Williamsburg, VA - A Week to Remember

Best Things Nearby:
Within just a short drive of Greensprings are all the things you need to get settled in for your week of exploration, fun, and memories (e.g., grocery store, shopping, golf, ice cream, dining, church).

Best Things About the Resort:
The setting at Greensprings is one of beauty, relaxation, and peacefulness. Our two-bedroom unit was spacious, well maintained and equipped, and decorated to make you feel good about being on vacation. The resort offers: fitness center, pools, mini golf, basketball, tennis, grills, activity center . . . All of these amenities are within a short walk from your unit.

Resort Experience:
Greensprings Plantaion, an RCI Gold Crown Resort, provides a good "home base" to let you enjoy your stay in the Colonial Williamsburg area. Check out the resort online at Greensprings Plantation.

The resort gives you the feel of being away from the hustle and bustle of the world, but you're still in close proximity to all the sites you want to see. The units are very nice and well equipped, with updated decor. The amenities offered at the resort had a little something for everyone in our party.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Very Good

While in Colonial Williamsburg, it's a must to check out one or more of the "taverns."

In addition to the good food from the time period and good service, they provide an opportunity for you to "step back in time." While there, sample a variety of the foods from the period. Go ahead, it's okay to share what you ordered. Be sure to look over the entire menu, take in your surroundings, and engage the staff in conversations (you may learn a bit about the habits and manners of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Washington, etc.).

Be sure to have all of your senses "on" to get the most of your tavern experience(s).

If you plan to eat at the peak times, you may want to call ahead for a reservation.

To see which of the tavern's fits your food preferences, link to the menus below.

Menu for: Christiana's Campbells Tavern.

Menu for: Chowning's Tavern.

Menu for: King's Arms Tavern.

Menu for: Shield's Tavern.

The park is very well run, clean, efficient, and the staff are helpful and there to make your experience a good one. To help with your trip, check the Busch Gardens Website at Busch Gardens.

We bought the two-day passes, which gave us more time to experience all of the park in a more leisurely manner. You could experience most all of the park in one day during this week (i.e. first week of April) as the crowds were very small, but I'd recommend two days.

The grounds were beautiful, colorful, and stimulating to your senses. We enjoyed doing everything from the marquee rides (e.g. Appollos Chariot, Lochness, Alpin Guist) to the more low key games, bumper cars, and rides like Pompei, river ride, etc. If you go on the coasters, buy the picture afterward to catch your expression.

Be sure to pick up a Show Schedule so you can coordinate and balance your desire to ride the rides with seeing the shows and eating the food.

Some of the exhibits were under construction during April 2002, but I suspect they are completed by now.

The tiger exhibit was especially cool. Some of the new habitats that were being built at that time should add a lot to the overall appeal.

You can easily see the zoo, without rushing, in one half day.

Check the zoo out at Virginia Zoo.

Colonial Williamsburg is a must-see for anyone who is even remotely interested in the American Revolutionary period.

The restoration of the city is remarkable. Strolling down Duke of Gloucester Street can take you back in time. The history that is shared, especially through the period historians who play the role of specific figures (e.g., Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Peyton Randolph, John Randolph, slaves, pastors), is outstanding. Be sure to engage in conversation with the people who are dressed in period costumes, as that is where the fun really begins. They will not come out of character, so to have the most fun and to learn the most about what was on the minds or in the hearts of Virginians in 1774, be sure to ask questions that fit the period.

I'd suggest buying the 1-year Freedom Pass, as there is far too much to see and do in one day. And besides, it is only a few bucks more.

Take advantage of the many tours and shows offered throughout the day and into the night. Seriously consider making reservations or buying show tickets well in advance of your trip. It's easy to do online at Colonial Williamsburg.

Some shows/events that we especially enjoyed were: Randolph House (linger and talk to the characters and you may learn things like the fact that John Randolph, the King's Attorney, regretted sponsoring Patrick Henry in his study of the law); solo presentations by Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Washington; Cry Witch; Governor's Concert; conversations with slaves; and tours of the Courthouse, Raleigh Tavern, and Governor's Palace.

You will certainly want to eat at one or more of the taverns (King's Arms, Shields, Chowning's, and Christiana Campbell's), as they are truly fun and memorable experiences. Much of the food is from the period. It may sound odd or old-fashioned, but it's very good. We ordered a variety of entrees and shared them around the table to further our culinary experience. To learn a little more about a tavern experience or see links to their menus, see my other entry entitled "Williamsburg Taverns."

A trip to the gaol (jail) is also worthwhile to give a glimpse of how good we have it today.

Experiencing the church service in Bruton Parish Church is worthy of your time, as is listening to the dissenting Baptist pastor who is outside the church afterward.

The mock trial and burning of Lord North and the daily muster of the local militia are events worth seeing.

So much to do, see, taste, smell . . . take it all in and enjoy your step back in time!

P.S. Be sure to pick up one of the daily/weekly guides (e.g., Visitor's Companion) at the visitor center for the complete schedule of activities. It will be your life line!

To see firsthand the power of the US Navy, a short day trip from Williamsburg to Norfolk is worthwhile.

You can tour the USS Wisconsin (BB-64), a World War II Iowa Class Battleship for free. A complete tour takes 45-60 minutes. It is quite impressive, so much so that even our kids (ages 12, 15, and 18) were fully engaged and exploring the massive vessel.

To get the most from your tour and time on the ship, engage the Navy personnel on deck in conversation. All of them are knowledgeable about the ship, and some of them actually served aboard the USS WI and can give you first hand stories of when she was in battle. Very interesting.

There is also a quality museum adjacent to the ship that is worth your time. It gives you an overview of naval development.

We didn't have time for Nauticus or a tour of the actual Naval Base, but I heard that they too are well worth the time and price of admission.

Check the USS Wisconsin out on-line by clicking here.