State(s): Virginia
Link: https://www.nps.gov/colo/index.htm
During a recent family visit, we turned the drive into an adventure of its own — weaving in a remarkable string of historic and natural stops along the way. From the storied grounds of Fort Monroe National Monument and the rich colonial history of Colonial National Historical Park, to the Civil War echoes of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, each stop offered a deeper look into the stories that shaped our nation. We also carved out time for the serene trails of Prince William Forest Park, the hallowed fields of Monocacy National Battlefield, the breathtaking scenery of Ohiopyle State Park, and the historic grounds of Fort Necessity National Battlefield — rounding out the journey with a truly unique visit to First Ladies National Historic Site. It was the kind of road trip that reminds you just how much history and beauty there is to discover, even on the way home.
Info
Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia preserves three of America’s most significant early history sites — Jamestown, Yorktown, and the Colonial Parkway connecting them. Jamestown, established in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America, while Yorktown marks the site of the final major battle of the American Revolution in 1781. Together, these sites span the full arc of America’s colonial era, making the park an essential destination for anyone who wants to walk the ground where the nation was born.
What We Did
Our visit to Yorktown was nothing short of memorable — we strolled to the iconic Yorktown Victory Monument, explored the historic Moore House where surrender negotiations unfolded, and wound our way through the scenic driving tour. Every stop brought history to life in a vivid, hands-on way that no textbook ever could. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just learn about the past — you feel it.
In a future trip, we’d like to check out Jamestowne.
