Williamsburg, VA ~ An Insider's Guide

My first experience in Williamsburg, VA was as a child and I remember feeling bored and wondering what all the hoopla was over the colonial streets and tri-cornered hats.  Little did I realize that later I would spend four years there as a student at the College of William & Mary!  (In 2007 it also became a romantic place for Andy and me as we got engaged there just outside the Bruton Parish Church.)  I came to know, appreciate, and love this little colonial hamlet as a student and I now I relish every opportunity Andy and I have to walk its cobblestone streets.

The Fife and Drum Corps!

A little history about the Fife and Drum Corps:  "Fifers and Drummers were an important part of the 18th-century military.  Just as Virginia enlisted soldiers and stockpiled arms and ammunition, it also trained fifers and drummers to work with soldiers in the field.   In the 18th century, fifers and drummers tended to be boys ages 10 to 18.  Today, in the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg, members of the Fifes and Drums are boys and girls ages 10 to 18." (see link for more info)

Walking the streets of Williamsburg, watch out for horse manure!

The following are not my pictures, but are lovely depictions of this quaint, historic town:

The last weekend in October, we had just such the privilege of visiting W'burg for we were in town for the wedding of one of my college roommates.  Autumn in Williamsburg is splendid!  The leaves are all crimson, orange, and gold.  The air is crisp and cool with scents of apple cider, coffee, and peanut soup wafting along "DOG" street.  Chimney smoke rises from the taverns down near the capital building.  And best of all, you don't have to deal with any bloody humidity! :-)

Again, not my pictures but I wanted to show you the leaves!

As a student, there are certain things you learn about Williamsburg:  insider's tips, if you will.  These tips include avoiding parking tickets (good luck!), where to eat, and where to find the best ghost stories in this historic town.  I'll share a few of these with you here, in case you ever find yourself on the east coast looking for some colonial American history.

PARKING
Avoiding parking tickets is a challenge in Colonial Williamsburg for if you happen to chance upon a prized parking spot, you will see a sign that reads "2 Hour Parking Only" and those meter maids are ticket happy!  It is now easier to avoid having to move your car every hour or two as there is a lovely parking garage just a block off the main drag (at Prince George and N Henry St) that charges $1 an hour or a maximum of $8 per day.  Suck it up and park here if you're visiting for the day.  Then, you won't have to worry about running from the meter maids.

EATING
Eating in Williamsburg is a pleasure.  You have the options of traditional Colonial American fare (think taverns with peanut soup and fresh game hen), modern restaurants like Seasons Restaurant (great Sunday brunch option, too!) and The Trellis Restaurant (the perfect date spot where they wrap up your leftovers in a beautiful aluminum foil swan!), and tasty bites from the local Cheese Shop, Aromas, or the Wythe Candy store.

Taverns abound in Williamsburg, but one of my favorites is the King's Arms Tavern.  Located on "Dog" (Duke of Gloucester) Street, the King's Arms offers traditional Colonial American food in the cozy atmosphere of preserved history.  No matter what you order, be sure to start your meal with peanut soup.  Virginia is famous for her peanuts and grows the largest variety of peanuts in the world!  (Read more about the peanut's journey to Virginia.)  So, before leaving Williamsburg be sure to stop by The Peanut Shop and pick up a can of peanuts (choose from many varieties - all with samples for you to enjoy while you decide) to take home.  They make wonderful host/hostess gifts!

The Cheese Shop is another local Williamsburg favorite.  They make fabulous sandwiches and sell delectable cheese, wine, and more.  My favorite is their tuna salad sandwich with provolone cheese!  What W&M students know and love about The Cheese Shop is their house dressing.  Made up of horseradish, mustard, and other seasonings, house dressing tastes good on any sandwich.  What us cheap college students love about it is that for $2.50 you can get a bag of bread ends (discarded bread ends swept up in a bag) and a small side of house dressing to easily feed two.  Andy and I enjoyed just such a snack on our recent visit to W'burg.  YUM!  

 

The Cheese Shop was recently remodeled and expanded.

Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop is Candyland for children and grown-ups alike!  Step into their front door and smells of chocolate truffles and candy apples welcome you.  Here you may find any kind of chocolate dipped goodness and truffle filled magic.  Perhaps the best of them all, though, is the Wythe candy apple.  A visit to Williamsburg would not be complete without sampling your choice of these chocolate, caramel, gooey, fruity treats.  Wanting to add something special to that host/hostess gift of Virginia peanuts?  Why not pair a fresh candy apple to the mix?  It's a treat all are sure to love.