Enjoy The Food Celebration at the Williamsburg Taste Festival

Food

“Virginia is for food lovers” and the Williamsburg Taste Festival proves it well. Known as the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration, this culinary celebration takes place in spring annually.

Williamsburg not only was the birthplace of the American Revolution it also gave birth to the Food Revolution in America.

The first beer was brewed in this town and you may want to keep them chilled, head over to Foodplusice.com and check for appliances that will do this.

And they also cultivated the first-ever vineyards.

Have you heard about the garden-to-table food scenes in America? Well, thanks to Williamsburg for the first free-range service of this sort.

Williamsburg is known for its colonial history and to modernize itself, it is turning all tables to stay in touch with the roots in a modern way.

When you head to the Williamsburg Taste Festival you are not only going in to experience the city closely but also will get to know the American food traditions.

From various mouthwatering cuisines to a craft cocktail or a glass of wine paired with sommelier you will have lots for treating your taste buds here.

If you are visiting this city for the very first time during the festival time, then you are going to enjoy this place as a foodie. The four-day-long event takes place at different locations with different food options.

You will need to buy tickets or passes to enter the venue. Along with food stalls put up by local restaurants, the local artists also come onboard to display their art inspired by culinary and food.

Famous restaurants put up their food together for dining and one can enjoy unlimited samples if they are in luck. You can take a stroll around the venue and eat what interests you. The host and chef will tell you more about the dish and why they have paired it with a specific fine in detail.

You will know the inspiration behind each item on the list. Apart from the famous restaurants, they also put up food trucks where you can savor BBQ, cupcakes, crab cakes and much more. Try lemonade spiked with Jack Daniel’s or local beer if you are up for a new drink.

If you are out there with your family and younger kids, you can set them out for games or activities. For music lovers, there are live bands who perform during the festival. The main event of this festival is the Culinary Village.

The aim of this event is to boost the local food industry. As you enter the village you are handed tasting cards that are stamped once you grab a tasting at every table. The vendors are friendly and usually ask you to come back if you need more.

Breweries, distilleries, wineries are also on display along with food vendors. Famous chefs offer demonstrations and lectures on food throughout the entire day. You can also pick up culinary articles or crafts inspired by food that are for sale inside this village.

A camp is also organized for children where they can work on some crafts while you can shop around and have a fun time.

8 Romantic Hotspots in Williamsburg, VA

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A go-to spot for couple getaways in the country, there is a lot that can be done in Williamsburg, VA. Depending on how you want to spend your time in the town, choose one of the options below and make beautiful memories.

1. Relax in a Hotel

There are plenty of options available to stay in Williamsburg that is romantic and cozy. A luxury suite or just another hotel room with breakfast can let you spend a lot of quality time with your beloved. You can also choose to stay at a winery if both of you enjoy it.

2. Time Travel

Make a reservation for the extremely popular horse-drawn carriage rides in the Revolutionary City. Spend some romantic time with your partner while exploring the Historic Jamestowne and Colonial Williamsburg. Traveling back in time together can make up for a very soothing time together.

3. Adventures

If you both enjoy roller coaster rides at high speeds then head straight to the Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion. Enjoy the thrill of dropping from a height while holding hands. There are a lot of rides for you to enjoy.

4. Romantic Gardens

Williamsburg is home to historic buildings and beautiful landscapes with gardens where you can fall in love with your partner all over again. Visit the Sunken Garden in the College of William and Mary, to spend a romantic day together.

5. Fine Dining

There is an endless list of romantic restaurants in Williamsburg where you can enjoy different cuisines. Make advanced reservations at these places if you want to take your partner for fine dining:

  • The Fat Canary
  • Christina Campbell’s Tavern
  • Blue Talon Bistro
  • King’s Arms Tavern

6. Spa

Lounging away in a luxury spa can never be unromantic. No matter where you go, you can enjoy a relaxing spa in any corner of Williamsburg. Schedule an appointment in the Serenity Spa, Spa at Kingsmill or the Giving tree spa.

7. Outdoor Activities

Williamsburg has a variety of activities for the adventurous couples who want to spend time outdoors. From hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, golfing, etc. there are a lot of things you can do in Williamsburg.

