Fun Things To Do in Yorktown, VA with Kids

1. Yorktown Battlefield

History buffs and Hamilton fans will love visiting Yorktown Battlefield, the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. In the fall of 1781, General George Washington and his allied forces besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army. Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence.

Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where you can watch a 16-minute film about the Siege at Yorktown and explore exhibits that include parts of the tents George Washington used throughout the war. Then you can take a self-guided driving tour of the battlefield or you can do what we did—take a Steamer Wagon Tour! This one-hour tour is such a fun and unique way to see some of the most important sites and enjoy the nice weather without having to get in and out of your car.

The Steamer Wagon holds 12 people, so we were with one other family. In addition to the driver, we had a wonderful tour guide dressed in period clothing, who told us stories about each spot we visited in a fun and engaging way. My kids were super interested. He even got off the wagon a couple of times to play the fife!

Some of the locations we visited on the tour include Redoubt 10, where Alexander Hamilton led a victorious attack in the dark of night; the Moore House, where the surrender terms were negotiated between Lord Cornwallis and General Washington; Surrender Field, where the British surrendered; the field hospital; and the French cemetery. I highly recommend taking this tour if you have kids!

RELATED: Visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon with Kids

Learn about the nation's beginnings at the American Revolution Museum. 

2. American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

This fantastic museum tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. The indoor galleries feature period artifacts and some hands-on opportunities for kids. My daughter enjoyed doing a slide puzzle and spelling her name on the old-school typeset table, and all three kids got a kick put of seeing their messages about liberty light up on the 17-foot Liberty Tree.

In the outdoor area, we visited a re-created Continental Army encampment to learn about the life of a soldier. Several of the spaces had interpreters who did demonstrations on medical treatment, camp life and cooking, and more. We also saw (and heard!) a "soldier" fire as flintlock musket and a woman chop wood. And, we explored a farm based on a real-life 18th-century family, where we toured the house, kitchen, tobacco barn, and gardens. We got up close to live chickens and saw a woman splitting wood with an axe.

All in all, I was surprised by how kid-friendly this museum was!

3. Yorktown Trolley

This free trolley stops at all the big tourist destination and takes away the hassle of trying to find parking during peak tourist season and special events. It's also fun to ride and adds to the nostalgia of this historic town. Friendly guides offer helpful information about each stop. Bonus: The trolley is air-conditioned in the summer!

Yorktown Beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand on the York River. 

4. Yorktown Beach

I have to admit, I had no idea Yorktown had such a pretty beach! Yorktown Beach features two acres of public beachfront with an ADA-accessible fishing pier, a grassy picnic area, and plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy looking at the York River. We saw several little kids splashing in the water and building sandcastles. It was a unique feeling to be in such a historic place and feel such a beachy vibe!

5. Riverwalk Landing

This outdoor entertainment area along the York River features restaurants, unique shops, and gorgeous views. It also hosts popular events throughout the year, like a 4th of July celebration and a holiday lighted boat parade. We happened to be there during Rhythms on the Riverwalk, an outdoor concert series, and just loved the vibe. There were families having picnics on blankets and lawn chairs, kids dancing, and people of all ages just enjoying the great weather and the live music.

6. The Watermen's Museum

This museum has historical exhibits depicting military and civilian water craft and activities, crafts and methods of their trade, and a look into the lives of the people that have worked and fought on the water. There are also many summer children's programs on topics such as boatbuilding, archaeology, and pirate life. The museum is closed from late December through late March.

7. Sailboat Rides

Book a sailboat ride along the gorgeous York River through Yorktown Sailing Charters. The most kid-friendly option is the 90-minute Yorktown Pirate Adventure Sail, where kids will help to raise the sails, steer the schooner, and learn to tie knots and perform other sailor skills. Children can also get temporary tattoos and hear the cannon fire.

8. Kayaking and Paddleboarding

From May through October, you can also take to the York River on a kayak or paddleboard! Rentals are available through Patriot Tours and Provisions and launch from the Watermen's Museum's private beach, with a portion of the rental going to the museum. Kids 10 and under must be in a tandem kayak with an adult, and paddleboard lessons are available by appointment.

9. Bike Riding

My son and I took a stroll along the river on the 1.1-mile riverwalk and thought it would be the perfect place to go for a bike ride. You can rent beach cruisers through Patriot Tours and Provisions and do just that! Child bikes and bike trailers are available. 

10. Ghost Tours

With such a long and storied history, it's no surprise that the buildings, streets, and battle sites of Yorktown are said to be haunted. That means there are plenty of ghost tours offered in the evenings. While I can't personally vouch for the kid-friendliness of any of them, I would recommend the tour offered through US Ghost Adventures. We did a DC ghost tour through the same company when my kids were 12 and 9, and it offered the perfect balance of history and spookiness without being too scary.

11. The Colonial Parkway

The scenic 23-mile Colonial Parkway connects the historic triangle of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg. It stretches all the way from the York River in Yorktown to the James River in Jamestown. There are several spots to pull over and enjoy the scenery while learning more about the area. More adventurous families can bike along the parkway.

Water Street Grille serves up tasty food, friendly vibes, and fantastic views. 

Best Yorktown Restaurants for Families

12. Water Street Grille

We had a great dinner at this family-friendly Riverwalk Landing restaurant on the beach. It has a laid-back neighborhood vibe and serves up brick oven pizzas, fresh seafood, burgers and sandwiches, and more. We sat on the patio, which had great views of the river!

13. Coastal Thirst

Coastal Thirst started as a popular food truck, then added a casual restaurant across the street from Yorktown Beach that they describe as a "beach deli." Open for breakfast and lunch, it serves up sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs, burritos and burrito bowls, salads, and more. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. My family enjoyed sitting on the patio and enjoying views of the beach while we ate our lunch, which was absolutely delicious!

14. Mobjack Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe

This unique cafe is located within Yorktown National Park inside the Cole Digges House, which was built around 1726. It offers sandwiches, wraps, and other breakfast and lunch items in addition to a variety of coffees and teas.

15. Little York Confectionery

Located in the 1696-era Somerwell House right next door to Mobjack, this adorable little shop serves candies, homemade bonbons, ice cream, and other fun treats. There's a fun little gift shop inside, in case you're looking for souvenirs.

 
The Hornsby House Inn is a kid-friendly B&B in the heart of Yorktown. Photo courtesy of the inn

Family-Friendly Yorktown Hotels

16. Hornsby House Inn

This historic, quaint bed and breakfast in the heart of Yorktown has six rooms that sleep three or four people, each with a private, modern bathroom. Each room includes breakfast in the dining room for two, and additional breakfasts can be purchased for less than $15 for kids 12 and under and less than $20 for teens and adults.

17. Yorktown Beach Hotel

This is a no-frills hotel, but its prime location on Yorktown Beach makes it a great option for families. It features an outdoor pool overlooking the York River and rooms with gorgeous views of the river and beach. Enjoy a free continental breakfast each morning.

18. Yorktown Cottages

If you want all the comforts of home during your vacation, rent one of these two beautiful cottages. The larger one is 2,000 square feet and sleeps five, while the smaller one sleeps four and is 1,300 square feet. Both homes have private gardens and are in walking distance to Yorktown attractions, and they have a trolley stop that makes getting around extra convenient.

All photos by author Jennifer Marino Walters, unless otherwise indicated

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