We are so fortunate to have such an exceptional set of libraries in Williamsburg and James City…read moreCounty. In addition to an outstanding collection of books, the library has a theater that shows both new and old movies for free! The seating is comfortable and the screen is large. I saw Oscar-nominated Past Lives, which attracted a good size audience. It was part of their art house cafe series. There is plenty of two-hour parking onsite as well as across the street in the garage. I'll definitely go back to see more movies.

The Williamsburg Regional Library is a great place to stop by, whether you are a local or if you're…read morevisiting the area. This quaint library offers a children, teens, and adults section, with a recent addition of the Kiwanis Kids idea Studio that offers fun interactives. Look for updates on events that occur throughout the year; there are also rooms you could reserve and request a bookmobile to come to your area. There's plenty of parking, and convenient drive-by book drop-off depots. +friendly staff +plenty of parking

St, George Tucker Home serves as a reception area for members of Colonial Williamsburg. They dish…read moreout the tastiest cold lemonade and scrumptious cookies. Volunteers serve as host and are the sweetest individuals you will ever meet. The Tucker home originally faced the Palace Green, then was relocated in 1788 to its present day Nicholson St. address. Built in 1719 for Tucker who was a noted jurist & law professor at nearby College of William & Mary. It is one of the 88 original properties on the Colonial Williamsburg grounds. The home is a perfect place to warm up by the fire on a cold Winter day, or to cool down on a hot Summer day with air conditioning. Guest do drop by in the afternoon. The last time visiting George Wythe had a talk with around six visitors attending. Of special note a research library at the home is open to guest. A donation of $100 to the CW Foundation is required and is a tax write off. With the donation you become a member. Our family has enjoyed the hospitality and find it an ideal place for a break when touring the colonial capitol.

You need a ticket to take the escorted tour inside the Palace. This is the only way to see what's…read moreinside. AnnMarie was our tour guide. She was knowledgeable, funny, and very nice. When we walked inside we sat in a room waiting for the tour to begin at noon. AnnMarie told us how it burned to the ground, and skeptics were not sure how to rebuild. But they found pictures of it outside and inside among papers in England and Thomas Jefferson's papers in America. This is truly a beautiful building inside and out. After seeing the butler's pantry, the parlor, the bedrooms & salon, and the dining room, we walked the grounds before moving on to the next historical landmark.

Very cool and full of history! Definitely worth checking out. The gardens out back are beautiful…read moretoo. We really enjoyed watching the actors make and prepare food for the palace folks.

The Everard property is home to three of the original 88 buildings at CW (house - kitchen -…read moresmokehouse). Note that I referenced buildings, because sometimes you will see people reference 88 homes but most of the originals at CW are not homes, but instead are outbuildings. Like my fellow CW loving friend JD pointed out in his superb review, the story of Thomas Everard is a one that for the times in which he lived was no more unlikely than it would be today. Basically he did two things right. 1. He married well. 2. He really hustled his entire life. Not to say that the wealthier contemporaries of the day in town such as Geddy, Wythe, Carter or Randolph didn't hustle, but with some of them there was the presence of inherited wealth and of already having a path set for them whereas with Everard did it all himself. www.history.org/features/orphan/ On the 20+ minute tour we took the volunteers were very knowledgeable about not only Mr. Everard's life but the history of the house. In short form, he had been living there until his death in 1781 after which time the house changes hands multiple times until the CW foundation buys it. The last occupants were two older sisters who had left a lot of the original fabric of the house in tact. They were still using the original detached kitchen as their kitchen. Certain changes took place like removing a 2nd floor porch, a small fenced in front yard/porch and a brick office building next to the house. Also the name of the house by this time was The Audrey House. If you're going to see the house it is not one that is open daily. We were told that the house is only staffed by volunteers and it's Tu-Th-Fr in season and Tu & Fr shoulder season with it being closed in winter. While small, the volunteers we had were great and it is always interesting to know that you're standing in a 300+ year old house that was actually inhabited by the guy who it's named after. Well worth a stop. Brick Office building to the right of the house. https://s3.amazonaws.com/omeka-net/3854/archive/files/2963ed1326d8460a879df207d9cccddb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAI3ATG3OSQLO5HGKA&Expires=1555545600&Signature=Sc103cDX7WzG8rUmj5jHPDdC2h0%3D House is the 1st on the left from 1928. https://s3.amazonaws.com/omeka-net/3854/archive/files/518d5e43d920e124c8044899eb560053.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAI3ATG3OSQLO5HGKA&Expires=1555545600&Signature=EUke%2FzGxad%2BPZsRYsyTM8AxA0K8%3D Pre-restoration https://s3.amazonaws.com/omeka-net/3854/archive/files/2a5dd81989f2a9cd3a8dc4f994b12586.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAI3ATG3OSQLO5HGKA&Expires=1555545600&Signature=hSHs%2B2B2soFcdYV1BhstObOai9A%3D Some other pix of the house www.dailypress.com/features/history/dp-the-restored-thomas-everard-house-colonial-williamsburg-20180228-photogallery.html

