Posted on 11/09/2001 6:21:05 PM PST by The Other Harry
I'm starting to plan a visit there. On the same trip I hope to spend a few days in the Northern Neck. Any advice or recommendations would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Enjoy.
I'd buy The Freedom Pass, year-long multi-day pass. It'll let you into the premiere sites like the Governor's mansion. It's six dollars more than the day pass. So, in the long run, you'll save. You can't possibly see everything in one day.
Don't forget to sign up for the Continental Army. In the evening, the Fife and Drum march from the Governor's Mansion through the Green. Then there's the foot race!
In the afternoon, there's a fire and the children get to be in the bucket brigade. No adults, just kids. What a hoot to watch the children, they get heckled, too.
Dining is great at Chowning's or the King's Arms. In the evening, there's the tour through Williamsburg.
Make sure you bring a stroller for the little ones.
Sorry for sounding like a travelogue. We're close enough to go at least once a year and it's the highlight of our year. If you can go close to Christmas, it's simply delightful.
Interesting that you should add that. I am something of a Civil War buff. I'm maybe at CWB 103 in terms of book-reading and 102 in terms of site-visiting experiences.
Petersburg was nowhere on my list of places to visit. I imagined it (wrongly, evidentally) to currently be bleak and industrial. I'll think again.
We went to Busch Gardens instead and really enjoyed it! It would have been nice to have time to visit both.
However, it is always beautiful in Williamsburg, and there are some very worthwhile things to do.
If you decide to see one of the evening plays, Friday night's "Williamsburgs Most Wanted" is a hoot. My DH is often in the cast of that play, and is wickedly funny. "Cry Witch" is only good if done in the Capitol building; in the correct setting it is entertaining. The new period dramas are *exceedingly* rusty and you won't have a good time anywhere you see those.
A must see in CW is the DeWitt Wallace museum in the Hospital annex (the 18th century loony bin.)
Try this CW link for a visitors guide and a heads up on special programs and events.
Stay away from the new hotel properties there - ask for the older hotels if you stay there.
I'm looking at package that includes that. I'm moving to Waynesboro this month, so the year pass would be worth getting.
Don't forget to sign up for the Continental Army. In the evening, the Fife and Drum march from the Governor's Mansion through the Green. Then there's the foot race!
Okay...
In the afternoon, there's a fire and the children get to be in the bucket brigade. No adults, just kids. What a hoot to watch the children, they get heckled, too.
In the evening, there's the tour through Williamsburg.
These are all included with the Freedom Pass?
Make sure you bring a stroller for the little ones.
There may be an age differece here. My youngest is a sophomore at George Mason. She'd undoubtedlt think that was a hoot, but I doubt she'd fit a stroller.
Sorry for sounding like a travelogue.
Don't apologize for telling me what I asked for.
Great reply. Thank you. I will.
The events?
I've been looking at the Patriot Package, which supposedly includes one guide "per party", whatever that means. I would think having a guide would be a nice thing.
These accomodations are cheaper than the Inn, but you get to enjoy a number of amenities offered by the Inn, including their lawn bowling and croquet, plus afternoon tea and cookies, which is a nice way to rest up.
Try to catch one of the "Jefferson Talks" behind the Capitol, where the Jefferson interpreter interacts with the visitors, giving as good as he gets.
Oh, you should know that a weekly schedule is available for the colonial area building tours and other special events. Try to get this ASAP, perhaps before you go (it might be on the internet site).
Eat almost anywhere - The Trellis is a nice 21st century restaurant in Market Square (adjacent to the Colonial grounds). We enjoyed a nice lunch on the veranda overlooking the Gold Golf Course. Dining at taverns other than Chownings requires a reservation made early in the day.
Unless it's your "thing", I would skip the two museums.
You will be impressed by the gardens and the overall meticulous upkeep of the grounds. Most of the buildings have gardens in the rear and you can simply walk right back and stroll through them. Nothing like a well trimmed hedge.
Needless to say, my wife and I had a great time. Good luck and have fun...!
If your into old plantations, highway 5 along the James river has 4 or 5 old plantations open to tourists, including the homes of 2 presidents. Berkeley plantation is the birthplace of W.H. Harrison and John Tyler's house is nearby.
Some of the plantations in the Tidewater country are interesting. Carter's Grove is one that comes to mind. Jamestown is also a good place to visit. Have fun!
Whenever I visit, it has become a tradition to take our families out for a final evening's dinner at the Wmsburg Inn. We stroll the grounds afterward or sit in the huge lounge and sip cognac. My sister-in-law plays Fur Elise on their grand piano. I feel like I've slipped back 300 years into a salon at the Palace of Versailles ... (never mind the anachronistic reference to Beethoven)
I will never forget the nite when my wife and I were in the Apothecary Shop when 3 or 4 teenagers walked in asking if the pharmacist (in period costume) had any leaches. When he got through with the poor teenages the joke was on them. In complete character he announced that his supply had not arrived from England on the latest boat and he proceeded to offer some various alternatives.
The kids left their tails between their legs not realizing what had hit them. It was absoulutely a classic to be priveleged to observe.
Have a wonderful trip and do enjoy I hope to visit there again this coming year.
Another great place was the Georgian Inn and Rathskeller at Dinwiddie, VA 7 miles south of Petersburg on old US 1. It is owned by a retired military couple and one of them is a German and the food is the best German food I ever has outside of my tour in Germany. You need to check with someone local as I have not been there since 1988 or so as it is a "fer piece to drive" from Eastern KY 8-9 hours so do not get there often.
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