<p>DudeDad: LOL. Thanks. Will plan accordingly. I'm now thinking of squeezing in a visit to Monticello on the same trip. Jamestown I don't need to see again but I felt rushed during the time at Yorktown...wouldn't mind seeing that again after doing some reading.</p>
<p>Peak blooms predicted March 27 - April 1 - enjoy!</p>
<p>IMO, Monticello is much better (the "awe" factor plus the beauty factor) than either Williamsburg, Jamestown, or Yorktown. You will love it if you go.</p>
<p>Well, I want to see Monticello but Williamsburg is a promise to D.</p>
<p>University of Virginia has produced many current US ambassadors. Such a beautiful Lawn..hotels are often sold out..this weekend for instance had great difficulty getting a room. I prefer the Omni on the fun cobblestone downtown area. Spills out to many cool places to eat and watch the people. There is a newish Hampton Inn and Suites nearby downtown as well.
Hospitality House in Wmsburg is a bit run down but perfect location and worth it for that reason. Plus if you have an 8am interview like my S did, you can have Breakfast delivered to your room. There are scores of quite nice quality, decent hotels in Wmsburg though a short drive away.<br>
I use Quikbook.com a lot in DC. Recommend the Jury Hotels in Dupont Circle..which is on a great subway stop and lively area at night for places to eat. Also Loews Le Enfant is deserted on weekends (smack between many federal buildings that empty on Fridays) but is on a subway stop and offers some discounts on weekends..Smithsonian handsomely viewed from windows.<br>
Washington and Lee offers great access to full professors all the time and fine prep for grad school.</p>
<p>Enjoy your Virginia trip!</p>
<p>I hate to rush these things - would rather do one in depth than hit a bunch. </p>
<p>We have done all of the above over the years. Monticello is special to me, as I am a big fan of Jerfferson and share his fascination with gardening. Hubby and I visited Monticello as newlyweds; I went back on a college search road trip with the kids; and we were there again last summer, finally as a full family. I really "got into" Monticello and you can easily do that in a day and then see U Va the next morning. It would be a real shame to visit one without the other. I thought the separate Monticello Visitor Center was well worth a visit as a prelude to Monticello. Time your visit to catch the 10 a.m. movie and just go from the Visitors Center to Monticello itself. </p>
<p>Williamsbug, while well done, can be very touristy and crowded. It will probably feel very hot in the summer as well. At least Monticello is mountainous and the area is quite scenic. </p>
<p>Suggestion for a summer visit: Make good use of the morning, as the mid-day heat can be an issue.</p>
<p>Check out Princeton's new initiative. In my estimation, this is one of the primo IR/public policy programs after Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service.</p>
<p>Woodrow Wilson School creates 'Scholars in the Nation's Service' program to encourage government service
by Steve Barnes · Posted February 24, 2006; 11:00 a.m.
Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs today announced the creation of a highly selective "Scholars in the Nation's Service" initiative to encourage more of the nation's best and brightest students to pursue careers in the U.S. federal government, especially in the international relations arena. Beginning in a student's junior year in college, the six-year program will include a summer federal government internship, approximately two years of federal government service after college and a master's degree in public affairs (MPA) from the Wilson School. </p>
<p>More on <a href="http://www.princeton.edu%5B/url%5D">www.princeton.edu</a></p>
<p>TheDad,</p>
<p>We've been to Williamsburg more than a dozen times over the years, starting with our honeymoon! It's one of our favorite places to visit. To completely enjoy all that Williamsburg has to offer, you need at minimum three days, and even at that, you'll be pushing it. Colonial Williamsburg has over 500 restored and reconstructed buildings, not that you will view them all but you'll want time to see and tour, at least the top 30, if you want a good overview. Buildings like the Capitol, the Governor's Palace, and Bruton Parish Church will take longer than some of the others and if you tour the grounds and maze at the Palace, you can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon just at that one!</p>
<p>I recommend eating at one of the Colonial taverns while there, maybe even a couple. The food is delicious and authentic and it's a fun experience. Make your reservations ahead of time! While it's true that you can stroll the historic area without purchasing a pass and enjoy it and get the feel of it, it's not nearly the same as visiting the buildings, seeing the furnishings and artwork, hearing the history of each, and getting a real feel for what Colonial Williamsburg was like. Saying that it's just watching 'a guy pound a horseshoe' is a ridiculous statement. Don't forget to visit the museums!</p>
<p>We usually stay at the Williamsburg Lodge, Tazewell Wing or one of the historic buildings. If you can do that, it's great because you never have to worry about parking, you can walk everywhere, including Wm. & Mary, which is at the end of Duke of Gloucester St. If you want my recommendations on our favorite buildings to visit while there, let me know.</p>
<p>Hey I like CW too, but saying you need minimum three days there is a ridiculous statement...</p>
<p>dudedad, reread what I said, including the phrase "to completely enjoy all that Williamsburg has to offer", and TheDad's original question "how long does it take to take in Colonial Williamsburg if you're going to be comprehensive about it?".</p>