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 Historic 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 Virginia’s Colonial National Historic Parkway on a beautiful day.

The Colonial National Historic Parkway, also known as the Colonial Parkway, is a 23-mile scenic byway that connects the historic towns of Jamestown and Yorktown.

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The road was started in 1930 and wasn’t fully completed until 1957. The goal 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.

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The drive begins at the historic Jamestown Settlement, where you can explore artifacts and exhibits explaining what life was like for the early settlers.

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The most memorable stretches of the Colonial 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.

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In fact, if you time things just right, you can look forward to enjoying a breathtaking sunset over Jamestown Island.

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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.

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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.

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Have you driven the Colonial Parkway recently? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! You can learn more about the Colonial Parkway by clicking here. For more beautiful scenery, be sure to check out footage of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Brian Holland / flickr

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Address: Colonial Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA, USA