My family and I stayed in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg this past weekend after winning a “Halloween Costume Contest” posted to Facebook. We just moved to Hampton Roads from New York about a year ago and didn’t really know what we were going to do for Halloween. When we found out we’d won a night’s stay, we were beyond ecstatic, especially when we discovered we’d be staying in a haunted Colonial House!
Our Winning Costume Entry!
For those who don’t know the history behind the Bracken Kitchen, here’s what we were told going into our adventure…
Although we didn’t see any ghosts or even a moving rocking chair, we did hear several noises throughout the night, mostly tapping sounds and what seemed to be heavy walking from the upper level. My husband and I decided to bring our children ages 3, 5, and 10, not knowing how they would react to the entire situation but to say that they had anything short of the time of their lives would be an understatement. After all the walking, eating, trick-or-treating, and exploring—needless to say, the kids were exhausted by the stroke of midnight on Halloween. I, on the other hand, slept with one eye open.
The Bracken Kitchen is truly a one-of-a-kind place to stay. It is a small, two-story Colonial House with narrow stairs and tight spaces, which we found to be quite fitting for our evening. The house was clean, had a beautiful accessible fireplace, two bathrooms, three beds, and the staff was extremely accommodating. The best part of the house is its location. Right smack dab in the middle of the Historic Area, this house was great for carting things back and forth throughout our stay. I would absolutely stay here again and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be a stone’s throw from all the action on DoG Street!
Just across the street from our house was a small alleyway that led us right to Chowning’s Tavern. There was no wait when we got there and the food was perfection. We learned Chowning’s is an 18th-century alehouse and my husband and I found delicious options on the menu and so did our kids. It was a win-win for everyone. We were caught up on the town gossip over bottles of root beer and mugs of ale! (Our dinner was so fantastic that we came back several hours later for hot cocoa under the arbor). We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect autumn evening.
After dinner we ventured out onto DoG Street to do some trick-or-treating with our kiddos. We were awestruck by all of the time and detail that was put into “A Haunting on DoG Street.”
The streets were alive, that’s for sure—full of children and ghouls, music and cider—and how can we forget the astounding and brilliantly chilling ‘Headless Horseman’ who paraded about the streets?
After a short break from trick-or-treating (which conveniently gave us the opportunity to run back to our house and change), we returned to DoG Street to kick off “Under Blackbeard’s Flag.”
Upon arriving, we found that The Capitol and a few other places had tours going on. We decided to fill our mugs up with cider and stroll the lantern and cresset-lit street, dodging pirates and zombies who passed by. Though the event was not recommended for children under 13, we know our kids aren’t scared of much and they had a marvelous time. We made sure to avoid the Gaol with the super spooky gallows and didn’t go into any of the adult programming. Instead, we stuck to the road and just enjoyed watching all of the interpreters, guests, and skeleton horses!
Just when we thought our night couldn’t get any better, we returned to the Bracken Kitchen to find delicious bags of homemade Halloween cookies waiting on each of our beds. Next to them, there was a letter sealed with wax.
Dearest Guest,
All are welcome to the fireside hearth at the Bracken Kitchen
Like the two little girls
Who warmed their torn and battered mittens
They sought shelter by the day behind the tattered shade
But knew naught that the bricks be dusted with bone ashes of a departed milk maid.
Be well,
Martha
We read the letter to our children while enjoying the yummy cookies and listening to their giggles. As for the lady in dark who haunts the Bracken Kitchen, well, maybe she will embrace us one day and grace us with her presence. It’s just one more reason for us to return!
Before checking out Sunday, we made coffee and ventured out with the kids to explore the grounds. We walked down to Bruton Parish Church which we discovered was actually holding a service. We entered quietly into the churchyard where we saw the graves of two of Martha Custis Washington’s infant children from her first marriage.
We then went on to look at some of the other historic homes and buildings, passing by a pasture of sheep as well as the Governor’s Palace. The autumn leaves made the backdrop for our family adventure absolutely breathtaking.
And we couldn’t leave without souvenirs. It’s a family tradition. To remember this trip, we bought this doll for our daughter. It reminded us so much of her Little Red Riding Hood costume that won us the contest and an opportunity for such a fabulous weekend. As I type this, it sits on our mantel—a fun reminder of our first Colonial Williamsburg vacation!
GUEST BLOGGER: ERIN COLES
Erin is 34-year-old wife and mom to three children Nick 10, Noah 5, and Bryor 3. She and her husband are New York Natives who relocated to Hampton last October.
She works for Bon Secours Depaul Hospital in Norfolk, as well as Maxim Staffing Agency. She enjoys photography, the beach, and vacationing with her family.
Wonderful blog - thank you! Really makes me want to visit next October.
We’re hoping to visit next year’s Haunting on DoG with our 2 young children. I have a question I hope you can answer - my 5 year old son has cerebral palsy and is in an adaptive stroller, so how much activity would we be able to see on the streets, or would we have to go into many of the shops and buildings?
Hi Revell!! Actually we brought the wagon for our 3 and 5 year old and you can see it all!! The streets come completely alive. All of the employees that handed out candy sat on benches in front of all of the houses and shops. So you collect as you pass by. The staff Partakes all of the reinactments and stuff out in the streets typically, and the cider stands and such are all outside as well. And let me mention our house we stayed in was handicapp accessible! Had a nice ramp right up to the house. So just know that Colonial Williamsburg in attainable in almost all aspects 🙂 I truly hope you plan a visit. You will have a marvelous time!
What a great blog!! This lovely family had such a great time and their photos were perfect. This will be an experience that the children will not forget and be talking about the rest of their lives. How beautiful!!
Thank you Jan! This was a true dream come true.. our kiddos didn’t want to leave! we will absolutely be back again.
Love it! You certainly deserved to won the costume contest. Thanks for all the great pictures-I’m coming to Williamsburg in a couple of weeks, and your blog made me even more excited about my impending trip.
Sam I wish you the best of time!! You will make many memories here that will last a lifetime.
You will love CW., Sam.
You will find there is so much to see ,hear and of course, taste.
I have lived here for many years and it is only recently since retirement that I have enjoyed it
To the utmost.
The people down there are great. I can’t believe I have waited this long to discover. I now go to CW daily. The museum is wonderful.
If this is your first time, you will have a blast.
Not to mention, sucked into history. I am now an avid history buff. Have a good time and tell your other friends to visit from wherever they come.
Thanks, Erin! This will be my second trip. My first was last April, during Spring Break week. Before going, I was inspired by reading blogs and perusing the websites to make an entire 18th century outfit: gown, chemises, corset, caps, mitts, etc. As it turned out, it seemed I was the only tourist there in period dress. As might be expected, I was stopped by other tourists all day long, asking questions. No problem. I carried a map and a list of events, and so was able to answer all their questions!
Here is a picture of that first gown, made in a lovely patterned linen.