
Food is not allowed in the museum or living history areas. You could pack a lunch and head out to the car to eat it or you can get food in the cafe. If you visit during the busy season be prepared to wait in line to get your food and then again to checkout with your meal.
How do I get to Jamestown Settlement?
Your visit to Jamestown Settlement will start at the large visitor’s center. Once you purchase your tickets (or check in with your multi-site, multi-day pass) and pick up a map, you’ll be directed to the exhibit area. Start with the video that shows in the theater every half hour or so, “1607: A Nation Takes Root.”
Should you visit Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne in Virginia?
When visiting Virginia’s Historic Triangle area, you really should plan to add a day visiting Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne to your Colonial Williamsburg itinerary. Here’s what you should know when you visit Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne.
What can you do at Jamestown Museum?
Discover the world of 17th-century Virginia, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to the cultural encounters and events that planted the seeds of a new nation, through gallery exhibits, films and outdoor living history. Enjoy the museum safely with new protective protocols .
What did the colonists eat in the Battle of Jamestown?
Surrounded by Powhatan’s warriors and trapped inside the fort, the settlers eventually ran out of food and were forced to eat whatever they could find: horses, dogs, rats, snakes, leather shoes and, according to forensic evidence, even each other.

How much time should I spend at Jamestown Settlement?
We recommend you plan at least two hours for your visit, but many visitors end up staying longer when they see how much history is actually here. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the Historic site is about three-quarters of a mile long.
Can you walk around Jamestown Settlement for free?
There is no fee to walk around, however, you cannot go inside the buildings. We just walked around, but DID do Jamestown Settlement and it's sister museum in Yorktown (discount for doing both) and they were phenomenal! You go to the museums and then walk the grounds.
Are masks required at Jamestown Settlement?
Masks will be required indoors and encouraged in outdoor public spaces for visitors and staff.
Can you walk around Jamestown Settlement?
over a year ago. You can walk around Colonial Williamsburg free. Paying for admission to the buildings is optional.
How much does it cost to get into the Jamestown Settlement?
general admissionAdult (16 & over)$30Child (15 & under)Free
Which is better Jamestown Settlement or historic Jamestown?
The biggest difference is historic jamestowne is the actual spot and ongoing archaeological dig, while Jamestown settlement is a living history museum with an expensive indoor museum and costumed staff who give you hands on learning about life of a colonist, a sailor on the three recreation ships, or a Powhatan Indian.
Can you bring food into Colonial Williamsburg?
Yes, you can take all the food you can carry! There are grassy spots you can even set out a blanket for a picnic. The summers have humid days so take that into consideration. It feels good to get into the air conditioned restaurants!
Can you do Jamestown and Yorktown in one day?
It's possible to do Colonial Williamsburg in one day and do one of the Jamestown and one of the Yorktown sites on the second day.
What time does Jamestown close?
Open year-round 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Christmas and New Year's days.
Can you drive through Jamestown Settlement?
The tour consists of a 3 or 5 mile one way loop around the rest of Jamestown Island and begins when you turn right out of the parking lot. PLEASE NOTE: The speed limit on the Island Drive is 15 MPH. As you begin the tour you will come to a wooden bridge which crosses a branch of the Pitch and Tar Swamp.
Is Jamestown Settlement worth visiting?
Historic Jamestowne is known for being the site of the first colonial settlement in America, and this is why it's worth a day trip. A visit to Virginia's most historic locations can yield a wealth of information and give visitors an appreciation for on which the country was founded.
Is Yorktown worth visiting?
It was the site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War and is a waterfront town with battlefields, museums, living history programs, shops, restaurants and outdoor recreation opportunities. You can easily spend a whole day or weekend in Yorktown as there are plenty of things to see and do.
Can I walk around Colonial Williamsburg for free?
No. You do not need a pass to go to the Colonial area. You can go and walk the area, and even eat in Chownings or King's Arms Tavern. You can also visit the market square area, and shop stores in both places.
Do you have to pay for Williamsburg?
The Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area is open to the public for free, but you do need a ticket to get into any of the historical sites or trade shops. Open sites have a flag posted out in front. Make sure to pick up a map and daily schedule at the Visitor's Center to help you plan your day.
Is Yorktown Battlefield free?
ENTRANCE FEES The seven-day combination pass fee is per adult and allows unlimited access to both Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield during regular operating hours. Children 15 and under are admitted free.
What is free in Williamsburg VA?
Free Things to Do in Williamsburg VAConcerts at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown.York River State Park.The College of William & Mary.Williamsburg Botanical Garden.Concerts at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown.York River State Park.
What did the settlers eat in Jamestown?
Surrounded by Powhatan’s warriors and trapped inside the fort, the settlers eventually ran out of food and were forced to eat whatever they could find: horses, dogs, rats, snakes, leather shoes and, according to forensic evidence, even each other. Marked by survivalist cannibalism, Jamestown reached one of its lowest points during the winter of 1609-1610—a period now known as the “starving time,” in which at least one deceased colonist was consumed as food.
