Virginia vacationing in the Williamsburg/VA Beach area....

[Regular Guy]

Advice welcome.

We''ve vacationed in VA Beach before. We want to include Williamsburg, too this time. We''d probably spend about a week altogether.

Should we stay in two locations?
One in the middle?
In VA Beach and travel to Williamsburg for that.

Any favorite lodgings in that area?

Or other favorite things in the area.

We''re husband, wife, and an 8 and 11 year old boy.

Already in mind...Williamsburg re-enactments, Busch Gardens, the beach, indoor swimming pools, go-cart racing, & miniature golf.

 

[decodelighted]

Heyya ... I grew up in Norfolk/Va. Beach & most of my family's still there. Williamsburg is about a 45 minute drive w/no traffic -- but that one route to it gets CLOGGED with mega-traffic on the weekends ... and the trip can take TWO HOURS ... so I'd probably cut up my stay & spend a night or two in Williamsburg too -- so you can just wake up & get going w/o traffic worries.

For a super quirky treat -- investigate staying in one of the authentic Colonial Houses themselves. We did that one X-mas (our whole family filling two of them actually). It was very fun! They're walking distance to some nice resteraunts & shopping also.

Besides Busch Gardens & the accompanying brewery tour -- ya might wanna check out the Williamsburg Pottery Factory .. it's kind of a fleamarkety thing with real pottery making going on but also discount outlets for major "housewares" brands like Onieda, Psflegraft (sp), Mikasa. Stuff for kids too -- candy, carnival treats etc. There's also a neighboring Outlet Mall if your wife is into that!

ETA: Here is a link to the Colonial House rental place

EETA: There isn't much of an "in the middle" between Virginia Beach & Williamsburg actually -- nowhere you would want to STAY at least. And in VA Beach ... I like the Holiday Inn Sunspree ... seaview rooms you can watch the sunrise ... good french toast from room service, balconies, okay pool. Pretty good value & location for the price.

Here is a link to the Williamsburg Pottery Factory

 

[laine]

I went to school in Williamsburg, then lived in Norfolk and worked in Va Beach for a few years, so I have a bit of experience with the area...

I wouldn't try to stay in the middle, there's nothing in the middle (for a vacationer) and you'd just be driving all the time. The traffic usually backs up at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, so you'd still get stuck in it going one way or the other. If I recall correctly, traffic gets ugly on the weekends and at normal rush hour times, so during off hours you'd be ok if you wanted to stay in Va beach and drive to Williamsburg on a few weekdays. It would also make sense to stay a few nights in one and a few in the other, to avoid lots of back and forth driving.

If you've been to Virginia Beach, you know what the ocean front can be like...kind of loud and trashy at night. Personally, I wouldn't want to stay there (but I worked there, so I'm jaded---Memory Lane Old Time photos, go to the one on Atlantic btwn 20th and 21st st---its fun, just go before midnight when the drunks come out). Anyway, it is nice to be right on the beach, so if I were going to stay at the ocean front, I'd stay up at the north end of town. The Cavalier is really nice, but expensive, though the oceanfront side is a little more casual and less expensive than "Cavalier on the Hill"

Things to do:
You listed the obvious. Make sure you get some good seafood at the beach. Go to doumar's in Norfolk--its on old drive in restaurant, make sure you get an ice cream cone--they make them there on the original machine! In Williamsburg, you have to go the Cheese Shop in Colonial Williamsburg for sandwiches, and to sno-to-go for the best shaved ice ever (but not on Sunday-they're closed)! Yes, my best memories center around food, and now I'm drooling and I want to drive down for a visit.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 5/17/2007 4:31:00 PM
Author: laine
Go to doumar''s in Norfolk--its on old drive in restaurant, make sure you get an ice cream cone--they make them there on the original machine! Yes, my best memories center around food, and now I''m drooling and I want to drive down for a visit.

Ummm FOOD! Yes! I 2nd the DOUMAR''s recommendation. I went to high school with a real Doumar! (It''s a family name). They claim to have invented the ice cream cone -- but were, at the LEAST, present at the world''s fair during which the ice cream cone WAS invented & making ice cream cones with the same machine they use today. Delectable!

In VA BEACH, I remember loving THE JEWISH MOTHER -- but at night, after 10-ish it kinda becomes nightclubish -- not kid appropriate. But at dinner time it''d be fine. Great deli sandwiches & ice cream sundaes & yum treats.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 5/17/2007 4:31:00 PM
Author: laine
Anyway, it is nice to be right on the beach, so if I were going to stay at the ocean front, I''d stay up at the north end of town. The Cavalier is really nice, but expensive, though the oceanfront side is a little more casual and less expensive than ''Cavalier on the Hill''

I''ve considered the Cavalier before, and maybe should again. But, yes, both times before, we DID happily stay on the north side, at the VA Beach Conference Center, and would easily stay there again...but do want to be sensitive to a) attractive options, and b) my wife, who is more interested in new things than I am.

Also, guess we need to get to Norfolk & Doumars.