National Historical Park · VA

Things to do in Colonial

The National Park Service lists 8 things to do at Colonial National Historical Park. 2 have no extra fee, 8 need no reservation, and 6 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated · NPS Data API

All (8) Self-Guided Tours - Walking (3)Scenic Driving (2)Self-Guided Tours - Auto (2)Craft Demonstrations (1)

Birding

The park's location along the Atlantic flyway affords visitors the opportunity to see wintering, migratory, and breeding birds along park roads.

Year-round Pets allowed

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Colonial Parkway

The Colonial Parkway is a scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown.

60-110 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

Glasshouse

Visitors can see the remains of the original furnaces used by those early glassblowers and watch as modern glassblowers produce wine bottles, pitchers, candleholders and various other glass objects.

45-120 Minutes Year-round Fee applies

Craft Demonstrations

Island Loop Drive

Jamestown has a one-way three/five mile scenic loop drive of the Island. This loop drive is open to pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles. Safety issues prohibit buses, motor homes or vehicles over 5-tons from using the Loop Drive.

30-45 Minutes Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

Before you go

Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Colonial. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.

Things to do at nearby parks

Sources