Location: Colonial Beach
Top Things to do in Colonial Beach
Top Restaurants in Colonial Beach
Top 10 Things to do in Colonial Beach, United States
Colonial Beach, Virginia (CBVA) is a river and beach town located in the northwestern part of Westmoreland County on Virginia's Northern Neck peninsula. It is bounded by the Potomac River, Monroe Bay and Monroe Creek and home to the second-largest beachfront in the state. It is located 65 mi (105 km) from Washington, D.C., and 70 mi (110 km) from the state capital Richmond.
Restaurants in Colonial Beach
1. George Washington Birthplace National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
A National Monument is the site where four generations of Washingtons lived.
Reviewed By Brittany_11_10 - Los Angeles, California
Went on a Sunday, midday, and saw only a handful of other people. The grounds were immaculate and include a replica house, barn, workshop, cookhouse, garden, visitor center, a few trails, stunning scenery of the Potomac, and farm animals (cows and pigs).
The highlight was unwittingly stumbling upon the start of a tour of the replica house, given by a highly knowledgeable and well-spoken park ranger. I'm not sure how often those tours are, if they're offered only certain days or times or when a certain number of people are onsite, but it definitely added to the experience.
It's free, gorgeous, interesting, and definitely worth checking out if you're remotely curious about where George Washington was born and/or his early life.
2. Westmoreland State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
A state park that consists of rivefront beaches, hiking trails, and boat rentals over 1,300 acres.
Reviewed By Claire M - Charlottesville, Virginia
Many of the Virginia State Parks offer reasonably priced cabins, and the park is a wonderful place to stay and to get away from the stress of our daily lives. Don't expect WiFi or TV's, so you can really unplug. During the summer season, a minimum stay is a week. However, as you get closer to a weekday stay, if there is availability, you can stay for a shorter time. The park is on cliffs that overlook the Potomac. We recently stayed at one of the original log cabins built in the 30's by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The cabin was charming, with a great stone fireplace and front porch that looked out on a view that would have been the same as it looked in the 30's. There are hiking trails, kayaks and paddle boards for rent, and a fabulous 50 meter pool. The cabins are basic, with a full kitchen. Our 2 bedroom was about $125 a night. There are grocery stores on the way to the park, so best to come with food, though there is a small country store at the park entrance. If you are a history buff, don't miss Stratford Hall just down the road, Robert E. Lee's birthplace. You can also visit Washington's birthplace. The park also allows dogs for a nominal fee. The original log cabins don't have screen porches, but the newer cabins do. There are also campsites for those wanting to camp.
3. Colonial Beach Municipal Pier
4. Bayside Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By CapitolTravelers - Washington, DC
Just came back from Memorial Day weekend at Colonial Beach. About 3 hours from DC by boat which is how we arrived.
Apparently it is about an hour and a half from mouth of the Potomac with the Chesapeake Bay.
We found a new Marina that does not do any advertising, called BAYSIDE MARINA.
I have not posted info like this before but I thought they were great. The owner is a firefighter and personal boater who became a small business owner with the marina and the building which includes a good restaurant called the Happy Clam.
Staff there is great and consists of mainly "Charlie" who takes care of all of your needs, posts weather info and provides local info for the town.
Docks are cleaned daily, bathrooms were extremely clean as were the showers. There is a upstairs deck that overlooks the marina, wireless internet and a flat screen in their breakroom.
Water and power were great for each slip and all of the lights worked on the shore power towers on the dock at night. They do a little happy hour on Sunday nights.
It is the closest marina to town, definately cleaner and newer than the others.
It is a golf cart town. Yes, golf carts drive on the streets with the cars. It has a very small town atmosphere but an actual beach. A few good restaurants and friendly people.
If you are looking for a small town feel with a beach on the Potomac, some good seafood restaurants with very fresh crabs and the ability to drive golf carts around the town, this is an interesting place.
The streets contain many old style vacation homes.
You could call it "Mayberry" on the Potomac.
5. Colonial Beach Yacht Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By LindaVA1
We have been drawn to Colonial Beach numerous times over the last 25 years. We used to take our boat to the marina for overnight visits and fishing on the Potomac River. The restaurant there was traditionally good. Last year I had a wonderful crab cake sandwich. We love the atmosphere of the restaurant and the marina is always a hit with us. Now we take the Corvette instead of the boat. That was traded for a fifth wheel trailer!!!!
6. James Monroe Birthplace
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Lou C - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
We stopped as we saw the sign but there was very little to see other than the roadside marker. We did find a small sign that read visitor center so we followed the road to it. The people were very friendly and there was some interesting things to read but overall just not a lot there.
7. Peddlers Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Peddlers Market offers a wide variety of new and used merchandise including housewares, gifts, home decor, books, toys, antiques and fine art. Our merchants offer items to fit every budget and style. From seaside to country, everyday needs to leisure and fun, Peddlers Market has wonderful surprises around every corner to make your shopping experience fun and exciting. We gladly accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, Check and Debit Cards.
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Stopped in while in town to walk the beach. Most booths empty not worth making a trip for maybe this place just opened.
8. Memorial House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Site where George Washington was born.
Reviewed By PalomitaBlanca - Washington, DC
This Memorial House was made in honor of George Washington. It is not an exact replica of his house (since the original house burned down) but it does offer the atmosphere and is furnished with what a home would have looked like back during those times. It is well-kept and very clean. Make sure to go upstairs (the stairs are kind of hidden in the back). I enjoyed the linens. They are very detailed and the people responsible for coming up with an idea of the place deserve a nod. They did a great job recreating what it must have been like for the times. The park ranger who worked inside was very sweet and helpful in directing us to other areas in George Washington's Birthplace.
9. Monrovia
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
The birthplace of James Monroe.
Reviewed By GingerDynamic - Reston, Virginia
Don't believe the Official Colonial Beach, VA Website - with nice pictures and happy people. The whole beach, town, area, and the restrauants are just bad news. On a whim, we wanted to go to a beach to spend a hot August day. What a disaster. The only place to shower and change are the uncleaned and unsanitary urine smelling porta-potties along the beach. The sand on the beach is dirty and the water is full of garbage. The only apparently decent place to use the facilities and possibly change is the Dockside Restrauant. But they have a bad attitude if you don't spend money there. If you go in to use the bathroom to change for the beach, instead of using the portable bathrooms, and DO NOT eat or drink there, they will call the police saying you look like a trouble maker. The police come, are very polite, ask you for ID, check you ID, and then tell you to have a nice day. Of course, if you are not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to fear from the police. Still, it just ruines the day.
Be warned - STAY AWAY - Colonial Beach is a dive, dirty and putrid. Don't waste your time or money.
10. Beach Bites Tours
We will walk, talk and taste our way around one of the historic areas of Colonial Beach including the water front. You will discover how our cuisine is strongly influenced by our prime location on the Potomac River leading to the Chesapeake Bay. We will be sampling delicious specialties and drinks from local restaurants. Meet chefs and proprietors and learn how their story enhances our history.
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