Re: Bassy hitting the East Coast
Bassy, my family loves going to Williamsburg. We will be there the beginning of June for another week of fun and history. We are looking forward to getting across the James river and on to Surrey this trip. Don't try to do everything in Williamsburg, but zero in on what you are most interested in and enjoy that. If Colonial Williamsburg is your thing, get the year long pass. Then you don't have to try to cram everything in in one day. But if you are not that interested in the demonstrations, you do not need the pass at all. You can still walk the streets, enjoy the shops and restaurants, etc. Our daughter is only 4, so we will not be getting the pass this year, we will just do the free stuff.<br /><br />Your first day in Colonial Williamsburg, just cruise around and get the feel of it. Then you can take the "Newspaper" of events and plan the rest of your week.<br /><br />Historic Jamestowne and the Settlement are also very interesting. Depending on your enjoyment of animated (living) museums, take the tour and then spend the rest of your time there enjoying the information at the visitor's center. You will want to give yourself half a day there, and to get your boating fix, you can either take one of the pontoon boat tours around the settlement, or just go on teh free ferry and cross Jamestown river, turn around, and come back.<br /><br />If you like swimming, wave pools, water slides, etc. Water Country USA is a blast and a most enjoyable break from your history lessons. Of course you also have Busch Gardens, if big amusement parks are your thing.<br /><br />Hampton and Virginia Beach are not far away if you want the coast, navel base, aquarium, etc. A couple of decent charter boats if you want to do a little fishing.<br /><br />The Chesepeake Bay Bridge is not too far away either. Can be worth the trip if you enjoy long drives over (and under)the water.<br /><br />There are so many things to see and do in the Williamsburg VA area, don't try to do them all - you will kill yourself. Look over things and decide what you like to do and enjoy.<br /><br />As far as DC, same goes for there. The Smithsonian is a must see. Along with a tour of the monuments, etc. There are trolley cars that will take you around - get the all day pass and enjoy the ride and the tour. Arlington Cemetery is a must see. Along with as many of the historic monuments you can fit it. You can easily O.D. on history at both of these places.<br /><br />If you have the time to make the day trip to Gettysburg, this is getting closer to my home (about 1 hour and 45 minutes away). The driving tour of Gettysburg will send chills up and down your spine. That I can guarantee. I always like to visit the museum at the visitor's centre first and view the battle in lights, where they use lights on a large relief map to show the position of the troupes on each day of the battle, how the moved, and what each move meant to the final outcome. It gives you a better understanding as you drive through the park.<br /><br />Okay, my fingers are tired now! Hope this helps.
