Welcome to Colonial America!

But modern day

By Gracie Campbell

23 March 2022

Growing up in Williamsburg, Virginia is one of the coolest yet strangest thing ever. On the first day of school the awkward “what is a fun fact about you” question has never stumped me. Because starting off a conversation with; “I grew up in a historic town” always gets people asking you questions. When I first came to Furman University, all of my friends were shocked when they showed me their middle school fieldtrip pictures of them with their heads in the pillory. They were shocked when I didn’t have one of my own. This is when it dawned on me that I may be for a historic town, but I don’t do touristy things. So welcome to my guidebook on the fun things to do in my favorite place besides the tourist traps!

Tourism and Education are Williamsburg’s most important factors for our economy yearly the city as about 6-8 million visitors a year.

I would be lying if I tried to claim that my family never do anything touristy. The picture to the left is of my local church Bruton Parish Church. My family and I went to the Christmas Eve service. The church was established in 1674 and is one of my favorite places in Williamsburg. During the summers they have weekly concerts that are amazing, and everyone should go to at least one. The church is in the heart of downtown Colonial Williamsburg or as the locals call it CW.

Top 5 Lists:

I have curated a few top five lists for Williamsburg including food, shopping, and stuff to do! This way the next time you are in my stomping grounds you don’t scream tourist.

Drinks and Light Bites:

1. Fat Canary Downstairs-

To the left are my parents at dinner

with me at the Fat Canary Downstairs.

It is the perfect spot for dinner and drinks! Their wine list is amazing, and the service never fails to impress me!

2. Precarious Beer Project-

This has quickly become one of my family’s favorite places at home. They have IPA and local beer. They also make a mean margarita and sangria if beer isn’t your thing. It has become a tradition for my dad, sister, and I to go to Precarious the day after Christmas and I look forward to it every year. My favorite part of Precarious is the atmosphere. Inside is a barcade! They have classic arcade games, and we get super competitive. There is also a food truck inside that serves the best nachos I have ever had!

3. The Williamsburg Inn-

This is the perfect spot if you are looking for a nice glass of wine or cocktail before a dinner reservation and you are staying in downtown.

Food:

1. Cochon on 2nd-

Cochon is my absolute favorite restaurant in Williamsburg. The steak is amazing and so are the short ribs on the appetizer menu. This is such a local spot that on the bar stools people have name plates on the backs of their normal chairs, so they always have a seat.

2. Cheese Shop-

The Cheese Shop is a local delicacy. My former lacrosse coach and her family are the owners, and they are connected the Fat Canary. The Cheese Shop sells specialty cheeses, sauces, and more but they also have the best sandwiches I have ever had. The house dressing is unmatched. My go to order is either a grilled cheese on French with house on the side or Brie, Virginia ham and Arugula with house dressing on French! You may even get to drive through Confusion Corner, which is just that a confusion intersection directly behind the Cheese Shop parking lot.

3. Shorty’s Diner-

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Shorty’s always gets it right. Shorty’s is a local diner owned by Mr. Short I used to wake up early in high school just to get breakfast here on Fridays with my friends. The breakfast burrito with ham and bacon and a side of cheese grits *chef’s kiss*

4. Blue Talon-

Creamy Mac and Cheese with Virginia Ham on top! Simply one of my favorite foods. But they also have others amazing food. Blue Talon is a French bistro and pulls from that culinary technique often.

5. Fat Canary-

Like the downstairs the upstairs and main restaurant is just as wonderful! This is my favorite restaurant for a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary! If you go to the Fat Canary, you must talk to the Somalia, David, he is a ROCKSTAR, and my parents adore him.

Shopping:

Three Sisters Boutique is the only place I highly recommend you go shopping. Three Sisters is always so reliable in their inventory, and they have the best brands. I love that their store works for me and my sister, my mom, and people younger than us. Three Sisters is in the heart on CW on Prince George Street!

Things to Do:

1. Walk Around CW-

As much as I want to urge you to not do touristy things walking through CW is one of my favorite things to do when I am at home. You can get your steps in, people watch, see some cute dogs, and take in all the history this city has to offer. I suggest walking down Duke of Gloucester Street which is blocked off from cars. At one end is the Capital building and the other is the Governor’s Palace. To the left is my mom and dogs standing in front of the Governor’s Palace on one of our walks over Christmas Break!

2. Picnic at the Sunken Gardens-

The Sunken Gardens are a gorgeous spot-on William and Mary’s campus. I love to grab a sandwich and some snacks from the Cheese Shop and have a picnic with friends on a nice day.

3. Busch Gardens-

Busch Gardens is a major amusement park in Williamsburg that is about 15 minutes from downtown. I grew up going to the park with my friends on days off from school! We all would get season tickets so we could go as often as possible. If you come in October, you must go to Hallowscream it is pretty scary but tons of fun in a group. My favorite is Christmas Town, however. They light up the whole park and sell hot chocolate it is magical.

I hope that you know see how special of a city Williamsburg is! If you ever go leave a comment I will give you even more recommendations like the Williamsburg Spa (best massage ever!).