Starting to think about a trip to the East/South in November - had originally been thinking of a one week trip combining either DC %26amp; Williamsburg or Charleston/Savannah but am now thinking of extending the trip to 12-14 days and trying to visit all of those destination. The trip would cover the week before Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving week. Traveling with the family - myself, husband, 7 %26amp; 9 year old kids. All of us love history and sightseeing and great food, and the kids are really good travelers. Was thinking of starting in DC, spending a few days there to hit the highlights, then 3-4 days in Williamsburg, then on to Charleston - not sure to make Savannah a day trip or stay one or two nights there? Any tips on dividing up the time or interesting stops along the way? Thanks in advance!
DC - Williamsburg - Charleston trip in November
Since each of those destinations is easily worth a week, it%26#39;s hard for me to say how you could fit in all four in 12-14 days. What might make more sense is DC, Williamsburg, Charlottesville, or something like that, where you spend 4 days in each location, with a day or so left over for travel between places and home.
Think very carefully about what travelling you will be doing on what days during Thanksgiving week, as the traffic during that time can be beyond nightmarish.
We spent Thanksgiving in Williamsburg this past year, and had a great meal at Williamsburg Lodge; I highly recommend it. In order to guarantee a seating, you may want to buy tickets for it a few months in advance.
DC - Williamsburg - Charleston trip in November
Hi Jenn, there are lots of things to see and do in the historic triangle, which is Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown. All connected by the 23 mile long Colonial Parkway. Since you love history, I%26#39;m sure you will love this area. I am particularly interested in the 2 Jamestown sites. There is Historic Jamestowne Island which is the original site where the colonists landed in 1607. There is a wonderful new museum called The Archearium, which has thousands of artifacts that have been unearthed in the ongoing archeological digs. There are statues of Pocahontas and John Smith. The church tower which was built circa 1640%26#39;s. And a replica church built in the 20th century, but very authentic looking. There are the ruins of the Ambler mansion, and the New Towne area. A small cafe on site as well as a nice gift shop. The Glassblowers site is right before you get to the Island. This is very interesting, you can see costumed interpreters blowing glass in a big furnace. They sell the glass objects in a tiny little gift shop corner. There is a 3 or 5 mile loop drive around the island where you may see a variety of wildlife.
The Jamestown Settlement is on the same end of the Parkway. This has a wonderful museum, restaurant, gift shop and visitor center. And on the outside is the reproduction Native American Village, a dock with 3 reproductions of the ships that the settlers came over on, and the reproduced Jamestown Fort. All have costumed interpreters. This is a very hands on place for kids.
If you have only time for one of the Jamestown sites, I guess I would have to choose the Settlement, because of your kids ages. But then, I have heard that children enjoy the Island, too.
I know you didn%26#39;t mention Jamestown, but while you are in the area, I%26#39;d hate for you to miss these wonderful historic places, the place that America started!
Happy planning. from Mary
P.S. There is also a Yorktown forum, and a Jamestown forum in case anyone is interested.
D.C., Greater Wmbg (the Historic Triangle), Charleston and Savannah are great choices. I%26#39;m sorry to complicate things further, but if I were you I%26#39;d find a way to squeeze Wilmington, NC in there some way too.
I agree, the settlers%26#39; and Indian village, and replica of the immigrant ships at Jamestown settlement are great for kids.
In D.C., be sure to take them to the Museum of Natural History (largest one in the USA), the Museum of American History, and the world-famous Air and Space Museum (all part of the Smithsonian Institution, and free of charge) http://www.si.org Also the National Zoological Park
I recommend the excellent NC Natural Sciences Museum located by the capitol building in Raleigh NC, and free of charge. Also the SC Childrens Museum located by the capitol building in Columbia SC, is great.
If you have a full two weeks, you should be able to do the trip you are planning. Most of your time will be needed for DC and the Historic Triangle in Virginia, 3-4 days at each place would be best. There are many special programs that go on in the HT during the Thanksgiving holiday period, so you may want to look over the website and reserve early. You should spend at least 2 days each in Charleston and Savannah. There are many interesting stops (Mt. Vernon, Fredricksburg, Richmond, VA; Hilton Head, Beaufort, Georgetown, SC; Outer Banks, NC, etc) along your travel route but you probably will not have time for many, considering travel time between locations.
Thanks for all of your great suggestions - we have a lot of decisions to make! I know realistically we should probably divide the trip in half and focus more on DC/Historic Triangle/surrounding area, I%26#39;m just dying to see Charleston %26amp; Savannah too and keep trying to think of a way to work it all in. It%26#39;s a bit of a long trip from the West Coast and we are not likely to get back there too soon.
Regarding the Historic Triangle area, I definitely would like to see Jamestown in addition to CW - is there as much to see in Yorktown or do most people choose just one of these destinations? Also, is the HT area a complete zoo around the 4 day Thanksgiving weekend?
I think there is more in Jamestown, and much more in Colonial Williamsburg. You could get an overview of Yorktown by driving on the Colonial Parkway and visiting one of the sites - Yorktown Victory Center or Yorktown Battlefield; would take perhaps half a day.
Things are busy at Thanksgiving, but we%26#39;re not heaving with visitors. The main thing is, if you want a nice Thanksgiving dinner in one of the popular spots, make your reservations early. We%26#39;ve dined at a Colonial Williamsburg tavern, a couple of the hotel buffets, and at The Whaling Company for Thanksgiving, and enjoyed each time.
The sites at Jamestown and Yorktown often have special presentations (cookery for example) during the Thanksgiving weekend. It really is a good weekend to be here.
Great plan. You will be a bit harried but it can be done. You need 3-4 nights in Washington DC. There is so much to see and definitely you won%26#39;t be able to do it all. I would suggest that you ask your Congressman for tickets to see the White House. The Christmas decorations may be up by then and they are lovely to behold. There is also the Spy Museum, the Zoo (think pandas), the Museum of the American People, etc. Also, Mount Vernon (home of George Washington) is close by as is Arlington National Cemetary. Williamsburg and the surrounding areas need at least 3 nights. Charleston is a beautiful city. One of my favorite cities in the US. I would suggest at least 3 nights there. You can visit a plantation, take a boat ride, go to the aquarium, take a horse and buggy tour, visit an historic home, etc. Savannah is about 2 1/2 hours from Charleston. Have only been once for a few hours but I am certain there is excellent sightseeing.
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