Williasmburg, VA (Colonial and otherwise)

[OriginalGeek]

Besides all the silly tourist stuff to do (it's a given I'm gonna do all that) What should I make a special effort to see? We are going end of May. Especially interested in food and beer and history.

Oh and I'm bringing the good camera for some photo opportunities other than travel snapshots so if there are some good photography spots I should know about...

We have theme park tickets and a few tours lined up. I intend to change lanes often and without warning or signaling. (I live in Orlando - just returning the favor)

You guys pointed me in all the right directions when I went to Rhode Island for work (I especially loved the local garlicky broth based clam chowder soup) so gimme whatcha got. Probably will not take the time to go up to DC while there as we were there a few years ago but we've never been to Williamsburg.

thanks!

[KamaAina]

1. Virginia's local delicacy is Brunswick stew

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunswick_stew

Recipes for Brunswick stew vary greatly, but it is usually a tomato-based stew, containing various types of lima beans/butter beans, corn, okra, and other vegetables, and one or more types of meat. Most recipes claiming authenticity call for squirrel, opossum or rabbit meat, but chicken, pork, and beef are also common meats. Some versions have a distinctly smoky taste. Eastern North Carolina Brunswick Stew has potatoes, which thickens it considerably. Eastern Virginia Brunswick Stew tends to be thinner, with more tomato flavor and less smoky flavor.

and, of course, Virginia ham.



Norfolk, right across Hampton Roads, is known for she-crab soup.



edit: Perhaps Virginia DUers like underpants and arcane1 (a native) will check in. Or you could post in the Virginia forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1081

[OriginalGeek]

11. I wonder how different their brunswick stew is...

my wife's people on her dad's side are mostly from Georgia and they have a pretty big Brunswick stew culture there too - I like it OK but I'd be more likely to try with critters. Had plenty with pork and chicken but never with critters (that I know of lol - sometimes the kin-folk up there like to tease us city-folk)

You'll never see me turn down ham. Never had she-crab soup but I now have that on the list too!

[Blue_Tires]

2. We ought to meet up while you're there

assuming of course you ditch that dallas avatar

[OriginalGeek]

9. lol, I'll show up in my Dez Bryant jersey!

I don't think my wife will let me go kilted as well though...

[pinboy3niner]

3. Good opportunity to have Maryland Blue Crabs and beer

If you've had it, you know. If you haven't, you'll be in for a wonderful experience. I know there are some crab houses in the area. Bon apetit!

[OriginalGeek]

8. I actually lived in Maryland

when I was in second grade but not even for a whole school year. But we have family in Baltimore so I've been there several times. I love crab cakes but not sure if I've ever just had a plate of crab. But I will! With enough beer, everything tastes good lol. (I think I'm glad we checked to make sure there was a trolley line that carries you around and I think goes pretty close to our hotel)...

[Lars39]

4. Don't know if you have kids or not,

But if you do, rent a costume for them at Williamsburg, the re-enactors will engage them in conversation everywhere they go. Kids will have a blast.

[OriginalGeek]

7. lol, just my daughter

and she is 24 so not much chance she will be into dressing up. The trip will be me, wife and daughter and wife's aunt (in her 70s) so I think I will have a rough time getting anything on my agenda through unless it was something they wanted to do anyway. Good news is I don't mind doing any of the goofy tourist trap stuff and I expect there is always beer around the places they wanna go that I'll be bored at. (Wife plans to hit a ton of antique shops lol)

I'll keep that in mind though if we ever get there with our granddaughters though! I'd love to take a trip like this with them - they make me laugh.

[Lars39]

13. Sounds like a really fun trip.

[OriginalGeek]

15. I know I'm getting roller coasters and beer

and got some good eating lined up so that's all I need. Whatever else they wanna do will be fine with me.

I think it will be a pretty good time - heck, even with the antique stores - she's been dragging me to those for 30 years but the last time we were on vacation I actually found something I really wanted (a big Buchanan Scotch Whisky bar mirror that I will use when I build a bar. My family is a sept of the Buchanan clan so I thought it was pretty cool) so ya never know if something groovy will pop up. Hope it doesn't take another 30 years though.

[Lars39]

17. Kudos on finding that bar mirror!

I usually just wind up reliving my childhood amongst the old toys and games.

[2theleft]

5. If you like bbq...

http://www.pierces.com/

There are people that drive from Richmond down there once a week for it. I have lived in Richmond my entire life, have been to Pierce's often and have never had it. I'm very ashamed to admit it.

If Yorktown isn't on your list, it should be. Great history, precious town. Getting there down the Colonial Parkway is a nice drive.

When you are in Colonial Williamsburg, go here:

http://www.thepeanutshop.com/

You can taste everything - they have samples. But you must buy the white chocolate cashew toffee (assuming you like those three things). It is HEAVEN. The chocolate covered peanut brittle is yummy, too. As are most of the peanut flavors.

I don't know much about great restaurants in the area. I'm in Richmond. If you head this way, ping me and I will send along recommendations.

[OriginalGeek]

6. I do, I will and I do

LOVE white chocolate and all those other things just make it better
Yorktown going on the list too

Thank you!

[Brother Buzz]

10. Crab cakes!

The bestest crab cakes I've experienced came from Baltimore, but there are great ones to be discovered up and down the Chesapeake bay. I'd be on the lookout for a small Mom and Pop operations that know what they are doing.

[OriginalGeek]

12. that is always my main goal in any travel

eat at locally owned places as much as possible. If I can get it at home, i might as well have stayed home.* And me too re: Baltimore - I love crab cakes too and when I visit my cousin in Baltimore he always takes us to the places that do them right.



*although I've already been told we are eating breakfast at a Hardees at least once lol. I think it's terrible but I don't get a vote on every meal. They all miss Hardees breakfast since most of ours closed. At least I know there are some real breakfast joints around that we will get to as well.

[justamama83]

14. If you are a seafood fan ....

When we were down in Williamsburg last fall we found this local seafood restaurant- it was amazingly awesome. It's called Holy Mackerel Seafood. It's not in the tourist area- it's in a strip mall- oh and they do "land" food too, my daughter had ribs so something for everyone.

http://www.holymackerelseafoodgrill.com/

[OriginalGeek]

16. lol, that's awesome

I'm adding it to the list. We'll try to talk funny so folks will think we're natives.

[grasswire]

18. fizzgig was just there recently...

....and there was a long thread of recommendations for her here in the lounge.