One Tank Trips: Williamsburg

Fresh off its 400th anniversary, Williamsburg is flourishing with places and events for history buffs, shoppers and thrill seekers.

Known for its Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, the area offers a little something for everyone of every age. The country's history abounds with battlefields, plantations and museums. This weekend, the 12th Annual Virginia Arts Festival comes to town with great dance, music, cannons and more. See the drama of the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company; the "swingingest band in all the land" - The Count Basie Orchestra; and the glorious concert -- Tchaikovsky Spectacular Festival Finale with the Virginia Symphony complete with cannons bursting. (vafest.org)

For the retail addict in the family, the nearby Prime Outlets is expanding its 200 shops with room for 25 more plus a 300-seat food court. The new stores include Adidas, Aldo, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Burberry, Charlotte Russe, Columbia Sportswear, Journeys, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Lucky Brand Jeans and Skechers.

Seeking a little more excitement? Then check out Busch Gardens Williamsburg or Water Country USA. Both parks have plenty planned for 2008, from concerts to interactive animal and landscaping weekends, there's plenty of fun for the whole family. Busch Gardens is also celebrating several milestones in this year, including the 30th anniversary of the Loch Ness Monster roller coaster; the second year of Griffon, the world's tallest and first floorless dive coaster; and the 10th season of Howl-O-Scream, the park's annual fright fest. For all the latest information, visit buschgardens.com/va.



During last year's anniversary celebrations, the Williamsburg area had many events and saw numerous dignitaries, including England's Queen Elizabeth II, her first visit to the United States in 16 years, and President George W. Bush.

Williamsburg Driving distance: 53 miles Estimated gas cost (at 27.5 miles per gallon*): $7.13 each way** Directions: Take 64 East to exits 227 through 242 to reach different points of interest in the Williamsburg area. Population: 11,998 in the city of Williamsburg. For more information, visit: Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance (www.visitwilliamsburg.com)America's 400th Anniversary: Jamestown 2007 (www.Jamestown2007.org)Go Williamsburg (www.gowilliamsburg.com) *New federal minimum mpg average **Calculated at $3.74 per gallon (latest AAA Mid-Atlantic average)

 

 

The Williamsburg File

History:

Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are known as Virginia's Historic Triangle . But with history as rich as this, the three towns may as well be called America's Historic Triangle. Visit Jamestown , (757) 253-4838, the first English settlement established in the "New World" in 1607. Colonial Williamsburg , (757) 229-1000, literally takes visitors back in time as it offers a glimpse into what life was like for Virginians in the 18th century. Meanwhile Yorktown , (757) 898-2409, the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, pays tribute to the colonies' final break from England in 1781.



2007  marked the 400th anniversary of our nation's birthplace, but organizer's of America's 400th Anniversary decided to kick things off early. Commemorative events began in fall of 2006, and will span over 18 months into spring 2008.



Lodging:

If it's elegance you crave, the world-class Williamsburg Inn , (757) 229-1000, is a must. For a more historic feel, rest your head at the Colonial Houses , (757) 229-1000, where rooms are outfitted with period reproductions but offer the modern comforts of today. Bed & breakfasts abound in the Williamsburg area, but favorites include the Fife and Drum Inn , (757) 345-1776, and Cedars of Williamsburg , (757) 229-3591. For something that plays a bit more to a family's liking, look no further than Great Wolf Lodge , (800) 551-9653. It serves as "Virginia's year-round, family resort," and offers deluxe suites and arcades. Oh, and did we forget to mention there's also a huge, 55,000 square-foot indoor waterpark?



Restaurants:

In Colonial times, King's Arms Tavern , (757) 229-2141, served as the restaurant where the elite met and ate. It continues that tradition of simple elegance today in the form of an 18th century chop house. The Trellis Restaurant , (757) 229-8610, is another upscale favorite, as is Berret's Seafood , (757) 253-1847. For the best sandwich in town, go to Paul's Deli Restaurant , (757) 229-8976, a William & Mary hotspot that was once named "one of the best delis in the country" by Rolling Stone magazine.



Shopping:

Looking for deals and steals? You'll find bargains aplenty at the Prime Outlets of Williamsburg , (757) 556-0702, which features more than 90 name-brand outlet stores. Williamsburg Pottery , (757) 564-3326, is another must-see for shopping fanatics, offering 200 acres of pottery, baskets, china, glass and more. For products exclusive to Williamsburg, stroll through Merchants Square , (757) 220-7751, where you'll find everything from traditional designer clothing to handmade antiques.



Attractions:

After you've had your fill taking in Colonial Williamsburg and bargain-hunting at the outlets, Williamsburg still has plenty of ways to have fun. For family fun, visit Busch Gardens Europe , (800) 343-7946, a 100-acre theme park offering more than 50 rides, including the new floorless dive coaster (and tallest of its kind in the world), Griffon, which opens on May 25, 2007. Looking for a place to cool off instead? Try Water Country USA , (800) 343-7946, where you can race high-speed toboggans or simply soak up the sun on one of hundreds of lounge chairs. Don't believe that Williamsburg can offer up a bizarre world of shrunken heads, dead presidents' hair and other strange delights? Well believe it, because it's all that and more at the Williamsburg Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum , (757) 220-9220.



Older Williamsburg visitors may enjoy a jaunt to Williamsburg Winery , (757) 229-0999, where they can take a guided tour and tasting of seven different wines, including the popular Governor's White. If you'd rather toss back a cold brew, take a return trip to Busch Gardens to check out the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center and Brewery Tour . Finally, end your night by getting the chills and taking a candle-lit "Hauntings Tour" , (800) 378-1571, through the streets of colonial Williamsburg.



Have you traveled here before? Have a favorite restaurant? A day trip you want to recommend? Drop us a line here!