One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the ability to have educational vacations and what better place to learn about history than during a Williamsburg vacation? Homeschool families will receive a special admission ticket September 12 – 27, 2009, valid for admission to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown Settlement is a 17th-century Virginia museum and the museum of the American Revolution is at the Yorktown Victory Center.

The special admission ticket, which costs $10.25 per family member (youth or adult), provides unlimited admission to both museums between Sept. 12 – 27, 2009, and an opportunity to pre-register for optional student hands-on classroom programs and family guided tours of the museums’ outdoor living-history areas. At the Jamestown Settlement, see the Powhatan Indian village, recreated colonial fort, riverfront discovery area and replica 1607 ships while at the Yorktown Victory Center, wander through a 1780s farm and see the re-created Continental Army encampment.

Students can enroll in one of 3, one-hour programs at each museum, according to grade level. Each class addresses the United States and Virginia standards of learning for history social studies. To learn about the homeschool programs and available classes, contact the museums’ Group Reservations at 757/253-4939, or toll –free at 888/868-7593 or email them at group.reservations@jyf.virginia.gov. Learn more about the museums at www.historyisfun.org.

And don’t forget to take advantage of the fabulous accommodation deals available for a Williamsburg vacation.

Photo Credit: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

The first full weekend of August is shopper’s paradise in Virginia. Each year, residents and visitors of the Commonwealth of Virginia enjoy a sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing. This year’s tax-free holiday will take place August 7 – 9, 2009 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

So what’s tax exempt? Sorry, computers don’t qualify but certain school supplies selling for $20 or less do. This is the weekend to stock up the closet on shoes for the fall fashion season because clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item are tax exempt. Read up on the sales tax exemption guidelines from Virginia’s Department of Taxation.

When vacationing in Virginia Beach, hit the Hilltop Area for shopping centers with familiar names ranging from K-Mart to Talbot’s, the Lynnhaven Mall to browse some of the 180 shops including three department stores, the Towne Center and Pembroke Mall for premier shopping and dining, and the Virginia Beach Resort Area between 2nd Street and 40th Street for the perfect vacation memento.

As for shopping in Williamsburg, the Historic Triangle is a shoppe’s paradise with more than 200 retail and designer outlet stores. Yeah, that’s right. More than 200. After a day of visiting Colonial Williamsburg, plan a shopping day at Prime Outlets at Williamsburg, Patriot Plaza Premium Outlets, Williamsburg Outlet Mall and Merchants Square.

Before hitting the road for a Virginia vacation, clean out the closet and toss those cloths you haven’t worn in a year or two. And yes, we know about those garments you haven’t worn in a decade, they need to go, too.  Donate these items to Goodwill, Salvation Army or any other charity of your choice. Better yet, take the vintage items to a thrift shop and try to make some spending money to update the wardrobe during your Virginia vacation.

Celebrate the great American liberty of travel this summer with a visit to Virginia and see where freedom was fought and won. When vacationing in the Virginia Beach area check out some of these things to do and connect to our great nation’s beginnings:

Isle of Wright – The historic 1762 home of Major Francis Boykin, who served as lieutenant for Patrick Henry and camped with George Washington in Valley Forge, is called Boykin’s Tavern. It’s a museum these days but in the 18th and 19th century it provided accommodations.

Yorktown – The Yorktown Victory Center chronicles the American Revolution and the nation’s struggle for independence. Indoor exhibits highlight experiences of those who lived during that area while outdoors, mingle with the troops in a re-created Continental Army encampment or learn how farming was done on a 1780s farm.

Colonial Williamsburg - A patriotic vacation to Virginia is complete when visiting the largest history reenactment site in the United States Located just an hour north of Virginia Beach, ideal for a day trip. Or, there are plenty of accommodations available in Williamsburg for overnight trips. At Colonial Williamsburg, see where the leaders of the state met to elect their delegates to the First Continental Congress.

Looking for the rocket’s red glare when vacationing in Virginia for the Fourth of July? The Virginia Tourism Corporation has compiled a thorough list of fireworks viewing locations along with a list of festivals, parades and wine festivals. Check out the fireworks et al list here.

Photo: By Rogerd under Wikimedia Commons