Historic Jamestowne offers much to see and do. A typical visit can last 2 to 3 hours, but those wishing to delve deeper into Jamestown's history can easily spend half a day or more exploring the island. See archaeology in action as the Jamestown Rediscovery team continues to excavate parts of the island. Take a tour with an archaeologist, education specialist, or park ranger to hear about the latest discoveries. Break for lunch or a quick snack at the Dale House Café by the water’s edge before continuing on to the Archaearium, a museum that houses some of the most spectacular finds of the two million artifacts uncovered since the Jamestown Rediscovery Project began in 1994

Near the site of the original colony, Jamestown Settlement tells the story of 17th-century Virginia, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to the cultural encounters and events that planted the seeds of a new nation. The world of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony, comes to life through film, gallery exhibits and outdoor living history.

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells anew the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. Exciting new indoor galleries feature period artifacts, immersive environments, interactive exhibits and films, including “The Siege of Yorktown,” with a 180-degree surround screen and dramatic special effects.

See where American independence was won at the Yorktown Battlefield, administered by the National Park Service as part of the Colonial National Historical Park. Here on October 19, 1781, British forces under Lord Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the combined American and French armies led by General George Washington.