Step into American history and add a trip to Jamestown Settlement to your family Virginia road trip itinerary. Experience the first British Settlement in America through a reconstructed fort, historical reenactments, and interactive museum exhibits at this must-see Virginia destination. A day spent at Jamestown Settlement is the educational experience that is fun for all ages. This Mom-tested guide has all the travel tips you need to plan your Jamestown Settlement trip and take away a bit of road trip Virginia stress. Save this for later!
Skip to Jamestown Settlement Quick Links
Jamestown Settlement vs Historic Jamestowne
What Was the Original Jamestown Settlement?
Is Jamestown Worth Visiting?
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Jamestown Settlement?
How Much Time Do I Need at Jamestown?
Where Should I Stay in Jamestown?
Things to Do in Jamestown Settlement in Virginia
Jamestown Homeschool Family Days
Affiliate disclosure: When you click and purchase a link in my post, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to only recommend products or places that I have personally want, used, or researched. Thanks in advance for the gallon of gas. 😉
Jamestown Settlement vs Historic Jamestowne
There are two Jamestown sites that you could add to your list of road trip stops in Virginia, and they are confusing. We’ve been and I’ve written about both must-see Virginia experiences multiple times… and yet, I still had to relabel the included Jamestown photos only minutes ago. These two Jamestowns are only five minutes away from each other, yet they offer a completely different perspective on American history.
Jamestown Settlement is a reconstruction of the fort away from the original historical site. The outdoor living museum has colonial interpreters who talk to you about their settlement while demonstrating their trades. Additionally, the Powhatan characters show you their village, canoes, and lifestyle. Outside are three rebuilt ships which came ashore more than 400 years ago. You are able to climb aboard the Susan Constant and explore sea life. Not to be overlooked is the state of the art Jamestown museum inside which also has two movies to view and is as amazing as its sister American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Historic Jamestown is a US National Park at the original location of the 1607 Jamestown Settlement. Here you can take a guided tour of the site, visit with the archeologists, see the archeology museum, visit the glasshouse, and drive around the island. This historic Virginia site is the authentic, history-being-unearthed site that makes a great complement to your trip to Jamestown Settlement.
So which of these Jamestown, Virginia attractions should you make a part of your Virginia itinerary? Don’t stress about which Jamestown to visit. Both Jamestown museums are amazing on their own. For small kids and fun? See Jamestown Settlement. For accurate and historical? See Historic Jamestowne. For the full picture? See both.
~~~> Check out my other post about Historic Jamestown for complete information about this additional stop on your road trip to Virginia.
What Was the Original Jamestown Settlement?
With the founding of Jamestown thirteen years before Plymouth Rock in 1620, Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement. Established in 1607 with the landing of three English ships carrying 105 passengers, the struggle at Jamestown began. With Captain John Smith as leader in 1608, the colonists fought starvation and interacted with the local Powhatans while other groups of colonists landed from England. Under new direction by John Rolfe, they attempted growing tobacco and other products to send back to England. The story of Pocahantas was just one of many interactions with the local Native Americans as the colonists moved further into their land, and slavery arrived in 1619.
Still wondering why Jamestown is important? Jamestown was the capital of the Virginia Colony until it moved to Williamsburg in 1699, and the town ceased to exist in the mid1700s. The history you learned from Disney’s “Pocahontas” isn’t accurate, and the ugly parts of Jamestown include disease, starvation, cannibalism, and slavery.
Where is Jamestown Located Today?
Located in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, Jamestown is in close proximity to the historic Virginia towns of Williamsburg and Yorktown along the historically important James River. While the path of the James River has shifted over the last centuries carving away a bit of the original Jamestown colony, the historic site is in the same place.
If you’re struggling to figure out the must-see stops family Virginia road trip or making a list of things to do in Jamestown, Virginia, steal this “Ultimate Road Trip to Virginia: 7 Days in American History” to add extras like Monticello and Norfolk, Virginia to your trip. Or save these ideas for your next trip to Virginia!