The Thomas Everard House reflects the name of the most prominent owner during the 18th century. Its…read moresometimes referred to as the Brush-Everard House. Everard's background is one of a rags to riches. The home is one of the 88 originals on Colonial Williamsburg property. Tours are available for ticketed visitors on selected days. John Brush built the modest story and a half home of split weatherboard in 1718 for himself. He created what is known as a center passage plan in the home that would be later improved upon by Everard. Brush was the Keeper of the Magazine, his profession was of gunsmith and armourer. Brush passed in 1727. The story of Thomas Everard begins in London where he hailed and was an orphan child at Christ Hospital that's still in operation today. The young boy of 10 learned bookkeeping skills that would prove to be the primary reason for his success later in life. Everard moved to Williamsburg Virgina and apprenticed for 7 years. He received his own clerkship for York County Court that he held until he passed in 1781. Everard was also Secretary of the Colony of Virgina. Everard's position and wealth in the community grew after his marriage into the prominent family of Diana Robinson. In the day he was considered a wealthy man with salves and over 1,500 acres of property. Thomas was also a Patriot and public servant. He helped select those that would attend the Continental Congress. Its true as much today as it was then regarding location. The residence just off the Palace Green and beside the Governors Palace was magnificent. The structure was expanded & embellished to reflect Everard's high standing in the civic community around 1770. The home is best known for its elaborate staircase, turned balusters and sweeping handrails. Other decor of imported paint and carpeting. The house as you see it today reflects Everard's 18th century taste for impressing his his guest. The fancy green paint above the parlor fireplace and wall is period after research was completed using paint samples. Wallpaper samples were also used in order to be as correct as possible when the home was restored in the 1940's. The furnishings are both period and actual 18th century pieces of Everard/Brush day. The enlarged home and grounds presents beautifully. There are also original outbuildings including a kitchen and slave quarters in the rear. These can be viewed on the tour. It's interesting to note that the original brick pavers that Everard/Brush would have walked on were excavated in the front of the structure and are seen today. The Everard home had never been a priority of mine to tour, as well as it was never open on days touring. The location beside the Playbooth Theater may have you overlook it, but try not to. The cool story of the man and the unique structure are important to Williamsburg's founding history.

We absolutely love the James City County library. It's a first class library that's personable and…read morecomfortable. In addition to books, they have lots and lots of DVDs, and a children's section, which includes an area to play. The children's section has its own glass door so the kiddos can enjoy themselves without the noise traveling to the other parts of the library. I love how the library staff arrange books they recommend and new titles so you can easily find them. They also have a terrific borrowing program with other libraries. Plus, if they cannot obtain a title for you, then,au often purchase it to add to their collection. When you enter the building foyer, there often are seeds and plant clippings to take at no charge. It's a great way to share plants! Another good aspect of the library is that it's open every day! Parking is plentiful.

I have lived here 8 years and never visited this library. My loss. I recently got a library card…read moreand I am glad I did. I use the Libby app mostly to get audio books. We have a good selection to choose from. The library itself is very nice. The huge kids section is perfect for your little ones and is closed off from the rest of the library via large glass wall and doors. This is great for keeping the happy kid noises down. I was very supervised at the huge DVD and music section in this library. Too bad I no longer have a means to play them at home. The history section is quite large as one might expect in this historical town. The display sections for new and promoted books are very nicely managed. There are plenty of comfy spots to sit and read too. WRL has a lot to offer for everyone. Even my picky, science fiction, nerdy self.

