Where the American Revolution ended — Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing puts you steps from a 1781 battlefield and 20 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, the world's largest living history museum.
Small coastal ships dock directly at Riverwalk Landing; larger ships anchor offshore and run tender boats to the same pier.
💡 Pro move: As of 2025, a York County ordinance requires a Special Use Permit for vessels carrying more than 400 passengers — very large ships are unlikely to call here in the near future.
Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing offers 1,200 linear feet of dockage at depths of 27–50 ft, suitable for small coastal cruise ships.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Riverwalk Landing Pier, Yorktown📍 | Docked |
| Larger vessels (historically Princess, HAL) | York River anchorage, ~1.75 mi offshore📍 | Tendered |
The Historic Triangle — Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Jamestown — packs 400 years of American history into a single shore day.
The world's largest living history museum spans 301 acres of restored 18th-century Virginia. Costumed tradespeople — blacksmiths, wigmakers, silversmiths — work using period-accurate methods. The streets are free to walk; entry tickets unlock historic interiors including the Governor's Palace and the Capitol.
Find Colonial Williamsburg tours →Walk the very ground where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in 1781, ending the Revolutionary War. Inside the National Park Visitor Center, see Washington's actual battlefield tents and maps. Free with National Park Pass; otherwise a modest entry fee.
Find Yorktown battlefield tours →State-of-the-art museum with immersive holographic theater, a re-created Continental Army encampment, and a Revolutionary-era farm with live musket demonstrations.
Find American Revolution Museum tours →America's first permanent English settlement (1607) lies 15 miles from Yorktown. Tour replicas of the three ships that brought colonists, a Powhatan village, and a recreated fort with costumed interpreters.
Find Jamestown tours →A calm, sandy beach on the York River is steps from the pier. Ideal for a swim or wade, a stroll along the waterfront promenade, or grabbing a bite at the restaurants and ice cream shops right there.
Explore Yorktown waterfront →Yorktown is compact and walkable from the pier, with a free trolley for the uphill stretch to Main Street and the battlefield.
Stroll from the pier along the York River, then climb up to Main Street to see 18th-century homes still bearing British cannonball scars, the Yorktown Victory Monument, and Carrot Tree Kitchens for lunch.
The main spine of Colonial Williamsburg runs from the Capitol building through the historic district to Merchants Square and the College of William & Mary. Walk it end-to-end to catch the trade shops, taverns, and any fife and drum performances.
Climate normals for Yorktown, Virginia, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F / 8°C | 34°F / 1°C | 10 | 7:19 AM | 5:12 PM |
| Feb | 52°F / 11°C | 37°F / 3°C | 10 | 6:54 AM | 5:45 PM |
| Mar | 57°F / 14°C | 42°F / 6°C | 10 | 7:16 AM | 7:13 PM |
| Apr | 67°F / 19°C | 51°F / 11°C | 10 | 6:31 AM | 7:41 PM |
| May | 74°F / 23°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 | 5:57 AM | 8:07 PM |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 69°F / 21°C | 11 | 5:45 AM | 8:27 PM |
| Jul | 87°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | 12 | 5:58 AM | 8:25 PM |
| Aug | 85°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 12 | 6:22 AM | 7:57 PM |
| Sep | 80°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | 12 | 6:48 AM | 7:13 PM |
| Oct | 70°F / 21°C | 58°F / 14°C | 9 | 7:14 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Nov | 59°F / 15°C | 46°F / 8°C | 8 | 6:45 AM | 4:55 PM |
| Dec | 53°F / 12°C | 40°F / 4°C | 10 | 7:13 AM | 4:49 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Yorktown, Virginia, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.