Official Web Site of Colonial Williamsburg - the Worlds Largest Living History Museum
Large very informative site - even current calendar of events for the variety of different activities and special events always going on at Colonial Williamsburg. (Again - don't miss the Governors Palace Tour!)
Save yourself some time and look over the "Tickets/Reservations" area & various admission plans before you go - saves time in line + can plan better.
Tip: - Check out the "Freedom Pass" - Come and go as many days as you like -- over up to one year.
-- PLUS - Freedom Pass gets you discount travels 50% off on all evening performances. Plays are done in kind of "Melodramer" style with a lot of encouraged audiance participation - and even audiance commanded "replays" of fun lines or stunts!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Very well done and informative web site. Great Attractions "Aerial View" park map with pop-up descriptions of various rides and attractions. Park Day Planner area.
Park Info area has prices of various passes and open days/times for week + downloadable brochure. Great family vacation beaches attraction.
Tip: AAA Members get travel discount - be sure you've got your AAA membership card the day you go.
Historic Campus of College of William and Mary -- The Sir Christopher Wren Building and campus virtual tour page. Good Pictures, information, and history of Historical buildings and beautiful campus interspursed between descriptions of various William and Mary programs.
Tip: Notice changing top banner pictures as well as featured picture. Drop down menu at top right is easy way to navigate site - BUT "Virtual Tour" is NOT on drop down menu so is hard to get back to if you leave it. (Link to it is on "Campus Visitors" page.)
The Mariners' Museum : Newport News, Virginia
Great Museum and a Large, very well done Web site. Good info. "Educational Programs" area has some interesting Info. Also check out "Monitor Center."
Tip: Rest of site loads fine, but Web page "Images" area photos load VERY slow for those on dial-up. We've got a few fast loading highlight photos of the Mariners' Museum you can view with captions on our Day Trips- PICTURES- 2 page: Nearby Virginia Beach Area Attractions. Interesting family vacation beaches historical learning attraction.
Cape Henry Lighthouse - Built 1791 - APVA Web page - Has interesting Info for History buffs. President George Washington approved original Lighthuse construction which was important for development of shipping and Commerce in the area.
Tip: Link to Web page with descriptions of both original and "New" (1881) Lighthouse plus more on area with "ratings" and some good pictures. Interesting family vacation beaches historic attraction.
Yorktown Battlefield - National Park Service Web site - US Dept of Interior. Yorktown Battlefield is site of the final, major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Good general information about Battlefield site and Ideas for planning your visit. Don't miss the Battlefield driving/walking tour. Suggest visit Yorktown before Jamestown - drive down to Jamestown on scenic Colonial National Historic Parkway below. Stop at some scenic family vacation beaches along the way.
Tip: Buy or rent the Audio CD -- done from perspective of the two Generals on oppsite sides of Battles -- Adds much to brochure and makes it more interesting and fun for all. (+ See Jamestown combo pass tip below)
Tip: (Age 62 or Older? - Buy ($10) & use Golden Age (Lifetime) Passport -- 50% discount for all Federal Areas - Details on "Discount Tips - Age 50+ Money saving Tips" page
Colonial National Historic Parkway web site - On-Line Visitor Center - National Park Service - Much Info about Scenic 23-mile Colonial Parkway between Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestorn Settlement. 9,000 acre park.
Tip: Pack a picnic lunch and eat at one of many scenic river pulloffs along the leisurely 45 mph or less scenic drive. Great family vacation beaches activity.
Jamestown National Historic Site - National Park Service web site - also part of Colonial National Historic Park
Well done info and history Re: First Permanent English Colony in North America.
Tip: Get a travel discount by buying a combination pass for both Yorktown and Jamestown areas.
Berkeley Plantation web site - also has info on Shirley plantation next door and 4 other Plantations along James River nearby. Good Descriptions of all 6 plantations in the area.
Tip: We would concur with Good Housekeeping magazine. They suggest "If you only have time for one plantation, Berkeley should be at the top of your list."
Beautiful landscaped grounds - interesting tour with costumed guide. Allow 2 hours. Nearby Shirley Plantation is rated a "Gem" by AAA and has some interesting architecture including an unsupported 3-story walnut staircase.
Virginia State Parks Web Pages - Link goes directly to easy to use Virginia State Park selection map Web page on large and very informative Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Web site. Great Virginia family vacation beaches resource!
Tip: Especially check out #12 - First Landing State Park - Off of US Route 60 west of Cape Henry Lighthouse area. Has beach area onto Chesapeake Bay with restrooms and improved facilities, Three indoor aquariums, Water sports rentals, Campgrounds, and Cabins. - (Great Pictures on their web site).
Also may want to look at #17 - Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve, and #20 - Kiptopeke State Park and Birding Research area - and others! Many choices of Virginia family vacation beaches.
Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Large searchable site - Includes EVERY big and also EVERY very little Virginia attraction of every type -- Including some Gift Shops - a lot to "brouse" through.
(Good for general info if you have a specific attraction in mind, but come back here for "reviews," "Must See's," comments on how "large" attraction is, time from Virginia Beach, time to allow for attraction, and more.)
Tip: "Search by Region" in the "Tidewater/Hampton Roads Region" in the drop down menu box for attractions within Day Trip range of Virginia Beach.
The Official Virginia Beach Tourism Website - Convention & Visitors Bureau site - Very complete & easy to use site with everything about Virginia Beach & area. Searchable on many topics - including Attractions, Dining Info, and Virginia Beach Events Calendar so you can check what is going on the week(s) you might be there. (come back here for: Comments, "Must see's, driving time from Virginia Beach, and recommended times).
Tip: Click here to request a Free Vacation Guide from Conv & Visitors Bureau above. Many lodging advertisments, but other very good information on area -- even a few discount coupons! (Or download PDF ) -- order a few weeks ahead since seems to take a while to come.
Hope these links help in planning your next Memorable Beach Vacation!
Comments on how helpful you found the above links are always appreciated. Please send us any other good Virginia family vacation beaches Information sites you may find in your Virginia Beaches Vacation research - with how you found it helpful.
Send Your Favorite Travel Links to Gene at our Top Picks and Comments Page. Thanks! I will give you credit by first name and town for any links you might send that are used here -- IF you tell me I can do so in your message. Also can Send Site comments or suggestions to Gene. Thanks!
- If you didn't just come from this page - we recommend your next stop is Virginia Beach Area: Why Virginia Beaches? & "Must See" Attractions+ Comments & Tips - Includes Attraction Pictures, driving times from Virginia beach & suggested times to allow to view attractions
"Must See" Family Vacation Beaches Attractions LINK site Descriptions & Tips - This page
Top Pick SE Virginia Guide Books: Southeast Virginia family vacation beaches & Attractions Books & Guides.
To Home Page of Memorable-Beach-Vacations.com - Virginia vacation beaches and family attraction information, Reviews, Discounts, & Tips
To top of page - LINKS - Virginia family vacation beaches and Must See Attractions
Tips & Discounts
