Our most recommended things to do in Yorktown

Yorktown Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

1. Yorktown Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 10+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Yorktown Battlefield in 1-2 hours. Once downloaded, your tour begins at the visitor center. From there, you’ll drive through the battlefield itself and hear how a British tactical error gave George Washington the opportunity he’d long awaited. The first landmark you’ll see are a pair of British defensive positions which were overtaken by American and French forces—including a commander you probably know by name! Then, head to the house where the British negotiated their surrender. As you cruise through the battlefield, you’ll hear how the Americans turned the tide, then stop at Surrender Field, where the British laid down their arms for the victorious American army. Next, visit the site where Washington’s headquarters stood during the battle and hear more about this legendary figure. After that, you’ll spot the remainder of a French artillery battery and find out more about the role the French played during the battle. Continuing on, you’ll pass the Yorktown National Cemetery and hear about the aftermath of the battle and the Revolutionary War itself. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Yorktown Victory Monument, honoring this momentous conflict. Your tour concludes here.

Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown: Self-Guided Audio Tour

2. Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown: Self-Guided Audio Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Once downloaded, your tour begins at either the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center or the Yorktown Visitor Center. In Williamsburg, you’ll first delve into the indigenous history of the Powhatan tribe and the iconic Pocahontas. Experience their intriguing story of resilience and adaptation in a rapidly changing world. Next, stop by the Peyton Randolph House, a carefully restored example of colonial grandeur that once hosted American Founding Fathers. Nearby, discover the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Building. Here, the sights and sounds of colonial times come alive as the youthful corps performs in traditional regalia, beating out rhythms that once marshaled militias. A stop at the Secretary's Office reveals the administrative heart of the colony, while the Raleigh Tavern offers a glimpse into the social hub of the 18th century. Be amazed by the intricate, interactive exhibits at the Colonial Williamsburg Magazine, detailing the armaments and military workings of the era. The Courthouse, a symbol of law and order, and the Playhouse Theater, showcasing the colonists' love for drama, provide a comprehensive view of colonial society. Not to be missed is the Governor's Palace, a stunning architectural gem reflecting royal authority. The George Wythe House and Bruton Parish Episcopal Church take you deeper into colonial life, before arriving at the Bowden-Armistead House, an emblem of post-colonial resilience. Experience the academic atmosphere of the College of William and Mary, where you can explore the historic Brafferton Road and the revered Wren Building. In Yorktown, you’ll travel along Colonial National Historical Parkway, absorbing detailed accounts of the lead-up to the battle. Then you’ll see the Moore House, where terms of British surrender were negotiated. Hear about the thrilling siege and the pivotal French and American Alliance before reaching Surrender Field, where British troops laid down their arms. Then, continue on to the site of George Washington's former headquarters. As you explore the aftermath of the conflict, the birth of an independent nation, and the battlefield's impressive topography, take in panoramic views from the Grand French Battery, the solemn Yorktown National Cemetery, and the Yorktown Victory Monument. Your tour concludes here.

Historic Battlefields Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Bundle

3. Historic Battlefields Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Bundle

This bundle includes self-guided, narrated driving tours of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Shiloh, Antietam, Vicksburg, and the Battle of Yorktown. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: Each tour 20+ miles long covers the essentials. Each tour takes 2-4 hours. Once downloaded, you can begin your tour at any battlefield in the bundle. There will be a GPS-marked starting point for each tour. In Gettysburg, you’ll follow the trajectory of this tide-turning, three-day battle that pushed Union and Confederate forces to the brink. Visit stunning memorials like the State of Pennsylvania Monument and hear about the heroism of the soldiers who fought on this land. See crucial locations from the battle like Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and the High Water Mark of the Confederacy. Listen to a blow-by-blow account of the battle unfolding across this hallowed ground. Finally, arrive at the Gettysburg National Cemetery and hear a stirring rendition of the Gettysburg Address to conclude your tour. In Antietam, you’ll relive the single deadliest day of the Civil War. Trace the steps of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict at Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, and Burnside's Bridge. Feel the tension in the Cornfield and West Woods, where some fiercest fighting took place, and discover how a misplaced cigar might have started the whole ordeal. Return to where it all started in Yorktown, the site of the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Tour the fields where George Washington’s army effectively secured American independence from the British Empire and hear how such an unlikely feat was accomplished. Visit the Moore House, where surrender negotiations took place, then look out across Surrender Field, where the British laid down their arms. Plus, hear about the aftermath of this historic struggle at the Yorktown Victory Monument, where your tour concludes. All this is included in one convenient bundle!

From DC: Colonial Williamsburg and Historical Triangle Tour

4. From DC: Colonial Williamsburg and Historical Triangle Tour

The adventure begins with pickup from your accommodation in Washington, DC and heads to Jamestown, Virginia. Learn how Jamestown was the first English settlement in North America, as well as the original capital of the state. Explore historic Jamestown with your guide, and admire the remnants of Fort James. Next, visit the reconstructed Glasshouse of 1608 and walk in the footsteps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. Continue onto Colonial Williamsburg, and enjoy a guided walk through the world’s largest living history museum. Travel back in time as you stroll through this historic site, complete with costumed actors who bring this revolutionary town to life. Before heading back to DC, visit Yorktown and check out the battlefield where General George Washington fought in the Revolutionary War. At the end of a fascinating experience, soak up views of the Colonial Parkway on the return journey.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Yorktown

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