‘Tis the season for holiday decorations. From the most outrageous light displays to the basic red bows and candles I look forward to seeing them all. We’ll pack the kids in the car and drive for hours visiting all the homemade displays in our area. The creativity, or maybe OCD, on display during this time of year can’t be matched. I wouldn’t want to miss any of it. If there wasn’t YouTube, what other time of the year would we get to see a light display that flashes in time with Christmas techno music?

To the other extreme, there are many displays that take a much more organic approach to the holidays. The best example of this may be at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Along with Jamestown and Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg is one of three locations in the historic triangle that attempts to preserve the past by living in it. While not a true representation of a Colonial Era Christmas, Williamsburg offers a beautiful and unique display of natural decorations that are sure to catch your eye.

Williamsburg offers many seasonal programs that will capture the attention of every member of the family. You can take in a musical performance designed for children, dine with George Washington, or enjoy a candlelit ghost tour.You can get more information on these and other events in the Holiday Planner.

At $37 for adults and $18 for children over six, general admission to Colonial Williamsburg can be a bit steep for a family visit. However, many local hotels offer reduced rates passes and there are many vacations packages to choose from.

Photo Credits: Restroom sign photo from the public domain. Wreath photo derived from original photo by Tonamel

Bordered by Quantico Marine Base, Prince William Forest Park is a national park located 35 miles south of Washington D.C. near Triangle, Virginia. Most people zoom by and never notice the 15,000+ acres of eastern Piedmont forest, 37 miles of hiking trails, and 21 miles of bicycling roads. I’d feel sorry for them if I wasn’t busy enjoying the solitude. So let’s not tell them.

Located near many historical and local attractions Prince William Forest Park offers rustic cabins, RV hookups, and both front and backcountry campground locations. With a $5 park entrance fee and a $15 fee for frontcountry, cabin and RV sites, this is an option for inexpensive lodging. If you’re roughing it, a backcountry camping permit must be obtained free of charge from the visitors center. All sites and permits are available on a first come first serve basis.

The trails at the park are well maintained and easy to navigate. This is a good starter location for young children and new hikers. The rangers at the visitors center can help you find a circuit that right for your group. Leashed pets are also allowed on the trails.

The majority of the South Valley trails will take you along Quantico creek and it is one of our favorites. It has interesting locations to sit and rest or have a picnic. The smallest hikers will appreciate using the many foot bridges for a game of pooh sticks or entertaining Daddy while enjoying some juice. There are plenty of opportunities for “rock climbing” as well.

If you’d like to make your walk in the woods educational be sure to stop at the visitor center to look at the displays and pick up a few brochures. You can also get information about letterboxing and the Junior Rangers. A great stop for adults and children alike is the reclaimed pyrite mine. There are dramatic before and after pictures at the site. It’s also fun to walk along Quantico Creek and see the fairy dust (pyrite compounds) sparkling in the sand.

Food is not sold at the park so you will need to bring your own snacks and drinks. It is also a trash free park so you must leave with everything you came in with. Don’t forget extra trash bags for the leftover drink containers or the little extras left by the family dog.

All Photos by Sherry Roberts

After a “new stay-at-home mom, anything to get me out of this house” visit to the pumpkin patch in the fall of 1999, an annual trip to Belvedere Plantation has become a family tradition. Built in the 1760’s, Belvedere is a 645-acre working farm about 17 miles outside of Fredericksburg, VA. Don’t let the proximity to I-95 fool you, when you get to the farm you will be in the country. I’m talking parking in the grass, dusty dirt road, overall wearing, campfire country. You’ll know you’re there when you see the caterpillar made from hay bales.

Over the years Belvedere Plantation has added many new activities and attractions. The corn maze was added several years back. Huge slides and pumpkin cannons are also a part of the fun. There is so much to do that I recommend planning a full day for a visit. You won’t get bored, but you might get tired. Don’t worry, they serve refreshments and have plenty of hay bales to sit on if you need to rest. Port-a-potties, much nicer than this one, and a hand-washing station are also on site. Outside refreshments are not allowed and the concessions are a bit pricey, but not over the top. Same day re-admission is allowed so you can always pack a picnic lunch. They have picnic tables near the front entrance.

The one thing I appreciate most about a family trip to Belvedere Plantation is that it is truly a family friendly place. Every activity for the older children and adults has a children’s activity nearby. Zips lines come in four different sizes, including mini zip-lines with baby seats. The corn maze has three different levels of difficulty and the big pedal cart track has a smaller track right beside it. Instead of dividing up the family and shooing the little ones off to the kiddies section everyone gets to play together. And play you will.

When you go be sure to wear your jeans and sneakers. You’ll be swinging from ropes in a hay barn and sitting on straw bleachers at a pig race. This is not the place for dress pants or high-heel sandals. If you have a straw hat, you won’t feel out of place. You’ll fit right in.
Admission:
$14 per person (2 and under admitted free)

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces with valid ID – $12

Seniors (65 young years and over) – $12

Note: Discount coupons can be printed from the website or you can get $2 off Farm Admission with a non-perishable food item donation. Last year they collected 4-1/2 tons of food for the Fredericksburg Area Food bank.

Accessibility: With the exception of the corn maze, the farm is stroller and wheel chair accessible. The paths are dirt and gravel and can be a little bumpy but they are well maintained. As with all the staff I encountered, the hayride operators are friendly and helpful with special needs riders.

Photo Credits: All photos by Sherry Roberts