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Freight Shed

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1. How many tables and chairs are available?

Please view the Available Furniture List (PDF).

2. Is there a kitchen and restrooms in the Freight Shed?

The kitchen and public restrooms are adjacent to the Freight Shed approximately 15 feet in a separate building.

3. Do I need to obtain an ABC license to serve alcohol in the Freight Shed?

Yes, an ABC license must be submitted. You can apply at the State of Virginia website.

4. Can I reserve the public beach area or the lawn area next to the Freight Shed?

Please contact Tourism Development at 757-890-5900 for those specific areas. A separate reservation request form will need to be submitted.

5. How do I find out if the day I want to reserve is available?

To see if a certain day is available to reserve for your event, please check the availability calendar.

6. Can the furniture be taken outside and placed in the tent?

No furniture from inside the Freight Shed shall be moved outdoors, with the exception of white chairs.

7. Can additional furniture be rented to use in the Freight Shed?

Additional furnishings may be rented from local rental companies.

8. Are there any chairs available?

Yes, white chairs are available with your rental. The chairs can be used both inside the venue and outside under the tent.

9. Where is the nearest hotel/motel?

For a list of accommodations, please view our Places to Stay.

10. What is the seating capacity of the Freight Shed?

The Freight Shed will hold 130 people seated.

11. What is included when I rent the Freight Shed?

Freight Shed Management provides: use of the venue, use of tables and white chairs (chairs can be used underneath the tent), use of the tent behind the Freight Shed, and use of the caterer’s kitchen. There are no linens, no lighting for the tent and no catering provided.

12. What hours can the Freight Shed be used?

The Freight Shed is available for use from 10 a.m. through 11 p.m. No earlier or later access is allowed.

13. Are sparklers allowed outside at the Freight Shed?

No, sparklers are considered an open flame.

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Plan Your Trip

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1. How much does it cost to go to Yorktown? What are the hours of operation?

Historic Yorktown is an area that is always open and available to the public at no charge. It is a living, working town with restaurants, shops, and local residents. There are certain buildings, attractions, and museums with operating hours and admission fees including the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. 

2. What is there to do in Yorktown?

Yorktown, where Independence was won, is a year-round destination for history, shopping, outdoor recreation, fine dining, and special events. Come for a day, a weekend, or longer! The peaceful riverside village offers battlefields and museums, quaint shops, unique galleries, casual & fine dining, entertainment, and a relaxing beach. Stay overnight in lodging with a river view or nestled in the picturesque village. End your day with a sunset sail on the Schooner Alliance II or Serenity.

3. How long does it take to tour Yorktown?

Come for a day, a weekend, or longer! Yorktown has year-round events, several museums, walking tours, driving tours, shopping and dining opportunities, sails on the York River, a beachfront and more. Reserve a stay at one of our hotels or bed & breakfasts to experience all our historic area has to offer!

4. How far is Yorktown from Williamsburg?

Yorktown is just 14 miles from Williamsburg via the Colonial Parkway. Enjoy spectacular views of the York River, as well as glimpses of the area's rich natural and cultural history as you travel to Yorktown.

5. What is the difference between the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center?

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, a living-history museum operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, chronicles America’s struggle for independence. An introductory film, expansive gallery exhibits with immersive settings and an experiential theater, and living-history programs in a re-created Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm relate the experiences of ordinary people of the Revolutionary era. The Yorktown National Battlefield, a National Park Service site, operated by the Colonial National Historical Park, is the site of the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. The Visitor Center features a 16-minute film, The Siege of Yorktown, a museum with artifacts related to the siege, including the tents used by General Washington, ranger led programs, and information for self-guided tours.

6. What is permitted / not permitted on the Yorktown Beach?

See what items are prohibited on Yorktown Beach. 

7. How often does the trolley run and what are the stops?

The free, wheelchair-accessible Yorktown Trolley runs daily in the spring through fall with extended hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Trolley stops at 11 locations approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. Holiday routes and times may vary. To see the Trolley route, download the map or follow along on the ETA SPOT app on your mobile device.

Trolley Hours

• March 24 - May 25 (Daily) - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• May 26 - September 4 (Daily) - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• September 5 - November 19 (Daily) - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• November 24 - December 17 (Fri, Sat, Sun only) - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

8. Is there anything going on the week/day we are visiting?

To see what is going on the week/day you are visiting, please view our events calendar.

