Going on vacation with my family and 3 kids (ages between 9 to 14) to Williamsburg, VA and it will be our first trip down there. Anyone have any recommendations for things to do and places to eat?
As listed in the subject, only place we have scheduled is Busch Gardens. Cost of ticket was the same if we either went once or on multiple days. So is this a theme park that warrants a second day? What are the "can't miss rides or attractions" that anyone recommends?
Not sure if we will do Kings Dominion, as that park is mostly roller coasters and my kids aren't into them yet outside of my oldest. Was also thinking about day trips to either visit Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach (about an hours drive).
Any other recommendations, especially looking for good local places to eat over chain restaurants?
Colonial Williamsburg is very good but if your kids aren't history buffs expect a lot of eye rolling after the first couple of hours.
Ignore any route planning device that says it can get from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach in an hour. Traffic along the most direct route is very frequently bad. Add at least another 30 min during popular times. I've had some jams through there that doubled my time and I've only been on it a few times.
If you are a history buff there's the Yorktown battlefield on that same penisula.
Honestly, unless you are coaster fanatics, I don't see the point of going to Kings Dominion if you're already going to BG. KD has a different vibe - more aimed at teens/young adults while BG is more of a family park. KD does have some great coasters, but overall it's a bit shabby and overpriced compared to BG, and it's a solid hour and a half from Williamsburg.
Can't tell you much about VB, we rarely go there (we're an Outer Banks family). Nauticus in Norfolk is pretty cool though, it's a maritime museum that includes the battleship the USS Wisconsin, and isn't as far as VB.
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Also the Skrimp Shack in Newport News is one of my favorite seafood dives anywhere.
Also the Skrimp Shack in Newport News is one of my favorite seafood dives anywhere.
Hey man, since I know you're a BBQ guy, next time you're in the Richmond area hit up ZZQ. Fantastic brisket.
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the things I liked the best were the evening ghost tour (not sure if it's age appropriate for your kids) and eating at one of the taverns that George Washington supposedly ate at.
I believe it was Christiana Campbell's tavern - probably touristy, but even with the history angle the whole place is touristy. Food was good I thought.
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if you're historically inclined (as is Williamsburg itself, of course). The Transportation Museum on Fort Eustis is pretty interesting, with a lot of bizarre relics of the Army's past.
Also the Skrimp Shack in Newport News is one of my favorite seafood dives anywhere.
Hey man, since I know you're a BBQ guy, next time you're in the Richmond area hit up ZZQ. Fantastic brisket.
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Will give it a shot. Was at Alamo BBQ last week and I usually hit up Buz & Ned's once or twice a year for ribs.
If you do the historical stuff, think short bursts. Don't try to go all day. They'll lose their minds.
Hey man, since I know you're a BBQ guy, next time you're in the Richmond area hit up ZZQ. Fantastic brisket.
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I'm going to have to try ZZQ also especially since I've never heard of it. My favorite place for brisket is Buz and Neds so I'll see how it stacks up.
We went in August as well and it was borderline oppressively hot which didnt help. My kids, who were a little younger than yours, couldnt wait to get back to Waterpark USA (neither could my wife and I).
Deep Run Roadhouse is really good, too.
The signal isn't in the same league as the large corporate wastes of frequencies, so I downloaded their android app. Understand there's an Apple app now too.
My son listens in West Palm Beach. It's that good. You can listen online as well.
BTW, I'm an old Buz & Ned guy but I have to agree about ZZQ Better than Buz & Ned's at their best.
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Colonial Williamsburg is very good but if your kids aren't history buffs expect a lot of eye rolling after the first couple of hours.
Ignore any route planning device that says it can get from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach in an hour. Traffic along the most direct route is very frequently bad. Add at least another 30 min during popular times. I've had some jams through there that doubled my time and I've only been on it a few times.
If you are a history buff there's the Yorktown battlefield on that same penisula.
Jamestown Settlement is also a fun place to visit if you're a history buff.
There's also a big outlet mall on the outskirts of town.
Great Wolf lodge? I am not sure if you can use the water park without staying there though. I haven't been there in about 8 years.