I'm going again this year
Yeah I've heard it will probably be packed.. I've been to Jamestown/ Yorktown/Williamsburg before at a regular season and been to all the visitor centers and museum and all that - just didn't know if they all had their own kinda - holiday thing going on..??? I actually liked Jamestowns stuff more than Yorktowns .. I liked Yorktown and the shops by the water.. Thanks for all the info!!
My wife andf I absolutely love GRAND ILLUMINATION. The silentwoman is correct about the crowds. It is the most crowded night in Williamsburg. There are shows and Fireworks at three locations, the Governors Palace, the capitol bldg and the magazine. All 3 shows are identicle so just plan on one location. Plan on arriving in Williamsburg early on Sunday. I always get to the visitors center about 9:00 am and leave my car there all day. We spend the entire day in the historic area, usually eating lunch in one of the taverns (Shields or Kings Arms) or at market Square. Don't move your car during the day, you'll never find another parking space!. Bring portable chairs, blankets and a cooler with snacks and drinks (my cooler will have 2 bottles of wine). Set your chairs up early in the morning where you want to watch the fireworks, and just leave them there. Leave blankets and your cooler in your car.No one will bother them. You'll see that everyone else does the same thing. Sometime around 4:30 or so, go back to your car to retrieve your blankets and cooler and take them back to your chairs.
As soon as the fireworks end, it is a mass of peole trying to leave. Don't try to beat it, you can't. Take my word on that. I would recommend having dinner at one of the Colonial Taverns AFTER the fireworks. They serve their regular menu after the fireworks.(I have reservations at Shields Tavern) The three main taverns are Christiana Campbells (Seafood and my favorite), Shields Tavern (Cheapest of the three) and Kings Arms Tavern (Try the Peanut soup!) You can make reservations at 1-800-HISTORY. They're probably all booked now but keep trying every other day or so, they get cancellations all the time. I've always been able to get in, you just might need to try a few times. If you have dinner there, by the time your done eating, most of ther crowds have gone. Dining in the tavers is a little expensive but we love it and it really adds to the colonial experience + you'll miss the crowds. After dinner, take a walk down the Duke of Gloucester St, retrieve your chairs/blankets, hop on the bus back to the visitors center then to your hotel. By the way, take that Monday off and stay Sunday night. It's much more relaxing that way.
Now, be aware that Colonial Williamsburg offers what the call their Grand Illumination Dinners. These are for folks who are early diners. They start seating around 4:00-4:30 pm. They have a set menu (about $55 per person)
and they guarantee that you'll be finished before the fireworks so you'll be able to get to those seats I told you to save! It's too early for my family and I but it is an option.
I've never been to Jamestown or Yorktown on Grand Illumination Sunday. If you go to either one, and try to get into WiLLIAMSBURG in the afternoon, you won't make it. There will be no place to park.
So, to sum up:
1. Arrive at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center by 9:00-9:30 AM
2. Don't move your car
3. Take Chairs into the historic area and set them up early.
4. Retrieve Blankets and cooler later (Fireworks usually start at 6:00) and it is an incredible fireworkls show.
5. Try for dinner in one of the Taverns AFTER the fireworks
My final thought about Grand Illumination Sunday, relax, take your time walking around Williamsburg. Take the opportunity to learn about our countries founding. Stop, look and enjoy all those beautiful Christmas decorations and have fun. I'll be there!
