Why Jamestown and Yorktown over CW?

It doesn%26#39;t make any sense to me but now I%26#39;m feeling as if I didn%26#39;t see it all. I went to Jamestown, Yorktown, and CW last year. We didn%26#39;t enjoy Jamestown or Yorktown hardly at all. My favorite part was the Jamestown gift shop where things were a few dollars cheaper than CW.

So anyways, I%26#39;m not trying to dog Jamestown or Yorktown, I just want to know what I missed. I am completely in love with CW, its my favorite place in the world. The museum was very boing, IMO and so was the tour. I learned a few things, which I always enjoy of course.

So any advice? I got so much more of a hands on experience at CW...

Why Jamestown and Yorktown over CW?

It%26#39;s just a matter of personal taste, I guess, tutu. You apparently love the 18th century Williamsburg experience the most. Nothing wrong with that. Myself, I love it all, but my personal favorite is Historic Jamestowne Island. I am very into the settling of the new world and 16th and 17th century history. (Think the Tudors, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, etc.) Jamestown Settlement is a good visual aid, although very much sanitized version. And a wonderful way to educate us all about the history of how America was settled. I just love how you can learn the history in chronological order. CW is ';set'; around 1774, I believe, which gives us a wonderful look at what life was like then. And then the Yorktown sites finishes up this time frame with Cornwallis surrendering to Washington in 1781. I find the whole experience absolutely fascinating. And I get something out of each place. I know CW has very much more to offer, programs, tours, dining,trades, etc. But the museums at the other sites are A#1 with me. I never get tired of them.

You did ask for advice, the only thing I can think of is read more about those places, maybe try to visualize yourself in that time, and think, what would I do?

It%26#39;s not necessary to love ';everything';. I sure don%26#39;t. Just go and enjoy what you love. I do know that our tastes change as we get older, maybe someday you will like the other sites just as well.

Why Jamestown and Yorktown over CW?

Wow, I feel very dumb. I didn%26#39;t realize they were all set in those time periods. For some reason I was thinking they were all the same time period. I feel like I should go back there but I just don%26#39;t know if I should waste the money on something I didn%26#39;t enjoy before. Hmm....I want to buy the Official Guide to America%26#39;s Historic Triangle. If I do, I%26#39;m sure I won%26#39;t be able to resist going there again!

That book you mentioned is a wonderful help in learning about the area. Glad you mentioned it. And you don%26#39;t sound ';dumb';. I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ve help other people with your post.

Hi, tutus -- welcome to the Passionate About Williamsburg Society (PAWS)!! I%26#39;m being facetious, of course, but it does make everyone smile to hear that the bug of American history (social, political, economic and all the rest) has bitten yet another visitor!!

I wouldn%26#39;t beat myself up about preferring one time period over another. Just start digging into what interests you. Maybe you%26#39;ll be drawn to other periods and subjects, or maybe you%26#39;ll just want to go deeper and deeper into one.

My best advice would be to use the Colonial Williamsburg websites. History.com, for instance. Use the search boxes. Enter something that interests you or your daughters. Dance, animals, women, food, clothing, theater, whatever. You will be amazed at how much there is to learn and how much a bit of focus and a pocketful of knowledge about a subject will enhance your future visits!

Thanks everyone! I%26#39;ll be getting that book then. I would be surprised if it didn%26#39;t spark my interest in Jamestown or Yorktown considering I love pretty much all American history! :)

And thank you, I%26#39;m glad to have joined PAWS! hehe! :)

Hi Tutus,

Have you seen the movie %26#39;New World%26#39;? It was filmed on location in Jamestown (except for the England scenes of course). It might help spark your interest in the stories behind the original colony %26amp; the kind of life %26amp; hardships they lived in their struggle to start their life here. It%26#39;s a beautiful movie %26amp; really brings the history of that time to life.

No I haven%26#39;t seen that movie but I am very curious about it. I%26#39;ll go check Netflix and see if that have it! Thanks! :)