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We celebrated the first official day of Autumn 2017 and the tenth anniversary of our wedding with a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia.  I have been here too many times to count over the last forty years or so and my wife and I have been here a few times together, but the children have never been.  There is a good reason that this is the top tourist destination in Virginia.  Though there are tons of other things to do, our focus for the weekend will be Colonial Williamsburg.

For our trip we booked a suite at the Homewood Suites in Williamsburg for Thursday night through Sunday morning.  We were fortunate that the children didn’t have school on our anniversary date and left during rush hour on Thursday evening and were in our hotel room by 9 PM.  This hotel is in a perfect location if Colonial Wiliamsburg (the Historic Area) is your target.  It is a three minute drive to the Visitor Center and about a five minutes drive all the way to the Historic Area of town.

Friday, September 22 2017

We rose early on our first morning (mostly thanks to Fionnuala (5 years old)) and were the first people at breakfast.  After breakfast we were ready quickly.  Raring to go, we hopped in the car and arrived at the Visitor Center at 8:30 AM.  We discovered on accident that the Visitor Center was actually open and ticket sales began at 8:45!  I was shocked that on a weekday morning during the school year they would do this, but was very happy!  I got in line to purchase tickets and Sarah took the kids to look around the shops before eventually joining me at the ticket desk.

Buying tickets couldn’t have been easier.  They asked me if i was eligible for every type of discount that was available and it turns out I was!  As a teacher you receive a half-price annual pass ($33.49), Sarah’s 3-day pass was $50.99, Liam’s 3-day pass was $25.49 and Fionnuala was free since she is younger than six.  Before we arrived I had downloaded the event guide for Friday (and recommend you do the same), so we already knew which events we were interested in that required tickets.  So, after purchasing our passes we also got tickets to “A Family Reunited” (free) and the Ox Wagon Ride ($5 per person).  With our tickets and passes in hand, we headed down the stairs to the shuttle buses.

SIDENOTE: There is a brief introductory video just beyond the ticket desks that I would recommend if you have never visited Colonial Williamsburg.  We skipped it since Sarah and I have both visited before and we didn’t think Fionnuala would be interested.

We left our car in the free parking lot at the Visitor Center and took the free shuttle (included with Colonial Williamsburg ticket) to the first stop (Palace Stop).  We admired the horses, took a brief look around the outside of the Governor’s palace, and wandered through the George Wythe House’s gardens until everything opened at 10 AM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first ‘official’ stop of the day was the foundry at the Geddy House.  The Geddy House gives visitors a look into the daily life of a prosperous Virginia family of the 1700s.  The children listened to the presentation and played the ring toss game that was in the yard between the house and the foundry and Fionnuala returned to the foundry and was able to touch the entire assortment of metal goods and ask the woman about all of the tools and finished products after the large group had left.

Before we knew it it was 10:30 and time for our Ox Wagon ride.  Everyone enjoyed the ride and the men operating the oxen and wagon were friendly.  The children really enjoyed the whole experience.  The ride goes around the rectangular Palace Green which was home to the wealthiest families in the city (and the colony).  I was very happy we made this decision and the children loved it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we had finished with the Ox Wagon, we headed across Duke of Gloucester Street (known locally as Dog Street) and visited the Weaver.  As we entered there was a exhibit where the children were able to try out their own weaving skills.  In the back of the house were two large looms and a dressed interpreter working and explaining the process as well as the role of the weaver in the city’s daily life.

 

Next, we made a brief stop in the shoemaker’s, but it was full of people and a bit hard for the children to see so we didn’t stay very long.  As part of the children’s entrance pass each child may recieve a pin that can be picked up at the Market Square.  So that was our next stop.  Each of the children got their pin and then we allowed them to browse the selection of colonial era toys for a while.

