Yorktown Battlefield

Yorktown Battlefield is the site of the decisive final battle of the American Revolution, where combined American and French forces under General George Washington defeated British General Lord Cornwallis in October 1781, effectively ending the war and securing American independence. Today, it's a National Park Service site that offers one of the most meaningful history experiences for families visiting the Williamsburg area.

The experience begins at the Visitor Center, which houses a small but excellent museum with artifacts from the siege, a detailed scale model of the battlefield, and an orientation film that sets the scene for the outdoor tour. The museum gives kids essential context — who was fighting, why Yorktown mattered, and how the siege unfolded over several weeks.

The self-guided driving tour is the main experience. The 7-mile loop takes families past 11 stops, each with interpretive signs explaining what happened at that location. Key stops include the Grand French Battery, the two British redoubts that were stormed by American and French troops, the original siege lines and earthwork fortifications, and the Surrender Field where Cornwallis's army laid down their arms.

At each stop, families can park, walk the grounds, and read the interpretive signs.

The Junior Ranger program is one of the best in the National Park system. Kids receive a booklet at the Visitor Center and complete activities at each battlefield stop — observing terrain, answering questions about strategy, and reflecting on what they've learned. The completed booklet earns them a Junior Ranger badge in a brief ceremony with a park ranger, which kids treasure.

Yorktown Battlefield connects naturally with the Yorktown village waterfront, which offers restaurants, shops, and a beautiful riverwalk along the York River. The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (adjacent to the battlefield) provides an expanded living history experience with outdoor encampments and indoor galleries. Together with Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown completes Virginia's Historic Triangle — a three-site journey through America's founding that families can experience over several days.