Day 1: <\/strong>Colonial Williamsburg<\/strong><\/h1>\nIf you have kids, start at the visitors\u2019 center and ask about RevQuest (free with your Williamsburg<\/a> admission). RevQuest allows participants to take on the role of a spy for George Washington, and gather and deliver critical war information using a phone app and the help of Williamsburg townspeople. Some of the problems are challenging (best for ages 7-12 or so) and the game takes you all over town, ensuring that you see a lot.<\/p>\n![\"revquest.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/images4.newscred.com\/Zz05OTVhYTFmZjgwZTQ1ZmRiZGY4ZDc0NzJmNTAwOTZlNw==\")
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Flickr CC: C Watts<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nStrolling the colonial streets,\u00a0you might have the opportunity to play colonial games like tug-of-war, help in a colonial garden, sit down to tea with a local housewife or assist the local printer. Quite a bit of activity happens out in the streets, including an hour-long \u201cplay\u201d in the morning that begins with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and unfolds as various townspeople\u2014men, women, black, white, wealthy, poor\u2014drift in and out with conversations that shed light on how the impending war might affect them. You might think that listening to the full Declaration would be dull, but as with Shakespeare plays, reading it out loud breathes life into it.<\/p>\n
Cheesy as it might seem, stay in the colonial town for dinner at Chowning\u2019s Tavern<\/strong><\/a>. The pub fare is good (kids will like the house sodas) and musicians wander through the dining room and play the fiddle or penny whistle.<\/p>\nAfter dinner, consider capping off the evening with a ghost tour; a few local companies offer them. The tours<\/a> are fine for kids and feature tales of thwarted lovers, wronged soldiers and feuding rivals. One late-night tour<\/a>\u2014best for teens and adults\u2014takes you to the nation\u2019s first insane asylum (cue spooky laugh).<\/p>\nDay 2: Yorktown<\/strong><\/h1>\nThis day starts at Merchants Square, a pedestrian zone between the colonial town and the College of William & Mary. Here a Saturday morning outdoor market<\/a> offers up baked goods, southern produce and specialties like green-tomato jam and Virginia peanuts. Grab coffee from one of the stores on the square and head down the scenic Colonial Parkway<\/strong> to Yorktown, about 20 minutes away.<\/p>\nThe American Revolution Museum at Yorktown<\/a><\/strong> reopened this spring after a $50-million renovation that more than doubled its size and updated its exhibits. High-quality films, interactive screens and well-curated displays take you from the Boston Massacre to the Treaty of Paris. They did a wonderful job. A nearly 360-degree, 4D theater dramatizes the decisive battle of Yorktown with seats that shake with each cannonball volley. On one large touch screen a personality quiz tells you which real-life period person you might have been and lets you learn about them in their own words. Near the end of the exhibit, digital lanterns hang from a liberty tree; use a touch screen to add your thoughts to the tree.<\/p>\n![\"yorktown.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/images1.newscred.com\/Zz1mMjMxYzU3MjNlY2E5NGRmMjYyODM2YTNhN2UwYzE3NA==\")
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Imbued with a fresh take on the war, head outside to the living history portion of the museum, which includes an army encampment and farm.\u00a0 This might seem redundant after Williamsburg, but yesterday you were in town, where merchants, bankers and traders remained loyalists. Yorktown is the countryside, where independent-minded farmers tended to favor independence. The two experiences complement each other.<\/p>\n
If you need a lunch break between the two parts of the museum, drive five minutes to the Yorktown waterfront for lunch. The Yorktown Pub <\/strong>offers steamed, fried and raw seafood and other pub fare. It\u2019s more kid-friendly than it might look. The Beach Delly<\/strong> next door is bright and less expensive and does a great oyster Po\u2019Boy. On the lighter side, look to the Carrot Tree Caf\u00e9<\/strong> for wraps, soups and salads.<\/p>\nWhen you\u2019re done with museum for the day consider returning here to relax on the beach. There are places to change into bathing suits, rock jetties to climb on and even an old cave you can peek into.<\/p>\n
