Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, VA

If you've ever seen a viewing of Disney's Pocahontas or the 2005 film The New World, then you already have a visual of  Jamestown, Virginia in the 17th Century. But neither movie nor history book can replace an in-person visit to the town that was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas: “In 1607, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, a group of 104 English men and boys began a settlement on the banks of Virginia's James River. They were sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, whose stockholders hoped to make a profit from the resources of the New World.” Williamsburg, Va's Jamestown Settlement allows for the opportunity to experience the original colony portrayed through gallery exhibits, introductory films, replica ships, and re-creations of a colonial fort and a Powhatan village. “Make the most of your visit to Jamestown Settlement with daily demonstrations and optional guided tours.Throughout the day, visitors can see demonstrations of matchlock musket-firing, leatherworking, woodworking and blacksmithing in the fort, cooking and tool-making in the Powhatan Indian village, and cargo handling at the ships’ pier. Optional guided tours of the outdoor areas are offered at 10 and 11 a.m. and 12, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Artillery demonstrations are held daily at 11 a.m. on the ships' pier, 2:45 p.m. in the riverfront discovery area, and at 4:15 p.m. in the re-created fort.” - History is Fun (NOTE: Thank you to the individual who pointed out that Jamestown Settlement is an educational opportunity and is not to be confused with the site of the original colony. For more information about the original site, Historic Jamestowne, click here.)   BBAV Lodging: A Boxwood Inn of Williamsburg A Williamsburg White House Bentley Manor Inn Colonial Capital B&B Magnolia Manor Newport House B&B Liberty Rose B&B Marl Inn B&B York River Inn B&B   By Tara Stoll