For students of American history, the national parklands of the eastern United States include several must- see destinations of historical significance. One of these is Colonial National Historical Park, located near historic city of Williamsburg, Virginia. This is an important part of the National Park System, for it includes the site of the beginning and end of English control of America.

Attractions:

This park preserves two important areas that were central to U.S. history: the Yorktown Battlefield, the site where George Washington defeated Cornwallis, bringing an end to the American Revolution; and Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement in the new world.

Yorktown Battlefield and National Cemetery is a great place for patriotic folks to visit. You can walk through the actual field where this final battle of the American Revolution was fought, in October, 1781. The adjoining cemetery contains the graves of more than 2,000 soldiers who lost their lives in this decisive battle.

The Jamestown settlement is another component to this park, and it’s located about 20 miles from Yorktown. It occupies part of Jamestown Island, and it marked the beginning of English colonialism in the new world. Cape Henry Memorial marks the actual site where the first ship landed and the British stepped ashore in America, prepared to settle the new land.

Both Yorktown and Jamestown include a Visitor’s Center. This is always a good place to visit, before you start your tour. You can pickup a guide to the parks, to help you navigate around the area. This is especially helpful to have before you tour the battlefield. It provides an overview of the battle, showing you exactly what events took place, at the various locations of the battlefield, when Washington was leading his troops against the British.

Jamestown’s Visitor Center also includes a museum and bookstore. The museum is dedicated to early American settlement. It includes scaled- down versions of the ships that brought the English to America, back in the early 1600’s, along with some early American paintings.

Hours of Operation/Fees:

The park grounds are open every day, but you need to complete your touring by sunset. The Visitor’s Centers are open every day except Christmas, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Visiting this park will cost you $6.00 per adult, which is good for one week. Children under 16 are admitted free. As far as I know, there is no discount rate, per carload. Each adult has to pay the full entrance fee.

Final Thoughts:

Colonial National Historical Park is rich in both history and scenery. The historical significance of this area cannot be appreciated enough, for it includes sites relating to both the beginning of English colonial rule, and to the end of colonial rule.

My favorite areas of the park include the Visitor’s Center at Yorktown, and the battlefield itself. You can watch a tape, in the center, that will help to refresh you on this important part of American history. Then, walking around the battlefield, you can follow along on your map and think back to the age of the American Revolution, imagining what it was like back then, when Washington defeated Lord Cornwallis.

The Colonial Scenic Parkway is another nice attraction. This 20- mile long road connects Jamestown to Yorktown, and it’s lined with trees on both sides, making you feel almost like you’re passing through a tunnel, connecting two important eras in American history.

If you decide to visit this area, you will find plenty of other family- oriented attractions to visit. Williamsburg itself is an historic town, and it’s common to see people dressed in historic, 17th and 18th century attire, greeting visitors as they enter the shops, taverns, and restaurants in this historic city.

If you’re looking for more family entertainment, there’s an amusement park (Busch Gardens Williamsburg) and a water park (Water Country USA) in the vicinity. Also, the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean are just a short drive away, in Virginia Beach.

Colonial National Historic Park is a fine place to visit, for families, couples, and groups. It will give you a taste of early American history and re-educate you on the decisive battle of Yorktown, and the first English settlement at Jamestown. If you enjoy American history, you will love this park!



Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read Reviews of Other National Parks:

Grand Canyon
Boston National Historical Park
Death Valley National Park
Badlands National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Capital Reef National Park