Settlement FAQs

how long to spend at jamestown settlement

by Patsy Casper MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

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.Oct 23, 2019

Full Answer

How long does it take to visit Jamestown?

A typical visit can last 2 to 3 hours, but those wishing to delve deeper into Jamestown's history can easily spend half a day or more exploring the island. See archaeology in action as the Jamestown Rediscovery team continues to excavate parts of the island.

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 is Jamestown Settlement Museum?

Welcome to Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum of 17th-century Virginia history and culture. Near the site of the original colony, discover the story of America’s beginnings through immersive films, gallery exhibits and outdoor living history.

image

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.

Can you see Jamestown and Yorktown in one day?

You do need at least two days to get the full experience, but three are recommended. As you make your plan, consider the driving time between sites, which can be up to 40 minutes. We recommend doing Yorktown and Jamestown in the same day, and then doing Colonial Williamsburg on its own day.

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.

How long does it take to visit Colonial Williamsburg?

about two to three daysTo fully experience Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia you need about two to three days. With that, you can visit the all the shops, city sites and homes.

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.

What is the difference between Jamestown and Williamsburg?

Jamestown is where the first English settlement was established. Colonial Williamsburg is where the American Revolution first started. And Yorktown is where the British surrendered. All three are living history museums with re-enactments, people dressed in period costumes, etc.

How long is the Jamestown ferry ride?

approximately 15-20 minutesHow long is the ride on the ferry across the river? The ferry takes approximately 15-20 minutes to cross the river one way.

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.

How much does it cost to visit Jamestown Settlement?

$30general admissionAdult (16 & over)$30Child (15 & under)Free

Is one day enough for Colonial Williamsburg?

While I'd recommend at least two full days to get the most of your visit to Colonial Williamsburg, you can certainly experience quite a bit in one day. A day in Williamsburg will give you enough time to hit the highlights and try a couple of the great places to eat in Williamsburg.

How late can you walk around Colonial Williamsburg?

General Information and Hours. Colonial Williamsburg is open 365 days a year. Most Historic Trades and Sites are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, check out Evening Programs, which run well into the night.

Can you drive through Colonial Williamsburg?

The scenic Colonial Parkway runs through a tunnel under the Historic Area; you can get on and off at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. The 1-mile-long-by-half-mile-wide restored Historic Area is at the center of Williamsburg.

How much time do you need in Yorktown?

4 hours if you want the full experience; 2 hours if you just want to see the Visitors' Center and drive the battlefields without reading the historical markers. over a year ago. over a year ago. There is a movie, museum and an hour walking tour with a ranger near the battlefield.

How much time do you need in Yorktown VA?

Visiting Tips and Key Things to Do in Yorktown Allow enough time to explore, at least three hours to visit each of the three major sites. Before visiting the new American Revolution Museum galleries, visit the museum's website and download a mobile app tour to personalize your experience.

Can you do Jamestown and Williamsburg in one day?

You can do both Jamestown sites in one full day, but I would recommend at least two days in Colonial Williamsburg. Both Yorktown sites can be done in one day, but we could have easily spent more time at both the museum and battlefield.

How much does it cost to visit Jamestown Settlement?

$30general admissionAdult (16 & over)$30Child (15 & under)Free

When is Jamestown Settlement open?

Jamestown Settlement is open:Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMBuy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at leas...

Do you need to book in advance to visit Jamestown Settlement?

We recommend booking Jamestown Settlement tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours befo...

What hotels are near Jamestown Settlement?

Hotels near Jamestown Settlement: (4.17 mi) Williamsburg Sampler Bed and Breakfast (4.32 mi) A Williamsburg White House (5.08 mi) Fife and Drum Inn...

What restaurants are near Jamestown Settlement?

Restaurants near Jamestown Settlement: (3.20 mi) Duck Donuts Williamsburg (1.81 mi) Five Forks Cafe LLC (5.07 mi) Fat Canary (5.21 mi) Le Yaca Fren...

What attractions are near Jamestown Settlement?

Attractions near Jamestown Settlement: (0.00 mi) Jamestown-Scotland Ferry (0.16 mi) Billsburg Brewery (0.19 mi) Jamestown Discovery Boat Tour (0.19...

How many days to visit Yorktown?

There are two Yorktown sites,and two Jamestown sites. I generally recommend one day for the 2 James towns and one day for the 2 Yorktowns, plus 2 days for CW. For an overview and a taste, you'll be OK. You'll probably start planning your next trip on your way home, though, if you love it like I do!

What time is Yorktown Battlefield open?

