We went for the Colonial Christmas. It was cute and fun but in about 5 hours we had gotten bored. I had expected much more...
I would say 1 day for Colonial Williamsburg and 1 day for Jamestown & Yorktown (Which BTW are much better than Colonial Williamsburg)
Do not plan on staying for multiple days or you will end up at the movies because there really isn't that much to do.

Since my first visit in November 1969 -- yes, I said 1969 -- I have been "hooked" on this place. I love that period of history so this area was right up my alley. I love going there in the fall so I can see all the beautiful fall leaves and enjoy the cooler weather than here at home in Texas. I always learn something new on each visit and especially love the special programs, the majority of which are presented in the evenings.

One thing, though ... you need to give this place at least 3 days -- if you only have 2 days, go ahead; but 3 days or more are preferred to my way of thinking. Just 1 or 2 days won't cut it as there is too much to see and alot of walking to do.

I highly recommend this place ... visit it in the fall or early spring ... and relax and enjoy. As mentioned in a previous review, take your time, it will be well worth it !!

A great experience. It was very hot and humid which curtailed a few of our afternoon outings. However, we enjoyed everything we did in the Historic Triangle-Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Also, we visited Jefferson's Monticello just 2 hours away in Charlottesville, VA. We purchased a combination ticket-the Historic Triangle ticket at the Williamsburg Visitor's Center. It allowed us unlimited access to historic Williamsburg, Yorktown battlefields, Yorktown Victory Center, Jamestown, settlement and historic Jamestown for 5 days. Also, we were able to puchase Williamsburg evening performance tickets for half price. We had read many reviews of motels and were a little apprehensive of them. However, the good reviews of Hampton Inn on Richmond Rd. encouraged us to stay there. We were very glad we did, The staff was friendly and helpful. They provided us with many directions. The king deluxe NS room was spacious, had a mini sink, refrig and microwave and was one of the cleanest motel rooms we had ever stayed in. The bed was most comfortable and had nice bedding. The price was reasonable. We just needed a half day at Yorktown, a day at Jamestown and the rest of our time was spent at Williamsburg. The Yorktown Victory Center was very good. We were able to see a firing of a gun and hear about how people were treated with medicines, etc. The archearium at Jamestown was very interesting. We saw the chair presented to Jamestown by Queen Elizabeth when she was there for our 400th anniversary of Jamestown. There were 2 people actually working on the fort site while we were there. Our favorite part of our visit was to historic Williamsburg. We enjoyed the conversations with Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry which are free but a ticket must be obtained at the visitor's center or one of the ticket booths. Also, the evening performances were very good. In particular, we enjoyed Cry Witch, To Go-a Pirating, and Upon a Violl at Sea. One must be careful at night in historic Williamsburg, It is very dark for walking. The presentations in the afternoons-Revolutionary City were very well done but it was so hot, we did not stay for all of them. The food at the many restaurants was good but a little expensive. However, we expected that. We especially enjoyed The Cheese Shop and the King's Arms Tavern for lunch. We enjoyed the King's Arms and Berret's Seafood for dinner. Our motel had a free breakfast so we did not eat that meal there. Outside of the historic area in Williamsburg, we really enjoyed the Seafare. I did not care for The Chop House. We ate a lunch at the Jamestown Cafe and it was good. In Yorktown, we went into the town and down on the river is the Riverwalk. We enjoyed a lunch and a dinner at Nick's Riverwalk restaurant. Great crabcakes!! As far as shopping goes, the shops at historic Williamsburg are very nice. The Prime Outlets Mall is great. The Williamsburg Pottery is a little strange but good. We also went to the General Store and the Trading Post. My favorite was the Yankee Candle Store especially the Christmas Room. Sometimes, it even snows in there. It sounds like we shopped a lot but actually did not have time to do much at all. We had planned to do so if it rained and it did not rain on us at all during our visit. All in all, it was a truly enjoyable and enlightening vacation.

My 20-year-old daughter LOVES CW and chose CW for a short vacation between her summer internship and jr. year in college. This timing brings me to the only "problem" encountered: CW is very, very hot in August, but I knew this already from previous visits. We (hubby, daughter, and I) always stay in a CW hotel, so this time we chose the Lodge. Could this hotel have been any more convenient? Out the front door, a short walk on England St., cross Francis Street, and you're by the Magazine. The shuttle bus stops in front of the hotel if you need to reach a farther location. With the hotel so close to DoG Street, it was easy to retreat to our air-conditioned room and cooler of water bottles at any time during the day. I was extremely surprised to read all of the reviews about so little to do in CW. This was my 4th visit and I still have not seen everything. Before we left home, we reserved dinners at Christiana Campbell's and King's Arms and purchased tickets to 3 evening performances. I was not sure what kind of ticket to the historical area to buy ; it turns out that our tickets were "free" because we stayed at a CW hotel for a certain length of time. We also received 50% discounts on the tickets for the evening performances. All tickets were expeditiously obtained from the concierge in a matter of minutes. Revolutionary City was great! Heard Thom. Jefferson speak, watched L. Dunnmore dissolve the House of Burgesses, saw a fife and drum march from Raleigh Tavern to the Courthouse, where G. W. spoke to the crowd. You could drop in and out of the RC events as you pleased; we probably would have watched more of RC, but for the oppressive heat. Saw and heard some excellent and enthusiatic craftspeople: carpenters (one at Great Hopes and one near the Wythe house), the cabinetmaker, the printer, the milliner, the weaver, and others. Went to the Pub. Hosp. & Museums. Toured Basset Hall. Always love to wander in the beautiful Palace Garden (cool as well). Both Tavern dinners were excellent and a lot of fun. Our server at the KA was very friendly, and the Sally Lunn bread was fluffy and delicious. At CC's we sat on a pleasant (inside) porch and were helped by a nice waiter, who gave us a recipe pamphlet for the spoon bread and sweet potato muffins they serve. Christiana came and greeted us. The three evening performances were enjoyable; all 3 were sold out as well. "Grand Medley of Entertainments" (Kimball Theater) was extremely silly and a great deal of fun. The classical music concert at the Palace by candlelight was lovely. The "Cry Witch" play in the Capitol was riveting. On the nostalgia side, the buffet breakfast at the Lodge was good, but I still recall the breakfast at the old Cascades more fondly. I agree with others about the expensive bottled water; prices should definitely be reduced. I was also not pleased to see Chowning's and Shield's essentially reduced to snack bars, although Chowning's arbor garden was a lovely and cool place for a snack. We had planned to go swimming at the Lodge, but never had time. All three of us agreed we had a marvelous vacation. To make the most of your CW visit, read up, plan ahead, check the week's calendar,sign up, and join in. I saw many enthusiastic and engaged young children in the town. Can't wait to go back again to revisit old faves and explore the ones on our list we missed on this trip!