"If you haven't been to Colonial Williamsburg, you need to drop everything and go. So rich in our history, and so entertaining. And in the fall they often run specials allowing you a membership for little more than the cost of an activity. I purchased the membership allowing us unrestricted access and a carriage ride where we were given the roles of the richest people in town!Ate in a local pub...that was interesting. Food was "authentic" and ale was good. There are many little stores interspersed in the town where we got some interesting period pieces. Even Orange Blossom water, which the food network site told me how to use!I could have spent a week here, but we had limited time. Someday I will get back and allowed a full week to satisfy my curiosity!"
""No sweeping exit or offstage linesCould make me feel bitter or treat you unkindWild horsesCouldn't drag me away"[Jagger/Richards]If your idea of seeing the wild horses is witnessing a herd running along the beach, well that's a Madison Avenue marketing concoction.Don't expect to see them on the beach, although our guide told us they do congregate there for a few weeks each year when the flies and bugs get too bad.Where you will find the 110 horses of Chincoteague is when your Humvee takes you in a perpendicular direction up from the beach to jump in behind the dune line into the land of the ostentatious mansions and rental properties that populate the island.The horses can be anywhere, under a house, next to a house, or just standing still in the dunes and forest trails asleep - like the one we saw.We saw two horses during our two-hour tour. They both appeared around halfway during the excursion.There were 13 of us on the 4:00 tour, and three Humvees were needed for all of the 4:00 customers.We had great customer service from Dan who helped us book on the phone, and our guide Bill who was entertaining and informative.PRO TIPAfter you book, you'll need to fill out a liability waiver (either online or in person). The Wild Horse Tour office and gift shop is upstairs, so don't freak-out if you enter the building and don't see them. Just go upstairs, check in, and congregate downstairs until someone comes down to call off names and get you on board the vehicles."
"This was our second time on the Rudee Rocket and it was just as thrilling and fun the second time around! Perfect way to see dolphins, have the thrill of being on a giant jet ski so to speak and cool down on a hot day by being DRENCHED!! The crew was great and the dolphins did their thing!! This is a must if you're in VA Beach!! So much fun!! To add for anyone wondering-I am not a huge fan of boats or deep water or thrill rides. I was fine on this and felt safe and had a blast!!"
"My husband and I do food tours all over the United States and Europe. We've been on over 30. I would say that this ranks one of the best. April did an amazing job. She was fun and funny and full of energy, knowledge and history. She's comes from a long line of locals who have many good stories. Everything we tasted was delicious and there was plenty of it. no one on our tour was able to eat everything. Fortunately she let us brown bag whenever we needed to. We learned all sorts of fun facts about Williamsburg and the people who settled here. Our group was 11 guests and we met all kinds of new fun foodie friends. We were even lucky enough to meet famous celebrity chef from, "A Chef's Kitchen", John Gonzalez. I can't Wait to go back to some of these restaurants and shops. It was an excellent value for the money. I read some other reviews complaining about the amount of food for the price. Yes if you spend $60 in a restaurant of course you're going to get a full meal. But this is a "tasting" precisely. The value is in the time the guide spent educating us on the area and helping us find the best spots to go back to for meals in the future."
"It's difficult to hide my excitement of a road. But no ordinary road mind you. A historic trail turned present day park most likely used by the Indians to travel by horse. It stretches 23 beautiful scenic miles and cuts through gorgeous wooded terrain. The Parkway runs along the James River in sections and is an absolute must if time permits to avoid the highway and travel at slower speeds to enjoy the scenery. The project to build the Parkway began in the 1930's and coincides closely with the construction and rehabilitation of Colonial Williamsburg. The project concluded in 1957. The road connects the Historic Triangle of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown Virginia all on one incredible tour. The Parkway is considered a park and is ran by the National Park Service. It also has the unique designation of being just 1 of 31 of its kind considered a "National Scenic Byway". Speed limits range from 35-45 mph and are patrolled by the NPS. Semi trucks are not permitted. The surface is concrete in excellent condition and well maintained. You can jump off and on at the tree cities. I can't help but be giddy about such a cool road with neat history connecting such historic communities. Best times of the year are Fall and Summer. Whether a tourist, or local it's a fun road to travel."
