Top Favorite Spots In Yorktown, VA
This blog post is kindly sponsored by The Jamestown Yorktown Foundation. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This blog post has been a long time coming! I can’t believe it’s taken me 8 months to get around to sharing about our trip to Yorktown, VA. but here we are.
I’m actually pretty excited to share about our experiences because this trip was truly SO much fun. We had such sweet moments during our visit to the James Settlement and the American Revolution Museum
First of all, any excuse to visit Yorktown is always welcomed! It’s such a beautiful city, rich in history. In my past visits we would drive by the Jamestown Settlement but never had enough time to go in. This trip was ALL about checking out the places we had previously missed.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with the Jamestown Settlement. Here’s a little info:
Near the site of the original colony, Jamestown Settlement tells the story of 17th-century Virginia, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to the cultural encounters and events that planted the seeds of a new nation. The world of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony, comes to life through film, gallery exhibits and outdoor living history.
From the moment we walked in we were taken with the vibe of the environment. It really felt like we had stepped into another time. It was magical. We watched the film 1607: A Nation Takes Root, which is shown every 30 minutes in the museum theater. It was the perfect introduction to the settlement.
It was so fun walking through the recreation of the Powhatan village. It was a treat! Reed-covered houses, crops and a ceremonial circle of carved wooden posts. Fun fact: The re-created Powhatan Indian village is based on archaeological findings at a site once inhabited by Paspahegh Indians, the Powhatan tribal group closest to Jamestown, and descriptions recorded by English colonists.
In addition to this fun village, there are historical interpreters that discuss (AND demonstrate) how the Powhatan culture grew and prepared food, processed animal hides, made tools and pottery, and wove natural fibers into cordage. It’s really neat to see! The kids even had a chance to grind corn. It’s a pretty hands on experience for visitors.
Of course, the main event in my opinion are the re-creations of three ships that brought America’s first permanent English colonists to Virginia. These are just INCREDIBLE! You can climb aboard and take a tour of the ships. Clearly our family was all about it! It was the perfect way to end our time at the settlement.
Day 2- The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Another fun spot on our Yorktown bucket list was the American Revolution museum . Like the Jamestown Settlement, this museum has great indoor galleries, interactive exhibits and films including “The Siege of Yorktown,” with a 180-degree surround screen and dramatic special effects. That was so cool we sat through it twice, ha! I have to say though, one of the things that makes the American Revolution museum stand out is the outdoor Continental army re-creation encampment. Fun fact: there are daily firings of musket and artillery (weather permitting of course)! Our boys were all about it.
If you’re visiting Colonial Williamsburg during your stay, you absolutely have to ride in a 18th century style horse drawn carriage!! That was such a sweet experience for our family. We had an incredible day exploring the historic town (and shops). We also took a tour of the Governor’s Palace. It’s a sight to see!
We truly love this town and all of the great choices of museums, sights, and events! Save this one in your pocket for the next time you’re in the area.
XOXO, terri
XOXO, terri 