If Virginia is for lovers, there’s no other spot in the Commonwealth more romantic than Williamsburg!

This quaint town takes you out of the bustle of your everyday routine to a time when the politics were exciting, but the living was simple.  Strolling through Williamsburg’s historic area, with its endless variety of fenced  gardens (all open to the public),and the clean lines of Southern Virginia architecture, you can easily slip into a mode of separation from reality.

Everything in the historic area is a wake up call to the senses.  The fragrance from the gardens, the smell of wood smoke from the wood burning fireplaces, the sounds of craftsmen hammering, and laborers singing all work together to create a sensory experience that you’ll never forget.

Want more than history?  Shopping is queen here!  Downtown, Merchants’ Square is home to over 50 unique shops and restaurants in what is arguably the most attractive shopping district on the East Coast.  Men’s and Ladies’ boutiques, specialty shops featuring silver, pewter, cosmetics, folk art, home accessories, and American craftsman treasures are just a smattering of the richness of what you will find here.

A short drive from town are the outlets - more than you can imagine!  Prime Outlets are the second largest in Virginia.  There is hardly anything that you can not find here!

For those who like the outdoors, Williamsburg is a bike friendly town.  The streets in the historic area are closed to motor traffic, and the town has extensive bike lanes leading to the Colonial Parkway and the city’s Waller Mill Park.

The Colonial Parkway extends thirteen miles from Williamsburg to Yorktown, site of the surrender of the British to General Washington.  The parkway runs along the York River with many scenic pull offs for resting or taking a picnic.  At Yorktown, you can bike or drive around the battlefields, and have a relaxing afternoon on the Yorktown Riverwalk, which boasts shops, restaurants and beautiful waterfront beach.  The York River is great for swimming, sunning and fishing, and there is a charter sunset cruise available through  Yorktown Sailing Charters (http://www.schooneralliance.com/).

Going West on the Colonial Parkway, it is ten miles from Williamsburg to Jamestown, site of the first permanent English settlement in America (1607).  Jamestown Island, the site of the ongoing archaeology dig revealing the remnants of the first fort, sits on the edge of the James River.  The Jamestown Settlement Park, with reproductions of the three ships, Indian lodges and the fort, also boasts a beautiful new museum of 17th century colonial history.  If you are drawn to the water, the Jamestown Ferry, part of the Virginia highway system, is a great way to traverse the James River for free.  You will never seen a sunset any where in the world more beautiful than on the James River!

Waller Mill Park offers kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the city’s 3 acre reservoir.

Williamsburg is also home to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.  Both are top rated parks with something for all ages. The water park is not just for the fun of those wild slides!  The mile long lazy river is a great way to relax and share a cool retreat from the heat of summer. Busch Gardens has consistently been rated the most beautiful amusement park in America.  In a rolling woodland setting, there are rides, fantastic roller coasters and specialty shopping.  The daily shows in the park are supplemented throughout the season with Top Name entertainers making this one of the best evening venues around.

A great vacation always includes fantastic food!  The variety of restaurants in Williamsburg would make one think you were in a great metropolis.  The Colonial Williamsburg taverns offer dining in the 18th century style, with strolling musicians and unique dishes served in rooms lit only by candlelight.  For a special occasion, the Regency Room at the Williamsburg Inn offers five star dining in an old world atmosphere.  Some of the best restaurants in town are within the Merchants Square area.

The Fat Canary will serve up a special desert with a personalized menu honoring your occasion.  If you like to be entertained while you eat, A Chef’s Kitchen is classroom dining for twenty-four.  Chef John Gonzales, a Williamsburg native, cooks the meal in front of you in a warmly intimate dining room.  Guests enjoy five courses pared with four wines for a fantastically memorable  meal you will be talking about for years to come.  For fine bistro dining we recommend The Blue Talon and The Trellis.  For seafood, the best in town is Berrett’s.  Each of these privately owned restaurants offers fine dining in an upscale but relaxed atmosphere.  They all also offer al fresco dining, which has its own special ambiance.

What  would be a more special experience to share with your partner than a couples’ massage.  The Spa at Colonial Williamsburg offers Day Packages with side by side massage (when requested at the time you reserve).  Follow your massage with a manicure and facial, or a workout in the fitness center.

Other evening venues include the popular ghost tours, which take guests through parts of the historic area by candlelight.  The Colonial Williamsburg evening programs offer a number of opportunities ranging from a romantic candlelight concert in the Governor’s Palace to the recreation of a documented Witch Trial and so much more!

Williamsburg is a great arts center.  There are open air art shows throughout the year, the most notable being An Occasion for the Arts, always on the first Sunday in October.  This fabulous fall day includes static as well as performing arts and is celebrating its 40th year this fall.

The College of William and Mary offers an ongoing theater and concert series, and is home every summer to the Virginia Shakespeare Festival.

Williamsburg is easily accessible by car, plane or train.  The Amtrak station is just two blocks from downtown.  The closest airport is Williamsburg - Newport News Airport, just fourteen miles away.  The next closest is Richmond, and for international travelers, many fly into Reagan National, just south of Washington D.C.

With so much to do, many visitors plan to stay a number of days.  Others just want a quick getaway for a great meal and a night out of town.  Many guests purchase the annual pass for Colonial Williamsburg and come for short stays in various seasons!

Whatever your passion, our boutique hotel, The Fife & Drum Inn, is the perfect venue for couples!  We are the only downtown lodging in Williamsburg, located on the north side of Merchants’ Square.  Step out our door to dining, shopping, or a stroll down the most famous street in America.  One block to the left is the Historic  area of Colonial Williamsburg.  Across the street is the College of William & Mary.

Billy and Sharon, your hosts, along with Rhonda and Connie, are available daily to take care of your needs and offer direction on things to do.  The scrumptious breakfast buffet will get you off to a great start each day.  The nine rooms and suites, as well as the cottage offer a convenient respite during the day.  Decorated in  colonial style with a modern twist, each room has its own bath, TV and wonderful “back care” mattresses.  Free wireless Internet is available throughout the inn.  Clean and comfortable, the inn has been rated “Best B & B in Williamsburg”.

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