How long did it take for the colonists to arrive in Jamestown?
The colonists arrived in Jamestown during one of the driest seven-year periods (1606-1612) in 770 years. The 17th century was also one of the coldest on record. The dramatic weather patterns in the Virginia colony brought on a cycle of conflict, scarcity and death, with climate change threatening its survival.
What did King James I dislike?
King James I had a strong, and well-known, distaste for tobacco. “A custome lothsome to the eye, hatefull to the Nose,” he once declared. It’s ironic that this very crop gave Jamestown its economic viability. The settlement had struggled to find a marketable commodity that it could trade and ship back to England for profit. The colonists dabbled in forestry, silk making and glassmaking, with little financial return.
What happened to Jamestown in Virginia?
After a winter of famine and disease, the inhabitants of Jamestown in Virginia are relieved to witness the arrival of supply ships bringing new settlers and provisions to the stricken town.
How did women become wives in Jamestown?
This gender imbalance boded ill for the colony’s future, as men left in droves to seek out wives. Edwin Sandys, the Virginia Company treasurer, convinced his fellow board members that they advertise for women to immigrate to Jamestown and marry the colonists. The Virginia Company offered attractive incentives for would-be wives: free transportation, a plot of land, a dowry of clothing and furnishings. They also allowed the women to choose their husbands after entertaining the eager suitors. The tactic had some success, and, the women, in theory, became America’s first mail-order brides.
When did the death toll spike in Jamestown?
When the death toll spiked between May and September of 1607, they also made use of double burials with two men laid to rest in the same shaft. 4. The settlers resorted to cannibalism during the “starving time.”. Between January 1608 and August 1609, 470 new settlers arrived at Jamestown.
Who brought tobacco seeds to Jamestown?
Then, in 1610, John Rolfe arrived in Jamestown with a convoy of 150 new settlers. He brought with him a sweet, and quite possibly illegal, strain of South American tobacco seeds. After some initial trial and error, Rolfe cultivated them into a major cash crop—one surprisingly granted a monopoly from King James I—making Jamestown economically stable for the first time.
Where can I buy Jamestown Settlement tickets?
You can purchase Jamestown Settlement tickets ahead of time online or at the large Jamestown Settlement visitor center. There are a variety of multi-day and combination tickets available (some are “web only” specials). Historic Jamestowne tickets are good for seven consecutive days and also cover admission to Yorktown Battlefield at the other end of Colonial National Historical Park.
How to continue Jamestowne?
If you are so inclined, after you walk through Historic Jamestowne, you can continue your visit by doing the Island Drive. There’s a short loop and longer loop option, neither of which are very long. Both are clearly marked, just follow the signs from the Visitor Center parking lot. As you make your way around the island, interpretational signs will provide more information about what went on there.
How many ships were there at Jamestown?
Once you’ve had your fill of the Jamestown Settlement indoor exhibit galleries, you can make your way to the outdoor exhibits. There you’ll find re-creations of the three ships that brought 104 settlers to Jamestown, the Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed. When we were there, all three ships were open for visitors to climb aboard and poke around. Living history interpreters answer questions about the ships and what the voyage may have been like.
What ships did the Jamestown settlers use?
They have full-scale models of the three ships that brought the first settlers to Jamestown (Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed) as well as re-creations of James Fort and a Powhatan village. Historical interpreters are on hand to answer questions about many aspects of what life was like at Jamestown, from cooking to weapons and armor.
Where are the archaeological finds in Jamestown?
Archaeological discoveries they have made over the last 25 years are on display at the Voorhees Archaerium at Historic Jamestowne. Items there include coins, personal items, armor and even human remains. I highly recommend both visiting Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne if you can.
Where to walk along James River?
Walk along the James River at Historic Jamestowne. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go! The Archaerium is well worth a visit. Here is where you will find on display many artifacts that archaeologists have unearthed from the digs around Jamestown Island.
Does Residence Inn Williamsburg have breakfast?
We got a great rate at the Residence Inn Williamsburg and enjoyed having a free breakfast every day as well as a kitchen in our room. Check availability and room rates here.
What was the starving time in Jamestown?
Archaeologists believe that these remains likely date back to a period known as the Starving Time, which took place between 1609 and 1610.
When were cattle first shipped to England?
From historical documents, the team discovered that early colonists rarely ate beef before that time. Live cattle were not shipped from England until 1610 or 1611.
What time does the American Revolution Museum open?
Open year-round 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Christmas and New Year's days. Outdoor living-history areas open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In 2021, save on a value-priced combination ticket with the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown: $28.90 adults, $14.45 ages 6-12. Free parking. Buy Tickets.
When did the English colonists arrive in Virginia?
Discover the world of 17th-century Virginia, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to the cultural encounters and events that planted the seeds of a new nation, through gallery exhibits, films and outdoor living history. Enjoy the museum safely with new protective protocols .
