K&Rs Mom Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Where would you go? I'm considering Williamsburg/Jamestown or maybe Plymouth, but there are probably other choices too. We'd be driving from MI in late September, so I know VA would be warmer than MA. What else to consider? What have your dc enjoyed/remembered? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Boston is a great city to visit for that, as well as Philadelphia. I grew up in Delaware and I loved going to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross's house and all the other Philly sites. We also had great fun at Valley Forge (not far away). Old New Castle, Delaware is a great little city that is still lived in (ie, not like Williamsburg, but a real town). That's only about 30 min. south of Philly. Of course, Williamsburg and Jamestown are WONDERFUL places to visit, but expect to pay Disneyland prices for admission and accomidations. My family absolutely loves going there, though....hang the cost. :D Diane W. married for 22 years homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Where would you go? I'm considering Williamsburg/Jamestown or maybe Plymouth, but there are probably other choices too. We'd be driving from MI in late September, so I know VA would be warmer than MA. What else to consider? What have your dc enjoyed/remembered? Thanks! I would do Boston's Freedom Trail, Plimouth Plantation (it is wonderful!) then head down the coast to Philadelphia for the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin's home, then drive from there to Williamsburg/Jamestown. Also, google for re-enactments that happen in late September. They can be at out of the run places and are cheap (often free) but incredibly educational. I have friends who do them as a hobby. You might find some on the drive across country or back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Boston is a great city to visit for that, as well as Philadelphia. I grew up in Delaware and I loved going to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross's house and all the other Philly sites. We also had great fun at Valley Forge (not far away). Old New Castle, Delaware is a great little city that is still lived in (ie, not like Williamsburg, but a real town). That's only about 30 min. south of Philly. Of course, Williamsburg and Jamestown are WONDERFUL places to visit, but expect to pay Disneyland prices for admission and accommodations. My family absolutely loves going there, though....hang the cost. :D Diane W. married for 22 years homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years I live very close to Williamsburg and to visit less expensively I would suggest hotels in Newport News or Hampton. They are only 15 minutes or so down I64. Also please don't forget Yorktown while planning a visit. They have a great visitors center with self guided car tours where you can rent a CD to play while driving on the historical roads and it makes history come alive. For example there is a part narrated by a young color bearer during a battle and the drums and sound effects make you feel the sound, smoke, and confusion. There is also a wonderful beach there which I enjoy more than VA beach because it is cleaner and quieter. But yes if you are studying Colonial times I think Williamsburg shouldn't be missed. You also don't have to pay for everything they offer. Anyone can walk through the historical parts of Williamsburg. They also often have free concerts and interactive shows on the streets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmeraldGirl Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 The Historic Triangle (Williamsburg/Yorktown/Jamestown) offer special discounts on tickets for 2 weeks in September for homeschool families. The cost is absolutely fantastic! Details on their websites. Happy travels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 The Historic Triangle (Williamsburg/Yorktown/Jamestown) offer special discounts on tickets for 2 weeks in September for homeschool families. The cost is absolutely fantastic! Details on their websites. Happy travels! The prices during Homeschool Weeks are super, super, super low. http://www.history.org/history/teaching/grouptours/schoolandyouth/homeschools.cfm http://www.historyisfun.org/Homeschool-Programs-2.htm Also, Great Wolf Lodge has awesome deals at this time. From the HEAV website: Great Wolf Lodge 559 East Rochambeau Drive Williamsburg, VA Sunday through Friday, September 19 through 24, 2010. Cost: $139/room (choose from a Family, Loft, Kidcabin, Majestic, or Grizzly suite.) Most rooms normally cost a minimum of $350/night. Rooms will sleep up to six people, and are equipped with microwaves and refrigerators; some have bunk beds for the kids. All rooms include water-park tickets, usable from 1 p.m. on check-in day until 10 p.m. on the day you check out. In addition, each family will receive two 20%-off coupons to use at any lodge restaurants. Great Wolf Lodge is offering an amazing deal to homeschool families, much lower than regular rates. Kids will enjoy the water-park activities (included), and you'll be close to Colonial Williamsburg where you can “explore the past" (additional cost). See the website for all the details; to reserve your room, call 800-551-WOLF (9653) and ask for the Homeschool Experience, or book online using the code 0910HOME. www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg/waterpark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 Thanks for the Info Kathleen. I hadn't heard about the homeschol rate at Wolf Lodge and now I am trying to decide if we are going lol. I already planned on us hitting Jamestown that week since that is when we will be studying Virginia Native Americans and are even going to a PowWow in nearby Hampton on the 18th of September. But for that price I might not be able to pass it up. I can see enjoying Jamestown and then instead of heading home, heading to Wolf Lodges and their amazing waterpark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNC Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 We stayed at the Woodlands Williamsburg during the spring Homeschool week for $69/night in March during the week. They also have a fall week every Sept. Our room had two double beds, free breakfast and we walked over to the Colonial Williamsburg on the beautiful path every morning. You could also take the little trolley bus when you wanted back and forth from the hotel. We want to go back in a few years with the whole family! http://colonialwilliamsburg.com/visit/hotels/woodlands/index.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Oh, it would be really hard to choose between Boston and Williamsburg. I was lucky enough to live in both places for 4 year each and while I preferred living in Boston I would have to say that they are about equal in historical importance. I love the weather in Boston in Sept. but then VA has the Great Wolf Lodge which is worth a trip on it's own. Flip a coin, either one would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiredbuthappy Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 I've never been to Williamsburg, so i can't speak to that. I LOVE historical Boston. The Freedom trail is wonderful. It is so cool to see Paul Revere's actual grave and the old churches, etc. Plymouth is also wonderful. And this past spring, I took the kids to Old Sturbridge Village in central MA(period village like Plymouth, early 1800s). It is so big and there were so many things to learn about there - the kids loved it! Plus, MA is beautiful in Sept - Fall foliage is spectacular. Of course, that also means hotel prices will be higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 (edited) Bsoton/New England is gorgeous in October. Stunning. But more costly. There isn't any good foliage good in Sept., but the weather is fabulous. You can enjoy summer/beaches etc and get off- season prices. So maybe do VA and MA...at different times. ;) Edited August 13, 2010 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Thanks, everyone. The whole thing may be off because of some extended-family stuff, but I'm still debating (and hoping). Ideally, I'd love to visit VA this fall then the northeast next spring when we get to the Revolutionary war, but $ is an issue, not to mention dh's work. I thought someone posted before that Great Wolf doesn't always have the waterpark running during homeschool days, and that's why the cost is less. My dc have been asking to go to a Great Wolf, because their cousins did and they hear the commercials, but I wouldn't want to if it's half-closed. We get lots of fall color here in MI, so that's not really a consideration outside of higher prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 From a fiscal standpoint I'd try to take advantage of the homeschool days in Williamsburg. Of course that is one of my favorite areas anyway... If any one is planning on a Boston area trip please don't forget Lexington/Concord (history and literature site abound), Salem, Deerfield, Old Sturbridge, the John Adams Historical Site, USS Constitution, and not too far away are the Victorian mansions of Newport and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Also-between Boston and Philidelphia there is Mystic Seaport, the Roosevelt Home and some other historic homes on the Hudson River. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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