Williamsburg and Jamestown and the Elderly

[jgirvine Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jgirvine]

Ok, need some advice. I am taking my parents ages 81 and 83 to Virginia in May. I got a "I want to see the Marine Corps museum before I die" from my Dad. I was tempted to ask him if I refused to take him if he would stay around longer, but I am a good southern daughter and let the guilt get too me so here we go. We are staying for 4 nights in a Williamsburg Timeshare. One day we will drive up towards Washington to see the Marine Museum. The question is what do we do the other 2 days. My Mom is very mobile, but my Dad is not. He walks, very slowly with a cane and can not go great distances. What would be everyone suggestions as to what to take them to and show them without wearing them out? Oh, my Mom's request is to see Jamestown. There seems to be 2 Jamestown attrations, Historic Jamestown and Jamestown Settlement...which should we go to? Does anyting have bus tours, or golf carts or anything. I welcome all help and assistance.
Thanks

[wandering gnome Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wandering gnome]

How does your Dad feel about riding in a wheelchair? Most museums have them available for their patrons. I have used the wheelchairs at attractions with a friend who has cerebral palsy and my Mom after surgery. Both commented that it allowed them to relax and not be fatigued or keeping up with the group (plus it saves the inconvenience of renting and hauling one). I would call ahead and see if they are available. For my mother, we had to adjust the leg rests to the appropriate length, but the maintenance dept. was able to do this with a standard wrench. Motorized scooters my be available at Jamestown.

[jgirvine Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jgirvine]

I have already checked with my Dad about a Wheelchair at the Marine Museum and he was all for that....it was more Williamsburg, or Yorktown or Jamestown that I was worried it would not be feasible????????

Anyone been there with someone who needed wheelchair, or motorized transportation?

Thanks.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Both Jamestown and Yorktown museums are handicap accessible.

Since you will be visiting Northern Virginia please visit the Vietnam Wall Memorial and the Tomb of The Unkown Soldier. Very touching !!!

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Historic Jamestown and the Settlement are both great! One is in the National Park system and the other is a state park. We really enjoyed both. Also, if you're interested in history, drive the trails at Georgetown. There are plaques throughout the park telling the story of the battle and shows the locations of the encampments.

We really enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg. We had no trouble filling up most of a week. May I suggest that you get an annual pass for Colonial Williamsburg? It got us into all the public buildings there, all programs were free with the pass, both day and night, but you need to request tickets, and we even got a tour of their headquarters and research library.

My husband didn't realize how much he enjoyed history until I started dragging him around to historic places.

I'm glad you father agreed to a wheel chair. My mother was very resistant to trying one, but this Christmas, my sister and I decided to shuttle her from Delaware to my house near Boston by plane. We had wheel chair service at the airport and I borrowed one to pick her up. We brought her into the city to see the Boston Pops and she's still talking about what a good time she had and how she was glad she didn't slow us up because she was able to move at our speed. For an elderly person in a wheelchair (with someone to push it) the world expands, rather than contracts. Now instead of telling us why she can't do things, she's thinking maybe she can!

Sue

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Have wheels

By all means, for the enjoyment of all, wheel him along.
Yorktown and Jamestown are a lot of walking as well as Old Williamsburg.

You didn't mention if you were driving. Might I suggest visiting the Marine Museum on your way down. Let him do what he wishes first.

Get the Golden Age Passport for use within the National Park Service system.
If you are coming for the Jamestown Anniversary weekend, it may not be good for that. Check into it.

The Beginning and End of English Colonial America

It began on the swampy marshes of Jamestown in 1607. It ended on the battle-scarred landscape of Yorktown in 1781. It was one hundred and seventy-four years of hope, frustration, adventure, discovery, growth, and development that saw a lonely settlement of 104 men and boys grow into a nation of 13 colonies of 3 million people, of many races and many beliefs. Jamestown and Yorktown mark the beginning and end of English Colonial America.

Cape Henry Memorial
Cape Henry Memorial is one unit of Colonial National Historical Park. This quarter acre site marks the approximate site of the first landing of the Jamestown settlers in Virginia. It also over looks the scene where the Battle of the Capes took place, the sea battle, which would lead to the final major battle of the Revolutionary War with the surrender of the British at Yorktown.

Historic Jamestowne
Historic Jamestowne is a place of many beginnings, many first. It was the beginning of England's successful colonization of America with the first Permanent English Colony. It was the first seat of English government in Virginia, the place where the first representative government met in 1619 and the first recorded arrival of Africans to English America.

Yorktown
Yorktown is the site of the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War. The Revolution secured independence for the United States and significantly changed the course of world history.
There are shuttles running to Yorktown and Jamestown but you have to wait for them to get to another place. Your own vehicle allows you to leave when you wish.

Colonial Parkway
Be sure to enjoy the leisurely drive, an integral part of Colonial National Historical Park.
It’s 24 miles of scenic Colonial-style highway connecting Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. Its panoramic vistas, gently winding curves, through patches of Pine and Evergreen forest, constantly leaves the visitor with an expectation as to what the next curve may bring forth.

Let me point out that it passes beneath Williamsburg. If this isn’t realized, you could drive from Jamestown to Yorktown and miss Williamsburg altogether.
Yesterday, I took Gerald, my Trip West traveling buddy from MI, to Jamestown. The dogwood and redbud, in bloom along the parkway were spectacular.

Check out this also.
NEW TOWNE

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Some paths are not paved

Although not as in the 1600s, some pathways will be rough to push wheeled chairs. The whole of the strole at Jamestown is about one mile.

Yorktown is paved and from the Battlefields visitor center, you may board a shuttle. Just park and ride. Get on and off as you wish. The bus cycles about every 20 minutes. Out in the battlefields, walking paths to the ramparts will not be paved.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Williamsburg to do

...We are staying for 4 nights in a Williamsburg Timeshare. One day we will drive up towards Washington to see the Marine Museum. The question is what do we do the other 2 days. ...

Check this:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...irginia-2.html