Market Days and So Much More! So Many Things To Do While Visiting Yorktown

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I did not receive any compensation and all opinions are my own.

A Visit to the Farmer’s Market in Yorktown

Last weekend, in celebration of National Farmer’s Market Week, Kat and I decided to visit the Farmer’s Market in Yorktown, Virginia.  I love Farmer’s Markets, so I didn’t really need an excuse, but it sounded good when we justified the deviation from our original plan of going to the grocery store.  Yorktown’s Market Days is open every Saturday from mid-to-late April until the end of October.  It sits right off Yorktown Beach with amazing views of the York River, and is a very unique farmer’s market because, while the selection of fresh produce and other farm products is extensive, it also hosts live music every week, local vendors and artists, food trucks and so much more. 

Fresh meats and seafood are also available most Saturdays, along with gourmet dog treats, handmade soaps, carved woodwork, and cold-brewed coffee. It is truly a feast for the eyes, nose, ears, and palate! Throughout the season, Yorktown has themed markets as well, like Fitness Market Day and Pet Day.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day and we had so much fun strolling from booth to booth, trying samples of sofrito and zaatar, mango cake and coffee, and a lot of other goodies I probably shouldn’t have indulged in! But, “when in Rome….”

There’s More to Yorktown!

As Kat and I walked around the market we noticed a number of people arriving and leaving on the trolley, which is free to ride and runs daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours in the summer.  Seeing these quaint trolleys reminded me that there is so much more to do in Yorktown then just Market Days!  I got so excited about returning to Yorktown and exploring that I convinced Mike to come back later in the week for our date night!

Beautiful Beaches

The beaches at the Yorktown waterfront are beautiful, and perfect for families! With white sandy coves formed by rock jetties that keep the water calm for young swimmers, everyone will enjoy spending the day at this beach!

There are areas seemingly made for beach volleyball, throwing a frisbee, tanning, or just enjoying the sound of the waves.  The Riverwalk winds alongside the river and is the ideal path for a jog, a stroll, or taking your furbaby (or your two-legged baby) for a walk.

There is a wonderful pier for fishing (no fishing license required), or just for watching the sunset. It’s a beautiful view for a proposal as well! 

Vacation Fun

If you are planning to spend several days, there are a number of hotels and B&Bs that are right on or within walking distance of the beach, like the Duke of York, or the Hornsby House Inn, each with its own distinctive character and charm.

If you like to shop (or need souvenirs to bring back home) there are many unique shops and galleries (nautical themed, history themed, modern/chic)…even a very unusual bookstore…all in walking distance (are you sensing a walking “theme” here?).

But if you aren’t in to walking, you can also rent a beach cruiser bike or even a Segway from Patriot Tours and Provisions.  As their name implies, they also offer guided Segway tours! What a fun way to explore this beautiful place! And boy is there a lot to explore!

On The Water

If you are a seafarer at heart, there are a number of sailing  charters out of Yorktown that you will love!  Boat tours of the Schooners Alliance and Serenity are fun for kids and adults alike, and Pirate Adventures can be had with the Yorktown Sailing Charters.  Want to view the York River at sunset?  Take a sunset sail and see the breathtaking beauty while the captains regale you with stories of centuries past.

Music Under the Stars

During the warm weather season (which is spring through fall typically in southern Virginia), Yorktown regularly features concerts in the park and concerts under the stars.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the sights and sounds!  With green, grassy hills for the kids to roll down and cool breezes coming off the gorgeous waters of the York, what better way to end a day of beaching or exploring?

Everyone’s Favorite Thing to Do – Eating

Of course, there are so many wonderful places to eat in Yorktown you will probably have a hard time choosing.  If  you follow your nose you will find the Carrot Tree deli/bakery…a great place to grab a picnic lunch or afternoon pick-me-up!  If  you are looking for something a bit fancier, the chefs at Water Street Grille are cooking up amazing tapas and seafood selections (it is right on the beach after all).  If you are looking for a more casual dining experience, the Yorktown Pub also features locally-caught seafood dishes, deli sandwiches, burgers and beer; along with their great food, they often feature local bands providing entertainment later in the evening.  You can’t go wrong with any of these terrific establishments!  But on our date night, Mike and I decided to try the new kid on the block.

Larry’s Alehouse and Deli was opened just a short time ago by the owners of Larry’s Hard Lemonade, brewed in the Hampton Roads area since 2010 and now found in select stores in Virginia and North Carolina.  Larry’s is a casual-style, family-friendly restaurant with some outside patio seating, as well as seating at the bar for those who just want to enjoy what’s on tap. Our greeter was very friendly, and our server could not have been more attentive…both good signs that we made the right choice for the evening.  I had the Breakfast Burger…yes,  you read that right…a beefy burger topped with hash browns, sausage gravy, and a rich, runny egg! OMGee! I also had their fries, which were perfectly seasoned and cooked.  Mike had the Swiss Mushroom Burger, which was also delicious with ooey, gooey, melty cheese and sauteed mushrooms; along with giant onion rings (made with…wait for it…real onions!) with a golden, crunchy batter outside and sweet, tender onions inside!  Needless to say, we were stuffed…to the point of turning down cheesecake at Larry’s and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream on the way back to the car (rarely do I turn down ice cream!).

Amazing Yorktown

Our after-dinner stroll along the Riverwalk was as beautiful as the earlier sights, with the lights reflecting on the water and the sun setting on the horizon.  A perfect ending to a date night, or to a family day of fun in the sun!

Because there are so many incredible things to see and do on a vacation (or even a day-trip) to Yorktown, I decided to split this into two posts.  This one, focusing on the beach and the riverfront area, and another one coming soon focusing on the rich history that is Yorktown!

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” — Anonymous

I hope you enjoyed this visit, and that you will check out the next one as well! Until then, remember to add A Slice of Spice to your every day!

Michele