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Colonial Williamsburg, History is Just the Beginning

Jul 8, 2011; 9:47 AM ET

It's summer and the living is easy, but there is always the looming question of where to spend those sun-filled vacation days. Girlfriend getaway, family vacation, couples retreat, boys' weekend - whatever the occasion may be, Colonial Williamsburg offers something for everyone, and it is definitely different from how you remember it from your childhood family vacation or school trip. Today in Williamsburg, history is just the beginning. From golf, spa, and new restaurants to Broadway theatrics, fun family programming and night-time activities, there's no better way to spend those summer days than with Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg's five hotel properties span luxury to family affordability, all with top-notch service and comforts. The Official Colonial Williamsburg Hotels boast various guest entitlements including: on-site programs; discounts on admission and evening program tickets; preferred reservations at the restaurants, Spa and golf course; special kids Fun Zones with magic shows, cookie decorating, arts and crafts and more; and best of all, proximity to Colonial Williamsburg's award-winning golf courses and spa, two art museums and the 301-acre Historic Area.

Seasonal packages specifically for couples or families make a visit even more affordable. This summer, guests can choose from the Summer Stories Package, which includes accommodations, breakfast, admission and a $100 activities credit, and the Summer Bounce Package, offering accommodations and access to Colonial Williamsburg and nearby Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.

Across from the Williamsburg Lodge and adjacent to the Williamsburg Inn lies the 45-hole Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. This designated Audubon sanctuary pairs stunning and serene surroundings with challenging play. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his son, Rees Jones, the Gold and Green Courses mark the first side-by-side father-son tandem course layout, and the Gold courses has one of the first island greens, which has served as a model for many other courses. After hitting the links, sit and relax poolside or grab a round of drinks and a bite to eat at one of the Clubhouse Grills.

Don't golf? Fear not. The Golden Horseshoe pro staff is available for lessons, and clinics are complimentary for guests of the Inn and Lodge. Guests can also enjoy a game of tennis or go for a cruise on a Schwinn bike, available for rent at The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg. Travelers in search of a relaxing retreat are sure to enjoy The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, where century-inspired spa services reflect the healing therapies that emerged throughout the ages, from orange scrubs to microdermabrasion. The Spa also offers a full treatment menu, from massages to facials to scrub, along with a complete salon.

Just across the street in Colonial Williamsburg's famed Historic Area, the world's largest living history museum, guests can interact with personalities of the past, from 18th-century celebrities like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Patrick Henry, to the skilled tradespeople at the shoemaker, in the brickyard, and more. The reconstructed buildings are open on a rotating schedule, and programming changes daily, but be sure to see the award-winning street theater program, Revolutionary City, which brings to life some of the challenges and triumphs of an emerging nation.

For the first time this summer, guests eight and up are invited to play "RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros," an interactive alternative reality game that helps players unlock clues and decipher codes to solve a mystery that will help save the revolution. Players will get their clues by texting and asking Historic Area interpreters on their quest to complete five separate missions that make up the game. Clues will be posted online at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/revquest leading up to the game, and players pickup game materials at Colonial Williamsburg's visitor center.

When the air cools and the sun goes down, Colonial Williamsburg's programming continues. The Historic Area is Live After Five as it plays host to a rich schedule of dining and evening activities. The night begins with dinner at an 18th-century tavern, Chowning's family-friendly Beer Garden or the recently updated Huzzah! BBQ Grille, offering barbecue favorites with an international flair. Continue the night with cresset lighting, storytelling or musical performances that will entertain all until bedtime.

Colonial Williamsburg's robust schedule of cultural programs complements active and historic travel. On July 22 and 23, a few of Broadway's finest, Darlene Love, Julia Murney, Anthony Rapp and Matt Dengler, will perform at Colonial Williamsburg's Kimball Theatre in Free to Dream: New Songs for the American Journey. This concert, specially adapted for Colonial Williamsburg from Grammy-winning composer Doug Katsaros and Emmy-winning lyricist William Schermerhorn, showcases the people and places that make up the fabric of America with musical styles from country, rock and pop to swing and the blues. Colonial Williamsburg's Art Museums provide a variety of folk and decorative arts, from prints, maps and stoneware to china, paintings and even a merry-go-round. The Art Museums also provide regular guided tours, talks and art projects for kids. Evening music programs are scheduled regularly, as well.

The chefs at the Williamsburg Lodge and Williamsburg Inn staff various culinary programs over the weekend drawing guests back to their hotel home bases. From wine and cheese pairing classes, and cigar and spirits tasting, to farm-to-table programs and even tips on grilling, these special events are engaging and entertaining, while providing insights that guests can use in their cooking and entertaining when they return home.

Admission to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area and Art Museums can be purchased online or at Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center or other ticket locations. Most hotel packages include admission tickets. Evening programs, concerts, and special dining events require special reservations and most are ticketed.

For more information, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

By: Darlene Perrone

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