COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
Dating back to 1632 when it was settled by the English, Colonial
Williamsburg oozes with history. To discover how the city really came
about, the Capitol Building is a great place to start as you can walk
the halls where the colony representatives argued with the British
to secure American liberty. If you think witch trials only happened
in Massachusetts, learn the story of the “Virginia witch” Grace
Sherwood and her trial by water. Needless to say, this section is not
suitable for young children.
Luckily Patriots at Play in the Peyton Randolph Yard is much more
family friendly, and the interactive area offers hands-on insight into
18th Century life. Kids can pet livestock in the Rare Breeds program,
tackle the hay maze, play period games — trap and balls, anyone?
— or build a fort. If your offspring are up for something a little
spookier, the Junior Ghost Walk offers 45 minutes of scary fun with
traditional ghost stories from Colonial Williamsburg told around a
flickering lamplight.
To venture around the Palace Gardens, there’s no better mode of
transport than an ox and cart. The stunning gardens surrounding
the Governor’s Palace were once home to royal governors and even
President Thomas Jefferson wandered among the flowerbeds. The
palace itself isn’t just for adults, as the special children’s tour allows
Downtown Dining
Tree House
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kids in grades pre-K through six to venture around its gilded halls and
get an inside look at the home of Virginia’s last royal governor.
All these history lessons and adventures are bound to make anyone
hungry and thankfully Williamsburg has plenty of dining options. But
just like everywhere there, the best restaurants are like a step back
in time. Chowning’s Tavern serves traditional colonial fodder in an
authentic alehouse. Start with a traditional pastry or a ploughman’s
platter, move on to bubble and squeak or shepherd’s pie, and end
with chocolate pecan pie and beer on a salt-glazed mug.
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern is said to be George Washington’s favorite
seafood spot, and we can see why. Bowls of tomato-based Eastern
Shore clam chowder or catfish stew will warm you to the core, while
oysters Rockefeller add a bit of spice to life. Be sure you don’t leave
without trying Mrs. Campbell’s famous crab cakes with caper sauce.
If you really can’t decide, get the waterman’s supper and try a bit of
everything, with black walnut pie thrown in for good measure.
GETTING THERE:
Williamsburg is 153 miles south of D.C. down I-95 so an easy drive for
a daytrip or an overnight stay. If you’d rather fly, the closest airports
are Richmond to the north and Newport News to the south.
Kenmore Plantation