Getting Colonial in Williamsburg

We loved our time among the treetops!

Last year, our little family canceled a vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia, in October due to the threat of Hurricane Nate. Once it was clear that we'd wiggled past this severe weather event, we were ready to travel, but we'd already backed out our flight and hotel reservations (which, at that point, were too costly to re-book). Instead, the Bradshaw family spent a fun week in Dallas, which we loved.

But Williamsburg still beckoned. 

We picked up the destination over the summer, and we weren't disappointed! Here's a quick recap of our adventures!

Day 1

We flew out on a Saturday morning, and after a few delays in Atlanta, we arrived in Richmond a good bit later than originally planned. Undeterred, we went to the Enterprise Rental Car desk to pick up our vehicle. Oddly, the desk was unmanned. After waiting for 15 minutes, we began calling the corporate numbers we had on file, and eventually an agent appeared.

By now even later, we hopped into the car and headed for Williamsburg, STARVING. We made it to the area and hunted up a late dinner at Antonio's Ristorante. Perfection. We were hungry, their location was convenient, and they were open late. We practically closed the place down, feasting on pasta and salad. Service was prompt and friendly, and the food was good.

By now, it was dark, so we hunted up our accommodations, Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony, using our GPS. We checked in, navigated our way to our building, and gratefully sank into bed. 

I think the only reason hubs came to Williamsburg was to get this photo of Clay and I in the stocks.

Day 2

The next morning dawned cloudy, but no matter. We had a date with the treetops, and we weren't going to be late! We breakfasted onsite at the resort and drove to APE Zipline, a nearby adventure course. I'd discovered online that little man was *just* big enough to participate in their Treetop Adventure (the adult, not the junior version), and we couldn't wait to get airborne!

After signing a release form, getting suited up with our gear, and going through a quick training course, we were in the leafy canopy! Though employees are on the grounds throughout the course, you work your way through the trees on your own, managing your harness and lines. There are options for more advanced runs (which we only chose once), as well as intermediate and beginner ones. 

We all had SOOO much fun! Little man loved the long ziplines and the various obstacles. There's water throughout the course if you need a drink, and you can always stop a minute and catch your breath or get some rest. There are some fun Tarzan leaps, opportunities for fancy footwork, and plenty of peaceful time among the trees. Highly, highly recommended. 

After a physical morning, we were ready for a hearty lunch! We popped into Food for Thought, where we enjoyed delicious dishes, large portions, and a reasonable price point. We grilled each other using the table trivia while we waited for our entrees to arrive. I had the shrimp and grits, hubs had the steak and crab cake, and we got bread pudding for dessert! Delish, quick, and filling!

After lunch, we decided to head back to our resort and explore it a bit in the sunshine. We'd booked this place after significant research, based on its location and wide array of amenities. We had a one-bedroom villa in the Jamestown Commons building. Our villa featured a large bathroom, a full

It was obvious that the silversmith had a rather high opinion of himself.

kitchen, a dining and den area (with a fold-out couch for little man), a closed-off bedroom, and a lovely balcony. Our building was also adjacent to a pool, a playground, grills/picnic tables, and tennis/basketball/shuffleboard courts. (They even had horseshoes! Such fun!) 

We spent a little bit of time at the pool before stopping by a local grocery store to buy breakfast items - eggs, bacon, fruit, bread, butter, coffee, etc. (Morning is a tender time. If I can avoid getting too far out/about first thing, I totally will. Making our own breakfast at the villa each day let us ease into our activities.)

After some unpacking and a bit of dinner nearby, we hit the hay.

Day 3

Once of the main attractions that drew us to Williamsburg was, of course, Colonial Williamsburg. Little man is learning about American history in school, and I thought, "What better way to learn than to see it for yourself?" The attraction offers one-day and three-day tickets (frustratingly avoiding two-day tickets, which, after our visit, I think would be absolutely perfect). We'd purchased the three-day tickets. We arrived, parked, exchanged our tickets for badges in the visitors center, and walked in.

Now, you can either take the shuttle bus from the visitors center into historic Williamsburg, or you can walk past the windmill and Great Hopes Plantation to get there. We loved the walk, so that was our choice. You first cross a bridge that takes you back through historical events and milestones. (There's something unsettling about losing all of your rights as a woman by merely walking over this bridge.) Then, you wind through the trees, past brooks, etc., until you arrive near the Governor's Palace. 

We started our visit with the short orientation skit at the courthouse, and then we were off. Hubs wasted no time putting Clay and I in the stocks. (I think it was the highlight of the day for him!)

The blacksmith didn't mind throwing a little shade on the silversmith. 

Then, we began exploring in earnest. We loved the Patriots at Play area, where you could play with colonial-era toys. (Clay is a complete savage at hoop and stick. Just sayin'.) We also loved the craftsmen's buildings, where you can speak with folks who really work at the crafts they display and talk about, using colonial-era tools and methods. (You'll know which craftsman's buildings are staffed by the flags out front. If there's a flag, it's open. If not, try the next day.) 

On day one, we went by the wig maker's shop (She was an absolute SCREAM!), the apothecary (Sadly, she told me she had nothing to offer me for my general orneriness. She did, however, prescribe a trip to the tavern for hubs.), and the printing press. (The guy at the printing press could literally have his own show in Vegas. My corny son was laughing out loud at the puns.) 

We had a yummy lunch at the Kings Arms Tavern (We came to really enjoy tavern dining.), where we inhaled pottage pies and house made chips. 

That afternoon, we also gleefully stoked the general metal worker shade between the silversmith (who obviously thought that he was the most important metalworker in town) and the blacksmith (who drily maintained that unlike the silversmith, he created things that people actually needed). 

By late afternoon, we were pooped! We returned to the resort to relax, popping out for a late dinner at Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant, where I had the divine scallops spinachi. Then, it was back to the resort to rest up for the next day!

More to come . . .