A visit to Yorktown Virginia

Last updated: September 6, 2020

On our visit to the Historic Triangle of Virginia, our next stop on our weekend in Williamsburg VA, is a visit to Yorktown.

 Yorktown is a place known for both its waterfront charm and its famous battles. One battle in particular is the American Revolutionary War.

Yorktown is the site of the siege, and subsequent surrender of General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington and the French Fleet during the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781.

On the blog I will share the top things to do on a visit to Yorktown Virginia. We spend the day exploring the historic town, the battlefield, and the American Revolutionary War museum.

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How to get around Yorktown Virginia

Yorktown is a very walkable city, with most of the main sights all within walking distance.

There is a FREE trolley ride that takes you from the American Revolutionary Museum, to the Yorktown Battlefield, and to a few other stops along the way.

You can easily park at the Museum, and take the trolley into town, or park in one of the parking areas along the Riverwalk landing, or along the waterfront.

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Top things to do in Yorktown Virginia

Take a Stroll through the historic Yorktown Village

One of the top things to do on your visit to Yorktown, is a stroll through the charming village.

Take a stroll along Main Street and admire some of the historic buildings still standing today. One of our favorite spots is the Nelson House.

This 18th century Georgian style Manor was home to Thomas Nelson Jr., who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

We especially loved the garden area, it probably needs some TLC, but we loved it’s rustic charm.

There are a few other historic buildings along Main Street, including the Dudley Digges house, the Custom House, and a few others all within a walking distance of each other.

Main Street is also a great place to shop for fine art and antiques, with many galleries and shops along the way.

Take a stroll along the Historic Waterfront

Another place to take a stroll in Yorktown is along the historic waterfront.

The Yorktown waterfront is one of the most charming locations in town, and there are many opportunities for outdoor recreation, which include boating, swimming and fishing.

The lagoons are perfect for swimming, especially for the littlest swimmers, and you can even go on a boat ride on one of the traditional schooners.

Step back into history aboard the Alliance and Serenity schooner and set sail along the York River. You can book tickets online, and it sets sail along the waterfront.

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Grab a meal at the Riverwalk Landing

On your sightseeing stroll of Yorktown Virginia, you will definitely work up an appetite. One of the best places to grab a bite is along the Riverwalk Landing.

There are several restaurants and eateries serving up some amazing seafood, with the most amazing views of the waterfront.

There are also a few specialty shops where you can hunt for some unique gift items or souvenirs.

Throughout the year there are also some fun events to look forward to such as free outdoor concerts, open air farmers markets, and more. Visit the website for more information on your visit.

Cornwallis’ Cave

As you make your way along the waterfront boardwalk, make sure to lookout for a rocky outcrop which is known as Cornwallis’ Cave.

The Cave is supposedly the spot where General Cornwallis hid during the siege of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. Im not sure if this is true or not, but it’s still a cool piece of history!

Visit the Watermen’s Museum

Along the Yorktown waterfront, just pass the Riverwalk Landing is the Watermen’s museum.

The museum documents the history of Chesapeake Bay’s ‘watermen’, from pre-colonial to modern times, with many historical exhibits depicting military and civilian water craft and many other activities.

You will also find a European style windmill here, which was so unexpected. The replica windmill served as a guidepost to ships sailing along the York River.

Visit the Yorktown Battlefield

Yorktown is known as the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. On your visit, make sure to visit the Yorktown Battlefield and explore the site of this historic battle.

Your first stop should be at the Visitors Center where you can learn more about this historic battle with a visit to the museum exhibits and films.

Make sure to bring the kids Junior Ranger Passport book to get stamped, and pick up a Junior Ranger activity book at the Visitors Center to complete along the way. The kids receive a Junior Ranger badge upon completion.

There are also some Ranger Guided Programs that you can take part off, or download the Yorktown Tour Guide app for a GPS enabled audio driving tour.

A visit to the American Revolutionary Museum

One of Yorktowns main attraction is the American Revolutionary Museum. The American Revolutionary Museum.

The American Revolutionary Museum tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the beginning of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond.

This newly opened museum replaces the old Yortktown Victory Center.

Where to get tickets to the American Revolutionary Museum

We happen to visit the museum at opening so we didn’t have to compete with long lines.

If you’re planning a visit, especially in the summer, make sure to purchase your tickets online, I highly suggest purchasing a combination ticket to see all the historic triangle sites. 

In the museum, you will find many interactive exhibits and an immersive film about the siege of Yorktown, complete with dramatic effects, it was such a fun learning experience!

The Outdoor Living History Museum

The outdoor living history areas were amazing with the hands on learning experiences.

You can witness what life was like back then for soldiers at a re-created Continental Army encampment and explore a Revolution-era farm based on a real-life 18th-century family.

We learned how they cooked their meals back then, as well as how the sick and injured were treated by a trained surgeon.

We also learned more on how textiles were made, with a live demonstration, it was so much fun!

We had an amazing time exploring the Historic Triangle, especially a visit to Yorktown Virginia.

So much history to explore here and such a great learning experience.

We were so impressed with all the museums in the area, especially the living history museums!

We loved all the interactive and immersive exhibits, there’s nothing like being up close and personal.

If you’ve never visited the Historic Triangle of Virginia, I definitely recommend you add it to your list! Best way to learn more about our Nations history and to really appreciate our Independence!

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