Yorktown-Williamsburg VA (Virginia)

Yorktown VA is a York River (Chesapeake Bay) cruise port and town in Virginia USA, with population around 200 (York County's population is around 67,000). Yorktown is also the cruise port to Williamsburg VA and the Jamestown Settlement (Britain's first permanent settlement in North America, currently operated as a living-history museum). Yorktown are also named towns in the states Indiana, New York and Texas.

Cruise ships in Yorktown VA dock at the pier near Coleman Bridge (Yorktown Beach). After disembarkation follows a guided tour of Yorktown, then the tourists are usually bused to Williamsburg and Jamestown on history-themed shore excursions. The three major colonial-era settlements (Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown) form Virginia's Historic Triangle. The area is bounded by York River (north) and James River (south) and annually attracts 4+ million tourists. The road distance between Yorktown and Williamsburg is ~13 mi (21 km) or ~25 min bus drive.

Yorktown VA's economy is largely based on heritage tourism. Yorktown Village (Historic Yorktown) is close to York River and near Coleman Bridge (linking to Gloucester Point VA). The Village is comprised of Water Street (esplanade running along the beach) with a beach and cruise pier/ship berthing facility, hotel, antique shop, several small restaurants, nature park. In 2005 was completed a new building (housing restaurants and shops) in the waterfront's "Riverwalk" section. Yorktown is the eastern terminus of Colonial Parkway (linking the Historic Triangle sites) and also the eastern terminus of TransAmerica Trail (bicycle tour route).

Yorktown is the seat of York County - one of the 8 original shires of Colonial Virginia (1682). The small town is best known as the site of the siege and surrender of General Cornwallis (Earl Cornwallis 1762-92, British Army general and official) to George Washington (American political leader, founding father, military general) on October 19, 1781 (during the American Revolutionary War / 1775-83). The British defeat at Yorktown ended the war effectively. Yorktown VA served as a major supply port during the American Civil War (1861-65).

US Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown is a training school for the USCG. In close proximity to Yorktown are Northrop Grumman Corporation (weapons manufacturer, aerospace and defense science-technology-engineering company / headquartered in West Falls Church VA), Newport News Shipbuilding (design-building-refueling of US Navy aircraft carriers and submarines / shipyard in Newport News VA), Fort Eustis (US Army Base in Newport News VA) and Camp Peary near Williamsburg (experimental US military and CIA training facility / aka "The Farm"). Other major installations are Naval Station Norfolk (US Navy base in Norfolk VA) and Langley Air Force Base (Hampton VA).

Williamsburg VA

Williamsburg VA is a Chesapeake Bay cruise port and town in Virginia USA, with population around 15,000. The settlement (as Middle Plantation) was founded in 1632 and built between two rivers (James River and York River) which both empty in Chesapeake Bay. Same-named villages and towns can be found in the states Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

As cruise port, Williamsburg VA (via Yorktown) is included in the regular schedule of USA's largest river cruise company - ACL-American Cruise Lines.

Next tables show two of ACL's Williamsburg-visiting itineraries as call ports and dates.

10-day "American Revolution Cruise" roundtrip from Baltimore MD

6-day "Chesapeake Bay Cruise" roundtrip from Baltimore MD

In the period 1699-1780, Williamsburg VA was the capital city of the Colony of Virginia (1607-1776, Britain's largest in North America). Granted a "city incorporate" royal charter in 1722, the city became the center of political activities leading to the American Revolution (colonial revolt 1765-83). Today, it is best-known with its Colonial Williamsburg (open-air, living-history museum and private foundation) and The College of William and Mary (1693-established, USA's second-oldest - after Harvard University / 1636-established).

Current-day Williamsburg's economy is based on colonial history-themed tourism. The town's other main industry is education (William and Mary College's students and staff).