Travel to the Virginia Coast – Episode 732

Hear about travel to the Virginia Coast (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Norfolk, Virginia Beach) as we talk to Michelle Rao from The Traveling Chzhed YouTube channel about her area.

Michelle says, “First and foremost, it’s really the birthplace of American History. It’s where the very first [surviving English] settlement was established here in the United States. If you’re really into learning about American history, you need to start where it began. It began at the Jamestown settlement. It was the very first place where people try to establish some routes if you will, before it became the United States, before the Revolutionary War, before George Washington. So it’s really the birthplace of the United States.  It’s really interesting to reflect on how these people overcame so much adversity to establish a community and eventually a country. With Williamsburg, they have the history coming to life. And then Yorktown is really the battlefield for the Revolutionary War.”

Michelle starts us with the historic triad of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown on the James Peninsula before taking us down to Norfolk which is a center for the U.S. Navy today and the Atlantic Fleet, and to Virginia Beach, her home, for a beach vacation.

The original Jamestown settlement is now a private/public partnership with the National Park System. You can see archeological digs that are taking place to learn more about this colony. The original colony was later abandoned as people moved further inland to Williamsburg. 

Williamsburg is an open-air museum filled with reenactors and artisans who will give you a glimpse of what life was like in colonial America. You can watch a blacksmith or musical instrument maker, eat at a pub where George Washington dined, or stand in the Virginia House of Burgesses where Patrick Henry declared himself in favor of the American Revolution with the words, “‘I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Along with Jamestowne, the Yorktown Battlefield is part of Colonial National Historical Park. Here you can learn about the final large battle of the American Revolution when American and French forces besieged the British forces under Lord Cornwallis. Eventually, cut off from resupply and reinforcement by the French Fleet, Cornwallis surrender his troops as his military band played ‘The World Turned Upside Down”.

Nearby these original sites you can also visit the private Jamestown Settlement, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown where you will find more reenactors. Or if you have had your fill of history you can visit Busch Gardens / Water Country USA.

It is a short trip from Yorktown to Norfolk where you can take a tour of the harbor and quite possibly see one or more aircraft carriers that form the heart of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet or the historic USS Wisconsin.

When you’re ready to relax on the beach we head down to Virginia Beach. Things to do in Virginia Beach include beach time, arts in the Vibe district, and a tour to see the local dolphins. 

Along the way, Michelle points out some places to eat, shop, or just get a good cup of Bad Ass coffee.

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 Sponsors

This episode is also sponsored by Skylight Frame which is an easy-to-use smart frame. Get it for mom for mother’s day and the whole family can keep it updated with new photos just by sending an email. Get $10 by going to skylightframe.com and using the code traveler.

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Show Notes

The Traveling Chzhed
Roanoke Colony
Historic Jamestowne
Colonial Williamsburg
Yorktown Battlefield
Travel to St. Augustine, Florida – Episode 302
Norfolk, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Pocahontas
Give me liberty, or give me death!
College of William and Mary
William III of England
King’s Arms Tavern
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
Jamestown Settlement, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Busch Gardens / Water Country USA
Yankee Candle
Williamsburg Pottery
Hampton Road Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project
USS Wisconsin (BB-64)
Virginia Beach, Virginia
ViBe Creative District
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
Top Virginia Beach Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
Captain George’s Seafood Buffet
Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Virginia Beach Orange Crush
Chix on the Beach
The Shack
Bad Ass Coffee
Java Surf Cafe
Three Ships Coffee
Something in the Water
Mural Festival – ViBe Creative District

Community

Kirby says:

Love your work. Just got back from Savannah (after listening to your episode). Asheville, Charleston, and even WV queued up (based on your episodes).

Hi Chris,

It was really interesting listening to your podcast about Egypt! My mom is Egyptian and I’ve been to Egypt many times (including the time that I used to live there for a few years as a child), but I have yet to visit those other places mentioned outside of Cairo. One day soon I’ll go back and make a detour to visit those places while I visit my mom…that includes Alexandria!

By the way, Sally touched on the scams that can go on there involving tourists. I’d like to add a warning about the taxis, as well. Taxi drivers tend to overcharge tourists and foreigners, so I would haggle with them until you get to a price you can agree on. That goes for anything else, too, such as merchants in Khan-el-Khalili. Basically, don’t be so quick to pay for things…unlike here in the States, you have the ability to haggle prices down! However, now it might be better with services like Uber.

Great show, by the way! I love your podcasts!

Rola

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