Springtime in Yorktown brings a definite shift in the weather. The rains come in (not to mention the pollen) and the flowers come up! Whether indoors or outdoors, there’s a lot to experience during this season. Yorktown has a bounty of historical, cultural and natural beauty that is in perfect bloom.

Sometimes, though, while waiting for the local flora to awaken, days can be pretty rainy. No worries! Here are some lovely ways to spend a rainy day in Yorktown:

-Check out some antiques at the Cozy Cottage just up route 17. It’s the perfect place to find some truly unique pieces, maybe a souvenir or two!

-Spend an afternoon at On the Hill Gallery to view local artistry, or maybe take a class!

-Coffee shops are made for rainy days. Stop in at Mobjack Bay and get the full coffee experience. And for you tea drinkers, there’s a lovely selection and even a full tea service.

-Soak up a bit of the local history by going to a museum! The Archaearium at Jamestown, for example, is one of the best day trips for a rainy day. There’s so much to see!

-Of course, you can always take advantage of our delightful living room or sunroom at the Inn. Listen to the rain with a good book or conversation, it’s the best way to slow down and enjoy the day.

Before long, though, these showers will reap a beautiful, sweet-smelling harvest! We’ve compiled some of our favorite gardens in the area, as well as upcoming events. Here’s how to get out there and see the best of natural Virginia!

-We’re so excited for Virginia’s Historic Garden Week from April 27-May 4, that’s right around the corner! There are lots of events throughout the Historic Triangle and Hampton Roads, the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy the beautiful breeze and blooms!

-Williamsurg Botanical Garden: This hidden gem is just up the Colonial Parkway and offers a quiet oasis in the middle of historic Williamsburg.

-Busch Gardens Williamsburg: There’s a reason “gardens” is in the name! An ever-popular tourist attraction, Busch Gardens has been named the world’s most beautiful theme park, and definitely doesn’t disappoint!

-Norfolk Botanical Garden: It’s a bit of a hike, but well worth the trip! Just across the water is an incredible collection of all kinds of plants. Pack a picnic and make a day of it!

-Don’t forget, you can always book a Yorktown Garden Stroll to visit 10 private gardens and historic homes. Why not get some history with your garden walk?

Whether rainy or sunny, there’s always adventures to be had in historic Yorktown. How do you like to celebrate your spring? Let us know!

Today officially marks the first day of spring! Huzzah!

All of us here in Yorktown are gearing up for another fabulous warm season. And what better way to enjoy all that this culturally rich area has to offer than by seeking out the arts! We’ve gathered all the artistic happenings throughout the Historic Triangle this spring to make sure you get your fill of creativity and inspiration, all with a dose of local history of course!

Music: Here’s a collection of concerts that’s sure to make your ears ring and hearts sing!

-April 3: VSO (Virginia Symphony Orchestra) String Quartet as part of the Ewell Concert Series

-April 7: William and Mary’s Botetourt Chamber Singers Spring Concert in the beautiful Wren Building

-April 27: W&M Choral Combined Spring Concerts at the historic Williamsburg Presbyterian Church

-May 5, 7, 9: Opera in Williamsburg’s Spring production, Mozart’s The Magic Flute at the Kimball Theater

Fine Arts: Feast your eyes on these breathtaking galleries and events!

-Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center: check out their rotating exhibits including the Textile Extravaganza Show on March 19 – April 5

-On the Hill Gallery: come see a solo show by Holland Wentz Etheridge on a Study in Light and Dark all throughout April

-The Gallery at York Hall: this fixture of Yorktown always has art on display, plus a Quilts Exhibit on April 14 and Art at the River on May 5

-Jamestown Arts Center: their current exhibit is “Cut and Paste: Collage Today”

-April 28: Art on the Square in Merchants Square, Williamsburg

Theater: Unleash your inner thespian with these local performances!

-March 21-24: An Evening of Dance by William and Mary students and the Orchesis Modern Dance Company

-April 13: a Poetry Month Event at the Jamestown Arts Center, full of readings and creative opportunities

-May 3: Mr. Jefferson’s Garden Party on the Governor’s Palace Green, complete with Shakespearean monologues by Broadway and television actor Steven Skybell

Now that your calendar is stocked with this wonderful list of arts and events, comment below to let us know what you’re most looking forward to enjoying this spring!

February in Yorktown can be cold and grey, and while the views and walks are spectacular, sometimes all you want to do is cozy up with a comforting drink. Here are three unique recipes to tide you over to spring!

