Colonial Williamsburg
If you are looking for a girls’ trip on the East Coast this fall, I suggest visiting Williamsburg, Virginia!
Just an hour south of Virginia’s capital, Richmond and an hour north of the coastal town of Virginia Beach. Williamsburg is nestled in between the College of William and Mary and historic Jamestown. This historic charm mixed with modern activities, make for the perfect weekend get away with your girls. A group of five of my closest friends gathered from all along the East Coast and even Texas at this central location for four days. This was the perfect amount of time to hit the quaint shops, boutiques and check out the incredible cuisine and take in all the scenes Williamsburg has to offer.
A few of my favorite stops are listed below. These recommendations are for active matures - those who enjoy being outside, while also taking breaks at charming coffee shops and unique stores along the way.
After months of planning, we finally made it out of the group chat. The six of us call ourselves The ProAge Project. We hope to redefine what aging means. One of the ways we do this is by staying active, traveling and adventuring together.
Take a peek at our Itinerary:
Our week started with checking in to the luxurious Kingsmill Resort. With its clean amenities, state-of-the-art gym equipment and centralized location, we were ready to take on our first night!
We had a fabulous dinner at Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant. The Halibut special was the crowd favorite. After being exhausted from our travels, we had an early night in. We woke up the next day for a sunrise sweat sesh at the Kingsmill Resort.
To fuel up for a full day of exploring, we stopped at Everbowl. Everbowl believes “the key to life is motion—and the key to motion is superfood. Found in nature and crafted by hand, everbowls are loaded with stuff straight from the earth that energizes the body and grounds the mind.” This is exactly what we needed to start our day! A MUST VISIT in Williamsburg is their Farmers Markets for seasonal items and produce. (Check day/hours). The Occasion for the Arts is great event to shop for a few early Christmas gifts at the markets. The handmade trinkets are perfect additions to any gift! Next we strolled down the cobblestone streets in a Tour of Colonial Williamsburg. This is the best way to see the city and learn more about its incredible history! This is a storytelling experience worth every penny.
Made-to-order acai bowls and smoothies
The Occasion for the Arts - vendors lined the streets of Merchant Square with their wears
After getting in quite a few steps, it was time for a light lunch at Dog Street Pub. Dog Street Pub is an eighty-year-old bank turned into a Gastropub on the most historic avenue in all America. Be sure to check out their beer selection to complement the ideal afternoon meal!
We took the next few hours to explore more of Merchants Square and its local charm. If you visit Williamsburg in the month of October or November, you’ll catch a glimpse of the autumnal leaves changing colors!
Learn about Colonial Williamsburg from live actors
With a coffee in hand we set off to explore the local College of William and Mary - the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country.
By this time, we were hungered for a robust dinner. We reached our reservation at the Fat Canary, which is a refined, green-walled bistro serving upscale American fare & wines. The owner is so delightful and tells tales of her family’s humble start of the Cheese Shop and now Fat Canary - with a world renowned chef - I’m still dreaming of their selections.
One of the incredible dishes from the chef at the Fat Canary. This is a culinary gem.
We even ventured out for the much anticipated Colonial Ghost Tour. This was both informative and spooky. We all agreed this was a fascinating way to learn more about the historical folklore and tales of the colonial times.
The following day we experienced the Jamestown Glasshouse. America's first English industrial manufacture began here with a "trial of glass". We witnessed the making of bottles, vases, pitchers, candleholders, wine glasses and paper weights, just to name a few. These items are available for purchase on site.
The artisans at work at the Jamestown Glasshouse
The star of the show was taking a tour of the Jamestown Settlement. Imagine a history museum coming to life. At every turn, you experience candle making, metal forging, reenactments and live exhibits. This immersive experience makes learning fun AT ANY AGE. From grandkids to grandparents, you’ll learn what life was like for the 17th Century English Colonists.
Displays at the Jamestown Settlement
The ProAge Project visiting the tall ships at Jamestown Settlement
Next on our itinerary was an afternoon bite at Food For Thought. If you have any dietary restrictions, this is the ideal spot for you. An entire Gluten Free Menu is available. We loved the hummus appetizer and the salads!
It was time for an afternoon spirit. We grabbed our craft libation and headed for a tour of the Copper Fox Distillery. The American Single Malt Whisky drinks were stunning in presentation and taste. Additionally, our lively tour guide gave us an unforgettable experience with a behind-the-scenes look into the distilling process.
Comfortable spaces for our time at the Copper Fox Distillery
We rounded out our evening with a sunset sail with Yorktown Sailing Charters. Restful and serene, we enjoyed a fun night of chatting with the girls about our favorite moments of Williamsburg! We took a slew of photos and then headed to dinner at Second Street American Bistro known for their small plates and signature apps, but my personal recommendation is the salmon and the Carrot Cake - Worth every calorie!!
A beautiful sunset cruise on the York River
Williamsburg is stunning in every season. Fall, winter, spring or summer, each season brings out a new flavor of Williamsburg.
