Visitng Williamsburg, VA - May 6, 2008

Born with a love of history, I had fond memories of two childhood visits to Williamsburg, VA

I loved seeing the people in colonial garb, watching the blacksmith work and eating spoon bread in an old-fashioned tavern. From where I stood, our four kids were the ideal ages (6, 7, 10 and 12) for an educational vacation.

For the past few years we’ve spent spring break in Florida. After three memorable trips to Disney, I knew Williamsburg was going to be a hard sell. My husband actually yawned (long and loud) at the suggestion so I called in some reinforcements--Grandma and Grandpa Gault. His parents love Williamsburg the way most kids love theme parks. Since my kids love spending time with their grandparents, I figured we could work it out.

Things got off to a slow start thanks to bumper-to-bumper traffic for the first 60 miles of the New Jersey Turnpike but we made it. After a good rest (and a free breakfast courtesy of Embassy Suites) were were able to hit Williamsburg hard the next day.

I wasn't exaggerating about my in-laws enthusiasm for the former colony. They don't just love the place, they are experts in it and visit Williamsburg at least once a year. (They are even contemplating buying a time share in the area.) Needless to say, Grandma and Grandpa were eager to show the kids their town and were hoping their grandchildren would share their passion for men in wigs. They planned our trip and convinced us to spend three days in the burg. (Looking back, unless your kids are wild about history three days is over kill....all the building tours start to sound the same after awhile and it's a lot of walking.) All-in-all, the trip was a success but the kids liked some parts of their living history lesson better than others.Here, some Gault family recommendations:

Learning to curtsey (see photo) at the St George Tucker House

Playing the tin whistle (our favorite souvenir and it cost less than $10)

Wearing colonial costumes (for just $19.95 a day, your kids can, too)

The Kimal Theatre – 18th century vaudeville type live theater complete with a Punch and Judy-style puppet show that the kids found hilarious

Having fun with old-fashioned toys (rolling a wooden hoop with a stick; playing checkers and nine pins) at the James Geddy House

Visiting the Governor’s Palace and watching the live cooking demonstrations using 18th century methods

Eating spoon bread at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern (yum!)

Learning the origins of expressions like dirt poor (just 2 percent of the population lived in housing with wooden floors--everyone else were poor and lived with dirt floors) and how to put your best foot forward (unmarried gentry women sized up potential mates by checking out their calf muscles).

If you’re planning a trip, go to http://www.history.org/visit/plan --the official guide to Williamsburg—for tips, advice and a wonderful overview of the 300 acres and 500 buildings. Aye!