Spring in Historic Yorktown
Spring has arrived, which means Yorktown will soon be bustling with locals and visitors alike. If you find yourself in the area in April, May, or early June, consider taking advantage of our numerous attractions that offer fun for the whole family.
Article and Photos Courtesy of: York County Public Affairs
Tour the Area in Unique, Leisurely Ways
The Yorktown Trolley is one of the most convenient ways to see Historic Yorktown. This complimentary service resumes its daily schedule from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22. Our drivers provide helpful information at each stop, so riders can relax and enjoy the scenery. The trolley’s designated route runs from the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, making several convenient stops along the way. Each trolley is ADA accessible and features infotainment and an interactive tracking system. Track the trolley using the SPOT ETA mobile app (Android and iPhone) and get an estimated time of its arrival.
Riverwalk Landing Piers reopen Monday, April 1, and welcome recreational boaters who want to dock for overnight or daily stays. Once docked, mariners can step ashore for attractions, shops, restaurants, museums, and other touring opportunities.
Thanks to Patriot Tours and Provisions, visitors can roll around the area in style! Rent bicycles – even electric bikes – to explore Historic Yorktown and the trails of the Yorktown Battlefield. Families with teenagers can book guided Segway tours with routes along the waterfront and Historic Main Street. During the two-hour tour, riders will learn the basic history of Yorktown during the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War Periods.
Beginning in early April, the Schooner Alliance II will be offering day and sunset cruises along the York River.Guests will sail past the Victory Monument and Yorktown Battlefield. Kids 12 and under can join the ship’s crew for its Pirate Adventure Cruise, where they’ll be able to help raise sails, learn to tie knots, and steer the ship. Reservations can be made by phone at 888-316-6422 or online at www.sailyorktown.com.
For those who love spooky stories, Yorktown Ghost Walks is a must-do. Learn about the history and haunts of Colonial Yorktown as told by actual paranormal investigators in the historic area.
Embark on an Engaging History Lesson
The Watermen’s Museum reopens Tuesday, April 2. The museum features exhibits that give visitors an understanding of the role the Chesapeake Bay watermen played in shaping our nation—from pre-colonial to modern times. This year’s new exhibit highlights the meteor crater that created the lower Chesapeake Bay. There are also updated exhibits featuring the Yorktown Sunken Fleet and the War of 1812 on the Chesapeake. Don’t miss the Pirates Invade Yorktown Weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 27 and April 28. Enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, a pirate encampment, sea shanties, cannon demonstrations, and a town-wide treasure hunt. In addition, a treasure trove of vendors will be selling local produce, artwork, and more at our two-day Pirates Invasion Market. This special-themed market will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.
Explore the exhibition galleries at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The museum shares the story of the nation’s founding from the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. While enjoying the indoor exhibit, be sure to check out the short, immersive 4D film “The Siege of Yorktown,” shown in the Experiential Theater. There are always hands-on activities taking place in the outdoor living history exhibits. On Saturday, April 6, the Museum will host a special Talking History Lecture with Lauren Muney. She is one of only 20 artists in the world working in the traditional trade of cutting silhouette portraits with only scissors, without drawing in advance or tracing shadows. Her work can be seen in “Liberty Fever,” the award-winning introductory film at the Museum. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to all York County, James City County, and Williamsburg residents.
Visit the fields, earthworks, and historical buildings where American independence was won at the Colonial National Historical Park – Yorktown Battlefield. Driving tours of the battlefield include siege lines and encampment areas. For convenience, consider purchasing Colonial seven-day or annual passes online. These experiences are administered by the National Park Service as part of Colonial National Historical Park.
The York County Historical Museumopens for the season on Tuesday, April 2. View artifacts that tell the rich and varied stories of York County’s past—from the time of the earliest Native Americans, colonial-era Yorktown, and both the battlefield and home fronts of the Revolutionary War through World War II. The museum is free and located in the lower level of York Hall. Hours vary based on the availability of volunteers.
Discover Art with Heart
The Gallery at York Hall on Historic Main Street reopens Tuesday, April 2, with regular hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free. The Gallery features the work of more than 300 local artists along with a variety of themed exhibits that change every six to eight weeks. This year’s season kicks off with a Yorktown Houses and Quilts Exhibit for April and May. The Gallery is the perfect place to pick up a symbolic souvenir featuring the Yorktown Onion, Fifes and Drums of York Town, and Revolutionary-era soldiers.
On the Hill Galleryoffers unique artwork from local and regional artists. Located on Historic Main Street in a quaint little building, visitors will find everything from paintings and jewelry to home and office decor. In April, the gallery features a Camera to Canvas exhibit. The Gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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