8. Art Gallery or Museum

For an art-loving couple, Williamsburg is an amazing place. It has the most intriguing galleries and museums one can find in America and there are so many that you can dedicate your entire trip to just these marvelous places. The American Revolution Museum, DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Virginia Musical Museum top the list.

Beautiful Blooms: Where to See Gorgeous Gardens in Williamsburg

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Williamsburg is a beautiful town with some of the most gorgeous looking gardens in the world. Without much ado, let us look at some of the beautiful blooms in Williamsburg.

Busch Gardens

The NAPHA (National Amusement Park Historical Association) has been naming this garden as the world’s most beautiful theme park since the year 1990. The garden has an authentic setting from Europe’s six countries including England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, and Germany. Spread in over 350 acres of land this adventure park is all about authenticity and accuracy in its theme. Every detail from the cobblestone to the landscapers and statuary are depicted intricately.

William and Mary Sunken Gardens

Sir Christopher Wren Building is America’s oldest college building and is the heart of the campus. It is located next to Colonial Williamsburg and opens to this beautiful garden known as The William And Mary Sunken Gardens. The setting of these lawns is Crim Dell which makes it the best site for a spring picture in the whole of Williamsburg. There are rhododendron, camellias, azaleas, and Mountain Laurel on display along the pathways of the garden’s setting.

Colonial Williamsburg

This garden resembling the country estates of King William III & Queen Mary II. The green space of this garden is spread across 90 acres of land and the complex garden takes up 10 acres of land. It features a falling garden, a canal and ice mount which are original ones remaining there since the 18th century. Apart from this there are over 26 other gardens well-known since historic times that make Colonial Williamsburg exquisite. It also has kitchen gardens. Prentis House, Bryan House, John Blair House, Colonial Garden, and Nursery are to name a few and a must-see. You will find many interpreters and historians who can give you a lot of knowledge about the botanical gardens, European plants, herbs in the herb garden.

Williamsburg Botanical Garden

Located in the Freedom Park, this 2-acre garden is an Ellipse Garden that has many plants on demonstration which are native to this area. Each plant is labeled with its scientific and common name. It houses a Butterfly Garden, Native Garden, Herb Garden, 2 wetland sites, Native meadow and grasses, and Pine Woodlands. It also has benches and tables that work well for picnics and shelter.

Virginia Living Museum

This Museum has native plants on the largest display in Virginia which is exhibited using display gardens and landscape plantings. The museum aims to encourage conservation gardening along with the wildlife. It has an indoor swamp, habitariums that have trees, shrubs, perennials found locally in Virginia.

There are 60 species of native plants in the Butterfly Garden which plays a key role in nurturing the native butterflies. The garden features the native species that were present when the initial settlers came to Jamestown along with the ones introduced by Native Americans.

First-Timer’s Guide To Greater Williamsburg

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First visit Williamsburg and don’t know what to do in the city? This guide will help you plan your trip and make amazing memories.

  • Live The Past: If history museums interest you, then visit the world’s largest one in Williamsburg. This colonial city has its Eighteenth century sites set beautifully for you to enjoy. It also has two art museums for you to explore. An exhibition titles “Recalling the Priceless” takes you through the life of the enslaved men, women, and children in the Eighteenth century Williamsburg. You can see the colonial artifacts in the Conservation Building and Wallace Collections.
  • Take A Ride – If screaming and enjoying rides is what amuses you then head straight to the Water Country USA and Busch Gardens. You can take the rides and scream with joy. The Finnegan’s Flyer that takes you back to your childhood the stunning Busch Gardens has other rides and is named among the most beautiful parks in America.
  • Treat Your Taste Buds – This town has many wineries, breweries, and distilleries that you can visit for a tasting. If wine, beer, or spirits are your favorite then you must visit these places to enjoy its making. The Williamsburg Winery, Alewerks Brewing Company, Precarious Beer Project, The Virginia Beer Co. are a few that you can include in your must-visit list.
  • Time Travel Fun – Travel through time by visiting the Historic colonies in Jamestowne, America’s 1 st permanent colony. You can also visit the 1 st democratic assembly or the Archaearium museum which has over 2 million artifacts. Relive the 1607 England voyage on the 3 replica ships at the Jamestown Settlement, the unique living museum of history.
  • Shopping Spree – Any vacation to a new town is incomplete without souvenirs. Over 100 premium outlets in Williamsburg are a treat for buying premium gifts at heavily discounted rates. Swarovski, Coach, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Waterford all are queued up for your visit.
  • Segway Tour – Never been on a segway? Head straight to Yorktown and take an hour-long tour through the waterfront and Main Street. This tour will be informative, fun, and one of a kind. Lean forward and enjoy the tour.

