Jamestown & Yorktown: Full Day Historic Tour with Lunch

Summary

Walk Jamestown’s 1600s paths then Yorktown’s battlefields with stories and local food

You’ll walk through Jamestown’s muddy beginnings with a local guide before sharing lunch in a family-run café—colonial recipes optional. Then stand where history turned at Yorktown Battlefield and explore the American Revolution Museum at your own pace. You’ll feel connected to centuries past—and maybe find yourself lingering longer than planned.

What’s the experience like?

We were already squinting at the old wooden palisades of Jamestown when our guide, Mike, waved us over. “Look at that—see the marks?” he said, pointing to an axe-scarred beam. I could smell the river mud and wet grass, and honestly, I’d never thought much about what 1607 might’ve felt like until then. Kids in our group kept darting between the cannons while Mike explained how these settlers survived (or didn’t). He had this way of weaving in odd facts—like how tobacco almost didn’t happen here—which made me laugh because I always pictured history as dry textbooks. Not so much here.

Lunch came sooner than expected; we ducked into a small café near the settlement—run by a local family, not some chain. I tried the “colonial style” chicken pie (I’m still not sure what made it colonial, but it was good), and someone next to me ordered something gluten-free without any fuss from the staff. The room smelled like fresh bread and coffee, which felt oddly comforting after all that talk of hardship outside. We swapped stories about what we’d seen so far—one woman said her ancestor fought at Yorktown, which made us all pause for a second.

After lunch we jumped forward a century—Yorktown this time. The battlefield was quieter than I expected; you could hear birds and our footsteps crunching on gravel more than anything else. Our guide pointed out where Washington’s troops lined up against Cornwallis (I tried to imagine it but mostly just saw wildflowers). The American Revolution Museum nearby had these hands-on exhibits—I got roped into trying on a tricorn hat for a photo, which my partner found hilarious—and then we wandered off for some solo exploring before heading back. The sun was starting to dip but nobody seemed in a hurry to leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Historic Jamestown and Yorktown tour

• Guided tour of Jamestown
• Free time at Jamestown
• Lunch at local cafe
• Guided tour of Yorktown Battlefield
• Visit Yorktown War Museum
• Free time at Yorktown Museum

Top questions

How long does the full day historic tour last?

The tour covers a full day including guided tours and free time at each site.

Is lunch included on this Jamestown & Yorktown tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a local family-run café with colonial style meal options available.

Are there dietary options for lunch?

Yes, dietary options such as gluten-free meals are available upon request.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

What museums or sites are visited during this tour?

The tour includes Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Battlefield, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Does this tour include pickup?

The tour includes air-conditioned transportation but does not specify hotel pickup; check with provider for details.

How much free time do you get at each site?

You have about an hour of free time each at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport between sites, entry to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown attractions with guided tours plus free time to explore on your own, and a hearty lunch at a locally owned café—with colonial style dishes if you want them—before returning in comfort after exploring both centuries of history.