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Visiting Yorktown Battlefield – a Glimpse into America’s Revolutionary War

Home » DESTINATIONS » North America » United States » Virginia » Visiting Yorktown Battlefield – a Glimpse into America’s Revolutionary War

Last Modified: May 29, 2025 //  by Anda //  19 Comments

America’s history is a fascinated subject. And if you truly want to learn about it, I can’t think of a better place to start than Yorktown Battlefield, the place where America won its independence.

Yorktown Battlefield is part of the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which also includes Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Each of these sites has its own importance in the history of our country.

Street in Historic Yorktown
Street in Historic Yorktown

Table of Contents

  • Yorktown Battlefield, a Place of Great Historical Significance
  • Visiting Yorktown Battlefield
  • Practical Information for Visiting Yorktown Battlefield
  • Other Things to Do in Yorktown
  • Admission Price and Hours of Operation

Yorktown Battlefield, a Place of Great Historical Significance

Back in 1691, Yorktown was a tobacco port on the banks of the York River. The town was destroyed and rebuilt many times over the course of history. However, after the Siege of 1862 of the Civil War, Yorktown never regained its economic importance.

Yorktown Battlefield holds a significant place in history as being the site of one of the most important battles in United States history. On October 19, 1781, the American and French forces led by General George Washington and General Comte de Rochambeau surrounded the British Army forcing it to surrender.

Painting representing General Washington in Yorktown battlefield

The Battle of Yorktown ended in victory for the American colonists. The British army was decimated and forced to lay down their arms. Lacking the financial resources to raise a new army, the British government appealed to the Americans for peace, which marked the end of the Revolutionary War. Britain had to recognize America’s independence and withdraw its troops. 

Visiting Yorktown Battlefield

A visit to Yorktown Battlefield will immerse you in 18th century colonial America during its struggle for freedom from the clutches of the British rule. The best place to begin your day is at the Visitor Center, where you’ll watch a short orientation film about the Siege of Yorktown.

View of the American Revolution Museum
American Revolution Museum

From here your visit will continue at the American Revolution Museum. The museum displays artifacts, dioramas, and interactive exhibits from the Siege of 1781. There are two self-guided audio tours that will allow you to explore the site at your own pace.

The historic Yorktown Battlefield site is as an outdoor history museum where costumed interpreters demonstrate daily life in a re-created army encampment.

Interpreter demonstrating daily life in an army encampment
Daily life in an army encampment

You can learn about the daily routine of the American soldiers, the medical practices of the time, and follow military drills demonstrations and artillery firing.

Interpreter explaining the medical practices of the time
Interpreter explaining the medical practices of the time

Yorktown Battlefield as a hands-on-experience museum that will allow you to walk the parapets and bunkers, find out how a grasshopper cannon works, and learn to handle a musket.

Grasshopper Cannon displayed in the Yorktown battlefield
“Grasshopper” Cannon

We especially enjoyed the huge open space where the artillery was displayed. The 11 artillery pieces were actually used during the 1781 battle.

You can ask questions and participate in the Confederate soldiers’ life, visit their tents, or even try on their uniforms. 

Visiting Yorktown Battlefield
Trying on a soldier uniform

Practical Information for Visiting Yorktown Battlefield

Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center is located at 1000 Colonial Parkway, in Yorktown, Virginia. That’s about 21 miles away from Jamestown on Colonial Pkwy.

The site is open 7 days a week, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Admission fee for Yorktown Battlefield only is $10/person (good for 7 days entrance). However, a better deal is to buy a combo ticket for Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown Settlement. The ticket costs $27.50 for adults, and $13.50 for children 6-12 years old. 

You can also purchase a Historic-Triangle Pass for $99.99 (adults) or $46.00 (children 6-15). The pass grants you access to all three sites (Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and Yorktown Battlefield) for seven consecutive days.

Time needed on the site: Visiting Yorktown Battlefield takes about 3 hours. I suggest combining your visit with the next door Jamestown Settlement.

Other Things to Do in Yorktown

While in Yorktown, you can also visit the beautiful sandy beach overlooking the large Yorktown Bridge. The area is really beautiful and a great spot for taking pictures, walking or bike riding. 