"When I saw on Taste Tidewater's Facebook post that there were only 3 spots left for their Oyster & Wine tour, I reserved the same day! It is also my birthday month and have had my eye on this tour for awhile. It was fate! Not knowing what to expect, I jumped the gun and paid immediately. When Rex, the owner, sent the itinerary, I saw 3 local restaurants, Catch 31, Rockefeller's, & Tautogs. My first thoughts were, "I hope this isn't lame...", "I could go to these places myself..."The group met at Virginia Aquarium for an optional tour inside for the first 30mins. I arrived late. Now, I wish I made it on time to hear more about oysters. Rex tried finding the group for me & we walked all around the museum. It was way too crowded, I was late, & didn't mind waiting. Perhaps walkie talkies as a communication tool for the husband & wife team. Not just for late arrivals. :) Could be distracting too but, just a suggestion. The aquarium attendants had no idea who or where the group was. I did appreciate the effort. Not many would help me catch up with group especially, since I was late. Our first stop was Catch 31. Table was set and ready to go. We had three chefs(one including one of our guides, Chef Patrick Evans-Hylton) and the sommelier at our table. They educated us about the oysters & wine. They walked us through the various types of oysters & wine, regions, how to eat, & how to taste. We were served 4 oysters each from one of the 7 regions & two wine tastings. There were condiments and crackers on the table. I thought this was definitely the most informative restaurant out of the three. Next stop was Rockefeller's. Again, tables were set & wine was poured! No menu w/ descriptions. We had 2 raw oysters and 2 oysters rockefeller. Then, we were served hush puppies w/ pimento cheese which were amazing. Last, was coconut cake! This restaurant had more food offerings which was good because after several glasses of wine, I was hungry & others were too!! Last stop was Tautog's. They sat us outside & setup was more buffet style. Glasses of wine were on a table for us to pick up as we walked in. The presentation was beautifully prepared. They had 3 of their house sauces which were delicious! I thought the sauces were needed with these oysters. Others agreed. Didn't taste as fresh as the previous restaurants. I believe they were Lynnhaven and I've had Lynnhaven oysters before. So, not a reflection on the tour. There was also fresh cut fruit on the oyster platters. Only because TT asked, my recommendations would be: * Posting sample itineraries on social media * Clearer description of what to expect with regards to food so people know whether or not they should eat prior to the tour or pack a snack/sandwich. * Website shows they would be "happy to provide water and light snacks." None were offered. * Market/advertise the 10% off Yelp Check-in offer* Advise up front the 10% off Yelp Check-in is NOT valid for the Oyster & Wine tour. A portion of proceeds go towards non-profit which I totally understand & appreciate, just set the expectation. Overall, this was a lovely experience that one can comfortably do solo! I did and I truly enjoyed! Hands down. I am so happy to see a company like this on the East Coast and executing with such class. Please don't think this is a drunken wild party bus. It is a tasteful informative experience with subject matter experts who also enjoy partaking in libations while sharing their knowledge! :) I hope to see more food tours added to their current list. Rex, Lisa, & Chef Patrick were cordial, knowledgable, fun, and professional. Thank you so much for a memorable experience!"
