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| The Capital Building. |
I was wrong. There’s so many Williamsburg attractions that you can easily make a week of it. In addition to Colonial Williamsburg (and for our top 6 spots to see at the Historic area, and how to save on admission, click here), the town is packed full of attractions.
There's the exciting Revolutionary City, spooky ghost tours, fantastic outlet malls, the quirky Pottery, the indoor waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and Water Country USA, and Yankee Candle.
Below are just a few you shouldn't miss.
Want to enjoy Williamsburg attractions, restaurants, and hotels for less? Don't miss our guide, "Secrets of a Cheap Colonial Williamsburg Vacation," for free things to do, coupons, discount tickets, cheap restaurants, and more.
Revolutionary City
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| Join a Revolutionary City mob and you could end up in the stocks! |
Ever had a secret desire to join a mob? Debate politics with Thomas Jefferson or George Washington? Go back in time to see what things were like during the American Revolution?
It just takes a little imagination and a ticket to Colonial Williamsburg’s “Revolutionary City.” A street theater production that brings history alive, Revolutionary City debuts March 17th, 2008 and runs through the fall.
For details on Revolutionary City, click here.
Ghost Tours and Haunted Dinner Theaters
To be honest, I've never been on one of the many ghost tours here. But I hear that these Williamsburg attractions are a fantastic treat for all ages (especially at Halloween) and a great way to enjoy an evening. Plus, kids under 6 are usually free!
If you like a haunted atmosphere while you dine, check out the Haunted Dinner Theater. Located in the back of Captain George's Restaurant (renowned for in both Williamsburg and Virginia Beachfor its 71-item all you can eat seafood buffet), the Haunted Dinner Theater is an "interactive and audience participatory diner theater experience."
Based on the board game "Clue," the show features live characters Colonel Ketchup, Professor Plum Pudding, and Mr. Mint Green. They'll hurl accusations, "bribe" suspects, ponder clues, dazzle you with special effects, and finally solve the whodunit... all while you dine. And yes, it's family friendly.
Haunted Dinner Theater operates March through October. Tickets are $44.50 for adults and $28.95 for children 12 and under (4 and under are free). For tickets, call 757-258-2500 or go to www.haunteddinnertheater.com.
Captain George's is located at 5363 Richmond Rd. on Route 60 West.
Williamsburg Shopping
This is a true shopping mecca. In fact, the outlet malls of some of the best Williamsburg attractions. You can spend days just looking for bargains. But frankly, some of the malls aren't necessarily worth your time.
Here's an overview of the area's shops, including which ones to avoid, and indepth reviews of our favorites: Prime Outlets and the Pottery.
And for something a little different, don't miss Yankee Candle, kind of like the Disneyland of candles (it even "snows" inside). Our kids insist on stopping there whenever we're in Williamsburg.
Amusement Parks and Waterparks
These parks are among the most popular Williamsburg attractions:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
It's been voted the world's "Most Beautiful Theme Park" for 17 consecutive years, won “World’s Best Theme Park” in 2007, and regularly get 1st place for "Best Landscaping" and "Most Beautiful Park." Plus, it's home to Griffon, the world's longest, floorless dive coaster. And we literally spend hours each month scouring the web for the best Busch Gardens Williamsburg discount tickets deals. Here's what we've found.
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| © 2008 Busch Entertainment
Corporation. Reproduced by permission of Water Country USA. All rights reserved. |
Great Wolf Lodge
Here's a place where the weather's always a perfect 82 degrees...even during a tornado. This 55,000 square-foot indoor waterpark/resort boasts six pools, eight waterslides, a four-story interactive waterfort, and Howlin' Tornado--a six-story "extreme" tubing ride.
Great Wolf Lodge location - 549 East Rochambeau Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188-2148. Great Wolf Lodge phone number - 757.229.9700
True, you have to spend the night to enjoy Great Wolf Lodge, but it's well worth the money...and the kids may never want to leave. Here's why...
Water Country USA
Wanna get wet outdoors? The sister park to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, this family water park is a perfect spot for summer fun. And here's how to save on tickets...
Ripley's Believe it or Not!
This quirky museum is home to the infamous Frosted Flake shaped like the state of Illinois. You know, the one that was auctioned off on Ebay? Chesapeake's Melissa McIntire sold the funky Frosted Flake to TriviaMania.com for a whopping $1350! Now it's at Ripley's.
Ripley's Believe it or Not! location - 1735 Richmond Road, Williamsburg VA 23185. Ripley's Believe it or Not! phone number -(757) 220-9220
Best Williamsburg Restaurants...and Cheap Eats Deals
What are the best-rated Williamsburg restaurants? Readers of The Virginia Gazette have cast their annual "Best Of" votes. We have them here. Plus, we've found the two best dining bargains in Williamsburg, eateries where your dollar goes a l-o-n-g way...without sacrificing taste. For the best Williamsburg restaurants...and our two favorite cheap deal hot spots near the Williamsburg attractions, click here.
Readers voted in 90 categories. Old Chickahominy House won for "best soup," while Sal's by Victor won for both best Italian restaurant and best pizza. Berret's won for "best crabcakes."
From Spas to Shakespeare
Culture and pampering have their places here too.
Kingsmill Spa is a located at the breathtaking Kingsmill Resort, and is renowned for its relaxating massages and spa treatments. Here's how my mother-in-law described her day at the spa.
If plays by the old Bard are your game, the Virginia Shakespeare Festival hosts fabulous Shakespeare productions (like Romeo and Juliet) at its world-famous summer festival.
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