View of Yorktown Beach
Yorktown Beach

You can stroll on the pier and check out the charming little shops. We stopped for dinner at one of the riverfront restaurants and enjoyed a great sunset. After dinner, we took an evening cruise on Schooner Serenity down the York River. Great views of the Chesapeake Bay! 

Admission Price and Hours of Operation

Yorktown Battlefield is open from 9 am to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. Admission price is $15/adults and are good for 7 days. For children 15 years and younger admission is free.

The best deal is to buy a Historic-Triangle Ticket for $123.00 (adults) or $55.00 (children 6-15). This ticket grants you access to all three sites (Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and Yorktown Battlefield) for seven consecutive days.

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Category: DESTINATIONS, United States, VirginiaTag: USA Historic Towns

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    January 25, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    Colonial Williamsburg has long been on my list of places to visit, and it seems that I should make sure to stop at Yorktown too. I always do enjoy historical places that seem like living museums. Thanks for linking with #WkendTravelInspiration.

    Reply
  2. Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)

    January 22, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    What a great idea for a historical tour! Last summer, we visited the homes of four Founding Fathers in Virginia. This sounds like a great follow-up! Thanks for the inspiration. #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      January 22, 2017 at 10:58 pm

      Thank you, Rob. It’s surely a very inspirational destination.

      Reply
  3. Lolo

    January 22, 2017 at 1:58 am

    Oooh this could be verrrry interesting to visit! #Wkendtravelinspiration

    Reply
  4. Rhonda

    January 21, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    I have never been to Yorktown but I do like the “living history” approach to colonial towns. Thanks for the great photos of hubby in period clothing although I wonder if they really inspected cannons that way 🙂

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      January 22, 2017 at 9:28 am

      Ha,ha,ha, they probably didn’t, Rhonda.

      Reply
  5. Ahila

    January 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    The Yorktown bridge and beach area looks really charming. Enjoyed reading about the history of the place.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      January 22, 2017 at 11:02 pm

      Thank you, Ahila. I’m glad you liked it.

      Reply
  6. Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute

    January 21, 2017 at 8:58 am

    Awesome job with the photos! I love that sepia tone to really set the mood of Yorktown. Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

    Reply
  7. Lara Dunning

    January 21, 2017 at 12:12 am

    Reading this post now is very fitting. I was just in Virginia and visited Jamestown Settlement. I’d love to go back and see all three and learn more about that part of history. Within the past few years, I discovered that my mother’s side of the family were early arrivals (arrived in Jamestown in 1624) so I have a renewed interest in the East Coast. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m envious you got to do all three!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      January 22, 2017 at 11:19 pm

      You should definitely go see all three of them, Lara. They make a lot of sense together.

      Reply
  8. Vlad

    August 16, 2015 at 12:20 am

    It looks like a fascinating place if you are interested in history. That beach looks awesome and your nighttime photo of it and the bridge is simply stunning! 😀

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 16, 2015 at 7:16 pm

      Thank you, Vlad. I hope you’ll visit Yorktown sometimes soon.

      Reply
  9. JR

    August 15, 2015 at 6:17 am

    Anda. What wonderful photo editing. I’m jealous. You really set the tone for the period. I used to live in Norfolk for six years and have visited Jamestown. I also am fascinated by history and how this nation was born and am amazed how the history of my country would be so different if things had not played out as they did in the Revolutionary War. I recently read the book “1776” by David McCullough that you might like to read, too.
    Keep up the great blogging work.
    Best
    — JR

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 15, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you JR, I’m really glad to see someone who’s genuinely interested in this subject. I’ll try to check out the book you recommended.

      Reply
  10. Amanda & Brian - Eat_Work_Travel

    August 14, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Beautiful pictures! I have only been to Williamsburg as a kid. Now as an adult with a greater appreciation for history, I should return. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 15, 2015 at 9:38 pm

      Thank you, Amanda. I’m sure you’ll enjoy revisiting Williamsburg.

      Reply
  11. Paula McInerney

    August 14, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    YorkTown looks to be fascinating place, rich in American history. Love your images and how they are like a slide show. Too cool. Let me know how you do this.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 15, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      That’s a plugin, Paula. It’s called NextGEN Gallery by Photocrati

      Reply

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