"Our 2-hour tour with Dave was the highlight of our week in the Outer Banks. We were renting a house in Corolla and drove to the end of the paved road a few times before deciding to book the tour. We didn't have a 4-wheel drive vehicle that could handle the sand/beach driving, so it was a tour or nothing. I'm so happy that our curiosity about what was out there got the best of us and we forked out the $45 for the trip. Because we were a large group (9 total) we had an entire Hummer to ourselves. Yay, family bonding time! Our tour time -- 6pm -- was PERFECT! The tide was rising, the temperatures were cooling down, and the horses were out in full force! We saw at least 10-15 horses including the baby that was just born on Mother's Day. I also loved exploring the neighborhoods that are tucked off the beach and their crazy network of sandy roads. Our driver, Dave, was knowledgeable and happy to share info on the area, including a really interesting story about German U-Boats trying to come ashore during WWII and how an infamous Enigma machine was recently recovered from some of the wreckage. Fascinating stuff! The company owns a beautiful piece of property called Penny Hill. We stopped for the sweeping views and a group photo. Dave told us they use the land for ATV and Kayak tours. Know what we'll be doing next time we visit OBX!"
"Very nice folks in here that will assist with your carriage ride tour. It's not cheap, but is a cool was to take a guided tour of the grounds. I had hoped to take my daughter for a ride this past week by they were booked.Get your tickets early, this is a major attraction and the rides cut off by 1 PM most days."
"Rented 3 kayaks for July 4th weekend. I brought my own. Staff was super informative and friendly. I did get scolded for parking in a no parking zone. After I told them I'm just unloading my kayak, it was all good. Nice area for first time kayakers. One of the attendants even helped me carry my kayak up a little hill after we were done. Highly recommend. It's affordable and don't forget to tip!!! These folks work hard."
"Great way to learn to paddle board. Mike taught my wife how very quickly. Very professional and nice equipment. Also convenient location. A great experience for locals and tourists. She did the one at First Landing. A beautiful spot!"
Annabelle L.
Apr 25, 2019
We bought a week pass to enter the colonial Williamsburg and Busch Garden Williamsburg for a low special price for the family.There's definitely things to see and explore. Historians will be around to provide tours and give a bit of history and storytelling. It's every educational for the kids and adults too. There's houses and souvenir stores along the sidewalks and most of them our pass covers the admission. Some attractions require tickets to enter (extra pay for these tickets). There's a free shuttle bus that make few stops along the way to a few destinations and you can hop on/off throughout the day.The market place is the best with most shopping to do. On weekends, there's local vendors that comes out to sell their goods. I would recommend coming here on the weekends and in the mornings for this highlight.There's several parking areas that you can park for free for two hours but if you plan to stay longer, park at the guest visiting center. It's free parking for the whole day and the shuttle bus departs every 10 minutes or so.
Visit Restaurant PageBrian M.
Aug 2, 2024
We booked this a few days before out trip. We took the last tour of the day in hopes that the cooler temps would bring out more horses. We did see many horses in the little villages that line the beach. The hummer vehicle we rode in seemed to be able to go anywhere without trouble. Cheryl, our guide, was great. She cared about the people in her vehicle. She wanted to make sure we all had an opportunity to see the horses. The weather was great, there were many horses to see, we learned about their history and got some great pictures.Some Notes:* we were asked to sit in the far back because our family seemed like they could get back there with the most ease. That back seat is also bumpy...* the website mentioned that the service has acres that they own allowing the people on the tour to get out and take pictures. It was a great tour, but that stop did not happen. The guide did talk about them owning the land, but it wasn't mentioned that they drive on it.* there are a couple bathrooms at the location where you board - it's a two+ hour tour - so, I'd suggest using them :)
Visit Restaurant PageAshley H.
