Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Colonial Williamsburg
HISTORIC SITE
(
www.colonialwilliamsburg.org
; adult/child $42/21; 9am-5pm)
The restored capital of Eng-
land's largest colony in the New World is a must-see attraction for visitors of all ages.
This is not some cheesy, fenced-in theme park; Colonial Williamsburg is a living, breath-
ing, working history museum that transports visitors to the 1700s.
»
The Site
The 301-acre historic area contains 88 original 18th-century buildings and several hun-
dred faithful reproductions. Costumed townsfolk and 'interpreters' in period dress go
about their Colonial jobs as blacksmiths, apothecaries, printers, bartenders, soldiers and
patriots, breaking character only long enough to pose for a snapshot.
Costumed patriots such as Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson still deliver impas-
sioned speeches for freedom but, to its credit, Colonial Williamsburg has grown up a
little. Where once it was all about projecting a rah-rah version of American-heck-yeah in
a powdered wig, today re-enactors debate and question slavery, women's suffrage, the
rights of indigenous Americans and the very moral right of revolution.
»
Entrance
Walking around the historic district and patronizing the shops and taverns is free, but
entry to building tours and most exhibits is restricted to ticket holders. Expect crowds,
lines and petulant children, especially in summer.
To park and to purchase tickets, follow the signs to the
visitor center
( 757-220-7645;
101 Visitor Center Drive; 8:45am-5pm)
, north of the historic district between Hwy 132 and
Colonial Pkwy, where kids can hire out period costumes for $25 per day. Start off with a
30-minute film about Williamsburg, and peruse a copy of
Williamsburg This Week,
list-
ing the day's programs and events.
Parking is free; shuttle buses run frequently to and from the historic district, or you can
walk along the tree-lined footpath. You can also buy tickets at the
Merchants Square in-
formation booth
(west end of Duke of Gloucester St;
9am-5pm)
.
College of William & Mary
HISTORIC BUILDING
second-oldest college in the country and retains the oldest academic building in contin-
ued use in the USA, the Sir Christopher Wren Building. The school's alumni include
Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and comedian Jon Stewart.
Sleeping
