From Elizabeth Arneson,
Your Guide to Bed & Breakfasts.
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Williamsburg and its sister cities of Jamestown and Yorktown are an American history lover's paradise.

Tours, plays, reenactments, concerts, lectures, exhibits and other special programs enable visitors to experience what life was like in 1607 Jamestown, site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World; in 1699 Williamsburg, capital of the Virginia colony until 1780; and in 1781 Yorktown, location of the final surrender of the British to the Americans during the Revolutionary War.

The historic areas become even more magnificent during the Christmas season, with events such as the fireworks and candlelighting of the Grand Illumination; tours focusing on private homes, Colonial traditions and Christmas decorations; 18th-century musical performances; and holiday dinners.

To explore the manor estates of early Virginian aristocrats and US presidents, take a drive along scenic Virginia Route 5 in Charles City County and tour the James River Plantations. A few of these National Register properties offer bed and breakfast accommodations.

For those looking for a respite from Colonial times, the theme parks Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are just a few miles from Colonial Williamsburg. There are also a number of championship golf courses and shopping venues.

There are many bed and breakfasts within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg; for visitors who don't mind a short drive, the outlying areas yield several enticing lodging opportunities. All of the inns listed serve a full breakfast, except as noted.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

Colonial Houses
For visitors who wish to maximize their time in the historic area, Colonial Williamsburg offers 28 guest houses, which vary in size from one room within a tavern and to an inn with 16 rooms. Guests will find their accommodations furnished with period reproductions and antiques and can choose from two twins, a double or a queen bed. Breakfast is not included.

NORTH OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

Aldrich House Bed and Breakfast
Built in 1986 with a Colonial saltbox design, the Aldrich House features 18th-century decor and is located on Capitol Court, a couple blocks beyond the northeast edge of Colonial Williamsburg. There are three guest rooms: a first-floor room with king bed and whirlpool tub and two second-floor rooms, one with two king beds and a fireplace and the other with a queen bed. During our stay in the first-floor room, my husband and I appreciated the beautiful and comfortable bed, the spacious bath with double sinks, and the walk-in closet. Breakfast was delicious, the neighborhood was quiet yet convenient to major roads, the Pattons were accommodating and knowledgeable (Tom is a licensed tour guide), and resident cat K.C. was a delight.

Fox & Grape Bed and Breakfast
Antiques, counted cross-stitch, quilts and folk art adorn the four queen-bed guest rooms of this two-story Colonial with wrap-around porch. The Fox & Grape is situated on Monumental Avenue, five blocks north of the historic area.

Governor's Trace Bed and Breakfast
Guests of Governor's Trace, a home built during the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, can select from two queen-bed rooms (one with a private screened-in porch) and a king-bed room with a fireplace and private screened-in porch. This Capitol Landing Road B&B, just steps north of Colonial Williamsburg, offers several packages, including tickets for Colonial Williamsburg, a Williamsburg Winery tour and a ghost tour.

Lavender Sea Bed and Breakfast
A couple blocks north of Colonial Williamsburg on Capitol Landing Road, the 1938 Lavender Sea provides one guest room with queen and twin beds, antiques and art.

War Hill Inn
Set on 32 acres with a working farm, orchard, vineyard, forests and gardens, the War Hill Inn provides antique furnishings and Colonial-era style in its three guest rooms and one 2-bedroom suite, all found in the 1968 manor house, as well as two cottages. The 1990 Washington Cottage, a reproduction of a Colonial kitchen, contains two bedrooms, a fireplace, whirlpool and refrigerator; the 2000 Jefferson Cottage, a reproduction Colonial law office, has a fireplace, whirlpool and kitchenette. This inn is situated on Long Hill Road, less than 5 miles northwest of Colonial Williamsburg.