Oct 2, 2024
If I could give this 10 stars I definitely would!I have been vacationing at Virginia beach for over 10 years and not once have I indulge in this tour. My family and I bough tickets for this tour on September 21st and had a blast of a lifetime! I can definitely tell you no matter how many times we come back each year this will always be on our list!We purchased our tickets online and went and checked in at the office once we arrived. From there we were informed to head to the dock where there are signs posted for Rudee's line. While you are waiting in line you can enjoy the view of the water, luxury boats, and fish. You are supposed to arrive 30mins before hand so you can be standing in line for a while but luckily the line was getting longer so we were allowed to board the boat. Once you climb aboard they will take your picture and inform you (depending on your preference) which spot on the boat would be the best place to sit (Do you want a calmer trip, bumper one, etc.). The employees will introduce themselves and give you a summary of the trip and what you can expect along the way. If you are sitting in the the seat on the outside (closest to the water) you will get set either on your way out or the way back but they do give you options to move before taking off. The views of the oceanfront are great the speed of the board is totally thrilling and of course seeing all the dolphins makes it even more worth it. They will even take you all the way out to see the lighthouses and to the end of the public beach at 88th street. If all that wasn't enough on the way back they will kick up the speed and do some tricks so make sure you hold on! Please be sure to bring some cash with you as you can purchase the pictures that they took of you before the trip but also the 2 employees work for tips only. Tip: If you get nauseous or motion sick easily I would definitly suggest taking something before this trip otherwise you will be feeding the dolphins :-)
Visit Restaurant PageJames G.
Dec 30, 2017
Our first food tour and nothing to write home about. Average food,except for the wings at the Amber Ox which where very good. The give aways at the chocolate and peanut shops can be had by anyone. Our guide did not seem to be into it, Not much of a talker or foodie. We could have gotten the same food and treats for about half the price. Would rate the guide 2 stars, food 3 stars. Overall I wouldn't do it again or recommend anyone to do it.
Visit Restaurant PageToni M.
May 21, 2008
Gorgeous and green on both sides, this 23 mile cement aggregate roadway connects Williamsburg w/ Jamestown and Yorktown, winding through forests of deciduous and evergreen trees, hardly a man-made structure visible. There's a long tunnel under Colonial Williamsburg and overpasses, all faced w/ bricks. Occasionally there's the unexpected, to the first time traveler, view of the James River. Today there was the sad sight of a pheasant standing watch over its roadkilled mate.
Visit Restaurant PageGeorge C.
Nov 3, 2015
I've been on two of these tours and you're getting more than a ride to a few breweries - it's a very informative journey through the area's craft beer history. The tour I was on took us to two of Virginia Beach's new breweries - Commonwealth and Wasserhund - but it also let us all try something no one had before, a beer brewed at Back Bay Brewing that was made with hops grown right here in VB! It was a great experience and I couldn't recommend the tour more. Give it a try and you'll be pleased.
Visit Restaurant PageLauren D.
Jul 11, 2020
The ATV Tour was awesome! I would highly recommend. They use Honda Pioneers for the patrons that each seat 4 people. You travel to a remote location where the Spanish mustangs are and have a chance of seeing them during your adventure. We had a blast and will do the ATV tour again when we return to OBX.
Visit Restaurant PageChristopher C.
Nov 21, 2023
The offering's at this building in CW are just a redundancy of what you can get/do at the visitor's center. But, if you need a pass/tickets/information/map and are on DOG Street, this is it. Back during the times of the pandemic/lockdown, the staff would sit in the two front windows and they had credit card terminals attached to the outside of the building, but things are now same as it ever was with needing to go inside.Also, at different points in time with CW this was a spot where evening walking tours/ghost tours have started but aside from carriage rides, that hasn't happened in a while.Below is a loooong history of the 18th century buildings on this lot.research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/DigitalLibrary/view/index.cfm?doc=ResearchReports%5CRR1265.xml&highlight=
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"Booked the Distillery Tour & Tasting in advance for our stay at The Cavalier. Took us longer to get to Virginia Beach than we expected, so we arrived just as the tour was starting, but they were kind enough to make us feel welcome and that we hadn't missed anything.Tour is just the right length of time. No boring spots. Informative in an entertaining way, and what's not to love about the tasting? We got to try four of their bourbons plus a vodka and a gin. All very good. I surprised Husband with a purchase of the "premium" tasting which included a small pour of another bourbon plus a glass to take home.Since we can't purchase their fine products in NC, needless to say we spent quite a "few" bucks in their shop LOL. In addition to bottles, they have canned "mixed" drinks as well. They also sell hats, and shirts and even a smoker if you want to make your own smoked drinks, which we do. Bourbon lovers, highly recommend this, whether you're staying at the hotel or not."
