Lenore

Will be D.C. on Memorial Weekend and was thinking of taking 2 day trips, Gettysburg and Williamsburg. Has anyone done these 2 tours and if so were they worth the trip.

Molly

Last August we stayed with family outside of D.C. and drove down to Williamsburg for 2 nights. Two nights and one day were spent in Williamsburg (the second day was at Busch Gardens)and we really enjoyed our stay. The town has spent a lot of time and money to accurately recreate a moment in history. Each building offers its own historically interesting tour.
Wear good walking shoes as it is spread out and only accessible on foot. I don't know how the Grey Line tour is set up, but I prefer not staying with the group and picking my own favorites to see. You may feel more comfortable staying with the crowd, although I doubt you will cover as much ground. Haven't been to Gettysburg.

dan woodlief

I think it depends on your level of interest. Gettysburg is easily toured in 3-4 hours, or less, not counting the museum exhibits, which are vast. However, I spent two days on the battlefield and could easily have used a couple more. Personally, when I saw all the buses there, I could not imagine touring the battlefield that way, but a lot of people seem to do it. Do the tours give you much time outside the bus? That would be my question.

Both times I have visited Williamsburg, I only spent half a day there and felt like I took it in pretty well.

This would not be my preferred way to see either, but I do think both are worth the trip.

amy

Lenore,

Just returned from Virginia in February. I did not find Colonial Williamsburg interesting. They have basically reproduced the city. I found that a lot of the buildings are new but made to look old. The basic on foot tour costs 32.00 per adult. We did not visit Gettysburg. I did find the Jamestown Fort visit interesting. They have active archeology digs that you can view and the drive from Williamsburg is great and takes about 10 minutes.

Greg

I am not fond of packaged tours. Hire a limo (not one of those gaudy stretch jobs) and set your own schedule. We did this in D.C. and had a wonderful time. the driver took us to Arlington, Mount Vernon and other sights. The limo and driver was always waiting for us when we finished our tour. He also had very good suggestions for restaurants and other sights. And it is not that expensive. The hotel conceierge can arrange the limo for you.

dan woodlief

I wanted to add a little something after reading Amy's post. I think she is right that Williamsburg is less authentic than Jamestown. It doesn't compare to somewhere more real like Charleston, SC. Even though it can seem almost like a theme park, I think it can be fun. Gettysburg too is way too commercialized, but the battlefield is as real as it gets. If you want a more authentic battlefield visit, try to get to Antietam sometime. Still, I feel the Gettysburg battlefield is very real (sure, it is covered with monuments, but most of those were put there ages ago by the actual veterans of the battle). If you choose to go to Gettysburg, look at books and movies before you go. It will make all the difference. The place will come alive for you that way. For video, the movie "Gettysburg" from a few years ago is wonderful, as is the Ken Burns PBS Civil War set (just watch the one covering Gettysburg). For books, I would recommend two short ones: Michael Shaara's "Killer Angels" (on which the Gettysburg movie is based) and "Stars in Their Courses: The Gettysburg Campaign" by Shelby Foote (really an excerpt from a larger work on the war by a great writer). The National Park Service also sells good overview books that are fairly detailed for about $5, but the other two are much better reading.

Dan

Thanks for your help. And yes I have prepared myself for Gettysburg. Saw the movie at least 7 times. Read "Killer Angels" and have watched Ken Burns PBS Civil War. Now I just need to check with Grey Line to see if they let us off the bus while we are there. Thanks again.