Virginia’s Historic Triangle is only 2.5 hours to Washington DC and a perfect way to continue to history trip in American history. If you’re headed north to DC from Virginia, make sure you read “DC’s Hidden Gems: 10 Must-See Spots Your Kids will Love” and “6 Practical Tips to Make Your D.C. Trip Easier“.
Where Should I Stay to Visit Jamestown?
The trip from Jamestown to Williamsburg, Virginia’s historic sites is only 11 minutes. This means that the Williamsburg areas is a great trip base that allows for quick day trips to all of these Virginia road trip stops – and reduces the stress of moving locations during your trip!
For our Virginia travel itinerary, we chose to stay at the Historic Powhatan Williamsburg with Hilton Vacation Club – only fifteen minutes away from Jamestown Settlement and five minutes from Williamsburg. Our family of six stayed perfectly in a two bedroom suite complete our own a fully-stocked kitchen with a washer and dryer.
The Historic Powhatan is a huge family-friendly resort full of amenities like miles of trails, indoor and outdoor pools, and playgrounds. With options ranging from one room hotels to up to four bedroom suites, this is a perfect place also for an extended family gathering.
~~~> Check out this direct link to the Hilton Vacation Club Historic Powhatan Williamsburg. It’s a good one!
Is Jamestown Worth Visiting?
Yes! Jamestown is a great place to add to your Virginia road trip itinerary. However, if my time was limited in the area, I might pick only Jamestown Settlement or Historic Jamestown as they cover the same subject topic in different ways. Both Virginia historic tours would last about half a day, so you could technically see both in one day. However, that would be a lot to take in.
As the first permanent English settlement in the New World, this is an excellent place to start your study of American history and make real life learning ever more meaningful. Not to mention, it’s a beautifully done museum that even has hands-on areas for family members of all ages.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Jamestown Settlement?
As of Summer 2024, the cost of these Jamestown tickets are
- Adults $20
- Kids 6-12 $10
- Kids under 6 are free
If you’re planning on also going to the Yorktown Museum, get a combo ticket with the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown which will save money compared to individual ticket prices. There are also Virginia resident discounts, and check out these other Jamestown Settlement ticket combinations.
Jamestown Homeschool Family Days
Although I’ve never taken a road trip to Virginia in September for Jamestown Homeschool Days, I am intrigued my how much money I could save! Not to mention that the fall homeschool days at Jamestown Settlement have some overlapping dates with the Colonial Williamsburg Homeschool Days; the 2024 homeschool days at Jamestown are August 31- September 15. I can’t speak for how crowded the area would be during this season, but at least there’s room to spread out in the outdoor exhibits.
But did you also know that Jamestown homeschool discount every day? I read online that some vendors aren’t aware of this discount, so you might have to “fight” to get it. Or show them this official Jamestown Settlement website that shows homeschool daily admission rate.
Let’s make a graph to compare these prices as I best understand them right now. Remember, I am not an authorized seller, but just a mom who is trying to save money. Always check the official site for ticket pricing and details. If I’m reading this correctly, my regularly priced family of six visit is normally $187 down to a daily discount of $108 to an even lower $78 during Jamestown homeschool days. Score!
Note that these prices include the combo ticket for Jamestown Settlement and the sister American Revolution Museum. Because why wouldn’t you go to both… especially when saving money on the ticket!
| Adult Price | Student (12-18) | Youth (6-12) | |
| Regular Combo Ticket (One visit per museum) | $34 | $34 | $17 |
| Homeschool Combo Daily Discount (One visit per museum) | $30 | $12? | $12 |
| Homeschool Combo Days Ticket (Unlimited visits per museum) | $19 | $10 | $10 |
Where to Park at Jamestown Settlement?
Parking for Jamestown Settlement is free and located right at the Jamestown Settlement Visitor Center. There is a huge parking lot, but you could easily return to your car if you need a break or forget something.
