Williamsburg VA Vacation Ideas

May 23, 2005 10:08 AM

The family and I are planning a vacation in Williamsburg VA, in August. We know all about Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, and Water Country. We need ideas for low-cost, off the beaten track, and generally neat things to do.

Here are the details: We'll be in VA August 13-20. Kids are 9,7,3 and 9 months. We like History, flea markets, museums, exploring. We love the beach, festivals, carnivals, fairs; things like that. Figure we're willing to travel about an hour from Williamsburg at most. Also, any hints to cheaper admission to any of the above parks would be appreciated.

posted by quibx to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

The Colonial National Historic Parkway is an awesome (if noisy -- the concrete has big stones in it) way to get between Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. There's lots of neat little stops along the way to stop for a picnic, too. I'm a bit of road geek, though, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
posted by zsazsa at 10:38 AM on May 23, 2005

The Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings is one of the better ones I've seen -- lots of locally raised meat, cheeses, etc. It's right on Merchant's Square, Saturdays from 8-12.

The Colonial Parkway runs from Jamestown through Williamsburg and into Yorktown. There are lots of cool beaches and stops along the way, notably "College Creek" which was the original landing site of some settlers but was abandoned for Jamestown.

Waller Mill Park is a big reservoir that rents out canoes, pedalboats, etc.

You can get cheaper admission to the above parks by buying Coke products in the area... Usually they have "Save $5" coupons attached to them. Also, your hotel will usually have coupons in the lobby.

Norfolk and Virginia Beach are both under an hour's drive away, as is Richmond. Richmond has Belle Isle, Hollywood Cemetary (lots of Confederate and Presidential graves). Norfolk has a naval museum and the USS Wisconsin to tour.

The College of William & Mary is here in Williamsburg, you might check out their events calendar as your vacation draws near. There are lots of acting festivals and whatnot here during the summer.
posted by trey at 10:42 AM on May 23, 2005

You didn't mention Jamestown and Yorktown, but I recall they had historical structures and tours that I found as interesting as Williamsburg.

The Outer Banks (NC) beaches are within your range. Lots to do and see there (crabbing for the kids on the bay side, kayaking, etc). They have a wild horse sanctuary in the park I believe. To the south Kitty Hawk is near, though it may be more than an hour away.
posted by kk at 11:16 AM on May 23, 2005

Colonial Downs
Is a beautiful, pristine, horse racing track in New Kent County, definitely under an hour. I do see families there, esp. if you go on a weekday. You're call on that, of course, it's just what came to mind.
posted by rainbaby at 11:23 AM on May 23, 2005

Just a warning, it will be hot in VA in August. It is also very humid, here. Be prepared for the kids and to take things slow when sightseeing.
posted by SuzySmith at 11:27 AM on May 23, 2005

One of my all-time favourite things to do is grab some sandwiches from the Cheese Shop, and take them down to Colonial Parkway for a picnic along the James River. Google's Satellite Maps don't offer much for the Williamsburg area, but right around here are a number of available pull-offs to park your car and sit on the grass. One of them has a little beach, but it's not anything you'd write home about.

The Cheese Shop [pics] is a Williamsburg staple, and you'd be advised to get there before the huge crowds roll in at 11:30 onward. You'll wait in line for about 5 minutes, place your order, hang out until your name is called (picking up some chips & drinks), and then take everything up front to pay. I always recommend the sliced chicken and cheddar on french bread with house dressing. If you really want to indulge yourself, order a side of house dressing and some bread ends for dipping. Sweet Jesus.

My girlfriend, a W&M grad, loves the simplicity of a low-key stroll down Duke of Gloucester with some ice cream. There's a Baskin-Robbins just one street over from DoG street that will fix you up nicely. Williamsburg draws every kind of person in the world, and just sitting on one of the many benches watching them will entertain you for quite a while.

There's a Great Wolf Lodge that just opened, but unfortunately, I have no information to provide. Apparently, it's an indoor water-park-meets-hotel. Their site barely works for me, so perhaps you'll have better luck.

If you decide to make the trek down to my 'hood in Virginia Beach, please feel free to contact me via email for recommendations. As trey mentioned, Hampton Roads (VB, Norfolk, etc) is only 45 minutes away (more if traffic is bad). Tourism is 1/3 of our economy, and we have a lot of miscellaneous stuff to provide. From the kitschy t-shirt-tourist-traps at the oceanfront, to the wonderful marine museums, to the solitude of a sunset along the Chesapeake Bay (self-link), there's quite a bit to meet all tastes. Again - feel free to contact via email or ask questions here.

On preview: SuzySmith is correct -- it will be annoyingly hot in August. Your best bet might very well involve water activities (Water Country or the beach).
posted by Hankins at 12:03 PM on May 23, 2005

Jamestown was very nice the last time I visited, and would probably be fun for the kids as well as the adults.

If you are looking to go to Busch Gardens, the grocery store Ukrop's offers discounts on admission with their valued customer cards (which I'm pretty sure you can get just by asking for one). I think the discount is about $5 per ticket, and there is a Ukrop's in Williamsburg where you could pick them up.

As trey suggested, Richmond is within easy driving distance of Williamsburg. Hollywood Cemetary in Richmond is beautiful and so is the Louis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Maymont would be a fun place to visit with the kids - it's a park / zoo. Last I checked, Maymont just had "suggested donation" admission rates. There is also the Children's Museum of Richmond that might be fun. Catching a Braves game might not be a bad idea either!

I'm not sure about the exact driving distance, buy Virginia Beach is over in that area as well.
posted by geeky at 12:19 PM on May 23, 2005

The Williamsburg Winery has a tour and tasting. Don't think there's a problem with taking kids on the tour (tasting is another matter, but you can skip it). They also have a small cafe. It's a real short drive (maybe ten minutes) from Williamsburg proper.

As wineries go, it's one of the largest in Virginia and somewhat more impersonal than some of the smaller ones in the state (but the best of those are in the western part of the state), but still fun for a couple of hours.
posted by alopez at 12:49 PM on May 23, 2005

Two cents before your question falls off the front page, quibx: I agree with all above, the Colonial Parkway is definitely the best, off-the-beaten-path part of the Williamsburg area.

The Yorktown Pub at the York River end of the Parkway is a great dive (in the best sense of the word), popular with local fishermen, bikers, Coast Guardsmen, and Revolutionary War buffs. Plus it's so close to the river that it ends up underwater whenever there's a storm surge. Spectacular view of the Coleman Bridge, especially at night. The Yorktown riverfront is currently undergoing "improvements" since hurricane Isabel, but it's still a perfect little beach; great for walking off a burger or a couple of crab cakes.

At the James River end, you can catch a nature cruise at the local marina, right next to Jamestown Settlement. Bald eagle sightings are almost guaranteed, plus herons, red-tailed hawks, and osprey. Or, if that's a little pricey, the Jamestown Ferry is still free, runs every half-hour, and has a great observation deck.

The Virginia Shakespeare Festival is performing at William & Mary into August, but I'd also check out the schedule for Colonial Williamsburg's Kimball Theatre (select "Kimball Theatre Program" on the left-hand menu, check again closer to August), which has events for families and kids (as well as second-run artsy movies).

I sometimes drive up to the Potomac to look for prehistoric shark teeth and other fossils along the river. Westmoreland State Park is on the Virginia Side, and in Maryland, there's the Calvert Cliffs. You could try your hand on the way up or down.

Have a great time!
posted by steef at 8:13 PM on May 23, 2005