The College of William & Mary, the 2nd oldest college in America, is located on 1200 lovely acres in the heart of historic Williamsburg. The campus is as rich in beauty as it is in history with its brick sidewalks, presidential busts and statues, and lush Virginia landscaping. Despite its name, W&M is actually a university, and part of what makes it so special is its close association with our nation's founding fathers. The school's most notable alumni are presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler and James Monroe. It's also worth nothing that George Washington received his surveyors license here. The campus provides tours for potential future alumni, but if you're just interested in exploring the historical elements of the school, consider the self-guided audio tour. It is neatly broken up into 3 segments: the historic campus, the old campus, and the new campus. Within those 3 segments are 13 total stops along the way. You can pick and choose which areas you'd like to visit. You'll most likely want to skip stop one on the list (the admission's building) and begin at number 2 – the Wren Building located at 111 Jamestown Rd. This is technically at the end of Duke of Gloucester Street, so plan to park in one of the lots around Merchant's Square. The Wren building is the oldest college building still in use in the United States today, and it truly is a sight to behold. Take your time exploring the grounds, then make your way inside. Locate the information desk, where you'll find a brochure with historical information about the building's history, as well as a helpful map. Once through the back doors, you'll immediately see a large grassy rectangle known as the Sunken Garden. On this very site in 1775, Patrick Henry established camp grounds for VA troops. It is today used for naps, tanning, lounging with a good book, studying, movie nights and weddings. On the other side of the Sunken Garden is the Crim Dell Bridge. You'll have to follow a wooded pathway to find it. If you have any trouble locating the path, just ask one of the many students passing by on their way to classes to point you in the right direction. The bridge is incredibly scenic and an ideal spot for taking photos, especially for couples. There are a number of superstitions, rumors, and traditions involving the bridge. It is said that a couple who crosses the bridge and kisses at the crest will be together forever. It's no wonder many proposals take place here! On your way out, and as you're heading back toward the Wren building, be sure to stop and pose with the famous Thomas Jefferson statue, lovingly named "Peeping Tom." I leave it to you to find out why. If you're interested in taking the self-guided audio tour, you can find the link here. Enjoy!
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They say plenty of exercise and lots socialization are the keys to a happy, well-behaved dog. Listed below are some places in the Williamsburg area where you can take your pup for a jaunt and meet a few furry friends along the way. And yes, that's my pup Sam pictured above. <3
Parks – This is a no brainer, right? Williamsburg, and Virginia in general, has loads of gorgeous parks, something I took for granted until living out-of-state for over a decade. If you're a local, you might be making the same mistake. So make a point of visiting new parks! Your dog will love exploring with you. If you're visiting the area and just need some scenic, safe places to walk Fido, here are a few recommendations: York River State Park – See my blog post about this lovely place! It's a little out of the way but worth the trip. Bring $4 for parking and bring your camera. Waller Mill Park – This is a small park, but it's close to town and a pretty place for a woodsy stroll. Bring $2 for parking. They also have an enclosed dog park. More on that momentarily. From personal experience, I recommend making sure your dog is up-to-date on their tick medication before going on the nature trail. EVENT: Canine Carnival at Waller Mill Park on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 1pm-4pm. Vehicle entrance fee of $2. There will be "demonstrations, costume contests, and wiener dog races" as well as "dog-related vendors." Bring vaccination papers. Freedom Park – This park is also easy to access, and it's FREE! They have a number of trails, all scenic and well-kempt, and a botanical gardens. There are a couple historic sections to see while you're there, including a recreation of one of the country's earliest free black settlements, an 18th century gravesite, and a battlefield. This is all dog-friendly. Waller Mill Dog Park – Here your pup can run free within the safety of a fairly sizeable, fenced enclosure. Wisely, small dogs are separated from large dogs. There's a fee in addition to the parking fee, although locals can purchase a yearly pass for unlimited visits. Dogs do have to be registered and proof of vaccinations is also required, so this will take special preparation for out-of-towners. Colonial Williamsburg -- Dogs are welcome at the outdoor area of CW, including Merchant's Square/Duke of Gloucester St, as long as they are leashed. EVENT: Dogs of DoG Street is a yearly affair that's held in the fall. The event includes free treats, a costume contest (dress up your pup!) at Market Square, and a parade that starts at the Palace Green and ends at the Capital. It's free to the public, although donations to the Humane Society are welcome. You can find a list of needed items and register for Dogs of DoG Street here. Yorktown Market Days – Take a drive down the lovely Colonial Parkway to Yorktown Beach for Market Days every Saturday 9am-1pm, sometimes later. Click here for schedule. You'll find lots of neat vendors, yummy food and drinks, live music, and—of course!--dogs. Plus, it's beachside, which is good for the soul. Jamestown Beach – No only are dogs allowed on-leash here, they're also allowed off-leash if swimming, as long as you have control over your pet. Just be warned: there's a rather dramatic drop-off where the water goes from 3 feet to about 12 feet in an instant, so make sure Fido (and your kiddos) can swim before letting him/her wade out too far alone. Chippokes Plantation State Park is a mite out of the way for Williamsburg residents and vacationers, but this gem of a park is worth the ferry trip over to Surry. Named after an Algonquian Indian Chief with whom original English owner Capt. William Powell was friendly, this plantation-turned-park is richly steeped in history, from early settlement to slavery to museum. It's actually a rather remarkable place, one that has continuously operated agriculturally for over 400 years. Recreation With a little planning ahead, a family (hello, homeschoolers) can make a trip to Chippokes an all-day affair. Or plan to stay overnight at their campground. Tent/camper sites are available for a nightly rate of around $30, or stay in one of the four historic cabins, one of which was built in 1850 and served as the overseers house. Located a short hike from the campground is an Olympic-size swimming pool. It's open to the public for a small fee but free for campers. This beautifully-preserved park is stationed on the James River. Access is granted to swimmers, shark-tooth seekers, hikers, and photographers. There are also equestrian trails, picnic areas, and a visitors' center. History The cultural portion of the property is just as breathtaking, and perhaps even more interesting, as the natural portion. There are several structures of historical significance, including plantation houses and outbuildings, slave quarters, farm buildings, and colonial-period agricultural sites. Take a step back in time as you explore the Farm Museum, a 7-structure complex filled with remnants of farming and daily farm life. It's quite an interesting collection of over 600 antiques, and it definitely presents significant educational opportunities. Children will enjoy comparing their modern conveniences with the more crude versions, and they'll be impressed by the items (a toy scooter, for example) that haven't evolved much at all. This tour is self-guided. The last private-owner, the Stewarts, willed the property to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of serving as a museum of agricultural history. 695 Chippokes Park Rd.
Surry, VA 23883 |
The Williamsburg Tourist30-something, homeschooling mom and writer chronicles her family's adventures in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. Archives
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