See our first wedding post here
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!
View Things to do in Williamsburg in a larger map
Showing posts with label Williamsburg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Williamsburg. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Eats
See our first wedding post here
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
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
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!
View Laura and Paul's Wedding 5-19-2012 in a larger map
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!
View Laura and Paul's Wedding 5-19-2012 in a larger map
Monday, March 5, 2012
Just around the bend
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
Registry: We are registered at Amazon.com and we also have a small registry at Target for in-store purchases
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Weekends
...probably my favorite part about working, rather than being in school! Since it's been a while, I wanted to share a couple photos and stories from the past few weekends.
Paul and I also went to NJ for memorial day weekend...and this weekend we helped my dad fell a tree. What's next? This week I'm headed down south to Clover, VA to join Longwood University's archaeological field school for the week. After that I'll be driving down for a week doing archaeology at the Great Dismal Swamp with American University's field school. I'm really excited for the opportunity to work at these sites, and enjoy those humid Virginia summer days.
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| I went down to Williamsburg for Class of 2011 graduation - so much fun! It's hard to believe that they are all grown up. |
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| I got to spend time with a lot of friends that weekend, including Shoop and Stephen :) Saturday evening included some Magic Hat #9, Harry Potter 7.1, and a fun German train game. |
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| Paul enjoys home cooked meals...except this one! I put a little too much cayenne in my cajun chicken and penne, thus the tears. |
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| I got plants! I bought Basil (pronounced Bah-zul) the basil plant Mothers' day weekend, and then Paul and I got Tom the tomato plant and Holly the jalapeno plant at a farmers market a few weeks later. Basil has gotten several significant haircuts already for some delicious pesto :) |
Paul and I also went to NJ for memorial day weekend...and this weekend we helped my dad fell a tree. What's next? This week I'm headed down south to Clover, VA to join Longwood University's archaeological field school for the week. After that I'll be driving down for a week doing archaeology at the Great Dismal Swamp with American University's field school. I'm really excited for the opportunity to work at these sites, and enjoy those humid Virginia summer days.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Virginia Heritage: Buckland
I'm still alive! I've just been running helter-skelter across the state, and into D.C. and Maryland as well. This past Thursday/Friday I voyaged to Williamsburg to go apartment hunting with my former-and-future roomie, Angela. I will be returning to William and Mary as an MA student in the fall - and I cannot express how happy I will be to live in Williamsburg (and to live with Angela) again!
I have been working and volunteering at several archaeological sites over the past few months, so I thought I'd devote one blog entry to each. All the sites I've been working at lately are "historic" sites, which means that he written record, in addition to archaeology, is used to study the past. Hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll have at least one Virginia prehistoric site to write about!
I spent several weeks working with a team of archaeologists at Buckland in Prince William County. (For more information see: Buckland Preservation Society). Built alongside Broad Run, the small town of Buckland was established in 1798. By around 1830 it home to a large distillery and a grist (flour) mill, among many other buildings. Today there are several historic structures still standing - including the old mill, a former post office converted into a residence, and a tavern. There are additional buildings across Rt. 29 as well.
Our job was to carry out survey testing in the hopes of locating the distillery. We dug shovel tests - about 1x1 foot round holes, about 1-3 feet deep - to determine stratigraphy (soil layers) and artifact type/density. We didn't find the distillery (well, probably not), but we did find a lot of interesting "junk" from multiple centuries, from old pottery and oyster shells to industrial 19th century iron to old buckets and chunks of cement. Further investigation north of the mill shed light onto the foundations of another structure - perhaps a woolen mill mentioned in documents. Since much of the surveyed land was in a floodplain, cultural deposits have been obscured by seasonal and hundred-year floods. Sounds like ground penetrating radar (GPR), other remote sensing, or geoarchaeology may be in Buckland's future!
This coming week I'll be working at Menokin, on Virginia's Northern Neck. I'm looking forward to some great digging weather!
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| Springtime in CW |
I have been working and volunteering at several archaeological sites over the past few months, so I thought I'd devote one blog entry to each. All the sites I've been working at lately are "historic" sites, which means that he written record, in addition to archaeology, is used to study the past. Hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll have at least one Virginia prehistoric site to write about!
 |
| Broad Run and the Buckland Mill |
I spent several weeks working with a team of archaeologists at Buckland in Prince William County. (For more information see: Buckland Preservation Society). Built alongside Broad Run, the small town of Buckland was established in 1798. By around 1830 it home to a large distillery and a grist (flour) mill, among many other buildings. Today there are several historic structures still standing - including the old mill, a former post office converted into a residence, and a tavern. There are additional buildings across Rt. 29 as well.