At this point it was creeping near noon and the weather was unseasonably warm (the high temperature would eventually reach 86 degrees).  We all decided it would be nice time for a cold drink.  Across DOG Street from Market Square is a stand that sells refreshments, so off we went.  The stand is called “Chowning’s Snack Bar” and is affiliated the Chowning’s Tavern which is next to it.  The children each got a cold Apple Cider ($3 each) and both parents got iced tea ($2.75).  The drinks were cold and large (16 oz. cups) and very refreshing on this humid morning.  After our brief refreshment break, we headed to Patriots at Play which is located behind the Randolph House.

The children loved Patriots at Play.  There was steer to pet, assorted games to play, an art station, a marble making station and a small bowling game for the kids to play.  Our children couldn’t get enough of it!  We eventually had to leave and eat lunch, but neither child was ready!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to eat lunch at Chownings Tavern.  Both children ordered off the children’s menu (which is the same at all of the Colonial Taverns).  Liam (8) chose Chicken Strips with chips (cooked in house) and Fionnuala (5) chose a pizza with apple sauce, both meals also included a lemon aide.  Sarah had a nice Turkey Wrap with chips and I opted for the BBQ pork sandwich with coleslaw and potato salad.  Everyone else enjoyed their meals, but I can tell you mine was absolutely delicious!  I also order an Old Stitch Brown Ale (which is made locally).

By the time we finished eating, it was time to head to our next ticketed event: A Family Reunited.  We arrived at about 12:25 for our 12:30 entrance time and found that everyone else was already seated inside (You are suppose to arrive at 12:15).  A Family Reunited is a tour of the Governor’s Palace targeted at elementary school aged children.  While I think my children enjoyed it, the ideal age group would probably be 4th-6th grade.

When we finished at the Governor’s Palace the children were starting to drag.  We decided to head back to the hotel to regroup and cool down.  The children wanted to go in the pool, so we did, showered, got dressed and before we knew it it was 4 PM!

Next thing we knew it was time to head back over to the Historic Area to see Marching Into Evening.  We were able to see the beginning, but we had a reservation at Christiana Campbell’s for our Anniversary Dinner so we had to leave at 5:10 to make sure we got there in time (it is a 15 minute walk with the children).

Christiana Campbell’s was great.  This is my preference of all the Colonial Taverns and was George Washington’s favorite as well.  The food was good, our waitress was excellent and the children had a great time.  Both children ordered the Chicken Strips meal which included a drink and french fries.  Both parents ordered the daily special which was “The Captain’s Catch”.  It included Rockfish topped with crab, vegetables and potatoes as well as ice cream for dessert.  Sarah had a glass of wine and I had another local beer (the Weekend Lager).

We dined early because our children are used to eating early, but the ambiance is much, much better after the sun goes down as the taverns attempt to recreate what it would have been like to eat in a tavern in colonial Virginia.

We had parked at the tavern when we arrived at 4:30 which is a nice perk, so after dinner we got in the car and headed to Merchant Square where we were able to snag a two hour parking space.  Our goal was to do some shopping at Wythe’s Candy Shop.  It is a wonderful old-style candy shop.  The children were each allowed to get a small bag of candy and we bought some fudge to take back to my mother.

After we finished at the Candy Shop, we walked down to Bruton Church hoping to see the grave yard but unfortunately it closes at 5 PM unless there is a service or concert.

Liam’s Highlight of the Day: Making a marble at Patriots at Play

 

Saturday, September 23 2017

We again were awakened before 6 AM.  Saturday’s breakfast was very good, especially the potatoes!  The breakfast had breakfast burritos, kielbasa, pre-made omelets and hash browns.  All of it was good, but the hash browns were particularly good.

We arrived at the Visitor Center at 8:45 this morning.  I really like arriving this early as you get an extremely close parking space (the parking lot is ENORMOUS!).    We hopped on the free shuttle bus and took the entire circuit today where we got off at the Market Square stop.  Sarah was excited to begin the day at the Williamsburg Farmers Market which takes place every Saturday morning (even during the winter) from 8 AM – noon.  There is even free parking in Parking Lot 6 until noon.  We enjoyed walking around looking at the stalls and bought some kettle corn for the kids before we headed down into the Historic Area.

