When families visit Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, they come for the area's incredible history. These places are known for their historical significance, like the first permanent English settlement, the location of the English surrender during the American Revolution, and the capital of the colony and commonwealth of Virginia for almost one hundred years.
But Williamsburg and the historic triangle isn’t only about history. It’s also about fun! There are plenty of fun ways to spend your time in each town, in addition to learning about its history. It’s the perfect mix of education and fun for your next family vacation.
Yorktown: Where History Meets Relaxation
Yorktown is a beautiful town set along the York River. With sandy beaches and tons of charm, this small town offers plenty of ways to combine history and fun.
First, you'll want to stop by the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Its incredible indoor exhibits and outdoor experiences keep it interesting for kids and adults alike.
Our family loved the encampment display and 18th-century farmstead. These interpreters and interactive experiences bring history to life in an entertaining way.
Afterward, take the time to explore Yorktown and grab lunch at one of the fantastic restaurants in town. We ate at the Yorktown Pub and enjoyed the casual and fun atmosphere. Try the clam chowder - it’s one of the best I’ve ever eaten!
Yorktown Pub is located right next to the beach, so you can enjoy some sun and sand after eating. Don't forget to bring a blanket to lay on the beach as you watch the ships roll by! You might get lucky and see the Coleman Memorial Bridge open.
Yorktown is easily walkable, but there are more fun ways to get around town. The free Yorktown Trolley stops at popular locations like the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and the Riverwalk. You can track the trolley’s location on the website or app.
Another fun way to get around town is to rent bicycles at Patriot Tours and Provisions. They have standard bikes and e-bikes.
No matter how you get around Yorktown, you'll want to stop at the shops at Riverwalk Landing, the historic buildings along Main Street, the Yorktown Victory Monument, and Cornwallis' Cave.
Yorktown is the site of the last major land battle of the American Revolution, so it's popular to tour the battlefield. One of the best tours is the Steamer Wagon National Park Battlefield Riding Tour offered by Yorktown and Co. The replica steamer wagon will take you through some of the most significant spots of the battle. If you get lucky and have Gabe as your tour guide, you might even hear some fife playing! This was one of the best tours we’ve ever been on.
End your day in Yorktown by watching the sunset while you indulge in delicious pizza, burgers, tacos, and other fare at the Water Street Grille. I highly recommend the Backyard BBQ Pizza. It was so tasty.
Before leaving Yorktown, don’t forget to take a photo of the LOVEwork statue on the waterfront.
Interactive Learning in Jamestown
It’s easy to combine fun and history while visiting Jamestown.
First, don’t miss the Jamestown Glasshouse in Colonial National Historical Park. There, you’ll see the remains of the original furnaces the glassblowers used. You can take an interpretive trail to the glasshouse, with signs that share about the area's history. You’ll also enjoy fantastic views views of the James River (and maybe see the Jamestown—Scotland ferry).
Next to the remains is a working glasshouse, where artisans demonstrate 17th-century glassblowing techniques.
There is also a gift shop where you can purchase some of the glass pieces they make, like candle holders and tree ornaments.
After the glasshouse, head over to the Jamestown Settlement, an incredible interactive museum. Like its sister museum, the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown, the Jamestown Settlement has fantastic exhibits both inside and outside.
The indoor exhibits are interactive, with several theaters and shows illustrating life during the first permanent English settlement.
Outside, there are three exhibits where you can learn about the Powhattan, the ships the settlers took from England, and the settlement itself.
If you get hungry, stop by the Jamestown Settlement Cafe. They have a selection of food options, including sandwiches, pizza, and soup.
Colonial Williamsburg: History, Haunts, and Fun for All
Colonial Williamsburg is one of the biggest draws to this historic area—and rightfully so! The world’s largest living history museum has plenty to do and see during the day, including walking through the historic buildings, watching the fife and drum parade, and touring the town in a horse-drawn carriage.
All of that walking will work up your appetite! Luckily, you don’t have to leave town to have a delicious meal. King’s Arms Tavern offers colonial-style food in a historic building. You have to try their famous peanut soup and cornish hen!
But the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. That’s the best time to take a ghost tour around the town. We took a family-friendly ghost tour offered by US Ghost Adventures. It’s a great way to wrap up your day in Colonial Williamsburg.
Freedom Park: Outdoor Adventures with a Side of History
There is even more fun to be had on the northwest side of Williamsburg. Freedom Park is a 600-acre park with tons of history. The Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary occurred here, and there is even an 18th-century cemetery at the park.
Freedom Park was also the home of one of the earliest Free Black Settlements in America. To learn more about the settlement, you can visit the site and tour some replica houses.
While you’re in Freedom Park, don’t miss the Williamsburg Botanical Garden. There are more than 800 species within the gorgeous garden. There are also several hiking and mountain biking trails within the park.
Of course, the biggest draw to Freedom Park is Go Ape! Zipline Treetop Journey; a treetop adventure course with courses for kids and adults of varying levels. We had a great time climbing around in the trees and ziplining down to earth!
Afterward, stop by one of Williamsburg's most popular family dining restaurants. Sal’s by Victor has some of the best chicken parmigiana and vodka sauce we’ve ever eaten.
Where to Stay on Your Williamsburg Vacation
Keep the fun going with a stay at the Kingsmill Resort. This gorgeous property, located on the James River, has so many fun things to do. Three pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and a marina are just some of the fun amenities on site. You can stay active with bike and watercraft rentals or visit the recently refurbished gym.
We stayed in a huge two-bedroom suite, complete with a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and a large living area. It’s the perfect stay for families.
The Perfect Fun Family Getaway
Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown offer the best of both worlds! You and your family can learn about important events and locations in American history while enjoying fun activities like ziplines, bike riding, hiking, and more. It really is the perfect family vacation destination.
