Local Information 

The College of William and Mary Elderhostel is located in the historic city of Williamsburg, capital of colonial Virginia and home of the College of William and Mary. Williamsburg  is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., midway between Richmond and Norfolk on I-64. 

Williamsburg is a delightful small city (population 15,000) in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Situated between the James and York rivers, Williamsburg is an ideal location from which to visit a host of historic sites: Colonial Williamsburg, the world-famous restored 18th-century capital of Virginia; Jamestown, site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World; and Yorktown, where George Washington's victory secured American independence. (Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown comprise what is known as the "Historic Triangle.") Contemporary attractions like Busch Gardens, Water Country, and a multitude of shopping venues give the area wide appeal. 

This year (2007), the Historic Triangle area of Virginia is focused on the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. Check out our Jamestown programs on the Programs page!

The College of William and Mary

The College of William and Mary in Virginia, founded in 1693, is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Over the past three centuries the College has distinguished itself as the "Alma Mater of a Nation," producing four Presidents, sixteen members of the Continental Congress, four signers of the Declaration of Independence, and four justices of the Supreme Court. 
 
Originally the College consisted of three buildings: the Main, or Sir Christopher Wren, Building (shown in an aerial view above); the Brafferton; and the President's House. These structures, which form a triangle in the College yard, have been restored to their original 18th-century appearance through the combined efforts of the College, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. 

Today the College is a moderately-sized, residential, state university. Considered a "Public Ivy," it is among the most selective public universities in the United States. William and Mary draws two-thirds of its 5,700 undergraduates from the Commonwealth of Virginia, although all 50 states and 72 foreign countries are also represented in the student body. The highly regarded Schools of Law, Business, Education, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science augment the College's offerings and enroll an additional 2000 graduate students. 
 
Getting Around

Aside from a private automobile, you can also get around the Williamsburg area by taxi, rental car, or public bus.

Rental car suggestions:

• Enterprise - 1-800-325-8007
• Hertz - 1-800-654-3131
• Avis - 1-800-831-2847
• Alamo - 1-800-327-9633
• Colonial Rent-a-Car - 1-800-899-2271 (located at the train station)

Taxi companies:

• Williamsburg Limousine Inc. - (757) 877-0279
• Yellow Cab - (757) 722-1111
• Williamsburg Taxi Service - (757) 221-0004

Williamsburg Area Transport bus service: (757) 259-4093

WAT operates Monday through Saturday, 6:00 am to 10:00 pm during peak summer months, and 6:00 am to 8:00 pm during the off-peak season. Fare is $1.25 for one-way, plus 25 cents to transfer from another line. Maximum one-way trip costs $1.25. Persons who are 60 and over, or disabled with a Medicaid card can ride Transit's Fixed-Route at a half fare of $0.50. Exact fare only accepted, drivers cannot make change.

WAT bus routes cover major area attractions, including Colonial Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary, Busch Gardens, and Prime Outlets shopping center. Numerous hotels, including all Elderhostel hotels, are also on the bus lines.

Visit http://www.williamsburgtransport.com for more information on bus routes.

NOTE: With a Colonial Williamsburg ticket, you receive unlimited rides on the Colonial Williamsburg shuttle bus, which stops at various points in the historic area and at the CW Visitor Center, where there is ample parking. From April through October, Colonial Williamsburg also operates the Historic Triangle Shuttle, which provides transportation between the CW Visitor Center and Jamestown and Yorktown. However, during free time Elderhostelers are responsible for getting themselves to the historic area or Visitor Center to take advantage of these shuttles.

Maps

Maps of historic Colonial Williamsburg and of greater Williamsburg can be downloaded from Colonial Williamsburg's web site. Click here and look under the "Learn More" box on the left side of the page.

Weather 

The weather in the Williamsburg area is temperate year-round. In December, January and February average high temperatures are in the high 40's and low 50's Fahrenheit, with average lows in the mid-30's. Snow has been rare in recent Winters. In mid-summer average temperatures rise to the mid-80's, with lows in the high 60's and 70's. In Spring and Fall the weather is delightful, with average highs in the 70's and high 60's, and lows in the high 50's. 

Medical 

Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital serves the city and surrounding areas and has 24-hour Emergency Services. The telephone number is (757) 259-6000.  First Med, a facility for quick treatment of general medical needs, is located near our hotels at 312 Second Street, (757) 229-4141. No appointment is needed. 

Restaurants

Looking for restaurant ideas for your stay in Williamsburg before or after an Elderhostel program? Williamsburg offers a mind-boggling number of choices when it comes to restaurants. About two miles west of central Williamsburg, on Richmond Road (Route 60), you will find "restaurant row", including many familiar chain restaurants. For something unique, however, here are some of our local favorites.

Berret's Seafood Restaurant - 199 S. Boundary St., 757-253-1847. $$$
Carrot Tree - 1782 Jamestown Rd., 757-229-0957. Breakfast/lunch/bakery. $
Cheese Shop - Merchant's Square, 757-220-0298. Take-out sandwiches. $
Cities Grille - 4511C John Tyler Hwy., 757-564-3955. Contemporary American. $$$
College Delly - 336 Richmond Rd., 757-229-6627. Subs/salads. $
Emerald Thai Cuisine - 264G McLaws Circle, 757-645-2511. $$
Friends Cafe - 603 Prince George St., 757-645-3100. Sandwiches/salads. $
Gabriel Archer Tavern - at the Williamsburg Winery, 757-229-0999. $$
Giuseppe's - 5601 Richmond Rd., Ewell Station Ctr., 757-565-1977. Italian. $$
La Tolteca - 135 Second St., 757-259-0598. Mexican. $
Le Yaca - 1915 Pocahontas Tr., Village Shops-Kingsmill, 757-220-3616. French. $$$
Nawab Indian Cuisine - 204 Monticello Ave., Monticello Shop.Ctr., 757-565-3200. $$
Old Chickahominy House - 1211 Jamestown Rd., 757-229-4689. Breakfast/lunch. $
Sal's by Victor - 1242 Richmond Rd., Wmsbrg Shop. Ctr., 757-220-2641. Italian. $$
2nd Street Bistro - 140 Second St., 757-220-2286. $$
Trellis Restaurant - Merchant's Square, 757-229-8610. Gourmet. $$$
Whitehall Restaurant- 1325 Jamestown Rd., 757-229-4663. European. $$$

Beyond Williamsburg:
Indian Fields Tavern - Rt. 5, Charles City, 804-829-5004. Near James River plantations. $$
Rivers Inn Restaurant - 8109 Yacht Haven Dr., Gloucester Pt., 804-642-9942. $$$
Seawell's Ordinary - George Washington Mem. Hwy., Gloucester, 804-642-3635. Historic tavern. $$

Entree Prices (Dinner): $ = less than $10 • $$ = $10-18 • $$$ = $18 and up
Lunch prices tend to be lower. Reservations recommended for restaurants marked $$$.

Local Attractions/Links of Interest

The College of William and Mary
Colonial Williamsburg
City of Williamsburg
Virginia Tourism
Williamsburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Williamsburg Pottery Factory
Williamsburg Winery
Historic Jamestowne (APVA site)
Historic Jamestowne Island National Park
Jamestown Settlement
Jamestown 2007 Commemoration
Busch Gardens
Riverwalk Landing at Yorktown
James River Plantations
Historic Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield
The Mariners' Museum