100 Blacksmith Arch

Standing on the banks of the York River, this small Virginia town played a direct role in ending the Revolutionary War when General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington here on October 19, 1781. That history isn’t tucked away in a museum—it’s woven into the landscape, from the preserved battlefield to the colonial streetscapes that make Yorktown feel like a living timeline. Riverwalk Landing brings a lively mix of dining and shopping to the waterfront, and the Coleman Bridge frames the whole scene with classic Chesapeake charm. Nearby Williamsburg and Jamestown round out Virginia’s Historic Triangle, making day trips practically a given.

Rentals here lean toward townhomes and garden-style apartment communities spread across a quiet, low-density setting. Yorktown Naval Weapons Station and a U.S. Coast Guard Training Center are both close by, making this an especially practical base for military personnel seeking off-base housing.