THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 1996 TAG: 9608200014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 41 lines
Recently, my wife and I decided to get away for a couple of days with our two daughters. We knew we had limited time, so traveling far was out of the question. Living in northeast North Carolina, we go to the beach all the time, but we wanted more of a history lesson for the kids, since both would be in school in the upcoming year. We decided to travel to Williamsburg. This had what we thought we wanted - locality, history, entertainment (Busch Gardens) and a little more-laid-back atmosphere.
Our first stop was just across the Jamestown Ferry at historic Jamestown. There we knew the children would get to see how the first settlers lived and co-habitated with the natives.
Much to our surprise, there was not only a cost just to tour the park, but the cost was almost $20 per person. The child's price was slightly lower, but this was still outrageous.
My wife and I tossed this setback aside and continued on. Next stop, Colonial Williamsburg. Surprise No. 2 was the cost per person to tour Williamsburg: $25 was the basic price. I inquired as to what this included. I was told that you could walk through Colonial Williamsburg as you please with no pass, and of course you could enter any retail shop to spend more money, but to enter any of the historic homes or sights, such as the Governor's Mansion or the Arsenal, you better have your pass.
This was frustrating, not so much to me, but think of all the adults and children alike who would like to visit a piece of history but cannot afford such a luxury.
Our third and final stop was Busch Gardens - need I say more? But I was prepared for that one. I knew ahead what the cost would be and even had coupons to save some money.
The bottom line: if you are planning a history vacation or a family outing to Williamsburg, you better have just won the lottery or taken a second mortgage. In the future, the financial problems of one city will not burden us when it comes to traveling.
BRIAN R. HEDSPETH
Como, N.C., Aug. 12, 1996 by CNB