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Published: June 27th 2014
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Part of the Historic Triangle of Jamestown and Yorktown, Williamsburg has an endearing personality and oozes colonialism to its fullest. While neither the most vivacious nor the most breathtaking, it makes up in history for what it lacks in superlatives. This place played an integral part of our nation's development and was Virginia's first capital, before it was relocated to Richmond where Kristina and I currently attend school.
Williamsburg is a short 50-minute drive east of Richmond, providing a quick reprieve from the city hustle to a serene community that transcends time. A large effort was put forth in the early 1900's to conserve the unique aura of this city, even prompting John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to finance the construction of Colonial Williamsburg, which is now the most popular tourist attraction in Virginia. This and Merchant Square--both conveniently located across from each other--are our two favorite destinations in Williamsburg because they capture the colonial feel that makes this town special.
Merchant Square is a charming outdoor shopping area filled with small shops and is the oldest mall in the country. While this is the venue for a farmers' market on Saturdays, we visited on a Sunday and thus, missed
the opportunity to indulge in luxury treats by vendors like Chocolate Cravings. If you want to awaken your inner child, peek into Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop (414 W. Duke of Gloucester St.) where they make their goodies in front of patrons. The store interior should be the poster ad for Crayola, where vibrant colors on walls make the candy that much sweeter. Afterwards, neutralize your taste buds from all those sweets by stopping at the Cheese Shop (410 W. Duke of Gloucester St.), a mix of French cheese parlor and Tuscan wine cellar. Then hop over to the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg (414 Prince George St.) for an anaphylactic shock. Here, you can grab free samples of every assortment of peanut imaginable. When your hunger is curbed, visit the Spice & Tea Exchange (439 Prince George St.) for some oriental flavors and aromas that invigorate your senses. If you're shopping for the little ones, try the Toymaker of Williamsburg for an eclectic collection of games to keep the whole family amused; unfortunately, this distinctive store was closed recently after 48 years in business. And for a little European inspiration, go to the Scotland House (430 W. Duke of Gloucester
St.) for a taste of bagpipes, kilts, and red hair, but no whiffs of alcohol here.
Then turn your attention to Colonial Williamsburg, which is merely a street full of mini-attractions that require tickets for admission. This may be appealing for families with kids, but for a young couple like Kristina and me, we elected to forego the entry fee and simply enjoy the sights as we toured by foot. You'll encounter horse-drawn carriages (and the occasional horse dung), militiamen with muskets, slave laborers tending to daily chores, and even Thomas Jefferson carrying a conversation with visitors. You don't need a wig to enjoy the stroll, but getting in the spirit of a colonist may heighten your experience, if that's what floats your boat.
After a good half-hour walk through the attraction, turn your attention to the second oldest university in America, the College of William and Mary, and visit the oldest building used for educational purposes, the Wren Building. Don't expect an Ivy League-ish campus, but these sites are worth a visit to witness the foundation of higher learning in this country. While William and Mary is no Oxford or Hogwarts, it's a quaint little college that
has produced four U.S. Presidents, and for that, it remains one of the premier learning institutions in the U.S. and deserves to be the stopping point on your tour of historic Williamsburg.
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