Colonial Parkway: Jamestown to Williamsburg to Yorktown

Colonial Parkway connects the two sections of Colonial National Historical Park: Jamestown, in 1609 the first English settlement in America; and Yorktown, a colonial town and scene of the last skirmish of the Revolutionary War. Between the two is Colonial Williamsburg, former colonial capital with more than 500 restored buildings. The parkway itself is a 23-mile, two-lane highway and can be easily driven in less than an hour; nearby are many historical and other attractions that may induce you to linger longer. Special attractions: For many visitors, history, theme parks, and shopping malls are bigger draws here than the scenery, but don’t miss the views of the shoreline, water, and woods along the parkway. Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg each played a unique role in the history of the United States. This eTrail is a complete description of a scenic drive with a route map and information on the best travel seasons, interesting sites, recreation opportunities, camping locations, and much more.