Williamsburg with Toddlers

[Anonymous]

Thoughts? Are any of the historical sights toddler friendly? Any recommendations to stay with a full kitchen?

[Anonymous]

Stay at Greensprings resort. Great pools, small playground, mini golf, huge 2 Br/2 Ba units with full kitchens, 10 minute drive from historic area. There are often deals on LivingSocial or Groupon.

[Anonymous]

We got a groupon or LS deal for the Powhatan Resort. It was nice and inexpensive and had bare-bones mini golf and an indoor pool.

I would do what you want and try to make it fun for the toddlers. We did Col Williamsburg & Historic Jamestown. Our kids were 6 & 2. Everyone had fun.

[Anonymous]

We went to Williamsburg when my kids were 4 1/2 and 14 months. My husband had a meeting there. I swore I would never do it again unless both my kids were walking well on their own.

Here's why. You cannot bring a stroller into any of the restored buildings like the blacksmith shop or the Governor's Mansion. So I'd push my daughter in the stroller outside and then we'd want to go in the blacksmith shop, and I'd need to take her out of the stroller. Then back in the stroller and move to the next place rinse and repeat. In the Governor's Mansion, there was a lot of walking around, so I needed to hold her and she was heavy. Add in that I was by myself (husband was working), and it was HOTTER than hell - it was June, i was absolutely beat at the end of the day.

Now, if it's cooler weather, you have two parents, and your toddler is a bit older/better walker, then it will probably be a better experience. The heat and the in and out of the stroller thing was too much for me.

My kids are now 15 and 11 1/2 and I still remember that trip and my vow not to take them back unless they were older (which we did) and not in the dead of summer.

[Anonymous]

Why would you do that?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Kids will be almost 4 and almost 2 this summer. We want to go on a short vacation that does not involve an airplane. We also don't want to torture ourselves. If not Williamsburg, any other suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Perfect for that age. Don't pay entrance fees. The kids will enjoy walking around the various historic sites. The resorts like Greensprings or Powhatan are great for family friendly base. Really great playground/park nearby.

Other random suggesting.. Harrisonburg VA. We went when our kids were this age. Drove along Skyline Drive, did the smaller Skyline Caverns, hit up the Childrens Museum in Harrisonburg, visited a lavender farm, squeezed in a winery, went to the local playground, etc. It was a great location for that age.

[Anonymous]

If you want it to be fun, how about the beach for a few days?

[Anonymous]

We went to Williamsburg at Christmas time with my two year old and newborn. We spent one day at Busch Gardens and then did another walking through colonial Williamsburg. As another poster noted, touring buildings is difficult with a stroller (plus boring for a toddler) so we opted to just walk through the historic part, watched some demonstrations, saw some carolers, ate lunch at one of the many restaurant options etc. We had a great time.

[Anonymous]

OP here. DH is not a fan of the beach- so no beach trips (for now...)