The Real Chic Life

First, have you seen the results of our Sézane holiday giveaway? We announced the winner here. Don’t fret if you didn’t win, we’re announcing a new giveaway on Tuesday and plan to have a giveaway every month for our subscribers. And speaking of the holidays, last week I went on a girl’s trip to Colonial Williamsburg. What I didn’t know before I headed up to Williamsburg was that it transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the holidays. Even though I live fairly close and I’m fortunate enough to visit Williamsburg often, I had never been during this time of year (with the exception of Busch Gardens, which you will see highlighted below as well.) While I was surprised by how magical it felt to be in the midst of it all, it does make sense that its historic charm and festive ambiance would make it the perfect destination to create unforgettable holiday memories. 

Before I get started on the festive activities I wanted to start with where we stayed-

The Kingsmill Resort. Some of you may recognize it as one of the former hosts of the LPGA and PGA Tour. But there is so much more to Kingsmill than its beautiful green courses. There are several on-resort dining options, an indoor pool, state of the art fitness center, and a spa. If you visit during the warmer months there are tennis and pickleball courts and the outdoor pool has a lazy river. They also have water sports and activities. And while it was too cold for kayaks, we stayed in a beautiful Cottage on the James River that felt cozy but was actually quite large. It comfortably sleeps ten, has ensuites in every room, and a shared living and dining area with a fireplace and a balcony facing the James. I can’t wait to bring the extended family back here for a cottage stay. 

Here are ten festive things to do:

1. Stroll Down Duke of Gloucester Street

Admire the beautifully decorated historic buildings adorned with hand-crafted wreaths and garlands. The blend of traditional holiday decor and colonial architecture makes for perfect photo opportunities. I even got a picture of this dapper gentleman. 

2. Experience the Grand Illumination

We kicked off the season with this iconic event featuring live music and special performances (there was a reading of the night before Christmas and a cute and cheeky puppet show). The tree lighting itself was a breathtaking display celebrating the spirit of the holidays. I met a woman from Ohio who comes down every year for this special performance. Here we are chatting below. 

3. Attend a Holiday-Themed Guided Tour

Step into history with special seasonal tours. We took The Christmas Decorations Walking Tour where we learned about 18th-century holiday traditions and customs including the making of the beautiful handcrafted wreaths and garlands mentioned above. 

4. Tour the Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg– I love to visit art museums everywhere we travel but The Art Museum isn’t just a place to view beautiful art, it’s an opportunity to learn about American traditions- including Christmas. They have a holiday program schedule that starts in November and runs through the holidays.

5. Sip on Hot Mulled Wine from the Fat Canary Wine Bar–

Cozy up with a warm mug of mulled wine while doing a little shopping at the Cheese Shop. They have gourmet foods, candies, cheese and more. It’s the perfect place to pick up gifts for your foodie friends too. 

6. Visit The Christmas Market– The Williamsburg Christmas market boasted 40 vendor chalets, train rides, live entertainment, craft beer and spiced wine, a petting zoo, and delicious market food. It’s a great place to shop for unique holiday gifts. It reminded me of my time at the German Christmas Markets as a kid. You may even get a photo op with Santa.

7. Explore Market Square (and nearby shops)- for artisan-crafted goods, festive ornaments, and one-of-a-kind colonial gifts for loved ones. We visited Brick and Vine which has lovely holiday decor and gifts, Monkee’s -an on-trend women’s clothing and accessories store (I picked up a rhinestone-encrusted clutch for holiday parties) and The Spice and Tea Exchange, which is one of my husband George’s favorite tea artisan shops. He was pretty pleased with the Warm Bread Pudding Chai which is now a holiday favorite for us both. 

8. Take a Carriage Ride

Enjoy a scenic ride through the historic area in a horse-drawn carriage decked out for the season. It’s a cozy and romantic way to experience the charm of Colonial Williamsburg. We didn’t do the carriage ride but it is on my list. I was able to pet the horses during their break. It was a sweet highlight for me.

9. Indulge in Culinary Delights- Williamsburg is known for their culinary scene and this trip confirmed what I already know. There are so many places to pop into for a great meal and the wait staff and restaurant owners are always welcoming and warm. On this trip we dined at:

Cochon On 2nd– a place where fine cuisine meets approachable comforts. I tried a Steel Drum Chardonay from South Africa, and a delectible scallop dish. 

Guiseppe’s Italian Restaraunt– If youre looking for authentic Italian look no further. This place is now on my must take George to list. He loves Italian and Guiseppe’s offers gourmet pizzas, delicious soups and salads, and an array of flavorful pasta dishes. 

The Fat Canary– a refined, green walled bistro serving upscale American Fare and Wines. It’s a longtime favorite of ours and it was so nice to enjoy it with friends during the holiday trip. One of the ladies had a birthday and they all signed the menu, wishing her a Happy Birthday. What a sweet touch. 

We also had lunch at The Blue Talon Bistro- which has a menu featuring serious comfort food. Chef Everetts dishes are a fusion of the French Bistro Tradition and American Roots. I had the Salad Niciose and it was uniquely delicious.

And breakfast at The Bake Shop (perfect for grabbing pastries, bagels of course, and craft coffee) , Culture Cafe (which is an eclectic and darling spot by the way), and Hohl– which is a little up the road from Williamsburg but if you’re flying out of Richmond or driving up north to 95 it’s worth the stop. I had Grits and Shrooms with shrimp (a flavorsome variation of Shrimp and Grits). Thank me later. 

10. And last but not least the holidays shine bright at Busch Garden Williamsburg’s Christmas Town. The Worlds Most Beautiful theme park is transforemend each holiday season with over ten million twinkling lights into one of the largest light displays in North America. It’s a feast for the senses- with holiday treats, heart warming shows, and thrilling rides. 

I think Colonial Williamsburg is a perfect blend of history, tradition, and festive cheer during the holidays. They also have an ice skating rink. So, wether you’re looking for unique experiences or simply want to soak in the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Have you visited Colonial Williamsburg during the holidays? If so I’d love to hear about it. 

Until next post,

Xo Tonya Parker