I must confess to forgetting Williamsburg is there, a mere hour away. With that off my chest, it was Daddy Mac’s idea to head there for the afternoon yesterday, and it was a dang good one. I must further confess that when I do think of Williamsburg, usually just the outlets come to mind and what I need to return there from my last trek.
In my BS (Before Sam) days (daze?), I’d been known to go to Williamsburg and not go anywhere else BUT the outlets. Well, with my guilty secrets exposed, yesterday was a big switcheroo. It was like a whole new place, which I guess it was, new to me anyway.
After a fantastic BBQ lunch at Pierce’s, we started off the afternoon at a shopping area aptly called “New Town,” ironically enough. It is located off Monticello Road from the Lightfoot exit on 64. If you haven’t been there yet, by all means go, go, go!!! It reminded me of both Georgetown and Old Town, while having its own serene Williamsburg flair. What a masterpiece! In case you are wondering, the website is www.newtownwilliamsburg.com
In the retail area which is gorgeous, they had lots of the familiar retail fare, but it seemed so much better in that genteel setting. Everything seemed better somehow. Plus some of my favorite stores were all within twenty feet of each other — B & N, Old Navy, Chicos, Ann Taylor Loft, and Christopher & Banks to name a few. The convenience is a dangerous proposition so it’s probably a good thing for the pocketbook that New Town is an hour away. Plus they have Maggie Moo’s ice cream which is my favorite, as well as a cozy-looking bar with pool tables, and a brand-new movie theatre. Drop me off for a week, and I’d be just fine, broke but well dressed, well read, a great pool player, and full of ice cream. As I said, I’d be just fine.
Then we were off for the main feature. No, it was not the outlets this time, but the real deal, Colonial Williamsburg! As the three of us ambled along Duke of Gloucester Street, we followed the drumbeat looking for colonial soldiers, albeit unsuccessfully. In those peaceful moments that are so few and far between with a three-year-old in tow, I thought to myself, “Wow! I really am a parent!” Walking along DOG Street was one of the activities I had always envisioned doing as a parent, although I suspect if we had a daughter we probably wouldn’t have been so intent on tracking down the militia.
We got some delicious apple cider, and Sam got a huge kick out of the stockade, which Daddy Mac dubbed the “ultimate time-out.” As far as I know, Fisher Price doesn’t make any toy stockades — not yet anyway. We were in awe of the cool toys at the Toymaker of Williamsburg. Even their Playmobil figures seemed superior.
And before we knew it, we were ready to head back to reality land in Richmond. Of course we had to stop off at the Cheese Shop and stock up on some fabulous cheeses for dinner when we got home. Once again, they were almost too good to be true, sublime. Ah, Williamsburg, there is far more to you than just the outlets!
LibbY