How Much Time Do I Need at Jamestown?
Jamestown hours of operation are 9AM- 5PM with the outdoor living areas 10 AM- 4:30 PM. When planning how much time to spent at Jamestown Settlement during your road trip in Virginia, consider
- The ages and interests of your kids
- Brain fatigue. If they’ve already visited Williamsburg and Historic Jamestown, their history learning may have maxed out.
- Other places you have to visit that day. We only had a half a day, and it was enough.
- Be flexible and leave before the real boredom kicks in.
One of the nice things about Jamestowne Settlement is that there are many different types of interactive areas to keep kids’ interests. Not to mention, the outdoor area is open with plenty of roaming around for kids who need some downtime to just explore.
You could potentially zoom through the museum and go see the outdoor area which, depending on the crowd size, would take about an hour. But it if you like to linger and ask lots of questions of the historical characters, allow at least half a day.
Things to Do in Jamestown Settlement in Virginia
- The Jamestown Settlement museum. Read the extensive exhibits and watch the introductory film.At the time of our visit, the second floor of the visitor center had a nice art exhibit of nautical themes and ships. While not specific for Jamestown, my kids and I really liked it. Throw in some art appreciation while you’re here.
- Visit the Paspahegh Indian Village and explore the reconstructed huts as based on archeological findings of a nearby tribal village. Watch and participate in burning out the inside of a canoe. Talk to the Powhatan woman as she makes tools and discusses village life.
- Explore the recreated 1610 fort and learn how the settlers made it their home. Meet the historical figures as they work in the blacksmith shop, build ships, and cook food for the people.
- See the replicas of the original ships which brought the first permanent English settlers across the Atlantic in a four and half month voyage in 1607. You are able to explore the Susan Constant and meet historical interpreters. The Godspeed and Discovery are also present on site most of the time.
Mom Tips for Jamestown
- Make sure the kids dress for outside with good tennis shoes, a sun hat, and even sunscreen.
- Plan to see the inside of the museum during the hottest (or wettest) part of the day.
- Eat a big breakfast before you arrive so the kids “last” a big longer.
- Bring water bottles in your bag. We kept ours with us the whole time, and it wasn’t a problem.
- Encourage your kids to ask all the questions of the reenactors! It will probably be the most memorable part of their visit to Jamestown Settlement.
- Learn about Jamestown head of time if possible. See the book list below.
Is Jamestown Kid Friendly?
To me, Jamestown Settlement is much more friendly than the Historic Jamestown because of the interactive museum exhibits and the replica town with re-enactors. It is a high-tech modern museum with enough information for half a day of reading, but that doesn’t mean you have to read it all.
All areas of the museum are stroller and wheelchair accessible other than the ships which require stairs to enter. The areas in the Jamestown Settlement museum are even wide enough for a double stroller, and the outdoor learning areas are well spread out.
Remember that Jamestown Settlement ended in starvation with the famous Jamestown cannibalism. Consider walking before the younger kids to quickly screen the subject of exhibits before kids arrive. Additionally, the first enslaved people from Africa arrived to the United States at Jamestown in 1619. However, I don’t remember anything graphic or overtly inappropriate being discussed. My kids were younger and if anything (insert eye roll), the cannibalism aspect made my kids more interested to learn at Jamestown Settlement.
Can I Eat at Jamestown Settlement?
While food and drinks are not allowed in the Jamestown museum or the outdoor living-history areas, a quick breakfast or lunch options are available at the Jamestown Café. Additionally, snacks are available in the museum shop. As you’re only about fifteen minutes from Williamsburg, it’s a quick drive if you want to have more options for a lunch break.
As I recall, even though it isn’t mentioned on the website, there are picnic tables located outside the visitor center if you want to pack a lunch. Leave it in your car, and go grab it when you’re ready. If I can verify this fact, I’ll update here. Either way, you could always pack snacks in your car and go grab a quick bite with a trunk picnic. Don’t forget your giant water refill bottle and picnic blanket.
