Photo: María Đorđević
Photo: 알프레도
Photo: Marcos Ramos
Yorktown Beach
★4.6(2,103 reviews)FreeActivity
🕑 3-5 hours👶 Best for ages 2-12. Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy the gentle waves and playground equipment, while elementary-aged kids love fishing from the pier, building sandcastles, and exploring the historic waterfront area. Teens may find it less exciting than ocean beaches but appreciate the swimming and scenic views.🧡 Saved by 20 families
About
Yorktown Beach offers the perfect combination of sandy shores, calm waters, and historical charm for families exploring the Williamsburg area. The gentle waves of the York River make it ideal for young swimmers, while the on-site playground, fishing pier, and expansive picnic areas provide plenty of activities beyond the beach. Parents love that it's a full-service beach destination with beautiful views of the historic waterfront.
Highlights
- ✓Calm, gentle waves perfect for young swimmers and waders
- ✓Large playground area right next to the beach
- ✓Fishing pier where kids can try catching fish
- ✓Shaded picnic pavilions with river views
- ✓Historic Yorktown waterfront and Victory Monument within walking distance
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive before 10am on summer weekends to snag prime parking and picnic pavilion spots near the beach
- 2.Bring water shoes as there can be shells and small rocks along the shoreline
- 3.The fishing pier doesn't require a license if you're under 16, making it perfect for trying out family fishing
- 4.Pack a picnic to enjoy in the shaded pavilions with stunning river views,there's limited food options right on the beach
- 5.Combine your beach day with a walk through historic Yorktown just steps away for an educational bonus
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the warmest water temperatures. Weekday mornings are least crowded, while summer evenings provide beautiful sunset views. Avoid holiday weekends like Memorial Day and Fourth of July if you prefer a quieter experience.
What to Know
Parking is free along the waterfront and in nearby lots. There are public restrooms and outdoor showers available. Food options are limited directly on the beach, but the historic Yorktown village nearby has several restaurants and cafes within walking distance.
Seasonal Notes
Best beach weather is June through August, though the beach is accessible year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures for playground visits and picnics even when water is too cool for swimming. The beach can be breezy in shoulder seasons, so bring layers. Yorktown hosts special events throughout the year, including Fourth of July celebrations.
Nearby Eats
The Riverwalk Restaurant offers casual waterfront dining with a kids menu just steps from the beach. For a quick bite, Yorktown Pub has family-friendly fare including burgers and pizza, located in the historic village area about a 5-minute walk away.
More Activities Near Williamsburg
Park
Freedom Park
★4.8Free❤️316
Freedom Park is Williamsburg's ultimate family playground, offering an impressive variety of activities that can keep kids entertained for hours. With multiple age-appropriate playgrounds, scenic walking trails around a picturesque lake, and wide-open athletic fields perfect for running off energy, this expansive park has something for every member of the family to enjoy.
Museum
Jamestown Settlement
★4.7$$❤️117
Jamestown Settlement brings 1607 colonial America to life through immersive, hands-on experiences that captivate young historians. Kids can board replica 17th-century ships, explore a recreated Powhatan Indian village, and step inside a colonial fort where costumed interpreters demonstrate daily life skills like blacksmithing and cooking. With interactive galleries and outdoor living history exhibits spanning 30 acres, this museum transforms textbook history into tangible adventures.
Museum
Virginia Living Museum
★4.7$$❤️169
The Virginia Living Museum offers a unique four-in-one experience that combines an aquarium, science center, botanical gardens, and zoo featuring exclusively native Virginia species. Kids can get hands-on at touch tanks, walk through outdoor nature trails, and meet local wildlife from river otters to red wolves, making it perfect for families who want an educational yet entertaining day out.
Adventure
Colonial Ghosts: Williamsburg Ghost Tours
★4.7$$❤️42
Colonial Ghosts offers family-friendly evening walking tours that blend Williamsburg's rich colonial history with spooky ghost stories, creating an entertaining and educational experience for older children and teens. Led by knowledgeable guides in atmospheric historic settings, these tours bring the past to life through engaging storytelling that captivates young history buffs and thrill-seekers alike.