Yorktown Battlefield Visitors Center is open 9am-5pm, but the grounds don't close until sunset. Your time will be tight but you can get a decent overview. Go to www.nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/index.htm and determine what you want to do. You'll probably arrive by 3:30pm, go to the visitors center, several historic bldgs close at 4:30pm so see what you can quickly and take the self guided auto, about an hour, and that will probably take most of your time. You may want to have dinner on the Yorktown riverfront. One day in CW will be fine, although it's easy to spend more time there; Monday in Jamestown with some time for shopping will work too. Enjoy the area.

Why was the post removed from TripAdvisor?

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with prohibiting self-promotional advertising or solicitation.

plan your visit

Explore this interactive map to learn about all of the things to see and do at Historic Jamestowne, from visiting the Archaearium museum to seeing an active excavation.

tours & programs

Explore the James Fort site with an archaeologist who has troweled the ground, a Park Ranger who has studied the stories, or an educator who can bring the past to life.

family activities

Learn more about the fun and educational programs for our younger visitors.

hours & schedule

Find current operating hours and see what programs are offered this week.

events calendar

Check for upcoming living history events and other special days on the island.

What does the historic settlement give you?

4) The historic settlement itself gives you a feel for how people lived their daily lives, caught and grew food, delt with seasonal weather conditions and delt with visitor and invaders alike. Amazing to see how the first Europeans tried to survive and thrive in a new and very harsh land.

What are the parts of the Indian settlement?

There are two parts to the settlement. The first is a museum of the history of the area . The second is a reenactment of the actual settlement. there is an Indian village with people working the fields and making pottery. a woman gave us a detailed explanation of the houses. Then there is a fort where the colonists lived with several building to tour and craftsmen making leather and tin goods. Finally there are several ships that can be toured. We were lucky enough to see a demonstration of men climbing the masts to fix the sails. After that we toured the museum and saw many artifacts. Make sure you take about 3 hours to see all of this wonderful site.

How far in advance can you cancel a trip on TripAdvisor?

Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.

Is Jamestown a good place to live?

Jamestown is an awesome place for both adult and kids!

Do you have to pay admission to visit Jamestown?

4) The two sites are nearby each other but, you must pay two admissions to visit each. The historic Jamestowne site is more for adults and the older crowd as it's truly a step back in our history and you should be into the past to get a feel for all that you will see and experince. It's visual - less hands on. The modern site and re-creations at The Jamestown Settlement are best for families and kids as they have hands on exhibits and villages and projects that keep the kids attention.

Is it easy to drive from Williamsburg to Jamestowne?

1) It was easy to drive from Williamsburg down to Jamestowne. Quick roads, easy signage and prompt parking and check-in across from the site.

Does the Colonial Highway have turn offs?

The Colonial Highway has turn offs along the way , with information about the sites in the area. We stopped at all the turn offs on our way back to Williamsburg.

How much time do you have to spend in Colonial Williamsburg?

How much time do you have? You can see a lot in two days at Colonial Williamsburg - but it's easy to spend 5 or more days at CW and still not see everything you're interested in. Get an early start, stopping at the Glasshouse at Historic Jamestowne on your way in, because it open before HJ, eat lunch at either Jamestown location, and spend the afternoon at Jamestown Settlement. You'll see and do a lot and will likely want to return. You could also take in dinner at a tavern and/or an evening program at Colonial Williamsburg after spending time at the Jamestown sites.

Where to take the free Jamestowne-Scotland ferry?

To VAP's fine advise, I'd suggest you take the free Jamestowne-Scotland Ferry next to the Glass House across the river and visit Smith's Fort Plantation just south of the ferry landing. This was the fall back position directly across from Jamestowne chosen by the colonists in the event of attack and the earthworks of the fort remain.

How long is the Dog Street tour?

Reference CW: 2 days will get you through the main buildings like the Palace, Capital, et.al. and up and down DoG Street but there is so much more, particularly the museums which are truly remarkable. Try to spend as much time there as possible both to savor the village and not have to rush.

How many days can you spend in CW?

You can easily spend two days in CW! The multi-day (3-day) tickets aren't that much more expensive than the daily tickets, so see if you can extend your trip a bit. :)

Is Jamestown a living history museum?

Both Jamestown Settlement and the Museum of the American Revolution are living history museums and are separate ( though located very near) the actual sites. I find the actual sites (Yorktown Battlefield and Historic Jamestown...both of which are National Parks) can be a bit abstract for kids. You get a better sense of what went on (especially for kids) when you start at the living history museums.

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 .

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9