First up, here is an anti-inflammatory Healing Apple Hot Toddy recipe by Felicia Lim:

4 cups apple cider
1 cup sliced oranges + more for garnish
½ cup fresh cranberries + more for garnish
3 sprigs rosemary + more for garnish
4 t lemon juice
1 T thinly peeled and sliced ginger
2 cinnamon sticks + more for garnish
1 t honey
2 t ground cinnamon
2 t coconut sugar

Combine the apple cider, orange slices, fresh cranberries, rosemary, lemon juice, ginger slices, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat down to low. Let it simmer for 20 minutes, or until the cranberries begin to pop and soften.
While the tea is brewing, spread the honey onto the rims of the glasses. Mix the ground cinnamon and coconut sugar in a shallow bowl, then dip the rims of the glasses to fully coat.
When the tea is ready, evenly divide into each glass. Garnish with an extra sprig of rosemary, a cinnamon stick, fresh cranberries, and an orange slice.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Next up is a Maple Pine Chai recipe by Madeline Long:

*NOTE: refer to this site before ingesting wild plants*

For 2
1 cup water
2 chai tea bags (my favorite is Yogi tea)
½ cup chopped white pine needles*
1 ½ cups milk (or almond milk + 2 t coconut oil for creaminess)
1 teaspoon chai spice*
dash of cinnamon
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (or to desired sweetness)
pinch of salt

Chai spice:
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
Dash of pepper

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the pine needles and tea bags, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags, and pour the tea through a sieve to strain the pine needles from the liquid.
Return liquid to saucepan, and pour in milk of choice. Heat through with spices, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
To froth, pour liquid into a blender and blend on high for 1 minute. Close your eyes.
Imagine sitting on the forest floor with a bottom full of pine needles.

Finally, here’s a bit of a switch-up: Cinnamon-Infused Cold Brew Coffee from Baking Bites:

2 cups whole bean medium-dark roast coffee
2 three-inch cinnamon sticks
4 1/2 cups water, cold or at room temperature

Grind the coffee to a medium grind and pour grounds into a large pitcher. Break cinnamon sticks in half and add to grounds. Pour in water and stir a few times to ensure that the grounds are evenly moistened.
Cover pitcher and place in the refrigerator. Allow mixture to steep for 12-16 hours, then filter out the grounds and cinnamon sticks using a large coffee filter. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
When serving, dilute with a 1:2.5 ratio of coffee-to-water.

Serves 6-8

Spring is just around the corner! Now that you have some great ideas to make the end of winter more enjoyable, let us know how YOU like to spend your February!

The new year has finally rung in, and everyone here in Yorktown is looking forward to another great year of history, art, music and fun! So whether you are planning this year’s trip to the Historic Triangle or are an adventure-seeking local, here’s 19 special dates to look forward to in 2019…

-January 31 to March 7 (Thursdays): Cabin Fever Concert Series at the Freight Shed

-April 13: Market Days begins! The weekly waterside farmer’s market continues every Saturday.

-April 20: The Sister Cities annual French Market

-April 27-28:Market Days- Pirates Invade Yorktown

-April 28: the 56th annual Art On the Square on Duke of Glouchester Street

-May 5: Art at the River at Riverwalk Landing

-May 10: Yorktown Plant Sale Presented by Celebrate Yorktown Committee

-May 11: Market Days- annual Fitness Market

-June 6, 13, 20 & 27  (Thursdays): Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Riverwalk Landing

-July 4: The complete Independence Day Celebration, starting with a 5k through River Street and ending with fireworks!

-August 31: A free concert given by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, featuring the historic Fifes and Drums of Yorktown

-September 29: Yorktown Art Stroll along Water Street

-October 5: Yorktown Wine Festival at Riverwalk Landing

-October 12: Yorktown’s Fall Festival

-October 19: Yorktown Day, a great chance to see historic sites, ceremonies and the annual parade

-October 26: Market Days- Paws at the River. Bring your four-legged friend!

-November 2: Market Days- York County Vintage Marketplace

-December 6: The annual Yorktown Christmas Tree Lighting

-December 7: Christmas Market on Main, the ultimate Christmas decoration, right on Main Street

It’s gearing up to be another great year here in Yorktown! Which event are you most looking forward to?

There’s only two weeks left in 2018, but there’s still so many ways to soak up the holiday spirit while exploring Virginia’s beautiful Historic Triangle. Here are some lovely ways to help usher in Christmas and ring in the New Year!

WATCH: Beautiful displays of lights and artwork:

–Garden of Lights at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens

–Celebration in Lights at Newport News Park

–“Christmas in Yorktown” Exhibit at the Gallery at York Hall

–Miracle of Christmas-Live at the Zoo at the Metro Richmond Z00

LEARN: A historical step into Christmases past:

–Christmastide in Virginia at Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

–An Evening with Thomas Jefferson at King’s Arms Tavern in Williamsburg

–Miss Molly Campbell’s Holiday Tea at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern in Williamsburg

DINE: Fun food-filled experiences that educate and satiate:

–Holiday Tea at the Williamsburg Inn

Several events at Colonial Williamsburg’s Taste Studio:

Holiday Cocktails: A Great Reason for a Toast

Holiday Sweets: Gingerbread, Peppermint and Eggnog

Holiday Sweets: Cakes and Pies

Last but not least, consider the Williamsburg Inn’s New Year’s Eve Dinner and Gala to help bring in 2019 with a bang!

With so many opportunities in the local Triangle area, we  hope you’ll find the perfect way to celebrate. And as always, if you ever need a place to stay (especially during these busy holidays), be sure to book your stay with us at the Hornsby House Inn. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!