"St. Luke's may have been built as early as 1632 and is a gorgeous example of an English rural church and has both Gothic & Jacobean features. The interior is a must to tour.A majority of funding is through their on site gift store which is fabulous! The items are eclectic and prices fair. The staff is friendly and ready to assist Tour tickets for the church are obtained in the gift store. Adults are $8, students $5 and 6 and under FREE. If you think the exterior resembles Historic Jamestowne Church your right, but this church may be even older. Most experts now believe the building to have been constructed 50-75 years later than 1632 as originally thought.Once inside you will view the stain glass windows to the rear. The glass was installed in the 1950's during a major renovation. The windows were retrieved from a European church that closely dates St. Luke's. There is also a one of a kind parlor organ from 1600's the foundation purchased in the 1950's from an estate sale. It was later found out a family Norfolk England owned.There is so much more that could be written about the stunning property, but why not discover for yourself. On occasion Episcopal services are held, look for dates on their website, or Facebook page. The trip is not far for anyone in Hampton Roads. I would recommend a visit to see this beautiful piece of local history."
"For quite some time, I've been jealous of larger cities that offer pedal tours. I am so stoked that Norfolk has one. Initially, I was hesitant since I don't spin and haven't ridden a bike since childhood. We had a smaller group (six people) so we did have to pedal more than a tour with a larger group. Overall, it was a decent workout for my out-of-shape thighs, but a fun experience overall. The staff was great, and even provided an assist when we were struggling to pedal! While they do let you play your own music during the tour, we enjoyed NPT's mix as we rode around downtown Norfolk.We did the Brunch Tour, making stops at Brick Anchor for mimosa pitchers, Saltine for brunch and La Brioche for dessert. Because we were on the tour, we were able to eat in a private dining room and take 20 percent off our bill at Saltine.I'll definitely be taking another tour in the near future. Norfolk Pedal Tours is an energizing and exciting way to get to your favorite spots along Granby Street."
"Couldn't be a more friendlier group of water enthusiasts running Rudee inlet Standup Paddle Board. The owner Randy keeps everything mellow and fun. From the basic paddle board lesson to the Sunrise Yoga these folks rock. If you haven't done this before then get out and give it a try. No matter your fitness level (yes even the biggest couch potato can do it...and enjoy it too) it's definitely something to try when you're with such fun and professional folks line these. 5 Stars!"
"The staff at Patriot Tours is fun and amazing. You can watch the Segway instruction video before you go, saving time and also sign the waiver online. We had Mike as our tour guide, and he was awesome! He was filled with fun facts about the history of the area, and very relaxed is showing us how to operate the Segway. Two of us had riden before but two were new, but he had them comfortable in minutes. As an experienced rider my only complaint is that we were in turtle mode (up to 6/7 mph, not the full 11/12). The area is beautiful, and there is ample time to explore Yorktown while on the Segway. Their units are new and they offer both the i2 & X2, we took the history tour, they also offer an hour ride to learn about the Segway and a 90 minute off road tour, which would be fun. Patriot Tours also offers bike and kayaks for rent, I highly recommend and ask for Mike!"
