The Bit's and Bridles tour begins at the corner of Botetourt and Nicholson Streets with a brief overview of the foundation's rare breed program. From there, you'll take a short walk to the barn for a behind-the-scenes look at the carriages and working horses of Colonial Williamsburg.
The guide for our tour was very friendly and knowledgeable. The facilities were immaculate, amazingly so for a barn. All-in-all, the tour was very enjoyable. However, young children might get bored as there's a lot of talk, not a lot of action, and very little interaction with the animals. Even the overview of the foundation's fascinating rare breed program was all talk and a few pictures. Seeing the animals live, especially the rare horses and sheep, would've greatly enhanced the experience. The highlights of the tour for my children, ages 9 and 11, happened only by chance. An employee was grooming a horse and we were allowed to pet him. And, while our guide was talking about bits, another employee was getting his carriage setup. Those things aside and they weren't overly impressed with the experience. Overall, at $5 a ticket (in addition to the regular admission cost), the tour is worthwhile as long as you go into it knowing that you'll be learning more about carriages and other equipment than engaging with the animals, as implied on the Foundation's website. You can purchase tickets and find the tour schedule here: https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/calendar/bits-and-bridles COST: $5 ADDRESS: Corner of Botetourt and Nicholson Streets
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Virginia is home to the world's biggest naval station, the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery. We take honoring our military and veterans seriously 'round here, so if you're visiting Williamsburg in hopes of discovering our nation's military's past and present, you've come to the right place! Here are 10 ideas for military-themed attractions located in the Hampton Roads/Williamsburg area.
Nauticus -- Nauticus is an engaging and interactive experience where the goal is to connect visitors to today's maritime world. Tour the Battleship Wisconsin, tour exhibits that explore our seaports, the Navy, and the Chesapeake Bay. If you time it right, you might get to see a ship return from deployment! Mariner's Museum -- See ship models, Civil War artifacts, paintings and more. You can also go on a hike on the beautiful, wooded 5-mile Noland trail. American Revolution Museum -- Be a part of history! Tour exhibits featuring period artifacts, watch demonstrations and recreations, and an explore a Revolution-era farm. Yorktown Battlefield -- The final battle of the Revolution took place here! Check the site for a schedule of events, including Fife & Drum marches and artillery demonstrations. Virginia War Museum -- This museum features, uniforms, vehicles, weapons and other artifacts from 1775-present day. Military Aviation Museum -- One of the largest private collections of WWl and WWll military aircraft in the world! Check schedule for flight demonstrations and air shows. Historic Tredegar -- This is the site of a significant Civil War battle and a National Landmark. You'll see the Civil War through the perspectives of 3 main groups - the Confederates, the Unionists, and African Americans. White House & Museum of the Confederacy -- Tour the home Jefferson David lived in and also visited by Robert E. Lee and Abraham Lincoln. You will also learn about and see artifacts relating to southern military history. Hampton Roads Naval Museum -- This museum is located on the 2nd floor of Nauticus and is run by the United States Navy. Their purpose is to celebrate over 240 of history relating specifically to the fleet in Hampton Roads. Admission is free. Civil War Itinerary -- Explore Williamsburg-area Civil War sites on your own time and at your own pace over the course of 4 days. While the summer months are considered peak season for tourism here in Williamsburg, many savvy vacationers have discovered the special magic this town holds during the holidays. You'll fall in love with our fruit wreaths, evergreen garland, and pineapple centerpieces. You'll be taken back in time by the historic setting at Berkeley Plantation, site of the very first Thanksgiving dinner. And, of course, there's the hospitality one comes to expect when visiting Virginia (and the south in general) that'll charm you and keep you coming back again and again. If you're considering Williamsburg for your Thanksgiving holiday, here's a list of ideas to make yours a visit to remember. Virginia Thanksgiving Festival - Located at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, VA, this festival takes place early in the holiday season on November 6, 2016. It costs just a $10 donation per vehicle. The festival hours are noon-4pm, but the formal portion of the program begins at 3 o'clock, which will include music and a reenactment of the 1st Thanksgiving, followed by interactive tribal dancing. You'll have the opportunity to partake of various food and craft vendors, children's games, and activities for the whole family. There's also a corn maze, encampments, candle dipping and more. This is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Foods & Feast