This past weekend, we stepped out of 2011 and time-traveled back to the genesis of our country.

We began at the Jamestown Settlement - a hands-on living museum that is an excellent choice for small children. Our girls (ages 2 & 4) were able to explore an indian village, climb board ships, try on armor, grind corn, see a canoe being built, and interact with a variety of costumed storytellers.

I highly recommend starting your visit with the film at the visitor’s center – 1607: A Nation Takes Root. It’s very well-done and gives an excellent overview of the dates and faces behind the story.

After a day outdoors in the heavy June weather, we settled in at the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. The spacious suite-style rooms are wilderness-themed and the resort itself is a huge attraction. There’s an expansive indoor waterpark, a kids play area, and an evening bedtime story. We would have taken more photos there, but we were having way too much fun!

The next morning, we headed to Colonial Williamsburg. It is more expansive than Jamestown, but not quite as interactive for little ones. If your kids are under five, I recommend walking around sans tickets. If, however, your kids are older and enjoy history, the ticketed areas provide an inside glimpse into life in Williamsburg in the 18th century. The Wigmaker and the Tailor were particularly enchanting. The afternoon re-enactments were the most exciting part of our day. Benedict Arnold and his soldiers gave such outstanding performances that we had to keep reminding our girls that they were “just pretend.”

Final conclusion? Williamsburg is a super fun vacation spot for history buffs and families. I’d like to come back again someday for a formal photo walk!

Have you every been to Williamsburg? What did you like/not like about it?

* Special thanks to Visit Williamsburg for providing our 1-night hotel stay and passes for area attractions.