You will never be disappointed with the things to do in Williamsburg. Just be sure to plan your trip properly before reaching there so that you do not miss on anything listed above.

The English Colonialists Nearly Starved…Too Bad They Didn’t Have The Williamsburg Harvest Celebration

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Imagine an American harvest celebration in the place that started in all in 1607 – as in garden to table; river to plate and wine to palate. Well it exists, is back and is the real thing. Eat (award winning food), drink (award winning beer, wine & spirits) and celebrate (America’s history) at the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration. Enjoy the place that also brewed the first American beer (and are still at it) not to mention the first documented Thanksgiving.

The Williamsburg Harvest Celebration takes culinary adventurers not only on a gastronomic journey, but a trip through history to experience the area’s significant role in the evolution of the regional food and beverage trend sweeping the nation. Did you know that at Colonial Williamsburg, some of the original gardens are still being tended growing the original crops that still make their way to modern day tables? Now that’s authentic.

More than 35 culinary inspired events will blanket Greater Williamsburg (Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown) over a period of ten days. The focus of course is on Virginia grown and Virginia made products, with renowned VA chefs, local purveyors, and local farms, foragers, vintners, and artisans.

To whet one’s appetite, and quench one’s thirst, the booming beverage scene including Williamsburg Tasting Trail partners offering beer, wine, distilled spirits and mead will also join in the celebration.

Providing a literal taste of what the region has to offer, events during the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration will include tastings, pairing dinners, cooking demos, and an oyster roast to help commemorate November as Oyster month. Tickets for the various events range from $0 (free) to $172. Some events are limited, so best make reservations early.

The celebration will help to benefit local area Meals on Wheels programs; FISH, Inc. of Williamsburg, Virginia – an all-volunteer not-for-profit agency providing help to residents of the greater Williamsburg area; the Fresh Food Fund, created by the Williamsburg Farmers Market and the Southern Foodways Alliance.

To learn about other events and attractions in Greater Williamsburg, or to plan your stay, click here.

Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance proud to announce The Williamsburg Harvest Celebration

Tourism

Williamsburg, VA – The five founding members of the inaugural Williamsburg Harvest Celebration are proud to announce more details about the celebration. The City of Williamsburg, York County, James City County, The Williamsburg Winery, and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance came together to bring a culinary celebration to the community. The celebration, will feature culinary inspired events throughout Williamsburg, Yorktown, and James City County with a focus on Virginia grown and Virginia made products. This will include beer, cider, wine, food, oysters, music, and VA artisans.

This celebration will give guests a taste of what unique flavors Virginia has to offer. Local restaurants will be featuring farmers, foragers, vintners and brewers in partnership with their events. There will also be cooking demos from renowned Virginia chefs that were born, bred and currently cooking in Virginia. November is Oyster Month, according to Governor McAuliffe, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with an oyster roast.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this celebration to the area. It is the perfect time of year for guests to have fun with family and friends, to satisfy their curiosity by trying new food and drinks, and to enjoy the freedom to relax and enjoy a night out.” said Karen Riordan, President and CEO of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance.

Cindy McGann, the Executive Director for the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration, is looking forward to starting a new tradition during the autumn in Williamsburg. She says, “Come experience some Southern hospitality at the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration and remember Virginia is for Lovers…lovers of food, wine, craft beer and all things Virginia!”

More information will be available in the coming weeks including a schedule of events, participating restaurant and breweries, and lodging partners.

About the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance

The mission of the GWCTA is to advocate, collaborate and create networking opportunities so that new businesses can emerge and existing businesses can grow and prosper, while promoting our region as a premier year-round travel destination. Representing nearly 800 businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance aims to advance the best interests of the community.

About the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration

The Williamsburg Harvest Celebration is a newly created signature event focused on Virginia’s excellence in food and wine. This annual culinary celebration in the Greater Williamsburg area brings together out-of-state tourists and Virginia residents to highlight all things Virginia including fine dining, craft brews, spirits, wine, and southern hospitality, all in a beautiful setting.