About this experience
This is a private guided tour (only your family/friends) of the Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown Glasshouse of 1608, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Surrender Field, Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, the Victory Monument & cave where Cornwallis allegedly retreated at Yorktown Beach. This is the only private tour; this is NOT a group bus or group shuttle tour.
This tour includes an in depth learning experience about the beginning of our oldest English colony (Jamestown) and ends with the siege of Yorktown on October 19, 1781 including Surrender Field. The afternoon tour at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (ARMY) includes the canon firing at 3:00pm (weather dependent from March-November). We spend about three hours in Jamestown, have lunch (self pay or bring your own lunch), and about three hours in Yorktown. Roundtrip drive is about 1 hour from Williamsburg.
NOTE: the Jamestown Settlement and ARMY (Yorktown) offer free scooters that are first come, first serve.
At a glance
- Duration: 7 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 7 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Single day admission ticket to Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktowns
- Bottled water
- Single ticket Colonial National Historical Park (National Park Service for Jamestown and Yorktown)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Guide
Not included
- Gratuities for guides (recommended 20% tip, if you enjoy your guide)
- Lunch (many options to choose from at each park) ($12USD Average)
- Operating hours for Yorktown parks are 9AM to 5PM; battlefields are open sunrise to sunset.
Itinerary and highlights
Visit our state museum that recreates the 17th Century Virginia history and culture, including replicas of some of the first three ships (Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery), the life-size recreations of the Paspahegh (Native American) Town, life-size fort of 1610-1614 and the many gallery exhibits and introduction film. Usually, we eat lunch here before leaving for Historic Yorktown.
Enjoy glassblowing at the Glasshouse of 1608 where Polish and German colonists experimented with our first industry glass blowing.
Explore the galleries and movies (the Siege of Yorktown is amazing) that bring back historic stories of the Yorktown victory and learn how the colonies came together as the United States, ratifying our Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc. Visit the Continental Army encampment and explore a Revolution-era farm.
This is the field where approximately 7,000 British and Hessian soldiers surrendered, including their muskets, cannons, standards (flags). In all, approximately 12,000 muskets and 244 artillery were forfeited. Enjoy a walk down the spiral deck to view many of the engraved cannons ("trophies") of this last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.
Enjoy the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center (National Park Service) with an updated movies, model of the Yorktown Battlefield, some of General George Washington's tents and other exhibits.
Drive by the Revolutionary War monument in Historic Yorktown and visit the cave that served as the last headquarters for General Cornwallis.
Travel time back to the starting point.
Meeting and pickup information
- If you would like to drive to meet your guide, please meet in the lobby of the Jamestown Settlement, 2110 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. The Jamestown Settlement operating hours are 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
- Please contact us as soon as possible if you need us to pick you up in the Williamsburg area. We pick up within 5 km (3.1 miles) of Colonial Williamsburg. If you have your own vehicle and would like to meet us at the state museum, Jamestown Settlement (2110 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185), we can also meet you and your group there.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Best Williamsburg Tours
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Remaining time will be allotted for pick up and travel time in between the attractions
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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Wheelchair accessible
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