Things to Do in Yorktown, Virginia

You will find so many things to do in Yorktown, Virginia. You can easily fill a day with rich experiences. The picturesque York River and rolling green hills invite you to come and enjoy the scenery. And when you visit, you walk in the steps of the founding fathers of America.

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Yorktown’s location on the banks of the river is what led to its involvement in the famous Revolutionary War battle. Both sides relied on Navy ships plying the river. Whoever held Yorktown controlled this important water highway.

The Battle of Yorktown took place here from September 28, 1781, to October 19, 1781. Troops swarmed over this land, digging trenches and building redoubts. Today, much of the countryside of Yorktown is filled with green fields and farms. The town is small, and you can stroll along the water. The battlefield winds around on the outskirts of the town. And an excellent museum and living history experience are here to inform you all about what took place so long ago. And you will marvel at the lovely countryside in Yorktown.

The town offers a welcome respite from historical exploration. You’ll find plenty of delicious local cuisine. The York River is perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding. Add in a sandy beach, art galleries and specialty shops, and a graceful bridge and you have a delightful place to relax.

Read on for the main activities in Yorktown. Choose the things to do in Yorktown that most interest you. Plan a memorable day of sightseeing and take lots of photos!

Begin your day at The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is right across the street from the river. This brick museum offers an extensive amount of displays that bring to life the events of the birth of the United States. Buy your tickets, then watch the introductory film, “Liberty Fever” for an overview of the 1770s and 1780s. The narrator is a traveler from the 1800s with stories of the American Revolution.

Next, enjoy the exhibits that feature military equipment, maps, engravings, and personal effects. Videos and interactive exhibits set forth history in an entertaining way. The museum is set out in chronological order. You will learn about the American Revolution and the challenges faced by the young United States. At the end, the Constitution is discussed and you get a refresher on the official framework of the country.

One of my favorite parts of the museum is the theater that shows a 4-D experience of the siege of Yorktown. You are on the battlefield in 1781. You feel the wind, smell the smoke, and hear the thunderous cannon fire. Actors portray General Washington, an army sapper who helped build fortifications at Yorktown, and Sarah Osborn, a young lady who followed the army to serve food and coffee to the troops. Watch for Alexander Hamilton leading his troops as he calls, “Rush on boys!” as they attack the last British defenses.

Experience living history at the Continental Army Encampment

The living history exhibits attached to the museum are set in a clearing at the edge of the forest. These are included in your museum entrance ticket.

The Continental Army Encampment is notable for its rows of white tents. The daily life of a Continental Army soldier is recreated in detail. You can interact with the historical interpreters by asking questions or talking about what you are seeing.

A soldier demonstrates how to load and fire a musket. Nearby, a dry moat of dirt forms the kitchen with a mound of earth in the middle. Cooks prepared food here over wood fires.

Most interesting to me was the surgeon’s tent. Chat with the surgeon to learn details about 18th century treatments for wounds and illnesses. He talked about amputation of limbs, holding up the saw. Then he explained that General Washington required all the men in his army to be vaccinated for smallpox. Cuts were made in the arm, then the “vaccine” was poured in. Pre-hypodermic, this was primitive but effective.

Tour a Revolution-Era farm

Move through the army encampment to enter the adjacent Revolution-era Farm. The farm depicts the life of the Edward Moss family according to records kept in the late 1700s. Slaves worked the farm; you can walk into the slave cabin.

Take time to wander along the paths at the farm. Meet the historical re-enactors. In the kitchen, the young lady told us that fresh cornbread was made that morning. Tobacco hangs drying in a shed. You really feel you are a part of this sunny, busy place.

At a fenced area, a fluffy cat wandered along and then lazed in the sun, oblivious to the chickens strutting around him. He is named Rochambeau after the French general who helped the Continental Army win the Battle of Yorktown. “Beau” is obviously a staff favorite.

Fields for growing corn, tobacco, wheat, corn, flax, and cotton make up this farm. And there’s a fruit tree orchard.

Tour the Yorktown National Battlefield

The Yorktown National Battlefield gives you the opportunity to literally walk in the steps of the men in the Continental Army. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton traversed these very fields. You can imagine the army, weary after years of war, stealing down the 450 miles from New York and quietly digging into position during the night.

