This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Founder’s District. All opinions are 100% mine.
We had the amazing opportunity last fall to take a family trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement.
Let me just say, it was one of the best experiences…a trip the kids still chat about, and a place we absolutely will revisit for years to come!
The trip from Columbus, Ohio was only about 8 hours. We loaded up our minivan, stock full of library movies, snacks and iPads and headed Southeast for Virginia.
Our Homeschool studies this year fit in perfectly with this trip, as we’ve spent a good portion of the year learning about the Pilgrims, Native American Indians and early Colonial Settlers. My kids are completely enamored with Alexander Hamilton, thanks to the Disney + showing of the Broadway musical. So George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Lafayette are all names they are very familiar with.
We soaked up the beautiful sunshine and first walked the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. We stopped at Josiah Chowning’s Tavern to eat a quick bite. I even enjoyed the very best Hot Toddy I have ever had in my life! The food was a “Thanksgiving Feast” Colonial style…. we all enjoyed it.
After our bellies were full, we walked the brick and cobblestone streets of Williamsburg. Stopping at shops, petting baby calves, and admiring the horse and carriages. Eden really wanted to go for a buggy ride, but they were sold out for the day. We didn’t do any of the paid living history stops the first day, mainly because we got a late start after our meal, but if we make it back that is one thing I really want to see.
The next day, we made the quick 10 mile trip to the Jamestown Settlement. We purchased the day passes which gave us access to the museum, ships and outdoor living tour. The kids really loved the Jamestown Museum, learning about the early settlers and watching their homeschool storybooks come to life. They really enjoyed the giant immersive displays and the “Bacon’s Rebellion” experiential theater. It was really cool!
We ventured outside to explore the ships, which were a big hit and probably what the kids will remember the most about our time in Jamestown. The entire family was able to board Susan Constant along the shores of the James River. The re-creations of the three ships that brought America’s first permanent English colonists to Virginia in 1607 are truly amazing. The kids got to explore the square-rigged masts, tonnage and cargo, as well as looking down into the ‘tween deck to glimpse the tight conditions on the journey to Virginia. It was really eye-opening!
We then walked through the outdoor colony and heard from various historians about what daily life was like in early 17th-century Jamestown. The kids enjoyed the pigs and free roaming chickens. What they were most excited about was the Native American Indian bow and arrow demonstration and the musket shooting. Eden even asked me if she could get the re-enactors autographs, haha.
The kids all insisted on purchasing bow and arrows and wooden rifles before we left Jamestown to play at home what they learned during the day.
All in all, I can’t rave enough about this enjoyable and educational trip. If you live anywhere near Colonial Williamsburg it is really worth seeing. I would love to take the kids to Monticello one day and see Yorktown! Until then, we have fond memories of the sights, smells and sounds of beautiful Colonial Williamsburg + Jamestown, Virginia.
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