Wander Words

Wednesday, 21 May 2008 - Part 5 (4:00-8:00 pm)
Williamsburg, Virginia

All the running around and driving at Jamestown made me famished when I realized I hadn’t had lunch yet. So I figured, a nice meal at a Colonial tavern in Williamsburg would do the trick. The drive back to Williamsburg wasn’t more than 15 minutes, and since Williamsburg activities were slowing down for the evening, it was a good time to find parking and setting out into Williamsburg for day 2 of wanderings and excitement. I wasn’t sure where I was gonna go, but the attractive barmaid lured me into Chowning’s Tavern without hesitation ….

Josiah Chowning’s Tavern (Duke of Gloucester Street, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia)

Josiah Chowning’s Tavern

A wink from a cute barmaid lured me into this fine and festive, speedy service establishment. Fashioned in Colonial style decor and architecture, as is every establishment in Colonial Williamsburg, lies Josiah Chowning’s tavern in the heart of the old town. They boast a daytime menu that has quick fresh fare such as pulled pork, beef brisket, hickory-grilled hamburgers, salads, and other sandwiches. In the evening, it becomes a true 18th century rum and alehouse, serving light fare, local ales and wines, rums, and Colonial Williamsburg’s own draft root beer. Balladeers lead guests in rousing sing-alongs and constumed servers invite patrons to play popular colonial games. I feasted on the small and pricey, but delicious crab cake sandwich while sitting with a couple from Texas as there are no private tables at this pub. Entertained by fiddlers and violinists, a magician, and comedy … my quickly served dinner snacking on bowls of peanuts while awaiting the food gave my feet a good rest and my spirit an uplift as I tried to figure out entertainment for the rest of the evening. Rating: 4 stars out of 5. Visited 5/21/08.

evening entertainment in the pub

Afterwards, I wandered around Williamsburg, watching some more re-enactments, parades, and battles. Then to wind up the evening I figured I’d do the Ghost walk and hang out at the William and Mary bookstore until the tour began.

re-enacted battle scene

leafworks wrote this on July 24th, 2008 and filed it under Colonial America, Travel, Travel Guides, Travel Report, Travel Tips, Wandering, bars, history, living history, restaurants, reviews, travelogues |