I've been a member of the JCC Rec Center for over two years and never knew that my annual…read moremembership could also been used at this humble gym. It's close to where I just moved so I'm sure this will quickly become a regular spot for me. It's very no frills in that it has your basic cardio machines,weight machines and a few free weights, but it gets the job done. Attached to an elementary school, membership gets you access to a basketball court and pretty nice locker rooms. I've noticed that there are aerobics classes a couple of nights during the week. Not sure if it's extra $, but honestly it seems to be geared towards the seniors so doesn't matter to me. I like that it never seems to be busy. The equipment appears to be old equipment from the JCC Rec Center, but it still works. Membership here (without access to JCC) is only $50 for a whole year.

We arrived, and noticed several cars in the lot. Parking was plentiful. We have a lifetime National…read moreParks Pass so we did not pay for parking. We read the sign about the Glass House, and saw the path to it and demonstrations. We weren't hopeful about the demos. We walked the path to the original glass house, with Pot Kiln, Annealing Furnace/Fritting Furnace, and Working Furnace behind glass. The walk there was flat and easy to walk. We continued on and saw a Plaque about this replica Glass House in front of us: "erected on May 8, 1976, by the Glass Packaging Institute to commemorate America's first industry." A National Parks volunteer and glass artisans were working today. We enjoyed listening to the volunteer answering questions, and watching the artisans making glass objects that would be finished and sold in a display area on the side. All sales go towards this park exhibit. We're glad we stopped here. It was remarkable!

A wonderful, warm and fascinating place to see an operating glass house…read moreThe Jamestowne Glasshouse is located near the original Jamestown settlement in Virginia. It has good signage and a dedicated parking lot. Once parked you have to traverse a walkway to the building. It is a short path to the building. There are doors on every corner. The entrance closest to the walkway is well marked and is the best one to enter as it brings you to the shop that has the beautiful finished works of the artisans working by the large oven behind it in the center of the barn. This place offers a fascinating glimpse into one of America's first industries. Established in 1608 by English colonists, the glassblowing operation was an early attempt at creating a profitable export for the struggling settlement. Today, visitors can watch skilled artisans recreate this historic craft using traditional techniques in a working studio. The artisans shape molten glass into bottles, vases, and ornaments, just as early settlers did over 400 years ago. Watching glassblowers work their craft is mesmerizing, and the connection to history adds depth to the experience. The artists were in period costume, extremely knowledgeable, and worked continuously making objects the entire time that I visited. Once completed the pieces were placed in smaller annealing ovens closer to the display shop. Once you're done stop by the shop and pick up something to remind you of your visit. I did. If you're visiting Historic Jamestown, the Glasshouse is a must-see stop that blends history, craftsmanship, and artistry.

This short walk is interesting to visit. Full of history. I enjoyed seeing the artilleries, cannons…read moreand cannon balls that our ancestors used during thr civil war. You have to visit.

Fort Huger (FH) was a strategic Civil War fort and was built to defend Confederates and Richmond…read more Six months ago, I tried to visit FH with my boys on our way home from another trip. We ended up turning back because they have one of the roads blocked. (Make sure you check out their website and get the alternate route: http://www.historicisleofwight.com/fort-huger.html.) We didn't feel like trying to find the alternate route, so I bookmarked it and knew I'd come back at some point. Today was that day. It was a gorgeous Monday, I packed a picnic lunch, and hit the road for an adventure. My first stop was Fort Boykins (FB)--I would definitely check that out since they're fairly close by (http://www.yelp.com/biz/fort-boykin-smithfield). When you walk in the parking lot, there are placards with information about FH. They even have brochures out for you to take along. However, there are no restrooms and no picnic tables. There is a short walk to the archaeological site, and there are more placards throughout the trail. At the top, there are cannons and the James River below, but you can't get too close or barely see the water because of the trees. There are some benches scattered around. Honestly, I would probably skip FH. You're really here for the idea of what took place all those years ago--not to see actual artifacts. Yes, there is some historical information here, but nothing you can't find online. If there was something else here to entice us, that might be different (like FB). I did find out that the Isle of County Museum offers free guided tours on FH. The information is available on the website and I posted a tip with the dates. If I were to return, I would do it for a free guided tour. Here are some websites mentioned at FH: Civil War Trails http://www.civilwartrails.org/ Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network http://www.baygateways.net/ Captain John Smith's Trail http://www.smithtrail.net/ National Register of Historic Places http://www.nps.gov/nr/ Virginia Landmarks Register http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register.htm