Presenting 25 ideas for the date night in Williamsburg, Virginia. The list I've compiled is meant to provide a variety of suggestions for couples trying to break free of the same-ole date night rut. In no particular order... 1. Corner Pocket – Upscale billiards club with good food, fun atmosphere, and sometimes live entertainment. 2. Movie Tavern – Movie theater that offers full-service dining, "luxurious" seating, and alcoholic beverages. This is a one-stop shop for all your basic dating needs – dinner, movie, drinks. 3. CW Taverns – When you want an experience, not just a meal. Colonial Williamsburg's famous taverns transport you back in time with 18th Century fare and atmosphere. Try something different at King's Arms Tavern, such as southern-famous peanut soup or Hunters Pye, which features a variety of game – venison, rabbit and duck. Or stick with traditional favorites like, prime rib or steak. Do you have a "taste for seafood?" Christiana Campbell's is the tavern for you. For those looking for a bit more atmosphere with their meal, a Friday-night 18th Century pig roast with live music at Shield's will definitely leave an impression. Enjoy family-style seating on picnic tables in the garden's covered area. Or, if roasted pig doesn't sound appealing, Chowning's nightly entertainment (colonial games, drinks and songs) is worth checking out. They also have a lovely Virginia wine menu as well as a Virginia favorite, Brunswick Stew. Shield's and Chowning's offer the most gluten-free options of all the taverns. 4. Comedy Club – Laughing and eating might seem like a dangerous combination, but you only live once, right? Hit up the Comedy Club for a laugh-til-you-cry dining experience. 5. Williamsburg Winery Tour – Visit the Winery's website for their online specials which include winery tour, wine tasting and either lunch ($35 per person) or dinner ($80 per person). Includes souvenir engraved Williamsburg Winery wine glass. 6. W&MTheater – You can't beat going to the theater for $15-$20 a ticket! Performances take place at the Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall. Buy Tickets here. 7. Williamsburg Players – Cheap tickets, great productions, plus you'll be supporting your local community theater. 8. WilliamsburgCharter Sails – Technically in Gloucester, but it's got WMSBG in the name so we'll go with it! Embark on a 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour (Oh, boy) at $150 for a couple. Cold water is served on board, but the site says you can bring food. Beer and wine are welcome, too. If you book as a group (2 other couples) they'll even throw in a sailing lesson. They have a great website with a FAQ section and testimonials, so check it out if you're feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) at the thought of sailing. 9. Williamsburg Lodge – Award-winning Traditions is a premiere dining spot in town. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online. After you've finished your meal, check out whatever live entertainment the Lodge is offering that night. 10. Muscarelle Art Museum--Everyone could use a little culture every now and then, and culture is what you get at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary. Make a point to occasionally check their schedule for extraordinary upcoming exhibits; last year they displayed Leonardo Da Vinci! Not bad for $10 admission. 11. Ghost Tours – Taking a ghost tour is a unique and exciting way to spend a date. The Original Ghost Tours of Williamsburg bases their tour on the book The Ghosts of Williamsburg and is just $12 per person. You'll be lead through the streets of CW by candlelight, starting at Bruton Parish Church on DoG Street. They even have a Thanksgiving tour, so leave the kiddos with the grandparents and go walk off that turkey! Colonial Ghosts is a top-rated, award-winning ghost tour that offers 8pm and 9pm tours for all ages, and an extended, 90 minute tour geared toward adults at 11pm. Spooks and Legends Haunted Tours offers a Witches of Williamsburg tour in addition to their more traditional ghost tour. Either experience is $14 per person. Or purchase a combo ticket and get both tours for $20. That's definitely a great deal for 2.5 hours of eerie entertainment. 