Merry Christmas, Williamsburg!

By far, one of the most beautiful Christmas sites in Virginia is Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg's creative decorations demonstrate ingenuity in as much as they are attractive. A walk through the colonial area (which does not require a visitor's pass) is an inexpensive delight that lasts long into the season, as Williamsburg marks Christmas through Epiphany (January 6). The tours offered by the Foundation help one to appreciate the "how" of the decorating--and encourage walks off the beaten path--and are valuable if time permits. If you have visitor's passes, visit the Rockefeller home sporting its 1950s Christmas decor, too!

Now, Christmas visits are also possible at gorgeous Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a real festival of Christmas lights in Christmas Town. The park, which is open in the late-day/evening seasonally, impressed us with a twinkling Peace on Earth display and a skycar ride over above thousands of holiday lights. Elijah enjoyed the Christmas on Sesame Street show, a perfect length for a toddler's attention span. We hit a small artic animal exhibit called Polar Pathway right before park close, resulting in sharply-reduced wait times and good "look time" for a young child. Know that Christmas Town is a time for taking in shows and decor more than rides.

If you go, know that you will also encounter outlet shopping in the Williamsburg area, adding to the holiday potential of such a trip. Merchants' Square in the colonial area boasts specialty store shopping including an upscale toy store and the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, a great place to snack on samples and buy stocking stuffers. Additionally, there's excellent Christmas ornament shopping at Bassett's and Christmas Mouse. As frequent visitors to the area, we recommend eating at Food for Thought, a unique American restaurant, and Milano's, a quiet Italian place, both on Richmond Road. For lodging, try Colonial Williamsburg's Woodlands (nice walk to the historic area), the economical Governor's Inn (quick walk to Merchants' Square), or Embassy Suites Williamsburg (for a less-pricey suite-style room).

Relevant Links:
Colonial Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Things That Go

Kim and Elijah took a day trip to Roanoke's Virginia Museum of Transportation, an excellent toddler site! Elijah loved the museum's noted model railway exhibit. The exhibit, which includes viewing windows at toddler eye height, can also be viewed from the museum's upper deck, adding to the thrill. There's a train engine to climb inside on the interior of the museum, and on a warmer day, one can opt to go outside to the railyard for more stock to see up close, including the famous 611 steam engine. Visitors older than Elijah will also appreciate the attention to the human side of railroading, as rail travel passes and personal stories are also displayed.

The automotive gallery was new to us and impressive, particularly for its inclusion of vintage signage. There's even a set of Burma Shave roadside signs! Around the holidays, the museum boasts lovely Christmas trim, a nice addition. Unfortunately, the aviation gallery remains closed from last winter's storms, but you can still take in the delightfully detailed circus train display and the infamous rocket.

We were inspired to purchase a grandparent's membership to allow infinite visits for Elijah. If you go, remember to park very near the museum building to avoid a fee and consider coupling your visit with a trip to the wonderful O. Winston Link rail photography museum. A visitor from farther afield with an interest in the rails could make a nice weekend in the area with trips to see Roanoke's rail heritage as well as similar sites in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Related Link:
Virginia Museum of Transportation

Local History

A recent trip took us to one of those "been meaning to do that" spots: the Salem Museum in nearby Salem, VA. Justin, a former volunteer for the museum (he's been a ghost walk leader), hadn't seen the place since its recent renovation, and Kim and Elijah had never been to see the exhibits. The building, now entered from the "lower" section and boasting a green roof terrace, is definitely "classed up." Several spaces are airy and would be ideal for a small wedding reception or a business event. Also striking is the expanded gift shop area--the only place to buy an official Lake Spring Park Gazebo Christmas ornament!

The exhibits are interesting, particularly if one is familiar with Salem. We saw interesting artifacts with personal connections, with Kim being particularly struck by her professor E. Wayne Harris's letterman's sweater from Carver High. The best of the best is the Lakeside exhibit, however. Justin and Kim are among the youngest to remember Lakeside, and this room is one of true nostalgia. Kim's first "real" roller coaster was Lakeside's Shooting Star, the coaster modeled in the museum. She was taken aboard by her father while still technically too short to ride and loved it! At the exhibit, Kim learned that one of the Shooting Star trains is in use at Myrtle Beach's Family Kingdom, meaning that it is possible that Kim's first and last roller coaster rides with Daddy were aboard the same train. There's some joy in learning something like that.

The docents of the museum were eager to receive us and very friendly to Elijah, even as he was fascinated by the museum's stairs and elevator more than exhibits. We look forward to visits as the museum fills its new space and would love to see work on the history of worship and education in Salem. If you go, consider a fall visit, taking in one of the museum's ghost walks in the nearby park and cemeteries. The ghost walks are more historic than ghostly and can be a real local history treat. In pleasant weather, definitely take time to walk the nearby cemeteries full of interesting monuments and connections to Roanoke College.

Related Link:
Salem Museum and Historical Society