ALSO:<\/strong> Hear ye, hear ye\u2014Orbitz Rewards is the most rewarding travel program since Washington crossed the Delaware<\/a><\/p>\nDay 3: Jamestown and wine tasting<\/strong><\/h1>\nOn your way to Jamestown<\/a>, the final point in the local \u201chistoric triangle,\u201d stop at the Old Chickahominy House<\/a><\/strong> for breakfast. Part antiques store and part restaurant, it features from-scratch southern cooking like grits, biscuits and Virginia ham at breakfast and Brunswick stew, dumplings and pie at lunch.<\/p>\nContinue down the Jamestown Road to the Jamestown Settlement<\/a><\/strong> and Historic Jamestown National Park<\/a><\/strong>. You can start at either place, but leave more time for the Settlement.<\/p>\n![\"jamestown.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/images2.newscred.com\/Zz00MzliYzhjODQ1MDg2ZmFhYmFmOWI2MjYxZjY5ODIwNQ==\")
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The National Park is the location of the original fort and a working archeology site. A guided tour explains all the things we thought we knew about Jamestown. At a small \u201cEd Shed\u201d kids can print replicas of the artifacts found at the site on a 3D printer.<\/p>\n
The Jamestown Settlement, meanwhile, explores the English, Native American and African cultures that came together at Jamestown with carefully selected artifacts and touch screens. Visit a recreated English settlement, a Powhatan village and replicas of the ships the colonists traveled on. There are lots of interpreters around who are knowledgeable and eager to talk.<\/p>\n
Try to leave Jamestown in time to stop by the Williamsburg Winery<\/a> for a tasting. A flight is $10 and some of the white and dessert wines are pretty good. Tastings are done standing at the bar while kids and non-tasters hang out at nearby tables.<\/p>\nWhere to eat<\/strong><\/p>\nMerchants Square<\/a><\/strong> is a good spot for dinner. Dog Street<\/strong> has a key corner location and is always lively while\u00a0Trellis Bar & Grill<\/strong> has the most interesting kids menu; both have good food. The best place is\u00a0Berret\u2019s Seafood Restaurant<\/strong>, a little off the square. The service is friendly and the she-crab soup is perfect.<\/p>\nWhere to stay<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Woodlands Hotel & Suites<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is made for families and features a pool, water play area, playground, mini-golf and pretty good casual restaurant. It\u2019s adjacent to the Williamsburg Visitor\u2019s Center, which is handy. For a more secluded experience try the verdant Historic Powhatan Resort<\/strong><\/a> near Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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Flickr CC: C Watts<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Strolling the colonial streets,\u00a0you might have the opportunity to play colonial games like tug-of-war, help in a colonial garden, sit down to tea with a local housewife or assist the local printer. Quite a bit of activity happens out in the streets, including an hour-long \u201cplay\u201d in the morning that begins with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and unfolds as various townspeople\u2014men, women, black, white, wealthy, poor\u2014drift in and out with conversations that shed light on how the impending war might affect them. You might think that listening to the full Declaration would be dull, but as with Shakespeare plays, reading it out loud breathes life into it.<\/p>\n Cheesy as it might seem, stay in the colonial town for dinner at Chowning\u2019s Tavern<\/strong><\/a>. The pub fare is good (kids will like the house sodas) and musicians wander through the dining room and play the fiddle or penny whistle.<\/p>\n After dinner, consider capping off the evening with a ghost tour; a few local companies offer them. The tours<\/a> are fine for kids and feature tales of thwarted lovers, wronged soldiers and feuding rivals. One late-night tour<\/a>\u2014best for teens and adults\u2014takes you to the nation\u2019s first insane asylum (cue spooky laugh).<\/p>\n This day starts at Merchants Square, a pedestrian zone between the colonial town and the College of William & Mary. Here a Saturday morning outdoor market<\/a> offers up baked goods, southern produce and specialties like green-tomato jam and Virginia peanuts. Grab coffee from one of the stores on the square and head down the scenic Colonial Parkway<\/strong> to Yorktown, about 20 minutes away.