Bicycling -- Not only is a bike the easiest way to get around the Historic Area, the 23-mile-long Colonial Parkway between Jamestown and Yorktown is one of Virginia's most scenic bike routes. There is no dedicated bike path, but vehicular traffic usually is light enough that you'll have the road virtually to yourself. You'll pedal along the banks of the James and York rivers (where there are picnic areas) and through a tunnel under Colonial Williamsburg. The 7 miles between Williamsburg and Jamestown are flat, but you'll have more car traffic to contend with than on the rolling 13-mile journey to Yorktown. Rentals are available at the Woodlands Hotel & Suites.
Golf -- The Williamsburg area is the place to play golf in Virginia -- if you can afford it; a round here can cost $100 and up during the prime summer months. It all started in 1947 with Colonial Williamsburg's noted 18-hole Golden Horseshoe course (tel. 757/220-7696) and a 9-holer for guests of the Williamsburg Inn. On the James River, Kingsmill Resort (tel. 800/832-5665 or 757/253-3998) has three top-flight 18-hole courses of its own, including the world-famous River Course, which hosted the LPGA Michelob Ultra Open from 2003 to 2009.
Ford's Colony (tel. 800/334-6033 or 757/258-4130; www.fordscolony.com) has two Dan Maples-designed courses, the challenging Blue-Gold (12 of 18 holes bordered by water) and the more forgiving White-Red. Another Maples-designed course is in the works. Williamsburg National Golf Club (tel. 800/826-5732 or 757/258-9642; www.wngc.com) has Virginia's only Jack Nicklaus-designed course, which Golf Digest magazine considers one of the state's top 10 links.
Royal New Kent Golf Club (tel. 888/253-4363 or 804/966-7023) has "a succession of you've-never-seen-this-before holes," according to Golf Digest. Its sister course at Stonehouse Golf Club (tel. 888/253-4363 or 757/566-1138) is more like a mountain course, with great vistas to please your eyes and deep bunkers to test your skills. Also pleasing to the eye, Kiskiack Golf Club (tel. 800/989-4728 or 757/566-2200) has two lakes nestled among its rolling hills.
Call the courses for current greens fees, directions, and tee times.
Horseback Riding -- One- and 3-hour rail rides are available at Stonehouse Stables (tel. 757/566-9633; www.stonehousestables.com) in Toano, off U.S. 60 west of Williamsburg. Call for prices and reservations, which are required.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