"I booked a cruise with Dream Vacations in Summer of 2017 for an August 2018 itinerary. I picked the company because I was aquatinted with owner Cory. I am an experienced cruiser with eight under my belt and have both used agents and booked on my own. I compare prices and typically find agents can be worth their fee for the value offered. Not all agents bring the same value, so I was thrilled to work with Cory and his wife and give them a try. From the very beginning of researching different cruise lines and itineraries Dream Vacations was on top of it. Typical communication was through email, but I also spoke with owner Cory as well. The research on itineraries, cruise lines and pricing is where a savvy agent makes the difference. The entire process was made easy and Cory also researched transportation options to the port. Prior to departing we received four industrial strength luggage tags with printed off info included that made it hassle free. Pro tip is pack light, one suit case max per passenger. Also in the packet was necessary documentation to board, called boarding documents. If 18 & over plan on obtaining a passport months in advance. Children under 16 may not be necessary, but original birth certificates required. I would recommended passports for traveling 8 and over with a 10 year expiration date.Our family had a great week in the Caribbean on Princess and recommend the line as a great middle to upper line option when cruising. Dream Vacations reviewed all lines and cabin options that fit our budget and they nailed it too! First time cruisers must understand it's necessary to build into the budget transportation, staff tipping excursions and souvenirs. All told the extras do add up, so be prepared. Our chocolate covered strawberries complimentary of Cory was a nice touch during the week. I found it necessary to reach out to Dream Vacations during the trip to receive documentation. It was swiftly handled within an hour. If you are considering a cruise then give Dream Vacations a shot at planning your adventure at sea. I recommend them and have confidence your experience will be as stellar as mine."
"Easy to book easy to learn staff was very helpful informative fun my son Is four and had a ball watching or helping! I will definitely book again"
"Harbor cruises Ms. Hampton II is located in Hampton Virginia the closest navy base tour to Williamsburg. Once aboard a very clean ship you will be able to see famous attractions, breathtaking views, and professional narrators will guide your tour.It is an informative and entertaining harbor cruise. The tour guides bring to light the legend, lore and history behind the worlds largest natural harbor. You'll enter the magnificent Chesapeake Bay. Warships at the Norfolk Naval base highlight the Harbor tour with an in-depth narrative of each and every ship. The tour guide knew every ship that was docked in The harbor that day at the Naval base and gave a complete history of that ship. The ships were amazing to say the least. When you are that's close to them it is truly incredible to see the size of each ship. We were also given a lesson in the type of ship that it was and what it was used for by the Navy. It was a beautiful day and quite sunny on the water. I highly recommend this cruise on a beautiful sunny day."
"What an incredible adventure! This is an experience not to be missed. Our guide did a fabulous job of getting us to where the horses were. We saw 24 of the 99 wild horses in four harems. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the horses individually as well as their habits and how they interacted. I learned a lot about horses. Riding on the beach and in the unpaved areas of OBX was a cool treat on top of seeing the wild horses.There are many excellent wild horse tours to choose from, but trust me, THIS is the one you want to take! Definitely take your camera, the best one you have. Also take a windbreaker of sweater because it gets a little chilly cruising down the beach. Have a blast!"
"Virginia Preservation has done a wonderful job at preserving this plantation. I always try to find history while traveling. The grounds are beautiful and are free to wander around, I actually did take the $9 tour with a guide, the guide explained everything and was very informative. They had another grp before us, but we got to spend enough time in the house. Virginia Preservation members can visit for free.This was a unexpected stop, not on my travel list. We were on our way to Jamestown- Scotland Ferry and saw the sign. Im actually glad I decided to stop and spend a few hrs here. This is a lovely area with lots to do and see in route. Take bug spray you are out in the country. Enjoy!"
"Wow! I absolutely loved my tour. The tour guide was informative and did her best to find the horses. My favorite was the drive along the beach and watching the horses frolicking along the beach. A once in a lifetime experience definitely worth paying for and experiencing. Just book it!"
"Lars was a wonderful tour guide and was very knowledgable. Took his time and answered all our questions. He had a great sense of humor (pointing out the five legged horse) and made the trip very enjoyable. We would suggest this tour for anyone looking for a great time!"
"Amazing. I was so impressed with the view and the great tour guide. The tour guide was so polite and professional, that you don't come across such great people who take pride in what they do."
"One of my favorite things to do in Virginia is tour Colonial Williamsburg. Time stands still as you walk down Duke of Gloucester and see the many actors portraying life in the 1700's. This is a family fun adventure that you will return to. I have been coming to CW for over 30 years. Cannot recommend enough."