9. What is the street address for Yorktown and Riverwalk Landing

Historic Yorktown
301 Main Street
Yorktown, VA 23690

Riverwalk Landing
425 Water Street
Yorktown, VA 23690

10. Where can I get a map or brochure of Yorktown?

The Gallery at York Hall, located at 301 Main Street, offers information such as brochures and maps.

The Gallery is open April through December: 

• Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Sunday 1 - 4 p.m.

Winter hours are January through March: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Additionally, maps and brochures can be obtained at most businesses in Historic Yorktown for free.

11. Are pets permitted in Yorktown?

Pets are permitted and must be on a leash in Yorktown. Pets are not permitted on Yorktown Beach.

12. Can I reserve the trolley?

We don't rent our trolleys for any private functions/use due to the fact they were funded by federal and state transportation grants, which dictate their purpose being public transportation, as opposed to charter service.

13. Where can I park in Yorktown?

Ample parking is available in Yorktown. Please obey all parking regulations by using the designated County public parking lots. The parking at Riverwalk Landing is a 270-space two level parking terrace. Handicapped parking is available on the lower level of the terrace and in all other public lots.

If you parked on the outskirts of town, consider hopping on the free, air-conditioned, and handicap-accessible Yorktown Trolley, which stops every 15-20 minutes at 11 locations in Historic Yorktown.

14. Can we ride bikes in Yorktown?

Biking is permitted in Historic Yorktown. The best opportunities to bike include the 1.1 mile long riverwalk along the York River and the battlefield tour roads, offering miles of biking routes. For a free Yorktown Battlefield Bicycle Map, visit The Gallery at York Hall or the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. Bike rentals are available at Patriot Tours and Provisions.

15. Where can I have a wedding? Can I have a wedding on the beach? What are the requirements?

In the heart of Riverwalk Landing sits Yorktown’s premier waterfront venue – the Freight Shed. It’s the perfect place to host a wedding. If you want to get married on the beach, but have your reception in the Freight Shed, you'll need to complete the Waterfront Facility Request Permit, as well as review our Public Areas Use Policy.

16. Is the event going on tonight? Will it be rescheduled?

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest on event information, or call the Event Weather Hotline at 757-890-3520.

17. Where can I find docking information?

Learn the dock rules and regulations here.

18. Where can you fish in York County?

Saltwater fishing locations include:

• York River (from shore at the Yorktown Beach Picnic Area and Yorktown Fishing Pier, Yorktown Waterfront)*
• Back Creek Park
• Smith Landing Pier (on Poquoson River)
• Queen Creek (from New Quarter Park Pier)
• Old Wormley Creek Boat Landing and Dock

A saltwater fishing license is NOT REQUIRED to fish from the Yorktown Pier.

19. Where can we purchase a fishing license?

Saltwater licenses are required in Virginia for anyone 16 and older. There are various categories of licenses and even a joint, freshwater, and saltwater license.

Licenses can be purchased at Bass Pro Shop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Grafton Fishing Supply, Bishop Fishing Supply, and Wal-Mart.

20. Lost and found. Did you leave something on the trolley?

Lost and Found for Historic Yorktown is located at the Dockmaster's Office (757-890-3370) located at 425 Water Street. 

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York County Historical Museum

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1. What is the bell ringing the museum sponsors on the 4th of July?

In 1963, Congress passed a continuing resolution asking Americans to ring bells on July 4th at 7 p.m. in celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the 56 men who signed it. The descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence instituted a program to support this resolution called the "Sounds of Liberty," which began in the original 13 colonies and has now spread nationwide. Several years ago the Descendants organization asked that we establish a ringing in Yorktown which still continues, but later in the day to fit in with the overall schedule of the day.

2. Do you have records available for research?

We have very limited family history records on loan to us in our collections. People requesting information should contact Frank Green to arrange an appointment. All York County Court records are stored in the Court House on Ballard Street. The York County Library has a Virginia Room at the Yorktown Branch on Route 17 and Battle Road.

3. Who owns the artifacts?

The Chiskiack Watch and Taylor Farm Collections were given to the museum. Volunteers are also helping with artifacts from nearby localities. The museum is contracting with professionals to catalog the Chiskiack Collection to make possible for scholars to use for research.

4. Is the museum staffed by County employees?

No, all docents are volunteers. We do contract with local archaeologists who work with us on a very limited basis, and others who volunteer their time.

5. Why isn't the museum open more hours?

Unfortunately, the museum is volunteer based. Therefore, it can only open when volunteer docents are available. If you would like to help us keep the museum open for more hours, please call 757-890-3508.