In Williamsburg, it’s commonplace to
come across a woman grocery shopping wearing a bonnet. Virginia's former
capital has many historical re-enactors eager to share its colonial past. The
southern town also showcases a bit of English Catholic history via the small National
Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
The original Our Lady of Walsingham shrine
was built in England in 1061 when a pious woman said she received a vision from
Mary asking her to build a replica of the house where the Annunciation
occurred. That memorial was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538, but centuries
later, devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham reignited. In 1941, the pastor of St.
Bede Church in Williamsburg decided to name the chapel for the students of the
College of William and Mary after her. After fulfilling the usual conditions,
today pilgrims to the picturesque chapel can receive a plenary indulgence.
There’s plenty to see and do in
Williamsburg. Stroll down the bustling Duke of Gloucester Street,
affectionately known as Dog Street, and step into Colonial Williamsburg. Be
sure to see the courthouse, the Capitol and the beautiful gardens behind the
governor's mansion. Complete the historic trifecta by visiting nearby
Jamestown, home of the 17th-century British colony, and Yorktown, the site of
the final battle of the American Revolution.
It’s a quick walk across Confusion
Corner, a notoriously tricky intersection, from Colonial Williamsburg to William
and Mary’s campus. Visitors will first see the Wren Building, the oldest
academic building continuously in use in the country. Ahead are the Sunken
Gardens, a grassy space surrounded by brick buildings. Behind the trees lies
the Crim Dell. Seniors triumphantly walk across a bridge over the dell on their
graduation day, and local lore says that if you kiss your sweetheart on the
bridge, you’ll be together forever.
Chain restaurants line Richmond Road,
but if you’re looking for local fare, try Sal’s by Victor, an Italian
restaurant, the Blue Talon Bistro, Food for Thought or Aroma’s for coffee and a
sandwich. Bookworms can stop by Mermaid Books next door. Breakfast places such
as Astronomical Pancake and Waffle House abound, so there’s plenty of choices
for after-Mass brunch. Late at night, you’ll find the college kids at Wawa or
Cookout.
When you’re done exploring the history,
the European-themed Busch Gardens touts itself as the world’s most beautiful
amusement park. It’s worth the trip even for non-coaster riders. Water Country
USA can cool down toasty Williamsburg summers. For those who seek the thrill of
the buy, the outlets are waiting.