We're going to the Williamsburg/Virginia Beach area in September and

[Just a Jen in Mississippi]

I'd love to hear your suggestions on what to see or great places to eat. We can't believe we are getting to go. We were hoping to save up and go in 09, but my step-grandmother and grandfather who live in Virginia Beach want to pay for us to come this year. We will be staying with them and eating a good bit at their house (it's a long story as to why we've never been to my grandparents house before.....I didn't meet my grandfather until my wedding day!). It's going to save us a lot of money, plus be a wonderful time to get to know them better.

Since I've never been before and it's a 13 hour drive, I don't want to miss any must-see attractions. I know I would love to go to Williamsburg/Jamestown, Busch Gardens, a day at the beach, and maybe a day trip to D.C. But that's all I know. We just got back from Disney in January, and I'm not wanting a repeat of the nonstop stress, but don't want to miss the important stuff. We will be there for about 5 full days. Any suggestions? Is September a good time to go? Oh and if you hated something about it tell me that too! I would rather go knowing fully what to expect than to go thinking it's going to be "all that"!:001_smile: That's just the way I am. My expectations can make it or break it for me!

[Alice]

I'm in Northern Virginia and we go every year to Sandbridge which is a smaller beach just south of Va Beach. September is a GREAT time of year to go (except for the remote risk of hurricanes...it's not as common there as other places but can occasionally mean bad weather). It's still very warm, the water is warm enough for swimming but it's not unbearably hot like it can be earlier in the summer.

We typically spend most of our time in Sandbridge so I don't know VA Beach super well but the boardwalk is nice. We usually go in and ride bikes along the boardwalk once (it's very wide and flat) and play mini-golf at one of the many places. The Virginia Aquarium is nice...it's not huge so depending on what you have close to you or what you've been to before it may be more or less worth it. They have a biggish shark tank, a ray tank (where you can pet the rays) and a lot of info/exhibits on local Chespeake area fish and wildlife. Last year there was a cool exhibit on penguins but I'm not sure if that was permanent or not. They have an Imax theater that has good shows but again, if you have this close to home it isn't anything that different from other places. There is a water park right next to the Aqaurium called Great Waves. It is a very fun water park and also has mini-golf, a batting cage and go-karts all in the same complex.

As for a day trip to DC...I could go on forever! Feel free to pm me or e-mail me if you want more info or have questions about DC or travel in the area, etc.

We don't do a lot of other "sights" as to me the beach is all about relaxing, reading and soaking up the sun.

[Just a Jen in Mississippi]

Thanks Alice! I agree, I want to relax while at the beach! I'm also a history buff and can't wait to take in those historical sites as well. I may pm you soon about D.C. I know very little about it and can't wait to see it.

[nestof3]

You could see me. :lol:

Just kidding.

I love the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News!
http://www.thevlm.org/


There is also Nauticus (in Norfolk) and the Virginia Aquarium (in Virginia Beach).
http://www.nauticus.org/
http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/

There's a zoo in Norfolk: http://www.virginiazoo.org/

and the Virignia Air & Space Center in Hampton: http://www.vasc.org/

[nestof3]

This is the go karts place: http://www.vbmotorworld.com/. They also have mini golf.

and here's the water park in Virginia Beach: http://www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com/

[iquilt]

I agree with the waterpark, and a word of warning about the aquarium - they are undergoing major renovations right now and it can be very hard to enjoy :) I believe they are planning to be done by September, but you may want to call first and ask. Hope you have a great time here, we've lived here for over 12 years now and we love it!

[Annie N]

Hey, we are going in June! But I don't know what we'll be seeing.

BUT!!!! I do believe that sometime in Spetember is the time they have homeschoolers' days or week for the historical part of Williamsburg, I don't know if it's reduced rates or free.

There is a lot to see in that area! You can tour a Navy ship, dozens of museums, the beach, Jamestown, Yorktown... and somewhat further away, Monticello, Richmond... If you go to DC, the Smithsonian Museums are free :)

[Just a Jen in Mississippi]

You could see me. :lol:

Just kidding.

I love the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News!
http://www.thevlm.org/


There is also Nauticus (in Norfolk) and the Virginia Aquarium (in Virginia Beach).
http://www.nauticus.org/
http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/

There's a zoo in Norfolk: http://www.virginiazoo.org/

and the Virignia Air & Space Center in Hampton: http://www.vasc.org/

Thanks for the links!!

[Cindy in NY]

They do have Home Educators Week at Williamsburg, Sept. 6 - 19 I believe. I don't know if it also includes Jamestown and Yorktown or not. It looks like tickets cost $5 for 1 day or $8 for 2 days. I have been loking into it a little as we hope to go this year or next.

Here is a link to the page where you can get more info. I found it hard to find on their site.
http://www.history.org/history/teaching/groupTours/images/HomeEducators.pdf

[Alice]

This is the go karts place: http://www.vbmotorworld.com/. They also have mini golf.

and here's the water park in Virginia Beach: http://www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com/

Oops...Dawn gave you the correct name for the Water Park in Va Beach. I had said Great Waves which is actually up here in Nova. Sorry about that.

[riada]

We lived near Newport News and we really enjoyed this. Enjoy your trip!