Yorktown, VA 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.
We’ll be visiting historical sights, cute coffee shops, the beach and more!
If you'd like to watch the video of my trip to Yorktown, you can here:👇
1-Day Itinerary:
8am Leave Richmond.
1 hour 15 minute drive to:
9:15am American Revolution Museum
Tickets: $20 for adults
This museum is open from 9-5pm daily. It explores the American Revolution, has an outdoor portion with Continental Army Encampment and a Revolution-era Farm with interpreters.
12pm Yorktown Battlefield
Tickets: $15 for adults, or National Parks pass
Arrive at the Battlefield Visitors Center, open from 9-5pm and purchase your ticket for the driving tour of the battlefield. You download the Yorktown app, follow the red arrows, and you can get out and walk at the stops as well. There is also an additional tour of the Allied Camp Tour, follow the yellow arrows.
*We brought a picnic and had lunch in our car at one of the battlefield sites.
Yorktown National Cemetery
This cemetery is located at Stop 3 on the Battlefields tour. It is the resting place of more than 2,000 Union and Confederate troops from the Civil War.
1:30pm Historic Yorktown
Parking: 400A Main St, Yorktown, VA 23690
Little York Confectionery home of Yorktown & Co History Tours
This adorable shop is open from 10-5pm, but closed Monday & Tuesday. They have homemade chocolates, candy and ice cream. (For vegans: They had one vegan bon bon and one flavor of sorbet.)
2:00pm Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe
This super cute coffee shop is open from 9-4pm. They roast their own beans so their coffee is actually really good! We even got a decaf pumpkin spice latte with oat milk, and it was delicious! (They even have gf and one vegan pastry)
2:30pm Historic Main Street Tour
Using the Yorktown app, take a walk along Main Street and check out some of the historic buildings still standing today. The app plays the historical facts as you walk along.
Stops:
The Old Custom House (c.1720)
Nelson House
Dudley Diggs House
Yorktown Victory Monument - Memorial column with a liberty statue on top that commemorated the1781 battle and peace treaties.
3:30pm Take a walk along the Riverwalk Landing
Start at: 646 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690
This is the picturesque red brick walkway that takes you along the shore.
3:45pm Check out Cornwallis’ Cave
This "cave" was used to store food & munitions during Civil War. Legend has it that Cornwallis hid in here during the battle of Yorktown.
4:00pm Admire the Yorktown Beach
This is a beautiful sandy beach located on the York River with a huge bridge in the background. It has a 4.5 rating on google.
4:30pm Stop in at the Yorktown Pub
This local pub is open from 11am-11pm. Large drink selection and seafood.
5:30pm Grab Dinner at:
Water Street Grille
This is a waterfront seafood restaurant open from 11am-9pm.
OR
Umi Sushi
This is a Japanese eatery open from 11:30am-7:30pm, closed Sun-Tues. They have veggie sushi options for vegans.
7pm Dessert at Ben & Jerry’s
This is an ice cream shop open from 11-11pm. They have non-dairy options.
Other:
Watermen’s Museum & European windmill
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 (google). Open from 10am-5pm, closed Mondays.
I hope you found this itinerary helpful! There are more blogs on my website about other spots around Virginia, as well as Richmond tips.
You can also follow me on YouTube for my travel videos or Instagram for daily updates. Feel free to DM me with any questions! Have a great trip!
💚Lauren Z Ray