Yorktown Battlefield is the site of one of the most important battles in United States history. On October 19, 1781, a British army under the command of General Charles Lord Cornwallis surrendered to American and French forces led by General George Washington and General Comte de Rochambeau, effectively leading to the end of the American Revolutionary War.
The best place to begin a visit to Yorktown Battlefield is the Yorktown Visitor Center, where park brochures, maps and information about daily events are available. A short orientation film, The Siege at Yorktown, is shown every 30 minutes and museum exhibits explore details of the Siege. At the museum shop, books, reproduction items and audio tours are available for purchase.
Things to do at Yorktown Battlefield include:
- Explore the area on your own on a self-guided tour
- Take a self-guided audio tour
- Take part in one of the Ranger Guided Programs, which include 30 minute Siege Line Walking Tours, 45 minute tours of the town of York and 25 minute Non-firing Artillery Demonstrations. From mid-June to mid-August, the Young Soldiers Program offers kids the opportunity to learn about the life of a Revolutionary War soldier with a costumed interpreter.