Truth: We left for lunch, planning to return for the rest of the museum later in the week. but we didn’t. It looked very well done, and we would have learned a lot. But one can only take so much history 🙂
Learning about Jamestown
Check out the website for history at home from the Jamestowne Settlement. It has lots of information including at home videos, history for mom to read, and demonstrations. For schools, teaching about Jamestown just got easier with these downloadable Jamestown worksheets and Jamestown activity plans.
Educating MOM about Jamestown
Jamestown is a fascinating place to learn about especially since it has some gruesome details we were never taught growing up! Not to mention, the more shocking the stories, the more likely the kids are going to be to listen. Right?
Podcasts about Jamestown
On your podcast app, search for Williamsburg. This is how I do Mom learning on the way to locations. A good way to look like you know more than you did the day before! Honestly, Jamestown is one of those history topics that have a ton of podcasts. Pick some good ones, check their story against each other, and do some ear learning!
- Ridiculous History – The Starving Time: When Jamestown Colonists Turned Cannibal
- Ben Franklin’s World – Episode 250 Virginia 1619
- A History of the United States – Episode 1 and on; Full history of Jamestown
PS: There’s a TV show called Jamestown on Prime. It’s on my list. I’ll let you know!
Educating Kids about Jamestown
Ya’ll know I’m good at planning things and not following through. Here’s a list of unvetted books I might someday actually get off my bookshelves!
John Smith Escapes Again – covers the world adventures and escapes of John Smith before heading off to the New World
Blood on the River: Jamestown 1607 – by Elisa Carbone, a YA novel; There is a sequel Poison in the Colony.
Pocahontas by Joseph Bruchac; a middle grade novel. We haven’t read this specific book, but we have read lots of Bruchac. He’s an excellent source for all this Native American kid books.
Pocahontas by Da’ulaire – Think really thick children’s picture book from a long time ago.
Deep Dives into Jamestown History
It doesn’t take books or an extra trip to have some good discussions with kids about what they saw and how it compares to other places or stories. Just turn off the radio and talk it out. Even you are never too old to stop learning.
- Now that you know the true story of Pocahantas and John Smith, watch the Disney version and discuss. What was different? Why do you think they changed it?
- Would you have traveled to Jamestown if you had known the settlers who had already arrived were struggling to survive?
- Why do we talk so much about Plymouth and not Jamestown?
- Who was King James, and why did he want a settlement?
- What else was going on in the world at this time?
- What other countries were already in the New World? How did that affect these settlers?
- And if you dare… Any other survivals that required cannibalism? Would you do it?
What Places are Near Virginia’s Jamestown?
If you chose to stay at the Historic Powhatan resort in Williamsburg, you’re less than half-an-hour from Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, and Yorktown Battlefield. (Powhatan rental info here.)
- Historic Jamestowne – You’ve seen the recreation. Go see how it stands today at this Virginia National Park.
- Colonial Williamsburg – The town was quite a step up from the small, original rough houses. Move your American history trip up a bit, and experience life in the colonies after Jamestown.
- Henricus Historical Park – Chester, Virginia. Adults $9, kids $7
Located: An hour northwest from Jamestown up the river toward Richmond
Henricus was the second English settlement in 1611 as the settlers moved up the James River. Pocahantas was brought to Henricus where she was taught about Christianity and took the name Rebecca. Like Jamestown, it has a recreated Powhatan town, fort, church, and town buildings. It also offers weekly family field trip specials with an indepth Powhatan day. - Roanoke – The Lost Colony of Roanoke in 1587 was the first English settlement in the New World. And its story is even more mysterious than Jamestown! Three-and-a-half hours south east from Jamestown (make sure you route to the correct Roanoke!), this history stop is a great addition if you’re driving south back home. We saw this and the Wright Brother’s Kitty Hawk on the way back home to Georgia when we did our Virginia Road trip.
Jamestown Settlement is a great living history adventure. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
Leave a Reply