Nothing beats a scenic drive with the windows rolled down. Sure, you’ve heard of Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, but have you ventured to coastal Virginia for a beautiful road trip lately? It’s here you’ll find the Colonial National Historical Parkway. Not only is this drive loaded with breathtaking scenery, but you’ll also discover history at every turn. Here’s more on why you’ll want to venture out and drive Colonial Parkway in Virginia on a beautiful day.

The Colonial National Historical Parkway, also known as the Colonial Parkway, is a 23-mile scenic byway that connects the historic towns of Jamestown and Yorktown.
Google Maps
The road was started in 1930 and wasn't fully completed until 1957. The goal for the Colonial National Historical Parkway route was to connect points of Virginia's historic triangle — Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Jamestown — via a toll-free road void of commercial buildings or semi-trucks.
Ken Lund / flickr
We discovered this unique road while on a trip to Colonial Williamsburg.
Rachel Raimondi/OnlyInYourState
As you can see from the sign, it's actually affiliated with the National Park Service.
The drive begins at the historic Jamestown Settlement, where you can explore artifacts and exhibits explaining what life was like for the early settlers. It's also a great spot for some Colonial National Historical Parkway photos.
Ken Lund / flickr
The most memorable stretches of the Colonial National Historical Parkway are the portions that parallel the water. At different points of the drive, visitors will catch glimpses of both the York River and the James River.
Jasperdo / flickr

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In fact, if you time things just right for your Colonial Parkway in Virginia excursion, you can look forward to enjoying a breathtaking sunset over Jamestown Island.
Brian Holland / flickr
We weren't able to catch a sunset, but nonetheless enjoyed this beautiful, wooded country drive.
Rachel Raimondi/OnlyInYourState
In fact, we tried to stay on the Colonial National Historical Parkway as much as we could during our trip!
Along the Colonial Historical Parkway route, you'll also want to set aside plenty of time to stop in Colonial Williamsburg, which is the world's largest living exhibit. It's a memorable way to step back in time and imagine what life was like in the eighteenth century.
Ken Lund / flickr
So whether you consider yourself to be a history buff or you appreciate any excuse to go for a drive, you'll be impressed by this meandering road.
Jasperdo / flickr
Be sure to take lots of Colonial National Historical Parkway photos!
Rachel Raimondi/OnlyInYourState

Learn more about the Colonial Parkway in Virginia.

Have you driven here recently? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience!

Unsure what you might need for your drive? Check out the Ultimate Road Trip Packing List.

For more beautiful scenery, be sure to check out footage of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Virginia Scenery

Rachel Raimondi | November 20, 2023

What are the most scenic towns in Virginia?

Looking for more gorgeous spots after traveling Colonial Parkway in Virginia? Add in some stops to the most scenic towns in Virginia:

Abingdon: Located in Southwest Virginia, this town’s scenery includes the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was founded all the back in 1778. Take in nature at Grayson Highlands State Park or head to the downtown area for a dose of history, some entertainment, and shopping and dining.

Middleburg: This town is located in Loudoun County. It’s pretty small, with a population under 1,000, but it’s not only historic, but also beautiful. Check out the 1700s and 1800s buildings within the Historic District and Mount Defiance Historic Park for nature lovers.

What are the most beautiful hikes in Virginia?

After you've sat back and enjoyed the Colonial National Historical Parkway, get on your feet and be amazed by some of the most beautiful hikes in Virginia:

Compton Peak: You’ll find this 2.4-mile trail off of Skyline Drive in Compton Gap. Enjoy sights and scenery that include forest scenes and geologic features.

Crabree Falls: Located in George Washington National Forest, this trail is 2.5 miles. There are five large waterfalls along the way as well as a few smaller ones. And the best part is that you can see one of them not far from the parking lot.

Which state parks should I visit in Virginia?

There are 42 parks in the Old Dominion State. Be sure to visit some of the best state parks in Virginia:

Smith Mountain Lake State Park: Head to this spot in Huddleston to take in one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the state. Enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming as well as hiking and camping at this 1,148-acre park.

First Landing State Park: Located in Virginia Beach, this 2,888-acre park is great for all sorts of activities from hiking trails to camping to boating. You can also see some lagoons, swamps, and interesting wildlife and plants.

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Colonial Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA, USA