of Colonial Virginia -- Explore 17th & 18th Century food and food preparation of colonists, Powhatan Indians, and soldiers during this 3-day event, beginning on Thanksgiving Day. Demonstrations take place at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Special holiday combo tickets are available for purchase. Turkey Pardon -- See live turkeys up close and learn more about these fascinating birds on November 23rd at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News. The town mayor will be joining the festivities to "pardon" the 3 resident turkeys, honoring a beloved holiday tradition since our nation's first presidential turkey pardon in 1947. Breads and Spreads -- Show off some new bread recipes this holiday season! CW chefs will prepeare some delicious breads and spreads for you to sample, and they'll also share the recipes. This 2 hour event takes place on November 19th and is open to the public, meaning general admission tickets to Colonial Williamsburg are not required. However, you will need to purchase a soecial event ticket for $39.95. Turkey Trot -- This just might be the prettiest 5K you've ever run. Dash your way down the lovely, historic streets of Colonial Williamsburg and the distinguished campus of William & Mary Thanksgiving morning to burn off that pumpkin pie in advance, and to benefit a local charity. The run starts at 8:30am. Carriage Ride -- Take a leisurely horse-drawn ride around Colonial Williamsburg with your family, or enjoy a romantic ride for two. Carriages are available for Thanksgiving Day, but you'll want to make reservations. And don't forget to ask your driver about your horses and for whom they've pulled carriages. Ours gave rides to the Queen of England...and Betty White! A few more ideas... Black Friday shopping at the Premium Outlets Thanksgiving vacation package at Kingsmill Some of the area restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner: Captain George's Williamsburg Lodge Regency Room King's Arms Tavern Shield's Tavern Keep up with current events and happenings around Williamsburg with the Virginia Gazette. Things To Do This Saturday in Williamsburg: Dogs of DoG Street – Colonial Williamsburg's Duke of Gloucester Street is going to the dogs! Literally! Pups and their humans will enjoy a costume contest, a puppy parade, gourmet dog treats and more. The fun begins at 10:00 a.m., but get there early if your fur baby is planning to participate in the costume contest. Registration starts at 9:15 a.m. Only the 1st 50 pups will qualify. This event is free, but donations for the Humane Society are appreciated and encouraged. 2016 MPJAI Jeep Festival – The Middle Peninsula Jeep Association is hosting the MPJAI Jeep Festival. Rain or Shine, 11-4pm at the Marquis Shopping Center (where Best Buy is located). There will be a Jeep show and rodeo, food vendors, specialty vehicles, 4-wheeling demos, live music, door prizes, modified Jeeps, and a kids' corner. There is a $15 registration fee to participate in the Jeep Rodeo, but the event is free for spectators.
So, you're visiting Williamsburg and want to know where's a good place to eat. A quick drive down Richmond Road and you'll be convinced that this small town has more restaurants than residents. There's definitely no lack of choices.
Most visitors tend to focus more on dinner, and we do have plenty of wonderful options for evening dining. However, do yourself a favor and skip the fast food for lunch and try one (or all) of these local establishments for sandwiches that you'll crave long after your vacation is over. Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que – Ask anyone in town and their #1 recommendation for lunch will 9-times-out-of-10 be Pierce's. It's a long-time favorite, and it's always busy for good reason. Their unique Virginia BBQ is unlike any BBQ you'll taste anywhere, and I'm willing to bet that once you try it, you'll be back! They sell bottles of their "secret" sauce, which is pretty darn tasty although not an exact match to the real thing. For families with picky eaters, they do serve other items on the menu, so there's something for everyone. NY Deli – You can't beat a hot sub from NY Deli. Everyone in town has their own personal favorite – a hot Gringo, a hot Holly, a cold Italian, etc. Go ahead, ask someone. But this place isn't just sandwiches. They have a fantastic Greek salad, and their pan-style pizza is another favorite. And those desserts! I recommend calling in your order ahead of time. This restaurant gets packed! The Cheese Shop – Located in Merchant's Square on Duke of Gloucester Street, the Cheese Shop is a lovely little place for lunch. Don't be surprised to see a line outside the door if you go right at lunchtime. This is one popular spot for a sandwich! It's the fresh-baked bread and delicious house dressing – you'll want to pick up a few jars on the way out for you and your friends—that makes these simple sandwiches so special. You can also enjoy a glass of Virginia wine with your meal to complete your local-flavor experience. **Header photo is of a Cheese Shop sandwich, from the Cheese Shop website** 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! 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
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