America’s Historic Triangle: Colonial Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown

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There is something so important about instilling history into our children. When I was young, my family always went on a history vacation each year. I think this is what eventually led me to earn a degree in history because it is a subject that I love so much. However, a lot of people have other interests. I know plenty of people who would prefer to study science, engineering, work in their garden, and have a vast array of other hobbies. Regardless of your hobby preference, having a knowledge of history is important.

Sean, the kids, and I have previously traveled to Williamsburg and the surrounding areas of the Virginia peninsula. However, we thought it was extremely important to take Jackson and Lucy again in their childhood years to make sure that they understand the foundation of the United States.

Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg is surreal in that the whole town has a colonial theme. If you want to visit Wal-Mart or buy a Ford, you can do both on Rochambeau Drive. If you are hungry, grab a bite to eat on Prince George Street. The historic district has great dining and souvenir shops. After a long day in the historic district, we actually ate at a burger and fries diner called Retro’s Good Eats and then stopped over at Kilwin’s for some delicious ice cream. Another day we ate a more formal meal at Hound’s Tale. We would recommend both restaurants while visiting Williamsburg. After eating dinner, you can go and walk it off while touring the campus of the College of William and Mary. William and Mary is the second oldest college in the United States, founded by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1693.

Across from the historic district is Colonial Williamsburg. As you walk through the streets, it is as if you are walking into another world. The restaurants and stores are set in the colonial era, and all the employees are dressed in costume. There are many shows and tours in town. We toured the governor’s mansion and learned about the parties and dignitaries of the era.

We also participated in a mock trial for a man who owed another man money for a horse. Guess what the punishment was for not paying for the horse?  

The debtor would be placed in the pillory so that he would be embarrassed in front of the entire town. Then his ears would be nailed to the wood while he received a lashing with a whip. I am glad that I can choose to just vacation in Colonial Williamsburg these days!  

Busch Gardens– Colonial Williamsburg

Busch Gardens gave a very historic vacation a nice spin. The amusement park has historic elements, but it is also packed with fun. The theme of the park is the old world and it is divided into 10 hamlets, including England, Bavarian Germany, Italy, France, New France, Ireland, Scotland, the Rhineland, and a kid’s hamlet with a Sesame Street theme. There are roller coasters and delicious country-specific foods in each region, along with a host of other rides, shows, and attractions. While in France, grab a crepe. While in Bavarian Germany, grab a bratwurst. In England, grab a show at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

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Sean and Jackson’s favorite roller coaster was the Tempesto. Lucy doesn’t like coasters and my roller coaster nerves have grown rather bad in the last few years, so instead of coastering, we took a Rhine River Cruise and enjoyed the artwork and architecture of the park.

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It was here at Busch Gardens that we purchased season’s passes. By going ahead and purchasing the passes, we were able to visit the Sea Worlds in San Antonio and San Diego last summer at no cost.

Yorktown

Yorktown is special to our family because it is where we first picked up our National Park Passport Book. From that day at Yorktown and the purchase of the book, we have traveled to many destinations across America. While in Yorktown, you can take a battlefield driving tour that leads you through the siege of the town of York, which became the final battle of the American Revolution. You can also visit the Moore House, the site of the British surrender in October 1781.

General Charles Cornwallis would not attend the surrender ceremony because he complained that stomach issues prevented him from doing so, so he sent General Charles O’Hara to surrender his sword instead. While there, you can actually walk along surrender field to trace the exact route that the British took to surrender to the patriots as American independence became a reality.

Fort Monroe

We decided to travel to Fort Monroe from Williamsburg because it was listed as a national monument. The fort was absolutely fascinating! Fort Monroe, the largest fort ever built in the United States, was constructed between the years 1819-1834. It remained an active fort from 1823-2011. The fort was used to protect the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River regions of Virginia.

I was scared to take the truck through the tunnel under the ramparts to enter the fort, so we parked on the outside and walked along a bridge to gain entry. When walking through the tunnel, the most beautiful town appeared.

The town includes many houses, churches, venues, and an old prison. The prison was converted into the Casemate Museum. We were able to walk through the tunnels where prisoners such as Jefferson Davis were held after the Civil War. Although the fort was located in a southern state during the war, it never left Union possession.

Many slaves escaped bondage because of the Fort Monroe Doctrine. General Benjamin Butler declared through the doctrine that slaves were considered contraband in the war, and therefore could not be returned to their owners. Because of this doctrine, slaves risked their lives to make it to the “freedom fortress” because once at Fort Monroe, you were a “freed man” or freedman. By the end of the Civil War, over 500,000 slaves had gained their freedom because of Butler’s doctrine.

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Jamestown

Back in 2012, we brought Jackson and Lucy to the Jamestown Settlement, which is a living history museum that has a complete recreation of the Jamestown Colony. The settlement contains a Powhatan village and the Jamestown Fort.

For this trip, we wanted to visit the actual site of the Jamestown Colony. Founded in 1607, the colony was the first successful English settlement in North America. Today, the ruins of the colony are maintained by the National Park Service. When I began walking towards the colony, I realized that there was no way I would have made it in the swampy marsh heat during the summers of the 17^th century.

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You cross a bridge to a little segment of land and there you will see the old church tower, where the town once laid, and the graves of those who perished while trying to colonize Jamestown.

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When you actually see this piece of land where the colony resided, it is not difficult to imagine the plight of the settlers. To think we were standing on the exact ground that settlers struggled to create the first English colony in America is really breathtaking.  

Lodging in Colonial Williamsburg

Although there are plenty of hotels to accommodate visitors in Colonial Williamsburg, we pulled our camper and camped at one of the most unique places we have ever stayed, the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center. The center sits on 300 acres and holds day and summer camps. It has a lodge, cottages, and a full campground. It was at the retreat center where Jackson discovered gaga ball. Gaga ball is a type of Israeli dodge ball played in an octagonal pit. Each time we pull up to a campground now, he looks for a gaga ball pit!  

On past trips to the area, we always stayed at hotels. If you are interested in visiting Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, or Yorktown, check out Trip Advisor for fantastic lodging deals in the area!

A vacation or road trip to the Historic Triangle– Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, plus the surrounding area on the peninsula, is sure to please everyone in your family. We hope that you get a chance to visit soon!

Do you have a favorite travel destination on the Virginia peninsula or a tip about traveling there? We would love to hear about it. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!

Interested in other towns that are full of history? Check out Dayton, Tennessee, and Boston, Massachusetts!