Historic Jamestowne
Explore the first English settlement in the United States at Historic Jamestowne, part of the Colonial National Historical Park. Located on Jamestown Island, the town was founded as James Fort in 1607. Learn about the ongoing excavation work and see the ruins and thousands of artifacts that have been unearthed so far.
The basics
Start at the visitor center with a short film and exhibits on the history of Jamestown. Join a ranger- or archaeologist-led guided tour of the settlement, and see ruins such as the 17th-century tower of a brick church or the remains of furnaces used by early settlers for glassmaking. In the summer, costumed interpreters also lead living history tours. View thousands of artifacts at the Archaearium archaeology museum, including the largest collection of colonial-period American Indian artifacts in Virginia. There’s also a 5-mile (8-kilometer) driving tour with interpretive waysides and views around the island.
National Park Pass holders receive discounted entry to the site. Week-long combo tickets are available, which include entry to a number of historic sites nearby, such as Yorktown Battlefield, Jamestown Settlement, the American Revolution Museum, and Colonial Williamsburg.
Things to know before you go
- Free admission is offered for children aged 15 and younger.
- There are restrooms, gift shops, and a café on-site.
- Some paths on the site may be difficult for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Leashed dogs are welcome at the outdoor site but are not permitted inside the visitor center or museum.
How to get there
Historic Jamestowne is located at the western end of Jamestown Island. It’s easiest to drive there, taking the Colonial Parkway. Parking is available on-site.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Historic Jamestowne is open daily, with holiday closures for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day, and occasional closures for inclement weather. Free admission is offered several times a year, including for Martin Luther King Jr, Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.
Jamestown Settlement
Located just north of Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement is a living history museum. Visitors can see replicas of the ships that brought the settlers over, recreations of the colonial forts, and a Powhatan village, complete with costumed interpreters. The museum also offers exhibits, films, and interactive outdoor experiences.
- Jamestown Glasshouse
- Public Hospital of 1773
- Bruton Parish Episcopal Church
- Governor's Palace
- Water Country USA
- American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- Yorktown Battlefield
- Virginia Living Museum
- USS Wisconsin
- First Landing State Park
- Carytown
- Ocean Breeze Waterpark
- Hunt Club Farm
- Kings Dominion
- Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop