials. But this is based on one in the Hampton Roads area (aptly named Witch Dunk Road) during colonial times. Also, "Dance, Our Dearest Diversion" was fun. Both are held in the Capitol.

Tavern dining is a lot of fun too. CW has "Disney-fied" and added a version of character dining. Check it out at the CW site - it's only on certain days/times.
Don't miss the ginger cookies in the bake shop!

We probably wouldn't do the costumes...just seems too hot of an option. (I think the person who responded with the comment about not being able to clean hats was spot on - it's health code!!!) However, if you check out Newport House (mentioned below), they have an evening program and rent costumes!!!

For more contemporary dining, be sure to visit Market Square. The Trellis by Marcel DeSaulier is fantastic. If you're daring, just stop in for dessert - Death By Chocolate, DeSaulier's signature. Nope, this isn't a devil's food cake with a little chocolate pudding thrown in - that's the fake stuff!!! (The recipe in his cookbook logs it in as 1500 calories per slice - I think it's eleven layers of chocolate!)

We haven't done the colonial homes for accommodations. (Like someone said, there are a lot of hotel options and I've seen some pretty competive rates online). However, I did check into it and found two that were not through CW but seemed interesting - Newport House (which caters to families) and The Brick House Inn (which is small enough that you rent the entire house - unlike some of the CW properties where there are lock-outs and you share common areas with other patrons).

Other homes on the "Dead Presidents Tour" - don't miss Berkley Plantation (Harrisons') - this is also the site where "Taps" and the site of the FIRST Thanksgiving (yes, there was one there before Plymouth - sorry to burst those history bubbles). Sherwood Forest (Tyler's home) is nearby.

You mentioned Monticello and someone interjected Ash Lawn- Highlands and Michie Tavern. Venture a bit further north into Orange County and visit Montepelier, James & Dolley Madison's home. It is now open to the public. Nearby you'll find Barboursville Winery.

As you drive back I-64 West to Staunton, you can check out the Woodrow Wilson library. That should complete the Dead Presidents (of VA) tour.

So now your "couple of days" can easily turn into a week! Have a fun trip...be sure to report back with details about what you end up doing!

[patclairesmom]

We went to Williamsburg last year and really really loved it. The programs they have are very interactive and entertaining. As for the restaurtants, we had a hard time finding ones that were good and a good value. While the taverns are nice for the atmosphere, don't expect to get alot of food. We also visited Jamesburg and enjoyed that as well.

[Mom23Princesses]

My DH and I did a day trip to CW this past Christmas while visiting my folks in VA. We loved our meals in the taverns (We got reservations at the Kings Arms and got the Tavern Sampler it wasn't cheap but was SOOOO worth it!). I've also been there during the summer month's and can honestly say that we should have taken 2 days to see it all. We stayed in Newport News though at a very family friendly hotel (indoor pool, board game rentals, fridge in the room) that was included in our Williamsburg Bounce package. You can buy a "mop/mob" cap for your daughters for about 8 bucks a pop. I dont know much about the costume rentals though. Take your kids into Tarpley's store!