Biking the Virginia Capital Trail to Jamestown
1. Explore the Outdoors
Find several wooded hiking trails at Waller Mill Park, a favorite local green space anchored by a large lake. The trails, one of which is paved, lead through stands of hardwood and pine with occasional water views. Walking trails along the historic Civil War grounds of Redoubt Park pass by Confederate earthwork forts, or redoubts. At Freedom Park, a historic area dating to the 1650s, discover 2 miles of forested multiuse trails and 20 miles of mountain bike trails. If you’re traveling with bikes in tow, don’t miss a ride on The Virginia Capital Trail, a scenic 52-mile paved bicycle trail accessible from Williamsburg. Or, for a small parking and entrance fee, you can explore a coastal estuary and hike a dozen short trails at York River State Park.
Victory Monument at Yorktown Battlefield
2. Hop Aboard the Yorktown Trolley
The mahogany and brass-trimmed Yorktown Trolley covers a 4-mile loop, including 11 popular sites. Take a complimentary ride to one of the free attractions, such as the Victory Monument, one of the most iconic and beloved landmarks in Yorktown. The monument commemorates the victory of Lord Cornwallis’ surrender in October 1781, making American independence official. To enhance your visit with ticketed attractions, stop at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, The Watermen’s Museum and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Each trolley is ADA accessible, and service dogs are allowed onboard.
3. Take a Walk Through History
At the York County Historical Museum, see fascinating artifacts from 400 years of York County history, including the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Civil War, and 20th-century periods. Admission is free.
Williamsburg Botanical Garden
4. Wander Through the Blooms
Explore the Williamsburg Botanical Garden in Freedom Park, featuring more than 800 species of native vegetation. Stroll through various gardens including the Butterfly Garden, Herb Garden, and Fairy Garden. Enjoy a picnic in the covered pavilion. Hummingbirds are a highlight in the summer, monarch butterflies in the fall, and a wide variety of blooms in the spring. Check out a list of other gardens to explore in Williamsburg.
5. Cross the Jamestown River by Ferry
Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, the free Jamestown-Scotland Ferry offers a 20-minute journey across the James River from Jamestown to Surry, allowing you to imagine what the first settlers saw 400 years ago. It’s a scenic ride, and you can even bring your car along – each ferry holds 50-70 cars. On the Surry side, State Route 10 is an old-fashioned drive that features potential stops at Chippokes State Park, one of the oldest working plantations in the U.S., farmed continuously since 1619. Or, explore things to do in Jamestown.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Yorktown Landing
6. Listen to Live Music
Enjoy live music outdoors throughout the summer at free festivals and events. The Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Yorktown is a chance to dance to a diverse lineup of music like country, jazz, R&B, and all your favorite hits from June through August. Also in Colonial Williamsburg, enjoy music performances as well as arts and crafts vendors at the Second Sunday’s Art & Music Festival from March to December. Finally, every Saturday morning at the Williamsburg Farmers Market, you can listen to a featured musical artist in Merchants Square from March to December. Check out local breweries and shopping hubs for more free live music options.
Couple strolling through William & Mary
7. Step into Centuries of Tradition
Take a self-guided tour of the historic campus of William & Mary, the second-oldest college in the country dating to 1693. Visit buildings that created the “Alma Mater of a Nation,” which produced four presidents, 16 members of the Continental Congress, four signers of the Declaration of Independence, and four justices of the Supreme Court. Self-guided tours can be accessed through the William & Mary mobile app, online PDF guide or printed guide found in the Admission Office front vestibule. Be sure to take a stroll through the Sunken Garden and take pictures at the iconic Crim Dell Bridge.
Family playing in sand while mom watches on Yorktown Beach
8. Soak Up the Sun at Yorktown Beach
Yorktown Beach features two acres of beachfront for fun with the whole family. Arrive by the free Yorktown Trolley or take advantage of free parking – kayak and paddleboard rentals are also available. After your beach day, check out the nearby shops and restaurants. Another beach option is Jamestown Beach Event Park, which is family and dog friendly. Enjoy food from the concession stand at the shaded picnic tables or explore the designated fishing area. Both beaches offer ADA accessible walkways directly to the water along with water-friendly ADA chairs.
Yorktown Fishing Pier
9. Enjoy the Sights from the Pier
Stroll the Yorktown Fishing Pier, where it’s common to spot stingrays and dolphins swimming nearby. On any given day, you could see large vessels like Navy destroyers or submarines crossing the channel. The pier is open to the public year-round and is completely free to access. Thinking about fishing? Whether you’re a local or just visiting, no license is needed to cast a line for speckled trout, puppy drum, or rockfish.
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum
10. Stroll Through Art Galleries
Enjoy free admission to the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center and admire their rotating exhibits (open Wednesday through Saturday). The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum are collectively known as the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg – and they hold one of the world’s most extensive collections of early American, British, and folk art. Open 365 days a year and free to visit, the art museums house 70,000 pieces of British and American art, 12,000 architectural fragments, and more than 60 million archaeological artifacts. The museums offer interactive kids’ activities, a museum café and gift shop, and special events.