Our first stop today was Bruton Parish Church.  The current building was opened in 1715 and is still an active church.  I wanted to see the church yard and take a look at some of the grave stones, and we did.  We also were fortunate enough that the children went along with taking a look inside.  It’s a beautiful church and the volunteer docents are eager, friendly and helpful.

 

 

After we finished at the church it was lunch time.  Sarah had had her eye of the Dog Street Pub since we arrived, so that is where we went.  We enjoyed a nice hearty lunch.  I had a cod sandwich, Sarah had a chicken Caesar salad, Fionnuala had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and Liam had a burger. We all left cool and satisfied.

We worked our way down DOG Street and it was even hotter today (a high of 90 degrees).  Our first stop was to look in one of the gardens that can be found behind many of houses.  Then we took a right onto Nassau Street and went into the African American Baptist Meeting House.  We returned to DOG Street then went into the Joinery.  The joinery had a lot of tools the children could touch as well as demonstrations.  For Liam though, the woman working there gave him some cherry shavings and he was thrilled!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Joinery we continued up DOG Street and took a look around the Colonial Gardens.

After the garden, we used the restroom and browsed the stalls at Market Square.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Market Square we crossed the street to the Geddy House.  Again, this was a place the children enjoyed.  Most of the house was showing what the silversmith’s house was like, but in the back room there was a game of Captain Morgan’s Revenge for the children!

When we left the Geddy House, we crossed the street to check out Greenhow’s Store.  When we stepped outside we were treated to the Fifes and Drums March!

Once the Fifes and Drums had passed we made our way to Market Square for the auction.

By this time is was getting hot.  We watched as the items were selected for the auction and stayed for the first few items.  It turns out you can get some really good deals on the items if you see something you like.   Then we decided to make a stop for some drinks at the nice outdoor area in back of Chownings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we finished our drinks we headed further down DOG street with the intention of eventually getting to Sarah’s favorite, the Gaol.   But first we made a stop at the Brickyard since we had heard that it was a big hit with children.  Look below and you will know why!  I wish we knew, we would have brought some towels to clean the kids up!

After we cleaned most of the mud off the children, we made our way down the path and ended up at the Cabinetmaker.  I thought it was cool, but the children weren’t very interested.  So we didn’t stay for very long.  We headed down Nicolson Street toward the Gaol.  First though, we had to stop to watch the Ax throwing.

I needed to stop by the restroom so we ended up behind the William Pitt store where they sell many children’s items.  As we got to the front of the store they were doing a demonstration of a game for the children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The children had a really good time playing the game in the street!  After a while we moved on to visit the Gaol.  This had been a highlight of our previous visits for Sarah and she thought the children would enjoy it.  Unfortunately, only part of the complex was open on this visit.  The Gaol yard and cells were open and the children had a really good time exploring the cells.  The Gaol Keeper’s house which had been open other times we visited was not open this time, but when it is is a very informative piece of this exhibit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we were finished at the Gaol it was 3:30,  it was hot and we were tired (remember we have been starting our days before 6 AM ).  The kids were tired, so we called it a day and caught the shuttle at the Capital Stop (in front of Campbell’s Tavern).  While the rest of our crew waited on the bench for the shuttle, I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the Presbyterian Meetinghouse that is next to the stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to the hotel, used an Outback Steakhouse gift card for some take out and went to bed.

Liam’s highlight of the day:  Playing in the mud at the brickyard

Sunday, September 24, 2017

We slept later today, but were still up in time for the beginning of breakfast service.  Again the breakfast was good (Friday morning was the worst of the three breakfasts).  We checked out of the hotel a little before 10 and made our way to Pumpkinville.  The kids wanted to go to a pumpkin patch and we found a good one.  There are some prepicked pumpkins, but also a pick your own area.  They also have a corn maze and a bouncy castle.  The kids had a blast, we picked up some pumpkins and then got on the road to head home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful weekend and a great anniversary.  I can’t wait to take the children back for our next visit!

 

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