YORKTOWN VIRGINIA
Where Independence Became Reality!

You have seen where Virginia started
at Jamestown.
You have seen what life was like before the Revolutionary War in Colonial Williamsburg
Now visit Yorktown Virginia
where the final battle for independence
took place.

The Yorktown National Battlefield Visitor Center

This is a national park dedicated to exploring the battle that effectively ended the fight for American Independence!

On this site on October 19, 1781, General Charles Lord Cornwallis of the British Army was forced to surrender to General George Washington.

Besides the great significance of Yorktown Virginia to our nations history, there are a lot of interesting activities happening at this National park that you shouldn't miss.

• You could take a walking tour of the battlefields or of the town led by knowledgeable Park Rangers. If that is too much walking you could sign up for the Battlefield shuttle tour.

• You can see an artillery demonstration as well as a hands-on program teaching about the life of a solider.

• Like most National Parks they have a Junior Ranger Program for kids 6-12 years of age. You can purchase the guide in the Visitors Center and the entire program takes about two hours to complete. My niece and Nephews have participated in Junior Ranger Programs all over the country and they thought this one was great! Once your child has successfully completed this program they get a certificate of achievement as well as a patch. This is definitely a fun two hours!

  

  
  
  

  The Yorktown Victory Center

  This living museum has two sections,

  • An indoor museum that follows ten people and their experiences as they witness the revolution. This museum is very interesting and it literally draws you in and makes you feel like you were there.

  • An outside living museum showing a Continental Army encampment with costumed interpreters as well as a 1780's farm that is still operating like it did back then. You can visit the farmhouse, the kitchen, the tobacco barn, the crop fields, and the herb and vegetable gardens.

    You will need a few hours to explore the Victory Center and a few more to explore the national park. You could easily fill a whole day or an afternoon and evening with all of the activities available.
    
    

    Riverwalk Landing

    There is more to do in the area besides just the museums. One of my families favorite day trips is to the Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown Virginia.

    It opened about two years ago and it adds so much to the area's experience.

    There are quaint shops and restaurants along with a beach area for playing in the sand or swimming. The Coast Guard docks their smaller boats at one of the two boat docks and so does the Schooner Alliance.
    
    

    

    
    If you are coming to this area for a weeks vacation, I would purchase the combo ticket and spend one day at each location. There is plenty to see at both places when you include the National Parks.

    There is a free shuttle between the Victory center and the Settlement area that travels on the beautiful Colonial Parkway.

    You will need more time for The Jamestown Settlement than Yorktown Victory Center but when you add in the National Parks you will need about the same for both.

    Make sure when you plan your visit. Some museums and shops are closed on Mondays and have limited hours on Sunday.

    Another option for adding Yorktown Virginia to your trip is to visit it in the morning and then spend the late afternoon and evening at Riverwalk Landing shopping,eating, and swimming.

    Are you interested in staying slightly away from the crowds of Williamsburg? Why not try a hotel or B&B in Yorktown

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    If you spend the afternoon and evening in the Yorktown Virginia area take one of the candlelight walking tours that share stories about all of the ghost said to haunt the village.

    There is a free trolley that takes you around to the different tourist stops in the whole area. It runs from April through October. Definitely take advantage of this because the area is a on a hill and a there are long walks between destinations.

    

    
    
    
    

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