12. Water Country & BuschGardens – Got a sitter for a whole day but have no idea how to fill it? Now's your chance to try all those roller coasters or water slides the kids are too scared to ride! Or catch the shows you've been dying to see that the kids just won't sit still through. Try BG's Food and Wine festival in the spring and eat/drink your way through the Old Country. BG also offers other off-season events, such as HallowScream and Christmas Town. 13. Go Karts Plus – Have some fun and get those competitive juices flowing on the race track, playing water wars, or at the arcade. This is a great place to act like a big kid. 14. Pirates Cove Mini Golf – What's sweeter than an evening of miniature golf and ice cream (Dairy Queen is right next door)? 15. Ripley's Believe It Or Not – If you're looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, Ripley's definitely meets the criteria. There's a 9,000 square ft. Odditorium with over 350 exhibits and artifacts, a 4D theater that will tantalize the senses, a laser maze, and an 18-hole mini golf course. Several ticket options available. 16. Williamsburg Flight Center – This is one of more expensive dates on our list, but it's well worth the cost for a special occasion, or to make an average day an unforgettable one. Take an aerial tour of the Historic Triangle, which includes Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg Winery and more. Or venture up of the James River to glimpse beautiful and historic plantations and manors. 17. Go Ape – Dating is about bonding, which is exactly what you'll do when you go on a Treetop Adventure together at Go Ape. Zip lines, rope course, and Tarzan swings provide over 2 hours of adrenaline pumping fun. 18. Midnight Fishing at Waller Mill – You'll definitely win the Wife (or girlfriend...or boyfriend) of the Year award by booking this one! Unfortunately, they don't post their schedule for this event online (ugh, I know), so you'll have to swing by the park in person for updated information. They also have kayak and paddle boat rentals for reasonable rates. 19. Golf – This is another one with the guys in mind. There are a number of spectacular public golf courses in Williamsburg. Kingsmill has 2 award-winning courses: The River & The Plantation. Ford's Colony has the Blackheath, the Blue Heron, and the award-winning Marsh Hawk. The Golden Horseshoe has several courses, including their "Gold" course, which has won 10+ awards since 2000. If you're looking for a challenge and a value, Colonial Heritage Golf Club is highly rated. 20. Kimball Theater – The symphony, concerts, movies and musicals – there's always something interesting playing at Kimball. Tickets are as low as $5. 21. Williamsburg Dinner Theater – Nothing goes better with dinner than a little murder and mystery. Friday nights only. 22. Biking -- For couples who love being active together, or who would like to get more active, biking is an incredibly fun way to go about it. York River State Park and Freedom Park both offer several mountain biking trails. The Colonial Parkway is 23-miles of biker-friendly highway, although it is a bumpy ride. Virginia Capital Trail, which begins at the state's first capital in Jamestown and ends at the current capital in Richmond, is 50 miles of beautiful biking. 23. Jamestown Discovery BoatTours – Book a sightseeing tour or a sunset tour aboard a spacious and comfortable pontoon boat operated by a friendly crew. See the wildlife inhabiting the beautiful James River – Heron, egrets, bald eagles. From your vantage point on the boat, you'll also see the replica ships at Jamestown and other historic sites from an interesting perspective. Rates are reasonable at $20 per adult. 24. Taste of Williamsburg -- For a real treat, book this one-of-a-kind culinary walking tour. Experience what several (up to 10) of the best restaurants in town have to offer in a single afternoon. Also available is the Tasting Trail, which is a brew tour. 25. Williamsburg Lanes -- Yes, bowling! Williamsburg Lanes offers a fun, laid back atmosphere for a couple, and maybe a few friends, to enjoy a casual night out. NOTE: VA Bloggers plz go to Virginia is for Bloggers
0 Comments
Operation of the Jamestown-Scotland ferry began over 90 years ago, in 1925, and continues today, transporting just under a million passengers annually. The ferry runs 24/7, making it the only one of its kind in the Commonwealth. The service is free, so families traveling on a budget should definitely add this activity to their to-do list. The ferry ride is a memorable experience for all ages, especially on a beautiful day.
