Traveling in the Past – Williamsburg
Posted in Family Fun, Romantic Locations, Travel | By Shelley Gillespie | Tags: Historic, US Domestic Travel
Williamsburg, Virginia home
Simply walking down the street in Williamsburg, VA takes you back – ‘way back to the 18th century and the American Colonial era. One of my favorite travel destinations, Colonial Williamsburg gives visitors a passport to a previous way of life.
Resplendent coach courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Reenactors speak, dress and interact in the appropriate way for the colonial period. They will talk to visitors, but woe unto you if you don’t play along! You really want to be a ham and talk to them as you might back then. It makes it more fun!
An entire, lovingly restored town is available for visitors to tour with everything from an old post office to homes to a wig shop. To gain access to the more select experiences, like the Governor’s Palace, special admissions are available (fees).
Where to begin
Starting at the Visitor Center is a good place to begin with a film that gives a historical perspective. But, enter the restored area of Williamsburg and it is not the fusty, musty, boring history that people learned in school. Ladies and gentlemen, and people who were not such ladies and gentlemen, are shown in all their humanity. Did you know that women sold their hair so the colonial wigs we’ve seen on the aristocrats of the era could be made?
Bathing? Well their idea of sanitary was not the same as today’s. Never fear, though, modern restrooms are available for visitors.
But, ah, the food! We’ll offer more details during our blogs for the rest of the week on food and restaurants, sights, hotels, and shopping.
We’ve been to Williamsburg dozens of times and we always liked taking a step back in time. Come join us! It’s a real blast from the past!
Tomorrow: Let’s Eat in Williamsburg!
Note: The writers of this blog have not been compensated for these reviews and are independent of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Tags: Historic, US Domestic Travel