What to do

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Williamsburg is part of the Historic Triangle.  There are many things do between Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.  Here is a just a small list of places you may want to consider.  The NY Times also did a “36 hours in Williamsburg” article a few years ago.

Colonial Williamsburg: The main attraction of Williamsburg is the downtown Colonial area, which is a large scale living history museum set in 1774.  A variety of trades, shops, and history-themed events are available.  It doesn’t cost anything to walk around and look in the shops, but if you would like to go on tours or attend events, you will want to purchase a single or multi-day pass.   Information on ticket plans can be found here.


See also: Virtual tour of Colonial Williamsburg

Jamestown Island: This is the archaeological site of Jamestown, which is located on National Park Service land.  Excavations take place Monday-Friday and there is also a neat archaeology museum. Information on National Park passes can be found here.

Yorktown Battlefield:  This is the national historic park for the battle that took place in 1781.  Like Jamestown Island, it is on Park Service land.  There is a small museum as well as some monuments in the battlefield area.  Information on National Park passes can be found here.

Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center: These locations tell the story of the English settlement at Jamestown and the battle of Yorktown.  They are fun, modern museums that would appeal to children more than the actual historic sites.  There is also a to-scale reproduction of James fort and an Algonquian village at Jamestown settlement, though we can’t guarantee the historical accuracy of the interpreters [end rant].

Yorktown Beach: This is a fun place to spend the afternoon or take a walk.  There are a few restaurants (we recommend the Carrot Tree) and there is a nice bit of beach that lines the York River.  It’s a lot calmer than the ocean and very pretty!

Busch Gardens/Water Country USA: This family friendly theme park has plenty of rides for all ages.  They also have a number of roller coasters for any thrill ride enthusiasts.  They also serve (expensive) beer.

Williamsburg Outlet Mall: Outlet shopping is offered on Richmond Rd outside of the main attractions of Williamsburg.


Note: Open up this map to take a look at the locations mentioned above!



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Eats

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Williamsburg is a tourist town.  There is about every chain restaurant to satisfy one’s imagination on Richmond Road.  Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg contains a number of Taverns (and other nice restaurants), which would be considered fine dining for the area.  The following are local places that we would recommend for a casual bite to eat.

The Green Leafe Cafe: The Leafe has the best beer selection in town.  It is located around the corner from the Hospitality House.  The menu is mostly Pub Grub/American Food. 765 Scotland Street, Williamsburg, VA

Paul’s Deli: The deli is next door to the Green Leafe.  The menu is mostly delicious greasy sandwiches and other assorted Pub Grub.  765 Scotland Street, Williamsburg, VA

The Cheese Shop: The Cheese Shop is located on Duke of Gloucester Street as one enters Colonial Williamsburg.  They specialize in southern style deli sandwiches on good bread.  410 West Duke of Gloucester Street Williamsburg, VA

Aromas: The cozy coffee shop and café is has a variety of salad and sandwich choices.  It is close to Colonial Williamsburg. 431 Prince George Street Williamsburg, VA

Retro’s: The restaurant offers the experience of a 50’s style burger joint.  The food is good and it is family friendly.  The location is near Colonial Williamsburg. 435 Prince George St Williamsburg, VA

Sal’s By Victor: Great Italian food is not what one would expect to find in Williamsburg.  Sal’s By Victor is a run-of-the-mill Italian restaurant that is family friendly.  The menu has a variety of choices at fairly reasonable prices.  1242 Richmond Road Williamsburg, VA

Travel

See our first wedding post here


St. Bede Chapel is located at 10 Harrison Avenue, Williamsburg, VA.  The Reception will be at the William and Mary Alumni House located at 500 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA.  The two building are next door to each other.

Driving Directions to St. Bede Chapel

(From the North)
Take I-95 Southbound to Exit 84A (I-295 S).  Take I-295 S until Exit 28A (I-64 E).  Take I-64 E until Exit 238 (VA-143).  Make a slight right onto VA-143 E (Merrimac Trail).  Turn Right onto VA-132 S.  Turn right onto Lafayette St.  Make a left onto Harrison Avenue.  The Chapel will be across the intersection with Richmond Road.

(From the South)
Take I-95 Northbound until Exit 46 (I-295 N).  Take I-295 N until Exit 28A (I-64 E).  Take I-64 E until Exit 238 (VA-143).  Make a slight right onto VA-143 E (Merrimac Trail).  Turn Right onto VA-132 S.  Turn right onto Lafayette St.  Make a left onto Harrison Avenue.  The Chapel will be across the intersection with Richmond Road.

(From the West)
Take I-64 E until Exit 238 (VA-143).  Make a slight right onto VA-143 E (Merrimac Trail).  Turn Right onto VA-132 S.  Turn right onto Lafayette St.  Make a left onto Harrison Avenue.  The Chapel will be across the intersection with Richmond Road.

Alternate Roads

US-1: This roughly mirrors I-95 from Washington, DC through Richmond.  While the speed limit is lower and the road has stoplights, it’s a viable alternative to I-95.

US-60: This mirrors I-64 from Richmond through Williamsburg.  It’s a good alternative if I-64 is congested.  The road has a country driving experience and generally allows for decent travel speeds.

