Again, there are two
areas to explore here.
More child-friendly
and entertaining, the
state-run Jamestown
Settlement (%757-253-
4838; http://www.historyisfun.org;
2110 Jamestown Rd; adult/child
$16/7.50, incl Yorktown Victory
Center $20.50/10.25; h9am-
5pm; pc) reconstructs
the 1607 James Fort, a
Native American village
and full-scale replicas
of the first ships that
brought the settlers to
Jamestown, along with
living-history fun.
Located on the
former site of the actual
Jamestown colony,
Historic Jamestowne
(%757-856-1200; http://www.
historicjamestowne.org; 1368
Colonial Pkwy; adult/child $14/
free; h8:30am-4:30pm) is
less flashy and far more
reflective; if the settlement
feels like a living history
park, this comes off
as an engaging, quiet
archaeology lecture. You’re
welcome to wander the
grassy ruins of the original
city of Jamestown, which
was abandoned in 1699
as Williamsburg’s star
ascended, and spend
time by the interpretive
signage.The Drive » Return to the
Colonial National Historic Pkwy,
then turn right onto Jamestown
Rd and follow for 5.5 miles to
downtown Williamsburg.3 Williamsburg
The restored capital of
England’s largest colonyin the New World is a
must-see attraction for
visitors of all ages. This is
not some cheesy, fenced-
in theme park; Colonial
Williamsburg (www.
colonialwilliamsburg.org; adult/
child $42/21; h9am-5pm;
p) is a living, breathing,
working history museum
that transports visitors
back to the 1700s.
The 301-acre historic
area contains 88 original
18th-century buildings
and several hundred
faithful reproductions.
Costumed townsfolk
and ‘interpreters’
in period dress go
about their colonial
jobs as blacksmiths,
apothecaries, printers,
barmaids, soldiers
and patriots, breaking
character only long
enough to pose for a
snapshot.
Costumed patriots
like Patrick Henry and
Thomas Jefferson still
deliver impassioned
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 reenactors debate
and question slavery,
women’s suffrage, the
rights of indigenous
Americans and the
very moral right of
revolution.
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. To park and
purchase tickets,
follow signs to the
visitor center, north
of the historic district
between Hwy 132 and
Colonial Pkwy, where
kids can hire out period
costumes. Most day
activities are included
with the admission
price. Evening eventsTRIP HIGHLIGHTPETER PTSCHELINZEW/GETTY IMAGES ©VIRGINIA.TRIPS.26
(^) PENINSULA TO THE PIEDMONT