Historic Jamestowne, Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia

Historic Jamestowne is part of Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia. The park tells the history of the Virginia Company settlers who landed on Jamestown Island to establish an English colony 60 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on May 16, 1607.

Historic Jamestowne - Colonial National Historical Park

Historic Jamestowne is the original site of the first English settlement Settlement, whereas Jamestown Settlement is a re-creation.

You will see signs for both locations as you drive to the park. If you are looking for the National Park Service historic site make sure to head to Historic Jamestowne.

Historic Jamestown Glass Shop

The historic Jamestown Glass Shop is located right when you enter the park off of the Colonial Parkway. There is a small loop trail that leads you past the historic glass shop and then to the current glass shop.

Make sure to plan time to watch the glassblowers creating amazing Jamestown Glass Works. While we were there the glassblower was making pear ornaments that were amazing.

They change what they are working on every hour so hopefully each time you return you will see something new being made.

There is a great gift shop next to the glass blowing area or you can order the glassworks online here.

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Visitor Center

The visitor center should be your first stop when visiting Historic Jamestowne. There is a nice gift shop along with restrooms which you will want to use before heading out into the park grounds.

You will need to pay the entrance fee in the visitor center before walking out to the park grounds.

There is a bit of a walk to go from the visitor center to the historic area. Be prepared for the weather!

Bring a water bottle with you, sunscreen, a hat, and good walking shoes.

Tercentenary Monument

After walking the boardwalk from the visitor center the first thing you reach. There are benches around the monument perfect for relaxing for a minute before heading out into the rest of the park grounds.

Voorhees Archaerium Musuem

The Arcaearium is a small museum run by Preservation Virginia that houses over 4,000 artifacts discovered at Jamestown.

Original James Fort Site

The original James Fort Site is near the Tercentenary Monument. You will walk along a gravel path that leads you into the fort site. It was inside this fort that the first permanent English colony in North America was established next to the James River.

The Jamestown settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.

Within the original James Fort site, you can visit the historic 1907 memorial church, cemetery, and the blacksmith tent where they have someone working with iron.

Pocahontas Statue within the Original James Fort Site.

Make sure to check out the blacksmith demonstrations!

The Barracks

Captain John Smith statue.

Dale House Cafe

There is a nice cafe within the park that has gorgeous outside seating on the back patio. You can enjoy a refreshing cold drink while looking out at the water.

This is a great place to take a break and enjoy a snack and some downtime.

Junior Ranger Program

Historic Jamestowne has its own Junior Ranger Program that can be picked up from the visitor center. Historic Jamestowne has three Junior Ranger Programs designed for children ages 5-7, 8 -10, and ages 11 and above.

There is also a specific Yorktown Battlefield Junior Ranger program so make sure to pick one up when you visit that part of the park.

You may also be able to get a copy of the John Smith Chesapeake Bay NHT Junior Ranger program while at the visitor center.

Things to know when planning a visit

Historic Jamestowne, part of Colonial National Historical Park, is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation (on behalf of Preservation Virginia).

Park Address - 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, VA 23690, United States

For an internet map search or GPS, use the following: Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, Virginia 23690. Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Virginia 23081.

Park Hours - Historic Jamestowne ENTRANCE GATE opens 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily.

Historic Jamestowne Gift Shop is open 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily.

Glasshouse is open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Entrance Fee

Holders of the following National Park passes or vouchers receive free entry (including the pass holder and up to 3 additional guests), upon presentation of the valid pass or voucher at ticketing:

Access Pass
Active Duty Military Pass
Gold Star Family Voucher

Holders of the following National Park passes pay a reduced fee of $10 per adult (including the pass holder and up to 3 additional guests):

Annual Pass
Colonial National Historical Park Annual Pass
Every Kid in a Park Pass (4th & 5th graders)
Golden Age Pass
Senior Annual Pass
Senior Lifetime Pass
Volunteer Pass

Make sure to bring sunscreen, water, and a hat while visiting the park! There is little shade while walking through the park and it can be brutal in the sun. Even with the breeze coming off the water it is still hot and sunny.

WiFi - No public WiFi at this location.

Jamestown Rediscovery is committed to supporting preservation, education, and the archaeological investigation of Historic Jamestowne, the original site of the first permanent English settlement in America.