Spend Spring Break in Yorktown!

Another fun way to soak up some history is a guided Segway Tour! Call Patriot Tours & Provisions at 757.969.5400 or visit their website to book. Head to their Riverwalk Landing shop to rent a bicycle, kayak, or paddleboard; plus, stock up on beach essentials like sunscreen and hats.

Make sure to visit the battlefield tour routes and grounds of the Yorktown Battlefield, a part of Colonial National Historical Park. To kick off the start of National Park week, the Colonial National Park will offer free admission on April 16! To avoid lines, consider purchasing Colonial 7-day and annual passes online in advance of your visit.

The Watermen’s Museum reopens April 1 with four exciting new exhibits! Learn about Sea Level Rise and Land Subsidence, Oyster Harvesting and Aquaculture, Maritime Trades, and Comparative Energy. This unique museum will give you an understanding of the role Chesapeake Bay Watermen, from pre-colonial to modern times, have played in the shaping of our nation. Don’t miss the 7th Annual Tartans and Tie-Dye Celebration on April 9. And on April 16, take part in York County History Day. Look for music, storytelling, living history, a cannon firing, and even a chili cook-off at several locations throughout the day.

Stop by the York County Historical Museum to explore artifacts representing Yorktown from the time of the earliest Native Americans all the way through World War II. Then, stroll through the Gallery at York Hall on the main level to purchase a unique souvenir handcrafted by a local artist, to remind you of your vacation!

There’s lots of learning to be done after the sun goes down, too! During a Yorktown Ghost Walk, you’ll find out about the history and haunts of Colonial Yorktown as told by paranormal investigators.

Fun for the Little Ones

Captain Mayhem is looking for new recruits aboard the Schooner Alliance! Join his band of marauders during a Pirate Adventure Cruise on the York River. Children get to raise the sails, steer the angry seas, and even fire a cannon! While the official sailing season doesn’t start until May 1, the ship’s crew gets in on the spring break fun, too (Apr. 2 – 16). The Alliance also offers history sightseeing cruises and romantic sunset sails starting May 1, and those run until the end of November. Continuing the pirate theme, our annual Pirates Invade Yorktown Weekend is happening April 23 & 24.

Schedule and rates.

The FREE Yorktown Trolley is one of the best ways to see Historic Yorktown, and it happens to be a favorite among children (especially those fans of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Daniel Tiger!). Friendly guides offer helpful information about each stop, so you can focus on the scenery. The designated route takes you from the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center all the way to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, making several convenient stops along the way. Each trolley is ADA accessible and Trolleys #3 and #4 feature both an infotainment and interactive tracking system. Just download the SPOT ETA app and get an estimated time of the trolley’s arrival at various attractions. Trolley #4 also boasts individual adjustable air vents and a stabilized chassis system, making for a smooth and comfortable ride around town!

Attention, runners! The Seventh annual YMCA Victory at Yorktown 10K and 5K is a historical and scenic race beginning at Riverwalk Landing. Run past landmarks such as the Yorktown Victory Monument, Cornwallis’ Cave, and Surrender Field.

Spring is in the air, and Historic Yorktown is headquarters for this year’s Hampton-Newport News chapter of the Garden Club of Virginia during Historic Garden Week. In honor of the event, we’ll be having our first-ever middle-of-the-week Historic Garden Week Market. So make a day of it and take a tour of homes, landscapes, and historic structures; then, shop for handmade and homemade goods from local vendors. Be sure to grab a photo with our LOVE Letters, which will be decorated by the local garden club for this special event.

Food to Write Home About

You’re not only going to want to eat on your trip, but you’ll want to eat well. Start off each day with coffee and a pastry from Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters, or head to the historic Main Street shop for a delicious sandwich later in the day. You’ll want to stop in Carrot Tree Kitchens for a fresh-from-scratch wrap, gourmet salad, or soup. Be sure to try their signature triple-layer carrot cake filled with decadent cream cheese frosting. Quench your thirst with hometown-brewed Larry’s Hard Lemonade and a spectacular view of the York River at Larry’s. Their award-winning menu includes a delicious selection of fresh seafood specials and sandwiches.

Sushi lovers won’t be disappointed at Umi Sushi. This locally owned Japanese restaurant offers authentic oriental dishes that’ll leave you wanting more. Choose from indoor or outdoor seating at Water Street Grille, where they specialize in artisan pizzas, fresh seafood, and tapas. You’ll find 20 micro-brew beers on tap daily. After some fun on the beach, walk across the street to Yorktown Pub. You’ll find a full bar, plus sandwiches, seafood, and Carrot Tree’s signature desserts. Finally, you (and the kids!) will love a cold treat at Ben & Jerry’s. With more than 30 flavors to choose from, this ice cream shop never disappoints.

The Thrill of the Hunt

Discover something new when you shop our specialty stores for unique finds! Shop for handcrafted American-made art at Auntie M’s American Cottage; antique prints, custom hand-painted floor cloths, maps, and more at Black Dog Gallery; special exhibits and sought-after creations from hundreds of local artists at the Gallery at York Hall and On the Hill Gallery; and vintage and rare books, records, and historical items from Yorktown Bookshop. Don’t forget about your furry friends–Gangsta Dog bakes fresh, all-natural, gourmet dog biscuits; every cookie is made by hand! Lastly, be sure to treat yourself to a piece of gorgeous fine jewelry at Viccellio Goldsmith.