<\/p>\n The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown<\/a><\/strong> reopened this spring after a $50-million renovation that more than doubled its size and updated its exhibits. High-quality films, interactive screens and well-curated displays take you from the Boston Massacre to the Treaty of Paris. They did a wonderful job. A nearly 360-degree, 4D theater dramatizes the decisive battle of Yorktown with seats that shake with each cannonball volley. On one large touch screen a personality quiz tells you which real-life period person you might have been and lets you learn about them in their own words. Near the end of the exhibit, digital lanterns hang from a liberty tree; use a touch screen to add your thoughts to the tree.<\/p>\n Imbued with a fresh take on the war, head outside to the living history portion of the museum, which includes an army encampment and farm.\u00a0 This might seem redundant after Williamsburg, but yesterday you were in town, where merchants, bankers and traders remained loyalists. Yorktown is the countryside, where independent-minded farmers tended to favor independence. The two experiences complement each other.<\/p>\n If you need a lunch break between the two parts of the museum, drive five minutes to the Yorktown waterfront for lunch. The Yorktown Pub <\/strong>offers steamed, fried and raw seafood and other pub fare. It\u2019s more kid-friendly than it might look. The Beach Delly<\/strong> next door is bright and less expensive and does a great oyster Po\u2019Boy. On the lighter side, look to the Carrot Tree Caf\u00e9<\/strong> for wraps, soups and salads.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re done with museum for the day consider returning here to relax on the beach. There are places to change into bathing suits, rock jetties to climb on and even an old cave you can peek into.<\/p>\n ALSO:<\/strong> Hear ye, hear ye\u2014Orbitz Rewards is the most rewarding travel program since Washington crossed the Delaware<\/a><\/p>\n On your way to Jamestown<\/a>, the final point in the local \u201chistoric triangle,\u201d stop at the Old Chickahominy House<\/a><\/strong> for breakfast. Part antiques store and part restaurant, it features from-scratch southern cooking like grits, biscuits and Virginia ham at breakfast and Brunswick stew, dumplings and pie at lunch.<\/p>\n Continue down the Jamestown Road to the Jamestown Settlement<\/a><\/strong> and Historic Jamestown National Park<\/a><\/strong>. You can start at either place, but leave more time for the Settlement.<\/p>\n The National Park is the location of the original fort and a working archeology site. A guided tour explains all the things we thought we knew about Jamestown. At a small \u201cEd Shed\u201d kids can print replicas of the artifacts found at the site on a 3D printer.<\/p>\n The Jamestown Settlement, meanwhile, explores the English, Native American and African cultures that came together at Jamestown with carefully selected artifacts and touch screens. Visit a recreated English settlement, a Powhatan village and replicas of the ships the colonists traveled on. There are lots of interpreters around who are knowledgeable and eager to talk.<\/p>\n Try to leave Jamestown in time to stop by the Williamsburg Winery<\/a> for a tasting. A flight is $10 and some of the white and dessert wines are pretty good. Tastings are done standing at the bar while kids and non-tasters hang out at nearby tables.<\/p>\n Where to eat<\/strong><\/p>\n Merchants Square<\/a><\/strong> is a good spot for dinner. Dog Street<\/strong> has a key corner location and is always lively while\u00a0Trellis Bar & Grill<\/strong> has the most interesting kids menu; both have good food. The best place is\u00a0Berret\u2019s Seafood Restaurant<\/strong>, a little off the square. The service is friendly and the she-crab soup is perfect.<\/p>\n Where to stay<\/strong><\/p>\n The Woodlands Hotel & Suites<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is made for families and features a pool, water play area, playground, mini-golf and pretty good casual restaurant. It\u2019s adjacent to the Williamsburg Visitor\u2019s Center, which is handy. For a more secluded experience try the verdant Historic Powhatan Resort<\/strong><\/a> near Jamestown.<\/p>\nDay 2: Yorktown<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Day 3: Jamestown and wine tasting<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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