First let me just say, our tour guide (Shelley) was fantastic! 5000/5 or 100000/10 or whatever!…read moreAbove and beyond. The 4 stars are purely because I can't go lower for her. Probably would give a 2.5/3 otherwise. As far as the stories/tour go... let me just preface this by saying I've done a lot of walking ghost/paranormal tours amongst other things. The stories felt pretty anemic, and this certainly did not need to be a walking tour for those stories. Not a lot of actual ghost stories were told, and very few of the stories actually occurred at the stopping points. They were mostly all (low key) related, however. Cool history and a nice way to see some art, memorials, and an historic site (the outside) around town, though. A better route where stories actually occurred would make more sense, but I enjoyed the walk and local lore nonetheless. I was sad the ghost plushie I added on did not match the advertised photo. That's probably on me. I collect paranormal/supernatural plushies and trinkets and already have one like I got. Wasn't tour specific at all. Tl;dr Tour is fun (historical/lore wise). Not super ghosty. Nice walk.

Great stories, nice pace, Guide was animated & spoke loudly & clearly, & he asked if his pace was…read moreokay for the group. Would recommend.

I found this tour on groupon and I called Deanna to get tickets for me and my friend. She was super…read morenice and I was super excited to go on this tour. The tour comes with complimentary breakfast and lunch. We got picked up at the little station behind Freedom Car Wash and Wawa. The bus was brand new and very comfortable. They had a selection of apple cinnamon muffins, sweet potato pastries, grapes, and strawberries with blueberries for breakfast. The muffins and sweet potato pastries made by a contestant on Master Chef Junior and the muffins were great. I didn't have the pastries because I don't like sweet potatoes. We were offered a bag with water and a granola bar with brochures for wineries and some for the ones we were going to. The was also a scent bag with soy candle samples from Pink Zebra. They smelled great. Next on the list was gathering the rest of the group for the trip from Norfolk. Once we got everyone, we were offered mimosas; candor l cranberry or orange. We chose orange. Deanna introduced herself, daughter, and granddaughter. She also introduced those who she knew who were on the trip. She provided some great historic facts like the origin of witchduck. She discussed the history of Virginia wine and information about Virginia Born presidents. Our first stop was New Kent Winery and our host was great and very polite. The tasting was very informative and fun. Their wines were fantastic and the Vineyard was amazing. It wasn't on the itinerary, but Deanna put it on there. Next was Michie Tavern. We had lunch there and the buffet was great. The wine tasting, not so much. Third stop was Baubersville and the wine was ok. We weren't really a fan of the environment because I felt out of place even though I was dressed pretty nicely. Last stop was Horton and our host was amazing! We had so much fun! We will definitely do this tour again in the fall because it was great and it was so much fun! Happy to have been part of the inaugural trip!

I've been on two wine tours, as well as a wine tasting at a friend's house. I had so much fun that…read moreI recently hosted a wine tasting of my own. My friends raved! The Virginia wines were excellent, and everyone loved the history lesson. Now I have another group of friends who are jealous and want me to host a wine tasting for them. I also love the fact that it's a local business. Deanna's (the owner's) friends and family love to help with her tours, and they are the nicest people. I plan on continuing to support Fruits and Roots Wine Tours, and I'd recommend them to EVERYONE!

I did the haunted walk tour with a group on 9/12. The tour guide was boring. The explanations were…read morevery brief so there was more walking than learning. I, along with a few others left about halfway through.

I did the ghost tour last night 9/12 with a large group. I am sorry to say I was very disappointed…read more I have done several ghost walks and this was the worst. The stories were mediocre, the tour guide was subpar. I was counting the minutes till it concluded. Don't waste 25 dollars for this tour.

We booked a custom private tour with Trish and had a great time. She has a ton of historical…read moreknowledge on everything from Thomas Jefferson's experience at William & Mary to how different bricks were made in the Colonial era. If you want something more in depth than the standard Colonial Williamsburg script, this is it!

Thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour. We learned so much. This was an efficient way for us to visit…read moreWilliamsburg and learn by a local expert who obviously loves Williamsburg, loves history and loves to educate. Highly recommend.

A twilight Norfolk Cenetery tour was fun at Elmwood. The subject was death, disease and surgery in…read morethe Victorian period. I could not resist the topic since I'm in healthcare. The eight stones visited had all different causes of death from syphilis, epilepsy, surgery and even teething. One had a corner report listing cause of death as "ate too much ice". The Norfolk Society for Cemetery's typically offer the tours on Friday and Sunday's throughout the year for $5 with different topics. The trio of cemeteries utilized, Elmwood, Cedar Grove and West Point off Princess Anne Road in Norfolk are the oldest in the city. I have visited all three in the past with curiosity. For those interested go to the Norfolk Society website. Also they will host an annual 5k run From Here to Eternity. "Silent Guardians of Forgotten Tales". October 11th.

We took this tour around Halloween but it would be fun any time. Our guide was in a full costume…read morefrom centuries ago and brought both wit and history as he explained who the souls were buried underneath our feet. Norfolk is an old historic town with much to learn about the people who once inhabited it. The $5 donation goes towards preserving the grounds and headstones so your visit makes a difference in preserving history. Wear shoes comfortable for uneven ground and have fun!

5.6 miles long. No trash. Nice people who like to be active…read more Parking on either side you come in on although there's no physical address on Maps. I love this trail because it's the longest I know in Hampton roads. There're Mom's with strollers. Whole families. Mini field trips with small children. Bikers. Skateboarders.... Everyone. Of course it's shaded because of all the trees. Just be careful because it's so soothing to walk, you might end up at the end and have to walk right back to your car lol. And if you didn't plan on waking over 11 miles... that could be tricky. My feet were sore for two weeks when I made that mistake with the wrong shoes on. Happy trails!!

Great tour guides friendly and personal great deals. They know what their talking about with the…read morehistory of Williamsburg enjoyed my self and the ghost tours and staff tremendously

I expect a little more spook than basic stories. It was a nice tour, but definitely not what I…read moreexpected. The stories told weren't even spooky just basic someone died here and now people hear or see things. I guess if your just wanting to find out basic who did where and who maybe haunting places this would be the perfect tour.

Mary Veal and the Colonials were quite the treat. My job went on a staff retreat in Portsmouth and…read morehad the privilege of going on a walking tour with this amazing team. I love the characters that were portrayed by the actors and their narratives. All of the sites that we went to were quite remarkable. I wasn't aware that so many historic homes that meant a lot to America's history lined the streets of Olde Town Portsmouth (and many are in tact and well-kept). I was also impressed by all of the African American history that they weaved into their tour as well as their homage to the Emancipation Oak in Hampton and 1619 - which mean a lot to my hometown of Hampton, VA. Mary was a definite hoot, letting my tour group in on the favorite pastime of women of the 18th and 19th century - gossip! Her funny tales and songs made the walking tour a hilarious and cheeky treat!

From the owner: History Alive provides costumed character guides from many different time periods in our nation's…read morehistory, beginning with Mary Veale and the Colonials representing the 1600s and 1700s and extending to Columnist Jeffrey Wilson representing the 1800s and 1900s. We specialize in walking tours and excursions, but also offer school field trips and programs, classes, entertainment, and events.