5 Historical Day-Trip Locations Near Sandbridge

Sandbridge is a wonderful place for a vacation, with plenty of activities, beautiful beaches, and nature to enjoy. There’s more to Sandbridge than the beach, though! Virginia played a hugely pivotal role in America’s early history, and Sandbridge is just a day trip away from several famous historical sites.

If you’re here for a few days or more, you’ll definitely want to know about these awesome historical day-trip locations near Sandbridge so you can spend the day learning more about history and having some good old-fashioned family fun. Whether you’re a history buff or just want to learn something new and different, these locations are always a blast and entertaining for everyone.

Read along for our top five historical day-trip locations near Sandbridge!

Historic Jamestown

Distance from Sandbridge: 1 hour 53 minute drive, 85 miles

Jamestown was the first successful English colony in North America, and it’s still here for us to witness today! A trip to Jamestown is well worth it if you have some time to spare on your vacation to Sandbridge. It’s just under 2 hours drive away and offers unique insight into the very early settlers in America and the Native Americans who lived there long before them.

Take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the colony and witness archaeology in action with the Jamestown Rediscovery Project. This active project is still excavating historical artifacts to this day! A typical visit to Historic Jamestowne lasts 2-3 hours, but you can easily spend an entire day learning the fascinating history of this early colony. Stop in at the Dale House Café for lunch while you’re here, and check out their schedule of upcoming events to plan your trip!

Colonial Williamsburg

Distance from Sandbridge: 1 hour 41 minute drive, 82 miles

Take a step back into history when you visit Colonial Williamsburg! Less than two hours from Sandbridge, this historical site is the world’s largest living history museum.

When you visit here, you don’t need to imagine what life was like in the 1700s; it’s all re-enacted for you. Explore beautifully restored buildings, watch skilled artisans at work, and interact with costumed interpreters who bring history to life.

Don’t miss the chance to stroll through the Governor’s Palace, enjoy a carriage ride down Duke of Gloucester Street, or visit the many shops and taverns that capture the spirit of early America. It’s a fun and educational trip for the whole family!

Jackson Ward Neighborhood

Distance from Sandbridge: 2 hour 22 minute drive, 128 miles

The Jackson Ward Neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, is full of notable historical locations and rich with history, with sites like the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Once deemed the Black Wall Street of America, you won’t want to miss this impressive neighborhood.

Jackson Ward is an incredible place to hear live music. Known as the “Harlem of the South,” famed venues like the Hippodrome Theater hosted performances from black performers during a time when they were not welcomed at other venues due to racial discrimination.

The Jackson Ward neighborhood celebrates black wealth, culture, entrepreneurship, and talent in the South, and it’s well worth the visit. Beyond the significant history, you can hear amazing music and eat delicious soul food at the award-winning Mama J’s. Other restaurants in the area serve a variety of dishes, including Ethiopian, Korean, and Basque-influenced cuisine.

First Landing State Park

Distance from Sandbridge: 40-minute drive, 18 miles

Looking to get outside for the day? First Landing State Park is the day trip for you. Just a forty-minute drive from Sandbridge, it’s the perfect place to spend some time reconnecting with Mother Nature.

First Landing State Park is aptly named—it commemorates the site where English colonists first landed in 1607. It’s the most popular state park in Virginia, but it covers such a huge amount of land that you’ll still enjoy some solitude in nature, even at its busiest times of day.

Traverse one of the many hiking trails that cover nearly 20 miles of nature here, winding through forests and even heading out to sandy Chesapeake Bay on some routes. It’s even said that famed pirate Blackbeard buried a load of treasure somewhere along these coastal grounds—do you think you have what it takes to find it?

Yorktown

Distance from Sandbridge: 1 hour 40 minute drive, 71 miles

As fans of Hamilton (and American History) know, the Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the final battle of the American Revolution. It’s the third part of the historical triangle of Virginia—Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown (we covered the other two above).

General Cornwallis surrendered to American troops here in 1781, effectively ending America’s fight for independence. Learn more about this historic battle at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and visit the exact spot where the surrender took place, the Yorktown Battlefield.

When you visit the battlefield, you can watch a short film about the battle and its effect on the American Revolution and the world at large. At just under a two hour drive from Sandbridge, we highly encourage you to check out Yorktown during your vacation.

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With so many options for a fantastic historical day trip nearby, your itinerary is set for an amazing time here in Sandbridge! The only thing you need to do now is book your trip!

When you’re searching for the best accommodations in Sandbridge, look no further than Sandbridge Life. Whether you need a pet-friendly rental, a rental with a hot tub, or want to stay bayfront or oceanfront, we have a wide range of vacation rental options available, designed with your needs in mind!

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