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)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis are available at the pier and can take you to Colonial Williamsburg (~14 miles). Several local companies serve the Yorktown area including Williamsburg Taxi Service.
Both Uber and Lyft are active in Yorktown and Williamsburg. Request via app; the ride to Colonial Williamsburg takes about 25 minutes.
The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority Route 11 (Lackey) connects Yorktown to Williamsburg. Budget 45–90 minutes each way; inexpensive but slower.
Patriot Shuttle and Williamsburg Chauffeur Service offer round-trip and hourly service between the pier, Colonial Williamsburg, and other Historic Triangle sites. Pre-booking recommended.
A complimentary hop-on hop-off trolley loops through Yorktown (11 stops, 4-mile route) including Riverwalk Landing and the Battlefield Visitor Center. Seasonal hours; operates March–December.
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.