Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Things To Do Near Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

You have over 3,000 miles to explore, and you'll encounter rich historic heritage and diverse natural habitats along this trail. Enjoy driving around the beautiful bay, hiking, or boating on the water. The trail has four different visitor centers that will help you plan your trip. Traveling by RV means you will be able to wander around and see more. 

Hiking Trails

• Billy Goat Trail Section C

  The Billy Goat Trailis a popular trail near Potomac, Maryland. This is a protected area designed to preserve the remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals with the original structures still intact. The trail offers spectacular views of the Potomac River. You will be climbing some steep hills, so be sure to wear good hiking boots. 

  Location

  Billy Goat Trail Section C, Potomac, MD 20854

  Length

  7.8 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Scott’s Run River Trail

  Scott’s Run River Trail is a wonderful area for nature trips, walking, and running. It features a beautiful waterfall. Be careful when you are hiking near the river since the water can get high and move fast. This is a beautifully wooded trail with a mix of inclines, flat areas, and areas with loose rocks. 

  Location

  7400 VA-193, McLean, VA 22102

  Length

  1.4 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail

  The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail is a popular trail that leads up to an overlook of the Great Falls. This is a great spot for nature walks and birdwatching with lots of trees and off-shoot trails. You will have nice views of the water and rock formations. It leads to a cool boardwalk that looks over the falls. 

  Location

  205 W. Potomac Street, Williamsport, MD 21795

  Length

  4.1 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Norfolk Botanical Garden

  The Norfolk Botanical Garden has over 60 different gardens to explore. The Spring Gardens include a rose garden, an herb garden, and an enchanted forest. The Summer Gardens include a healing garden and a circle garden. The Children’s Garden has all kinds of fun areas to explore. It also features a butterfly house.

  Location

  6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, VA 23518

• Virginia Zoo

  The Virginia Zoo covers 53 acres near Lafayette Park. It is home to more than 700 animals. You can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours that show how the zoo cares for the animals. It also has themed gardens to enjoy. 

  Location

  3500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23504

• Yorktown Victory Monument

  The Yorktown Victory Monument commemorates the surrender of Cornwallis’ army in Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Yorktown is the site of the last major American Revolutionary War battle. The site offers ranger-guided tours and programs throughout the day that tell you all about the history of the area.

  Location

  803 Main Street, Yorktown, VA 23690

Museums

• Historic Jamestowne

  Historic Jamestowne is the site of the 1607 James Fort. You can visit the excavation site and talk to archeologists to hear about the artifacts they have discovered there. This is the original site of the first permanent settlement in America. You can learn about local history, including everything about John Smith and Pocahontas. 

  Location

  1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, VA 23081

• St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum

  The St. Luke’s Historic Church and Museum is also known as the Old Brick Church or the Newport Parish Church. It is a quaint building established in the 17th century. Explore the grounds, and see over 400 years of American stories. The grounds also include Virginia’s oldest open cemetery. 

  Location

  14477 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield, VA 23430

• Poquoson Museum

  The Poquoson Museum is a small, locally-owned museum. The staff works hard to preserve the cultural heritage of the waterfront community. Docents show you around and teach you all about the rich past of the area. The museum also runs war re-enactment events every year that can make you feel like you are actually stepping back into the past.

  Location

  968 Poquoson Avenue, Poquoson, VA 23662

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• A. Dodson’s

  A. Dodson’s is a fun store offering apparel, quirky things for your home, and gifts. You will find home décor, kitchen items, and holiday items. It offers women’s apparel and jewelry. There are also items for the garden. 

  Location

  1611-A Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517

• Everything Williamsburg

  Everything Williamsburg is a shop where you will find souvenirs, tee shirts, and toys. You can spend the day enjoying Williamsburg and then purchase the perfect souvenir to remember the fun. 

  Location

  101 Visitor Center Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185

• Yorktown Pub

  The Yorktown Pub offers clam chowder, seafood gumbo, salads, and a wide variety of tasty dishes. It also serves beer and cocktails. Try the prime rib sandwich, the jerk chicken, or the veggie burger. 

  Location

  540 Water Street, Yorktown, VA 23690

• Naci’s Corner Cafe

  Naci’s Corner Café is the result of the dream of a young couple to serve the best Mediterranean food in the area. Enjoy the menu of hummus, borek, sarma, and cacik. If you have never tried this type of food, you will be pleasantly surprised and satisfied with a fantastic meal. 

  Location

  1900 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23517

How To Get To Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

To get to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail from Richmond, Virginia, start by heading east on Interstate 64. Follow the interstate for a while, leave at Exit 242B, and merge onto VA-199 East. Then continue straight onto Penniman Road. From there, take the ramp to Yorktown, and turn right onto Colonial Parkway. You will follow that all the way into Yorktown, which is right in the area of our adventure.

Address

P.O. Box 210, Yorktown, VA 23690

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee.

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail follows the three main voyages of Captain John Smith, the explorer who discovered Chesapeake. He is famous for exploring with the Indian guide Pocahontas. There are Smart Buoys in the water that mark the routes John Smith took when exploring the bay. You will have a fascinating voyage of your own as you learn about the historical events in the area. You will also find a variety of habitats where you can learn to identify the various kinds of plants and wildlife you see along the way. The Chesapeake Bay offers a huge area to explore. Traveling by RV means you will be able to see it all the most convenient way possible as you retrace the steps of Captain John Smith.