A pleasant 23 mile drive connects America's oldest permanent English settlement and the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Virginia's Colonial Parkway offers peaceful views of the York and James rivers, plus occasional glimpses of local bald eagles and ospreys.
   The byway, spanning 400 years of early American history, treats visitors to historic Jamestown and the James Fort excavation. This view captures the James River and James Island bathed in the early morning sun. Here, the Virginia Company planted its first roots in 1607 where a deep river channel allowed easy access to the island. Despite the humid, hot summers, blustery winters, typhoid and dysentery, these first settlers eked out an existence.
   Heading eastward and leaving the James River, the byway leads to Colonial Williamsburg were visitors may return to the 18th century. This historic city has the look, feel and character of early colonial life. This living history museum, taking in one of the largest history projects in the United States, closes the streets to motorized vehicles during the day allowing only foot traffic and horse-drawn carriage tours.
   Leaving Williamsburg, the parkway heads across the peninsula toward the York River and Yorktown. The Victory Center Museum, offering both exterior and interior exhibits, primarily focuses on the Revolutionary War and how ordinary citizens coped with a long series of battles. The recently restored Continental Army encampment at Yorktown comes to life with costumed interpreters. Near the end of the byway, travelers with find the Battlefield National Park and the famous Surrender Field. The York National Cemetery is found nearby, where over 2000 Civil War dead are interred.

     Byway Map