US-301: The road runs from Delaware to Richmond.  It can be used as an alternative to I-95.  If taken from Delaware, one travels down the DelMarVa peninsula and across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  The tolls are lower than on I-95.  The road can also be accessed from I-495 outside Washington, DC and eventually leads to I-295.  The route is slower, but scenic.  From Delaware, add about an hour to travel time.  From DC, add 40 minutes to travel time.

Train/Plane

Beyond the great American Road trip, our guests may be interested in the following options:

Williamsburg Amtrak Station: The station is about ½ mile from the Church.  The Northeast Region line services the station.  Taxi service is available at the station.

Richmond International Airport: The airport services a number of airlines and is approximately an hour drive to the Church.

Newport News International Airport: The airport is smaller than Richmond, but is a thirty minute drive to the Church.


Note: Open up the map below to get directions and estimate travel times from your location!



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Just around the bend

The wedding is coming up, just around the (river)bend at T-minus seventy-five days.  After more than thirteen months of planning, it's really starting to feel close!  Paul and I have prepared several wedding-related posts, which you can access through the 'Wedding' tab under 'TOPICS' on the right margin.  These are primarily centered around travel to Williamsburg, hotels, places to eat, and things to do if you plan on spending more time in town.  I have also prepared several maps so you can orient yourselves with Williamsburg before you arrive.  We are looking forward to spending our special day with you all!

A few details...
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia

Ceremony: St. Bede Chapel, 2pm

Reception: William and Mary Alumni House, immediately following the wedding Mass (about 3:30)

Brunch: For all wedding guests, Sunday, May 20, Williamsburg Hospitality House, Papillon Dining Room, 9:30am-1pm
Registry: We are registered at Amazon.com and we also have a small registry at Target for in-store purchases

Weddings and Womanhood

Over the past few months, I've learned a whole lot about wedding to-dos and taboos.  From an anthropological perspective, it's interesting to pick apart the traditions - the veil, the white dress, a father giving his daughter away, the size of the engagement ring and wedding.  But for the most part, I see most of these traditions as cultural survivals - non-functional practices that once had a purpose in past society.  I mean, look at white maternity wedding dresses - need I say more?  But regardless of function, weddings are just something you have to do.

I must admit that I'm not a big fan of wedding planning.  I've never been one of those girls who dreams of her wedding day - and certainly not about a dress, flowers, or table settings.  Growing up with two brothers, I spent a lot of my childhood in the woods building forts and making mud-pies, or playing dinosaurs vs. transformers (or reaching potatoes vs. frogberries).  I spent the past two weeks excavating the ruins of an 18th century mansion - with my bare (ok, sometimes gloved) hands, one bucket of rubble at a time.  For the longest time, I hated the idea of being feminine.  If someone said I'd make a good housewife all they would receive in return was the classic Laura scowl.

At some point in college I came to terms with being a woman.  It had nothing to do with wearing pink, shopping for bras, or putting on makeup and everything to do with loving, caring, and giving of myself in a uniquely feminine way.  I love to cook, bake, and host small gathering with friends.  I love to take care of people, listening to their woes and sharing in their joys.  I am ecstatic about marrying Paul and God willing, having children in a few years.  To me, this is what it means to be woman - though I recognize that to each woman, femininity means something a little different.

If only everyone else understood.  Dresses, flowers, and table settings - that one day - are all ephemeral.  I have a good man who loves me, and on our wedding day we will make promises to each other and to God.  That's what matters.  That's what I'm excited about.  That's what I'll plan for.

a brief interlude of sensational experience

I felt bold on leaving Concord, but I confess I find New York rough and strange, and myself strange in it.  Mrs. Kirk believes I am here for a brief interlude of sensational experience before succumbing to a matrimonial fate...but I hope that any experience I gain will be strictly literary.

- Jo, Little Women (film)

When I began writing this blog two years ago, I laughed to myself about the specific context of the title.  I had just been on a first date - the first date I'd been on in long time.  And as much as I liked the guy, I was eagerly anticipating a semester in Guatemala.  Well, we went on a second date (I really, really liked this guy) and four days later I boarded a southbound plane.  When I got off the plane four months later, he was there with flowers, waiting for me.  And that was the fifth time in my life that I had ever seen him.

Sometimes I smile when I think about all those early memories.  The first weekend we met (and this was on a church retreat, mind you), when we stayed up late just sharing funny stories - I'll never forget the image of a tiny Kevin (his brother) climbing a dinosaur at a museum.  Four months later, when we got artery-clogging burgers at Five Guys and talked until dark.  And six months after that, when he took me out to my first brewpub - and gave me my first hangover (which mostly just shows that I was a lightweight).  Before he was my boyfriend, he was my good friend.  And before being my fiance, he was (and is) my best friend.  I could not ask for a better man and a better life's companion.

So I must admit (as would Jo, I’m sure), that I’m glad my experience has not been “strictly literary.”  My grandma keeps telling me that I need to quench my adventuresome spirit and settle down.  But I know, as does Paul, that I will never be done having adventures.  Only, from now on, they will ours – our simple days, our struggles, our joys – our adventures.