One organization that does year-round recognition and thanks for military families is the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. From free tickets to discounts, Colonial Williamsburg takes note that the foundation of its city as well as this country would not have fully formed without the militia of those days and thanks the military of today.
Something else not so well known, are the many options for staying at Colonial Williamsburg. All of the options for staying offer a military discount! If you cannot indicate military on the booking website, be sure to ask when you call.
There are six options for places to stay overnight at Colonial Williamsburg. The two of this MilMom’s favorites are The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites and the Colonial Homes.
The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites is the best for families. The rooms are spacious, and have the option for a separate bedroom and living room which allows parents to close the door on the bedroom making nap time easier for children (or parents for nap time). There is a mini fridge in these rooms. When you stay in the hotel, you can enjoy a breakfast every morning in the breakfast room to the right of the check in lobby. There is a kid-friendly amazing splash pad and pool area as well as a mini-golf area. To make dinner easier, there is a kid-friendly restaurant on site called Huzzah! One of the items on the kids menu is a build your own pizza – a hit with little ones. There are local brews and food offered on the menu for adults as well. I personally stayed here twice with my family – making a second stay because our first experience was so amazing and I highly recommend staying here for a family retreat. Huzzah for Huzzah! This hotel is further from Colonial Williamsburg but has the convenience of buses very close by and a walking path to CW. The walking path looks longer than it is, and is something we utilized while staying there and whenever we parked in the visitor parking nearby the hotel.
The best kept secret about Colonial Williamsburg is that you can stay in a Colonial Home! For a history buff like myself and my spouse, this was a unique experience! You can stay in an authentic colonial home along the main street, Duke of Gloucester or DOG Street, or just off the main street and be part of the Colonial theming all day and night. There are so many options. This is the perfect way to stay as a couple, or with older kids but I would not recommend staying here with little kids.
The room we stayed in had a single canopy bed, and antique looking furniture. It was an authentic style and craftsmanship reconstruction made in Williamsburg by their own furniture makers so I wouldn’t want my children leaving their mark on it. I love the history snippet they have on display in the home as well so you can learn about the original family that would have lived there.
It was convenient to walk to one of the local taverns, enjoy a local beer and walk the street at night enjoying the beautiful views. It should be noted that in keeping with the theming of Colonial Williamsburg, the lighting is not like that on a standard neighborhood street with street lights. It was wonderful to walk around, and be able to see the stars in the evening together, and then walk back only minutes to our room. There are amazing perks of easy bike rental (included in the price) to bike around Williamsburg, like going to the Saturday’s Farmer’s Market in Merchant Square.
If you are living in Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads area, add staying in Colonial Williamsburg to your bucket list. PCSing through the area – make this a pit stop! You won’t be disappointed.
If you are looking for more tips about Colonial Williamsburg, check out our earlier post here.
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