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Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4082
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 7:32 pm: | 
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We're thinking of driving, most likely this August, to Busch Gardens & Colonial Wmsburg, possibly stopping for a day or two in Wildwood Crest (or other Jersey Shore town).
I was there a few times as a kid and loved it, even more so than Disney. Anyone been recently? Any tips or advice? |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1266
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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VIG- we go every August, and its usually after the Va. schools have opened so the crowds are smaller. Restaurants and hotels are well-priced and there is a variety. The park is great, though not nearly as much to do as Disney. Wild Water kingdom is fun, and trips to the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Battlefield are nearby. Most pre-teen kids will like it. You could also hit Washington D.C. for a day and visit the Smithsonian Institute and the zoo- both are free. And of course there are a zillion other things to see there. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4084
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 2:47 pm: |
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Brett, thanks! When do the VA schools reopen? That's a great tip.
I think it will be the right scale for us, I'd rather have less to deal with than at Disney! My kids still love Bowcraft and Land of Make Believe, so I think it will seem huge to them.
My brother lives in Bethesda, so we were thinking about visiting them to do DC. (Though they might be on their August vacation too.) |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1270
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 3:03 pm: |
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Virginia schools usually open about two weeks before Labor Day. We go the week before and head home on L.D. Saturday.
Never been to Bethesda, but Annapolis is also a great stop. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4087
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 3:20 pm: |
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Perfect! We were thinking mid August.
Any recs on places to stay? Is it as crazy as booking Disney, like hotels in the park or more laid back? |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1273
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 3:26 pm: |
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Much more laid-back, and availablity is great. My suggestion is find a chain that you like (we've had good luck with Hampton Inns, especially down south) and check it on the map for proximity to the sites you want to visit.
There is also an area condo site that was clean and reasonable- Powhatan Village- but it was about a ten mile drive from Colonial Williamsburg. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4088
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 3:38 pm: |
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Awesome! Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it! |
Mplwdladee
Citizen
Username: Mplwdladee
Post Number: 144
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 1:39 pm: |
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hey if youre really adventurous they have that new hotel with the indoor water park right near all the sights in colonial williamsburg is it called wolf lodge? its right off 64. there is a similar one advertised up here in jersey.
good luck |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 298
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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WE did it about 2 summers ago...great time...My advice...ride the loch ness monster at least 10 times...thats what i did
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ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1315
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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VIG, I went there as a kid (maybe about 10 years old?) and had a blast. I have very fond memories and have always wanted to go back.
You just gave me a great idea for vacation! Thanks!! |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4123
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
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ess, my thought exactly!
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 5875
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:10 am: |
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Man this thread brings back memories. For two summers during my undergrad years I was a performer at BG. It was a blast. I remember, though I don't remember where it is, a great place called The Crab and Coop. I Think it was on the river because I remember that the tables had holes in the middle and you pushed your crab detritus into the hole and it fell into the river. Good eats.
Probably the best "summer job" I ever had. Since all employees were entitled to free beer and visitors, back in the 80's anyway, were allowed two complimentary cups of beer from the brewery. Needless to say, we knew when the shifts changed at the hospitality center.
Have a great time and if they are still performing Shakespeare rip offs in England I will be pleased to know it. Also if the Rainmaker is still wandering around New France, that will too. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1160
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:59 am: |
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In addition to a DC stop on one direction of the trip, you could also stop in Baltimore on the other leg...the harbor area is fun with a great kid's museum with amazing climbing structure & nearby is a wonderful aquarium.
If you plan to go to the aquarium, know that they only allow in a certain number of people at a time, so it may be best to get tickets & then go to the museum...
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HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 44
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 12:06 pm: |
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I used to live in Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown are all wonderful to visit. Staying in Williamsburg is a good idea, as you are then within striking distance of all three. Also tour the College (one of my alma maters), as it has beautiful architecture as well. If you are going in August, try to go as late as possible because it gets hot and REALLY humid. If you enjoy golf, I can recommend some terrific spots (Kiskiack, Colonial, and Golden Horseshoe are open to the public).
Make sure you take a drive along the entire Colonial Parkway -- it's really neat.
Try to stay at the Williamsburg Inn for a quality experience. There are a number of dumpy hotel/motel places out Richmond Road that you should avoid. Stay as close as you can to town.
If you stay outside of the downtown area, parking can be difficult. You can find easy (free) parking at the Williamsburg Inn or on Newport Street (I don't know if I should give away all the local secrets).
Personally, I think Busch Gardens is terrible. Over-commercialized and boring. but what do I know.
The indoor waterpark is a travesty.
I'm rambling. Enjoy! |
wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2034
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 9:48 pm: |
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I can't imagine why one would want to go to an indoor water park in August anyway. We've been to Williamsburg twice and really liked it. In addition to Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown settlements we actually totally enjoyed ourselves at Busch Gardens. Even better was getting a combination pass and going to Water Country USA, a really good water park, imo. If they still have the diving show at Water Country don't miss it.
We went there both times after spending about a week near Assateague island, one of the most beautiful barrier islands, imo. Great drive from there over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on to Williamsburg. We even stopped one night in Norfork to the great Maritime museum there and caught a Tides game (Mets AAA farm team) as well. Tons to do and I'm not even a shopper like I think you are VIG.
Oh and we were there the last week of August which made for lighter crowds because, as someone posted earlier, most of the southern schools had started already. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 46
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
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yes, take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Williamsburg, unless you don't like really long bridge-tunnels
http://www.cbbt.com/index.html |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4189
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 12:31 pm: |
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Doing more research today. They have a 7 day pass that includes Busch Gardens and the water park for about $80pp which is a great deal. I was thinking of doing a few days at Virginia Beach, but it seems that's farther from Wmsburg than I realized, maybe 45 minutes to an hour? Though perhaps we can hit it before or after Wmsburg.
I don't want to get too ambitious re: Baltimore, Assateague because we have relatives down there and it might be too much. I would think Williamsburg has plenty to do for about a week stay?
The indoor water park does not interest me in the least bit, especially not in August! |
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