We first went to the visitor center to pick up our tickets which cost $45 (adults) and $23 (youth). The next day we began our tour of the park starting off on North England Street and walking toward the main street called Duke of Gloucester Street which is lined with the main shops and buildings of Colonial Williamsburg. I really enjoyed looking at the colonial house and tobacco fields which were at the beginning of the tour. Some of the more memorable tours were of the Guardhouse and Magazine, the Printing Shop, the Wigmaker Shop, The Blacksmith Shop, the Shoemaker Shop, and especially the stockade. The most memorable tour was at the Governor's Palace which was very interesting, especially the tour of the kitchen. I really liked the park and most of the employees were very talkative, however; the park seems to be a bit tired since some of the employees at the different shops hardly said anything. There were no live performances which was kind of disappointing also.

So how does it all go for visitors? The answer is 'sometimes confusing'. If you are on a 1 day visit you have to work out what you want to see and when to see it. The "This Week" map has daily schedules of what is happening and which buildings are open on which days of the week. We waited for the right day to visit the Gunsmith's Shop and Saddle and Harness Shop, and managed to catch the Arsenal when it was open. You have to read the instructions!

CW rotates its presentation of events of the Revolutionary War called 'Revolutionary City'. We were there enough days to see the entire cycle of 3 days. Events are played out with talented people doing the speeches of famous folk of our history. Many are British so the accents are period appropriate. You may take as many photos as you wish. They are used to it.

Small details of CW change as the town goes through the 3 day cycle. Interpreters carry on conversations with each other and with visitors discussing the affairs of that day in history. Prices going up, tea banned, coffee becoming the patriotic American drink, casualties of war, and worries of the time.

All extremely well done! Beautifully done!

Would a family with small children enjoy CW? Absolutely! Great efforts are made by CW to please and bring children into events. Most children love animals and CW is full of them. In the craft shops, crafts people take great care in demonstrating their work, often giving children a chance for hand's on. You can buy CW made goods in Prentis Store. I bought some wonderful wool yarn grown by a rare breed of sheep in CW. You admire and perhaps buy wonderful sterling silver wares of various sorts also.

The saddle and harness makers keep up the equipment used in CW. Several men work full time at the task. The same is true with the gunsmith and the blacksmith. They aren't just passing time showing off their skills, but keeping CW going.

The beautiful Visitor's Center can be your home base while at CW as you can also get a free shuttle bus to Jamestown and Yorktown when you buy tickets to visit those places. There is a restaurant and very nice rest rooms that are accessible and meet all the modern rules and requirements.

If you walk from the Visitor's Center to CW, you pass through the Home Farm which is an active, real farm using colonial methods, animals, and crops. Don't miss it.

Also take time to visit the grand recreation of the Governor's Palace and gardens. A special ticket is required but well worth it.

You will understand more of our early history after a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. Don't miss the Ghost tour also!

A dream of a lifetime came true for me at Colonial Williamsburg. I can't tell you how long I wished for this to happen. I got lucky as I had a meeting in Williamsburg and was able to extend my stay for 3 full days to enjoy my passion for history.

The ticketing process can be confusing. You can walk through Colonial Williamsburg at any time of the day or night for free. There are no gates—this isn't Disney World. Students from nearby College of William and Mary use 'CW' as their jogging path, picnic grounds, and as a fine place to sit and study. It isn't unusual to see a beautiful co-ed jogging by in the briefest of outfits as the actor playing General Washington is giving a speech! Makes for some very interesting photos.

You can buy a day ticket (doesn't include the Governor's Palace tour), a day ticket which does include that tour, multi-day tickets or annual passes. The website and the ticket sellers will help you work that out. www.colonialwilliamsburg.com or telephone 1-800-HISTORY.

The Visitor's Center offers free parking and shuttle buses that go as far as the ring road around CW. Another shuttle bus route goes around the outside of CW all day long and into the evening.

There is no option but to walk within CW unless you purchase a carriage or wagon ride. For some people this is a serious issue. CW is a full mile in length and at least 1/2 mile wide. That's a lot of walking and it can be hot and muggy.

CW is a private foundation which began in the 1930s. Many of the buildings are actually of the Colonial era and/or were built or rebuilt over 70 years ago. There are access issues. Many of the pathways are crushed oyster shells or gravel. Very hard going for those using wheel chairs. There are a few handicap accessible toilets. If you need one use your Visitor's "This Week" map to full advantage.

CW is a living town as nearly 90 people live there fulltime. You can stay in a hotel in CW, rent an entire house, or come visit when you please. It's not a fake. If the buildings look too new and polished up it is due to the fact that they are presented to you as they would have been in 1776. Getting them up is an ongoing project with some work happening all year long. The workers wear colonial garp and may use oxen to haul materials, but they keep the place up to standards.

Daily handouts, the website, posters, and the Visitor's "This Week" maps keep informed of what is going on. Always something! Children and adults are invited to take part in hands on experiences. In fair weather you can even rent costumes for children. The theme of CW is accuracy. In speech, attire and behavior the CW interpreters spend their working days in character. Some have worked there for decades. www.history.org

This is truly like taking a stroll into a colonial village. The shops are quaint, the streets are dotted with strolling reenactors who are generous with their time and share information on what their lives were like. It was very educational for children, and the characters in the farm area had kids participate in some activities.

In 1699, the capital of the Virginia colony was moved to Williamsburg. While small compared to other cities, Williamsburg remained relevant as the government seat of the wealthiest and most powerful colony.

Some of the greatest political minds came from Williamsburg. Before George Washington was president, he served as member of the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg. Patrick Henry served in Williamsburg as the first governor of Virginia after it declared its independence in 1776. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, served as the second governor of Virginia. Other influential men of the time as well as families of prominence, whose offspring would shape the course of America’s future, had homes here in Williamsburg.

In 1780, the government seat was moved to Richmond. Williamsburg began to shrink into the history books, with only the College of William and Mary to serve as the resemblance of the historical significance of the city.

In the early 1900s, John D.Rockefeller, Jr. began to restore Williamsburg to its former state. Research was undertaken to build the former capital as it had stood in 1776. Those buildings that had not survived the years were rebuilt just as the stood 150 years earlier; many were rebuilt on the original sites. With few concessions for space, the town closely resembles its former self.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the United States. As you walk the streets surrounded by historic buildings, the staff is dressed to the time period. Some of the staff and tradesmen in the shops even interact with guests as they would have 200 years ago. All are well versed on the time period and answer questions about their crafts. In some shops you can even place orders for personalized items.

There are also skits performed. In the Randolph House you can hear the slaves talk about the revolution and the family talk about their hardships during that war. In the courthouse (to the right) guests are asked to participate in the reenactment by taking on the roles. You are given the unique opportunity to learn history by being surrounded by it.

Finally, what I considered the highlight to the trip, the tours and performances are an exceptional way to dive deep into a particular piece of the community. There is a broad range of topics discussed both as guided tours and as recreations.

A tip for anyone planning to see any of the tours or performances, these tickets are limited, so you have to get them early. Plan on seeing at least one conversation and one courtroom drama.

Another tip in regards to performances is to purchase the Independence Pass; this pass costs $72 and gets you into all the buildings and an unlimited number of performances for one year. If you see three or more, you will be money ahead.

I recommend this attraction for everyone, especially those interested in history.

Website: www.colonialwilliamsburg.com