OT: Colonial Williamsburg

[Lissiefan]

Quick notes:

You can get matching hats for you and your doll made there at the Mary Dickenson Store.

They sell colonial stockings, but I don't recommend them...they fall down no matter what you do (but if you're looking for the real experience... [img]redface.gif[/img] ).

Dance our Dearest Diversion - the colonial dance evening program is amazing! You get to dance one dance if you volunteer. You can't take pictures [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] but it's a great experience. rating A +

The In Defense of Our Liberty evening program that was great for little boys. rating: A

The Legends, Ghosts, Mysteries, and Myths program wasn't that scary. They really try to make it ok for kids, but be aware it might be too much for a sensitive child. Some of it was just silly. I'd rate it a B personally.

Watch a couple speeches by Patrick Henry or Thomas Jefferson. Especially if you're a history buff! If you're with kids, and the weather's not too bad, pick ones that are outdoors, so that you don't have to stay for the whole thing if you don't want to.

The house that used to be Felicity's (the Powell House, I think) had a special program going the last day we were there. They let you make sachets for your pocket, play colonial games, and set a colonial table. I was surprised at the # of interpreters (people who work there) who recognized Felicity and knew info about the old programs. TAKE HER WITH YOU IF YOU HAVE HER! You'll be surprised at the extra info that is given to you! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Don't miss going through the Randolph house, or the Governor's palace. The Randolph house had people in each room that acted out a little story. VERY WELL DONE!

By the way, if you dress up, special things happen too! The people in the town greet you as if you are one of them. Great fun! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Enjoy!

Oops! Almost forgot the Fife and Drum Corp! They're EXCELLENT!

And be aware if you want a Carriage ride, you have to BE THERE WHEN THE OFFICE OPENS or you won't get one. They fill up VERY quickly! They run about $25/person as well. A little tip, we paid for 3 kids to ride in a carraige that seats 4. Since no one else wanted only 1 seat in a 4 seater, I got to go for free. [img]wink.gif[/img] I don't know how often that stategy would work, but it may be worth a try. (They didn't give me a ticket, they let me ride when no one else showed up with a ticket for the seat.)

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ January 18, 2006 08:32 AM: Message edited by: Lissiefan ]</font>

[Skittl1321]

I took Felicity in 1993- but not as a Felicity program. Every store we went into she was greeted. "Good After noon Mis Merriman (or Miss Felicity)"

It made me feel so special.

I wish I had been able to dress up that day as well.

OH! I want to go back.

[TitanicLover15]

OMG it sounds sooo fun!

[kreed]

Great advice. I'm going to print out some of the "must-do's". Thank you also for including activities that the little guys will like. I'm going to seek out a seamstress now.

[dornroeschen]

Thanks for all this advice, this is going to be very useful for us too as we're planning on visiting Colonial Williamsburg in August.

Another 'Thank you' to Ashley for posting her question in the first place [img]wink.gif[/img]

[TitanicLover15]

HAHAH No probelem [img]wink.gif[/img]

[bigtree8]

We go to Williamsburg all the time. Some other things to consider doing:
--The Pottery Factory, dd bought a lovely cherry finish upholstered love seat for Felicity and Elizabeth for $29
--both Jamestowns; the original one (pay for admission)is a national park and has the statue of Pocahontas, archeological dig of original settlement, a small museum from the dig site, a short movie, a working glass foundry, the Junior Ranger program (kids get book and use it to discover Jamestown, when completed they get a patch, free)and a lot of building due to damage from a hurricane Isabel and don't forget the 400th anniversary celebration in 2007 (Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain is expected.) I think the celebration starts sometime in 2006. The other is a great re-creation next door with an indian village, a colonial village and actual ships like the ones used in 1600... It also has a movie (and a much greater admission price).

We always stay in a timeshare called Powhattan Plantation. It's close by, sleeps 6, allows us to cook and snack as we please, etc.