Birth of Our Nation

Plan your visit, perhaps alternating historic activities with a day of shopping or amusement park thrills. Williamsburg is so full of historical sites and activities, its easy to burnout if you try to see them all in one visit.

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Parking in the historic district is difficult. An annual pass to the living museum is and entitles you to unlimited rides on the shuttle and free parking. Even if you don't plan to return within a year, the carefree parking is worth the differance.

Built to compliment the patriotic era, this resort sits at the edge of the historic district. The condos are spacious and tastefully decorated. Ever amenity of a comfortable home is provided. We enjoyed the mini-golf course which was located just behind our unit. The fitness center was well equipped and offered the perfect wind down after a full day of sight seeing. The resort-sponsored tours are very good. Our favorite was a day trip to Mount Vernon and Washington, D.C. We visited the monuments, the capital and the Smithsonian. Cost $75 each.

A visit to Colonial Williamsburg is a step back into time. Hundreds of participates in period dress contribute to a colonial community which comes alive. You meet Martha Washington, Patrick Henry and other recognizeable people of note, as well as silversmiths, wig makers, blacksmiths and common folk. You can attend a soiree at the minister's home or a slave sermon under the trees. There are demonstrations going on all around you all the time. A meal in one of the colonial taverns is an experience in itself. A costumed waiter in full character takes your order and serves colonial style foods. We enjoy chicken and dumplings, meat pies and boiled cabbage, but buttermilk pie is not for us! As a matter of note you do not need a ticket to visit Colonial Williamsburg and Duke of Gloucester Street. Many of the activities and events take place on public property. During the holiday season the shops decorate with era appropriate materials. The door wreathes are works of art, fresh greenery, dressed with pomagranates, apples and other edibles. You do need a ticket in order to visit the govenor's mansion, the indoor exhibits and programs and to ride the shuttle.

The College of William & Mary is a historical showcase in itself. The college is architecturally sound after more than two centuries. Here were born the radical ideas of democracy to young law students like Thomas Jefferson. My husband's favorite activity is to trod the campus of William & Mary, lost in thought, as though is retracing the footsteps, he can recapture the dream.

Jamestown Settlement represents the 400 year old village of the same name. The settlement is located one mile from the site of the original settlement. The settlement at Jamestown predates the colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts by thirteen years. It was at Jamestown not Plymouth that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated (not a happy gathering of Indians and Colonists sharing a meal either). The lives of the original settlers and the hardships they faced are depicted through living history demonstrations and a video shown at the museum complex. A recreation of a Powhatan Indian Village gives insight into their lives. In the harbor rest full scale replicas of the Susan Contant, the Discovery and the Godspeed, the ships which brought the first 104 settlers to Jamestown. I shiver to think of these tiny vessels leaving the safety of river harbor. Yet an interpreter assured me that not only the original vessels, but these replicas have braved the Atlantic crossing.

I offer this list of attractions as a sampling of available activities outside Colonial Williiamsburg. Some are seasonal. Virginia Air and Space Museum- Hampton

Virginia Marine Science Museum- Virginia Beach offers wonderful touch pools for kids of all ages.

Virginia Beach Festival of Lights- a million Christmas lights with a maritime motif.

Busch Gardens

Go-Karts Plus

Mariner's Museum- Newport News

Nauticus- Norfolk

The Music Theatre of Williamsburg

Water Country USA

Outlet Mall Shopping

The list goes on and on.