Rediscovering America_ Exploring the Small Towns of Virginia & Maryland - Bill Burnham [93]
The Williamsburg Winery gives guided tours with tastings and an explanation of the winemaking process. There’s a museum, 50 acres of vineyards, a gift shop and the Gabriel Archer Tavern serving lunch and dinner. The winery is open Monday-Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm and Sunday 11 am-5:30 pm. Admission is charged. (tel. 757-229-0999, www.williamsburgwineryltd.com)
Four restored James River Plantations are open to the public in nearby Charles City County: Shirley, Berkeley, Evelynton and Sherwood Forest. (tel. 800-704-5423, www.jamesriverplantations.org)
The College of William & Mary is the second oldest college in America, chartered in 1693. On campus is the Muscarelle Museum of Art, which features changing exhibits and is free to the public. (tel. 757-221-2630, www.wm.edu/muscarelle)
Shopping
Entire bus tours are booked destined just for the shopping in the Williamsburg area. There are more than 150 factory outlet stores, with Prime One Outlet Mall the largest concentration, and dozens of specialty shops in Merchant’s Square. The vast Williamsburg Pottery Factory in Lightfoot, now covering nearly 1,000 acres, started it all in 1938. You can even watch the famous Williamsburg pottery being made. (tel. 757-564-3326, www.williamsburgpottery.com)
Afterwards, you can see the production of soap and candles at the Williamsburg Soap & Candle Company. (Route 60 West, tel. 757-564-3354)
Dining
There are so many places to eat in Williamsburg, it would take too much space to list them all. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Colonial Taverns. Dining at one of Colonial Williamsburg’s four authentic taverns means eating authentic Colonial food served by costumed wait staff who explain the origins of strange-sounding foods like snippets (slim slices of toast you dip in your soup). This is Colonial English food, in general made from ingredients that would have been available at the time – the seasonal harvests of the fields, rivers and bays. Most have outdoor garden dining in season. For information on all four taverns, call tel. 757-229-2141, or 800-HISTORY, www.colonialwilliamsburg.org.
Christiana Campbell’s on Waller Street in Colonial Williamsburg made for an elegant, old-fashioned Christmas dinner for us one year. We were in good company – George Washington’s diaries mention eating here. Serving dinner only; reservations suggested. Josiah Chowning’s Tavern in Market Square is more casual, with no reservations needed and the playing of gambols (18th-century games and music) common. Open for lunch and dinner. The King’s Arms Tavern was established in the tradition of the leading public houses of England to cater to gentlemen. It’s open for lunch and dinner; reservations recommended for dinner. Shield’s Tavern is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch; reservations recommended.
Can’t wait to get back to the 21st century? Cities Grille has an eclectic menu with dishes named for American cities, a casual bistro atmosphere, and perhaps the best part – an extensive wine shop where you can choose your bottle for dinner. (4511-C John Tyler Highway, tel. 757-564-3955)
The Trellis Restaurant is just steps outside Colonial Williamsburg in Merchant’s Square. The chef/owner has received national culinary awards, and uses fresh, seasonal ingredients, with many items grilled over an open fire. The desserts are fantastic. (403 Duke of Gloucester Street tel. 757-229-8610, www.thetrellis.com)
The Second Street Restaurant and Tavern is a popular spot for diners and the sports bar crowd. (140 Second Street, tel. 757-220-2286, www.secondst.com)
You’ll have to get in the car and drive to The White