Colonial Parkway

Things To Do Near Colonial Parkway

Visitors will find that there are lots of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails along with water views, places to go fishing, and plenty of sightseeing spots throughout the Historic Triangle. Colonial Williamsburg will take you back in time; they even have people in costumes who will talk to you as if you were still living in Colonial America. Nature-lovers should look for beavers and otters near the marshes along the Colonial Parkway. You might also spot some deer and foxes while driving down the 23-mile parkway.

Hiking Trails

• Freedom Park

  The site of one of the first Free Black Settlements as well as the Williamsburg Botanical Garden, Freedom Park offers visitors two miles of hiking and multiuse trails that include a paved one-mile ADA-accessible trail. There is also a GoApe Treetop Adventure Course in this dog-friendly park. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

  Location

  5537 Centerville Rd, Williamsburg, VA 21388

  Length

  2 Miles, 1 Mile paved ADA accessible section

  Intensity

  Easy

• Waller Mill Park

  Waller Mill Park offers visitors a 360-acre lake where you can choose from five different hiking trails or go fishing for several types of fish. Canoeing, kayaking, and pedal boating are also available. A retail shop that sells fishing poles, tackle, and bait, as well as snacks, soda, and ice cream, is open if you need it. The vehicle entrance fee is $2 per day. 

  Location

  901 Airport Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185

  Length

  0.75 Miles (shortest trail) to 2.92 Miles

  Intensity

  Easy to Challenging

• York River State Park

  This state park is a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve located on the York River. The park features 12 hiking trails that offer views of the river, trees, and local wildlife. Bird-watchers will find plenty of local birds, including blue herons, ospreys, and maybe even bald eagles. It costs $5 to enter the park. The park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk. 

  Location

  9801 York River Park Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188

  Length

  30 Miles in total; Hiking trails vary in length from 0.5 Miles to 2.5 Miles

  Intensity

  Easy to Moderate

Sightseeing

• Haunted Williamsburg Tours

  Take a spooky one-hour candlelit tour of Colonial Williamsburg. Follow your guide, fully dressed in a 17th-century costume, as they guide you through town, telling you ghost stories, including any recent sightings. Suitable for anyone over the age of 8. 

  Location

  Begins at the Play House Stage on Palace Green in Colonial Williamsburg

• Jamestown Glasshouse

  Visit the site of the first English industry in Colonial America, glassmaking, and watch as craftsmen use the same tools and techniques that were used in 1608. At the Glasshouse, you will see green glass being blown, but you can go to an off-site location if you want to see other colors. You will also find the Glasshouse Gift Shop on-site. The spot is open from 8:30 to 5 p.m.

  Location

  1355 Colonial National Historic Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA 23185 

• Yorktown Battlefield

  Visit the place where General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington in 1781. The visitor center offers an orientation film and museum exhibits. You can take a guided walking tour of the battlefield or drive through on your own. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  Location

  1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, VA 23690

Museums

• American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

  Learn about the history of Jamestown and the American Revolution and see up-close what life was like in Colonial America through the American Revolution Museum and the living-history exhibit, Jamestown Settlement. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the outdoor areas are available to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  Location

  200 Water Street, Yorktown, VA 23690

• The Watermen's Museum

  The Watermen's Museum explains how watermen along the Chesapeake Bay have shaped American history from pre-colonial times until now. Exhibits depict both civilian and military activities. There is also a gift shop. The museum is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday's hours are only 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  Location

  309 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Auntie M's American Cottage

  Pick up a unique souvenir at Auntie M's American Cottage. Her shop includes arts and crafts made by artists in Yorktown and throughout the United States. Many artists have used recycled and repurposed items in their crafts. 

  Location

  330 Water Street #502, Yorktown, VA 23690

• Fat Canary

  This upscale restaurant offers an intimate bistro setting with fine wine, a patio, and a cheese shop. The food is influenced by New Orleans, North Carolina, Southern California, and Hawaii. Reservations are recommended.

  Location

  410 Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185

• Food For Thought Restaurant

  Food For Thought décor is made up of biographical pictures of highly intellectual people, including inventors and scientists. Enjoy interesting quotes and discussion cards that have been placed on your table. The menu is diverse and includes gluten-free items. 

  Location

  1647 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185

How To Get To Colonial Parkway

From Richmond, take I-64 E for roughly 51 miles. Take Exit 242B for State Route 199 E toward Colonial Pkwy/Yorktown for 0.3 miles. After 423 feet, merge onto VA-199 E. Merge onto I-64 W from the right lane using the ramp to Richmond. 

Address

1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, VA 23690

Fee: Colonial Parkway Fee (per vehicle)

There is no fee to see the parkway.

Fee: Colonial National Historical Park Entry Fee (ages 16 and older) $15.0

Each ticket for Colonial National Historical Park is good for seven consecutive days. 

Fee: Colonial National Historical Park Entry Fee (ages 15 and under)

There is no entry fee for individuals 15 and under to Colonial National Historical Park.

Fee: Colonial National Historical Park Annual Pass $45.0

Fee: Historic Jamestown Entry Fee (ages 16 and older) $25.0

Historic Jamestown is part of Colonial Historical National Park.

Fee: Historic Jamestown Entry Fee (ages 15 and under)

There is no entry fee for individuals 15 and under. Historic Jamestown is part of Colonial Historical National Park.

In the roughly 30 minutes it takes to travel the Colonial Parkway, be sure to look for all the natural wildlife in the area, including bald eagles, deer, foxes, beavers, and even bobcats. Notice the lush greenery, marshes, and bridges built to look as though they were erected during colonial times. With an RV, you can stop and explore at your own leisurely pace while enjoying all of the comforts of home on the road.