For Williamsburg visitors or residents, the trip begins at Jamestown Beach. If you've toured Jamestown Settlement, the ride will offer a new vantage point. You'll see the 3 replica ships docked just off-shore, catch a glimpse of one of the country's oldest churches, as well as other interesting historical landmarks. For more information on what to look for, click here. The ride is approximately 15 minutes long. Bird enthusiasts should could armed with binoculars; gulls, osprey, egrets, cormorants, and heron reside along the James River. Many will be viewable during your cruise. You might even get lucky and spot an eagle. Once docked on the other side, take a drive through the quaint but beautiful town of Surry, or head on over to Chippoke Plantation & State Park to spend the day exploring. When you're ready to leave, head back to the dock for the return trip back to Williamsburg. The ferry runs every 20 – 30 minutes, depending on the time of day. It departs on the hour on certain major holidays. You can find a full schedule here. Cost: FREE 2110 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185 Virginia's State Fair is held once a year on the sprawling 331-acre historic property, The Meadow Event Park, located in Doswell, Virginia, birthplace of Triple Crown winner, Secretariat. Yes, that Secretariat. Horse and history enthusiasts alike will find their state fair experience enriched by strolling along this official Virginia landmark, which includes the original foaling shed where the racing legend was born. But it's not all about the horses! Cows, goats, chickens, ducks, and a whole herd of other livestock can be found scattered throughout the park. Feeling overheated? Make your way over to the air-conditioned Farm Bureau Center to cool off and perhaps do a little shopping while you're there. Over 100 vendors offering a variety of goods and services will keep you and your pocketbook busy for a while. Some very wise planner(s) decided to separate the children's rides from the rest. Once you pass through the tunnel, you'll find yourself at Festival Loop. This is perhaps the busiest section of the fair because—you guessed it—that's where the bulk of the food is. West of Festival Loop is Midway (rides geared for family w/ older children and adults), and to the east of the Loop is Kidway. Families heading that direction will encounter the historic section of the park, a variety of animals at Young McDonald's Farm, agricultural exhibits, kid-friendly rides, and more food. Ride tickets and wristbands are available to purchase, but families with multiple children might find the price tag a bit steep, especially after footing the bill for admission tickets ($12 for adults/$10 for kids). However, parking is free, and there's about 4-5 hours worth of free stuff to do, so a family on a budget can still enjoy the fair experience without breaking the bank. 2016 fair dates: September 23 - October 2
2017 fair dates: September 29 - October 8 Address: 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, VA 23047 Boasting more than 2500 acres and a 40-mile trail network, York River State Park is a must-see for outdoorsy vacationers. Several amenities are available at the park, including a boat launch, fishing spots, hiking/biking/equestrian trails, playgrounds, shelters, a visitors center with gift shop, a campground, and boat rentals. But don't let that long list of services fool you: York River State Park is among the prettiest, most-peaceful environments for those looking to get alone with Mother Nature while in Williamsburg. The pier at Croaker Landing, an official archaeological site, doesn't require a fishing license, making it a convenient location for out-of-state fishermen (and fisherladies) to catch a few catfish or striper without those pesky permit fees. There are other fishing spots within the park—Woodstock Pond for freshwater anglers and the brackish waters of Taskinas Creek—that require licenses, which you can obtain here. The beach is easy to access and although there are no designated swimming areas, it is a great place to look for shells, fossils, or shark teeth. There are also several opportunities for educational experiences throughout the year. You can find a schedule of events and classes here. Whether it's at the park, along the Colonial Parkway, or on the sandy shore of Yorktown Beach, the gorgeous scenery along the York River provides an abundance of photo opportunities, perfect for your next family portraits. Hours: 8am-dusk
Parking fee: $3 Address: 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA. 23188 There are few things more memorable than the Fife and Drum parade at Colonial Williamsburg. The experience is open to the public (no ticket required) and begins at the Capitol on the eastside of Duke of Gloucester Street.
March alongside or follow behind as the talented fifers and drummers make their way up DoG Street over to the Palace Green, where a real cannon is fired. With more than 700 marches annually, you can (and should!!!) find one that fits into your trip itinerary. You can find their schedule here. Understanding the origin behind the Fife and Drum Corps makes an unforgettable experience even richer. The 18th century field musicians were boys aged 10-18 years old. The music was used as an important communication tool during a time before phone calls or texting, and it kept the troops' spirits high as they marched into and out of battle. The tradition continues today as boys and girls are able to join the ranks at age 10 and graduate from the program after their 18th birthday. These dedicated young people, dressed in their tricorn hats and buckled shoes, are on the front lines of recreating fascinating colonial-era military and music history. You don't want to miss it. |
The Williamsburg Tourist30-something, homeschooling mom and writer chronicles her family's adventures in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. Archives
June 2017
Categories
All
|