Our job was to carry out survey testing in the hopes of locating the distillery. We dug shovel tests - about 1x1 foot round holes, about 1-3 feet deep - to determine stratigraphy (soil layers) and artifact type/density. We didn't find the distillery (well, probably not), but we did find a lot of interesting "junk" from multiple centuries, from old pottery and oyster shells to industrial 19th century iron to old buckets and chunks of cement. Further investigation north of the mill shed light onto the foundations of another structure - perhaps a woolen mill mentioned in documents. Since much of the surveyed land was in a floodplain, cultural deposits have been obscured by seasonal and hundred-year floods. Sounds like ground penetrating radar (GPR), other remote sensing, or geoarchaeology may be in Buckland's future!
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| A shovel test reveals a foundation |
This coming week I'll be working at Menokin, on Virginia's Northern Neck. I'm looking forward to some great digging weather!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Holiday Highlights
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! I feel a little better now that we're caught up with holiday greetings. It's been an exciting, crazy, and fun holiday season but somehow I'm very glad that things are winding back down...I've had plenty of days of a full stomach, given my liver enough of a workout (I neglect it shamefully sometimes), and eaten my fair share of tasty desserts.
Some holiday highlights: None of the four dogs assembled at home got into the turkey neck, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. They (or rather their dander) did prove a formidable enemy to Paul's sinuses on Christmas, though. Maybe I should buy stock in benadryl... I had a fun weekend in Williamsburg to celebrate Gaudete Mass (third week of Advent, Gaudete means "rejoice") and finally got to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Narnia #5 or #3, depending on how you're counting. I spent about a week in New Jersey with Paul's family - the first few days were intentional, and the rest were the result of the crazy post-Christmas blizzard that dropped over two feet of snow in the area. All the same, the Masurs proved lovely company, especially due to their tolerance of my love of "boring" historical films. I actually made it to a few daily Masses, and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was beautiful (I don't care what you said about the music, family, it was awesome). And for the big news, my brother Chris and his girlfriend Katie got engaged on Christmas Eve - congratulations!
I headed back to work this week - not as an intern, but a contractor in the Repatriation Department of the NMAI. I'm very excited to be spending the next four months in the office. Especially since I've discovered the bountiful Smithsonian library system.
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| Psyched to go to Narnia again, in our 1940s gear! |
Some holiday highlights: None of the four dogs assembled at home got into the turkey neck, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. They (or rather their dander) did prove a formidable enemy to Paul's sinuses on Christmas, though. Maybe I should buy stock in benadryl... I had a fun weekend in Williamsburg to celebrate Gaudete Mass (third week of Advent, Gaudete means "rejoice") and finally got to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Narnia #5 or #3, depending on how you're counting. I spent about a week in New Jersey with Paul's family - the first few days were intentional, and the rest were the result of the crazy post-Christmas blizzard that dropped over two feet of snow in the area. All the same, the Masurs proved lovely company, especially due to their tolerance of my love of "boring" historical films. I actually made it to a few daily Masses, and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was beautiful (I don't care what you said about the music, family, it was awesome). And for the big news, my brother Chris and his girlfriend Katie got engaged on Christmas Eve - congratulations!
I headed back to work this week - not as an intern, but a contractor in the Repatriation Department of the NMAI. I'm very excited to be spending the next four months in the office. Especially since I've discovered the bountiful Smithsonian library system.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Autumn Blush
I enjoyed spending time in Williamsburg again - compared to my usual haunts in Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, it's very quiet (though there were some pretty crazy parties on campus Halloween weekend!). There are plenty of places to go walking, and just enjoy not hearing cars or trains whiz by. And of course, there are many wonderful people to spend time with. It was so good to catch up after my long sojourn in Colorado.
