Visiting Yorktown Virginia – Battlefield History and a Riverside Lunch Break

While exploring the Colonial Williamsburg area, we decided to take a slight detour on our return drive to the cabin. Our route happened to pass through Yorktown—a place we hadn’t had a chance to explore yet—so we figured it was the perfect opportunity to grab some lunch and take in a bit of history. Breaking up the drive with a stop at one of the most pivotal sites of the American Revolution felt like time well spent.

Yorktown Battlefield is part of the Colonial National Historical Park, and it marks the location where the American Revolution reached its turning point. In October 1781, General George Washington, alongside French military forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau, laid siege to British General Charles Cornwallis and his troops. After weeks of bombardment and dwindling supplies, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. Although some skirmishes and diplomatic steps remained, this decisive victory effectively ended the war and secured independence for the fledgling United States.

The area’s historical significance doesn’t end with the Revolutionary War. Yorktown also played a role in the American Civil War, serving at different times as a key supply port for both Union and Confederate forces depending on who controlled the town. Today, Yorktown’s quiet charm stands in contrast to the dramatic history it once witnessed.

You can see in our images, that the Battlefield Visitor Center sits just next to the historic village of Yorktown. We started our visit on foot, walking over to see the Yorktown Victory Monument, which commemorates the 1781 surrender. The area is beautifully maintained, with informative markers, open green spaces, and views that help bring the past to life.

After a bit of exploring, we realized it was a good time for lunch. We drove into the village, parked by the riverfront, and found a cozy spot to eat: Carrot Tree Kitchens. It turned out to be an excellent choice, offering a relaxed atmosphere and hearty food—just what we needed before continuing our day.