Free Ferry To Smithfield (Williamsburg, Surry: home, plantation, ferries)

[Caladium]

Has anyone taken that free ferry that goes from the Williamsburg area to Smithfield? Is that something that's considered a local fun activity or just a way to get across the river? How long has it been free, and is it likely to stay that way? Once you get across, what are some fun things to do within a mile or two?

Also, does anyone happen to know if you can you take a car with two kayaks on top? This would be what it would look like so you can see that clearance might be an issue with some ferries.

[Coconut1]

Whoa whoa whoa, not Williamsburg to Smithfield, Williamsburg to Scotland (Surry) ferry. Williamsburg to Smithfield would be nice, though!

If you have time to spare, it could be nice, but if you're looking for speed, don't go. Smithfield is still about 25 miles from the ferry and you're on back roads.

You would be fine with the car and kayaks. It is open air, no roof. Lines can get long in the summer from what I heard, I only went once in the off season and it was miserable. Took almost 2 hours to get home as opposed to the regular 45 minutes it usually takes me.

It's been free always from what I remember. It's basically just a way to get across the river. There's not much in the Surry area. Bacon's Castle, a state park and that's about it. (Well, and a nuclear power plant but I don't think they give tours! LOL! )

[Caladium]

Thanks! Yes, Scotland was what I meant to say. Ooops!

So, sounds like a day trip sort of a thing. That actually sounds appealing--the joy of being retired is you're not in a hurry anymore and you enjoy doing things where nobody else is in a hurry either. Who sponsors this ferry, anyway? It's such an unusual thing to have, especially since it doesn't seem to connect two large towns or anything like that. Not that I'm complaining, a free ferry is a neat thing to have. I'm just wondering what its story is and who pays for it.

[Caladium]

Speaking about nuclear plants, wouldn't a tour of one be interesting?

[Coconut1]

OK! I just wanted to make sure you knew! You would get off and say "Hmm, Smithfield looks way different than described!" LOL!

VDOT runs the ferry. If you're going to do it I would recommend going from Scotland to Jamestown. You can spend the first half of the day looking around the Scotland/Surry area, and then towards the afternoon evening take the ferry over to Williamsburg since there's more dining, entertainment, etc. over there. Not much to do in the Surry area at night!

I recently saw the Chernobyl Diaries. I'll pass for now. LOL!

[lammius]

I took that ferry in the fall one year and it was a nice trip. If you want to take Coconut's suggestion and look around the southside before crossing, I can say we went to Bacon's Castle and Chippokes Plantation in the morning, and I remember fall foliage along the way on Route 10. Nice trip, and I'd do it all again.