Last Saturday evening I had a free hour before meeting a friend for pizza. It was nearly dusk; the sky was painted pink and orange by the setting sun. Just as the blue sky widens west of the Mississippi, I am sure that light becomes sweeter and softer in autumn. The rose light of sunrise can render beautiful even the most unromantic of city streets. I grabbed my camera, hoping to snatch a few photos of the autumn dusk. While I arrived a little too late to get any good photos, I passed the hour in a peaceful walk through Colonial Williamsburg, enjoying the red and orange leaves against brick buildings.
Monday, August 2, 2010
"We can make squirrels!"
Hello again, loyal patient readers. It is after 10pm and therefore far past my bedtime, but I thought it was high time to start writing again. Right now I am sitting in Crow Canyon's basement lab, also known as the land of electricity (I live in a "primitive" cabin). The environment has improved significantly since Elizabeth (one of my fellow interns) and I cleaned the muddy floor, and Jennifer (another intern) removed the putrid smelling mystery skull from the animal bone shelf next to me. It's a pleasant enough work space - I am surrounded by archaeological supplies, books about Native Americana, and some very large blue and white speckled pots next to a box labeled "zooarchaeology cooking supplies." Yep. It pretty much delights my nerdy heart.
Hanging out with my fellow RPAs Eric, Sarah, and Katy on the ferry to Surry, Virginia
But alas, wasn't I just in Williamsburg? Yep. Another place that delights my nerdy heart. The NIAHD program, much to my chagrin, ended in mid-July. It was certainly a unique experience - sharing the floor of a dorm with 20 high school girls - but I really loved spending time with them and my fellow RPAs (Resident Program Assistants). On the last day of the program, we awoke to find that the girls had made us t-shirts. Mine read "Top ten reasons to <3 RPA Laura" listing everything from my silly facial expressions to my tendency to distract them from their work (and yes, the one time when I blurted "we can make squirrels!"). It was a fun program - touring (as a chaperon) historic sites all over Virginia, teaching the students to do a bit of archaeology, and getting to know some really awesome people.
Third floor RPAs - Jen, Amelia, Nichole and me - wearing our t-shirts
I had about three days at home - just enough time to stuff myself with Mom's amazing cooking, do laundry, bake pie and eat it with friends, and catch up on my TiVo before the trip out west. But alas, I have an early breakfast call and a midden that needs to be dug tomorrow morning - so it'll have to wait.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Autumn
It seems silly to update this now, when I intended to do so the day I returned from Guatemala. Something is pushing me, though. I'm finally ready to write that reflection.
So much has changed in my life since I left for Guatemala. Sparing you the details, I'll just say it's been an adventure, though probably the most difficult time of my life thus far. Time has passed so quickly, and now I find myself back at William and Mary, settled into an apartment with my two lovely roomies and best friends here. We have the windows open to the cool air, so uncharacteristic for the last day of August, and I am, per usual, procrastinating my reading just a little longer.
There was something about today - it was so peaceful. I babysat Oliver for the first time this afternoon and am so excited to watch him grow up over the next year. By spring he will be toddling around, rather than napping on my chest as I watch the history channel. As I tried my best to feed him something that once was sweet potatoes, I thought about the work I would be doing were I not there taking care of him. I think so often of what I want to do with my life, because as certain as I was in February, my summer internship reminded me how much I love archaeology: excavation, research, mapping, you name it. I sit in my archaeology of cities seminar and feel completely at home. I love too many things.
I'm home. Just a few months older and a little more confused. I guess that's life.
So much has changed in my life since I left for Guatemala. Sparing you the details, I'll just say it's been an adventure, though probably the most difficult time of my life thus far. Time has passed so quickly, and now I find myself back at William and Mary, settled into an apartment with my two lovely roomies and best friends here. We have the windows open to the cool air, so uncharacteristic for the last day of August, and I am, per usual, procrastinating my reading just a little longer.
There was something about today - it was so peaceful. I babysat Oliver for the first time this afternoon and am so excited to watch him grow up over the next year. By spring he will be toddling around, rather than napping on my chest as I watch the history channel. As I tried my best to feed him something that once was sweet potatoes, I thought about the work I would be doing were I not there taking care of him. I think so often of what I want to do with my life, because as certain as I was in February, my summer internship reminded me how much I love archaeology: excavation, research, mapping, you name it. I sit in my archaeology of cities seminar and feel completely at home. I love too many things.
I'm home. Just a few months older and a little more confused. I guess that's life.
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