An enriching holiday experience that families will cherish for years can be found in Colonial Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle of Virginia. Since 1934, this 301-acre historic area has put on its holiday finery from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Besides visiting historic buildings, encountering “People of the Past,” discussing current events of the 1770’s with tradespeople, shopkeepers and enslaved servants, families will find numerous special holiday programs, dining events and musical concerts to attend.
The official festivities begin with the Grand Illumination held the first Sunday of December, which celebrates the advent of the season. This is when families can explore the many traditions that have been marked in Virginia over the past 400 years and all events are free.
Williamsburg’s Holiday Spirit
This holiday is much more than just individual dates. Williamsburg’s festive spirit is so contagious that families don’t need to attend any special events to feel it. The colonial village’s outdoor Christmas decorations are unique and known worldwide for their use of the natural materials available during the 18th century. Residents are encouraged to decorate their homes and families will enjoy taking a walking tour of the Historic Area to see which decorations have won contest ribbons for the most imaginative or original decorations. Pine, boxwood, and Fraser fir wreaths decorated with fruits, berries, nuts, dried flowers, pinecones and holly are typical.
Visitors will be interested to know that the decorations are replaced at least twice during the holiday season because weather and wildlife can damage the natural materials. White roping puts finishing touches on doorways, windows, columns and railings. Illumination during evening programs is provided by cressets (iron baskets placed on iron poles) which have pitch pine or fat wood placed in them for burning. Also, more than 1,200 electric candles can be seen in building windows after dusk arrives.
The many quaint shops and boutiques around Merchants Square are popular with visitors year-round and are especially well decorated for the holidays.
Holiday Programs & Concerts in Colonial Williamsburg
Among the numerous choices for holiday programs, some are especially suited for families. “A Capitol Evening” includes elegant dancing, lively fast-paced hilarity, and amazements and amusements for the senses. The “Christmas Decorations Walking Tour” gives a guided look at the Historic Area and its holiday splendor. The “Annual Christmas Homes Tour” includes several private homes in the Historic Area not usually open to the public. Families can even attend an event in which gifts are exchanged with household slaves to learn more about how they were treated in the village.
“A Kid’s Holiday Memories Tour” includes a guided tour by a trained costumed interpreter and a host of activities such as creating a Christmas decoration and learning colonial games. Many visitors enjoy the formal workshops which teach guests how to make Colonial Williamsburg’s famous historic decorations themselves.
Certain musical events also stand out for family entertainment. Learn about a favored colonial past time, view costumed demonstrations of various dances, and even participate at various intervals during the show.
Each season brings new events, such as period comedies poking fun at Colonial era events, walking tours that examine the village ghosts, or a new interpretation of period music played on historic instruments. On Christmas Eve, everyone attends the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Special-for-Families Learning Activities
During weekends in December, in addition to this living history museum’s excellent year-round learning activities, themed family workshops are offered with the purchase of any Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket. You’ll find opportunities for kids to dress up for the holidays, 18th-century entertainment including storytelling, dance, music and puppet shows, caroling, participation in food preparation and creative art projects.
Plan to participate in the daily adventure “Revolutionary City:” your family takes part in the everyday life of the city against the backdrop of momentous, world-changing events. One day you discover things you never knew about the events that led to the collapse of royal government between 1774-1776. On another, you explore how citizens dealt with the war during the time period 1776-1781. A third day gives you a chance to learn who really built this nation and see the challenges they faced after we gained our independence.
Scenes and encounters change daily, and you enter and exit as you wish. In between timed events, you can meet on the street with some of the people of Williamsburg to learn how these changes touched their lives.
Trip Planning Details for Colonial Williamsburg
Dining in an historic tavern is a special experience and families should sample as many of the taverns as possible during their stay in Williamsburg. Each year the special themed events change, but may include a Holiday Breakfast with Santa or A Georgian Christmas with Mr. Samuel Adams, who discusses the traditions, customs and experiences of Christmas during the Georgian period. You’ll also enjoy a delightful dinner prepared by Williamsburg Inn’s award-winning chefs. Mrs. Campbell’s Holiday Tea is popular with younger children, who can watch Mrs. Campbell and her daughter Molly discuss 18th century holiday traditions while they offer you proper tea service.
Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg have a variety of lodging accommodations and rates to choose from. Official Colonial Williamsburg lodging options are steps, or a convenient shuttle ride, away from the activities and dining experiences found in the Historic Area. If your family wants to fully immerse themselves in the 18th century ambiance, choose to stay in one of the Colonial Houses. These are authentic period accommodations in the Historic Area where our founding fathers and mothers once lodged. Twenty-six restored or reconstructed homes and taverns allow guests to experience how our founding families once lived – with the addition of 21st century conveniences such as room service, modern bathrooms, telephones and television sets. Each structure has its own name, which links it to the most concrete records that researchers can find. Guest rooms can be found in former taverns, tenements, kitchens, laundries, offices, shops and slave quarters.
Planning your schedule around specific events and performances becomes easier when you use the Holiday Planner. This helpful resource describes each event in detail, provides the dates the program is offered and lists the cost of each event. A map of the Historic Area is also included. Additional program details are available on the website Colonial Williamsburg. The Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown also have a full program of winter holiday events and special children’s activities during the school break.
Since the Christmas holiday season is such a busy time, families should try to make reservations for lodging, dining and program events as soon as possible.
Spend an Extra Few Days to Enjoy Winter Festivities in Virginia
Virginia loves events! Around every bend, visitors will find something going on. It might be a huge street festival honoring a particular holiday, season or historic event. It might be a celebration for a particular food, harvest crop or beverage.
Start by checking in with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation for winter holiday and seasonal special events and programs. The museums and outdoor recreation areas at both Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum are well worth visiting. Fall Festivals are in full force in Williamsburg and throughout Virginia. Annually over the third weekend in October, families looking for some nature appreciation and good old-fashioned fun head to the Harvest Day Carnival and Craft Fair at York River. Kids will hardly realize they’re learning about the changing seasons, moons, leaves, weather and culture with all the fun going on. Carnival games, kids’ crafts, storytelling, hayrides and more keep families of all ages entertained.
In early December, usually the same weekend as the dazzling Grand Illuminations event at Colonial Williamsburg, families can travel to nearby Portsmouth’s Winter Wonderland to enjoy the magic of animated figures and holiday entertainment.
In addition to the events noted above, on weekends throughout December families can partake in tours of the James River Plantation as well as Baroque Christmas concerts. Through New Year’s, there is a “Williamsburg Christmastide at Home” event, ongoing concerts by Crystal Carols and a variety of musical performances.
In February, the living history museums are open daily around President’s Day, and several other events are schedule throughout March, for Women’s History Month. So, as you can see, there’s never a bad time of year to go.
In both the contemporary town of Williamsburg, and in the small historic waterfront area of Yorktown, there are several excellent restaurants known for their fresh seafood, locally sourced meats and produce, and selection of Virginia beers, wines and spirits. Most are family welcoming. Check with your hotel on recommendations, and for weekends, book a table in advance.
Please visit Virginia Tourism for more information on winter events around the state.
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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As North America’s fastest multi-launch coaster, it’s expected to draw in adrenaline enthusiasts, including those from the group Busch Gardens Williamsburg Fans, which has been updating their Twitter and website with information on the ride.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
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helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.