This well-maintained battlefield is administered by the Colonial National Historic Park. Begin at the Battlefield Visitor Center, which includes a short orientation film and a small museum. Pay a nominal fee to enter the park, and download the Yorktown Tour Guide app. Then take off on a fascinating driving tour of the battlefield.

Don’t worry about getting lost. Signs with large red arrows are easy to follow as you navigate from point to point along the six-stop tour. At each stop, get out or pause in your car and listen to an explanation of that stop. The app also provides options for more in-depth content.

If you stay in your car, you can complete the tour in about an hour. But it’s incredible to get out at each stop and tromp along the fields and trenches and berms. Plaques at each site give a concise overview of what happened there.

The stop at Redoubts 9 and 10 allows you to walk around and through these British defenses. Young Alexander Hamilton led the charge here, along with his French allies. These two redoubts were the last line of British troops guarding the city. Once these redoubts fell, the British had few options. General Cornwallis sent word of surrender.

The last stop on the tour is Surrender Field. Here the British paraded for the formal surrender. Victory for the Americans at Yorktown essentially signaled the victory of the Continental Army, though the war continued until September 3, 1783.

If you have time and interest, continue on to the Allied Camp Tour following yellow arrows on the signs. This tour takes you to places where the American and French troops encamped during the siege of Yorktown.

Visit a Civil War Yorktown site

Civil War battles took place in this same vicinity. Along the American Revolution battlefield tour, you will park by the entrance to the Yorktown National Cemetery. Take time at this stop to visit this resting place of more than 2,000 Union and Confederate troops. Many grave markers have names but most graves are for unknown soldiers. It’s a peaceful place today, but it marks another tumultuous time in the history of the U.S.

Spend time at the waterfront And Riverwalk Landing

The Riverwalk Landing is a picturesque red brick walkway winding along the shore. It’s an ideal place to unwind after focusing on war. Here you’ll find dining with fresh seafood entrees and views of the river, galleries with paintings and pottery of local artists, and shops that include a goldsmith and a quaint used bookstore. You are especially in luck if you love a variety of art such as ceramics, glass, and wood sculptures. These can be found in several galleries.

Look for the outsized LOVE Letters that are on display between Water Street Grille and the Freight Shed. This new installation is great for photo ops and is part of Virginia’s LOVEworks project found throughout the commonwealth.

Your sweet tooth will be happy here. Grab an ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s or opt for a slice of scratch made cake at The Carrot Tree. And if you’re here for lunch or dinner, head to the popular Yorktown Pub for oysters or their Famous Grilled Crabcakes. Ask about the beer of the day, too.

Head to this Yorktown Restaurant Guide put together by locals. You’ll find lots of yummy food in Yorktown!

Yorktown is a pleasant blend of the past and present. You can explore the unfolding of the American Revolution. You can learn why Yorktown is central to the American victory. Trudge through green battlefields with a view of the York River to get an onsite feel for the layout of the battle. Then unwind in the charming riverfront town. Or spend the day on the water kayaking. And if you’d rather sit on the beach and read a good book, that’s fine, too. You’ll discover so many things to do in Yorktown, Virginia. However, you spend your day in Yorktown, you’ll take home treasured memories.

How to get to Yorktown, Virginia

Yorktown is located on the eastern coast of Virginia, about 12 miles northeast of Williamsburg, Virginia. You can reach it via Interstate 64 or take the Colonial National Historical Parkway from Williamsburg to Yorktown.

Visit more of America’s Historic Triangle

Yorktown is part of America’s Historic Triangle, which also includes Colonial Williamsburg  and the Jamestown Settlement. These three amazing historical sites are all within a few miles of each other. The Historic Triangle is a popular destination for history enthusiasts, offering visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the colonial history of the United States. Each location has its attractions, including historical reenactments, museums, and interpretive programs, making it a memorable and educational experience for visitors.

Colonial Williamsburg is the largest of the three sites. It makes a perfect base for exploring this area. This well-preserved colonial town served as the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its historic buildings, museums, and living history exhibits.

To get to Williamsburg by car, take Interstate 64. If you are coming from the north (such as Washington, D.C.), take I-95 south, merge onto I-295 south, and connect to I-64 east.Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607. Today, it is an archaeological site and a national historic park. If you’re coming from Williamsburg, take the Colonial Parkway eastbound to Jamestown.

Ticket packages are available for one or more site. What fun to plan a trip including all three!

Learn more about nearby Colonial Williamsburg.

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