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Explore Colonial Beach

Exploring Colonial Beach, Virginia, offers a captivating journey through history and natural beauty. Nestled along the banks of the Potomac River, this charming town is renowned for its rich colonial heritage and breathtaking coastal landscapes. Visitors can delve into the past by strolling along the historic streets lined with well-preserved Victorian homes and colorful shops. The pristine sandy beaches beckon sunbathers and water enthusiasts, offering a refreshing escape from the bustling city life. Fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities abound, allowing adventurers to embrace the tranquility of the river. With its enchanting atmosphere and picturesque setting, Colonial Beach is an idyllic destination for those seeking a harmonious blend of history and coastal allure.

Historic Sites

 

Stratford Hall

https://www.stratfordhall.org/

483 Great House Rd, Stratford, VA 22558

Winter Hours: January 2 – March 15, 2022

10:00am to 5:00pm

Tuesdays – Thursdays: Visitor Center, Gift Shop, Historic Outbuildings, and Grounds open; Great House closed for tours.

Fridays – Mondays: Great House, Visitor Center, Gift Shop, and Grounds open

A National Historic Landmark, Stratford Hall preserves the legacy of the Lee family and its surrounding community, inspires an appreciation of America’s past, and encourages commitment to the ideals of leadership, honor, independent thought, and civic responsibility. Established by Thomas Lee in the 1730s, Stratford Hall is one of the great houses of American history. Four generations of the Lee family passed through its stately doors including Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War hero “Light Horse Harry” Lee, and his son, Civil War General Robert E. Lee, who was born at Stratford Hall in 1807.

 

James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum

https://monroefoundation.org/birthplace-park-museum/

4460 James Monroe Hwy, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Birthplace Home Museum

Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day for Free Tours from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Visitors Center & Museum

Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Park and Trails

Open Year Round

Virginia's Northern Neck Peninsula is the “birthplace of our nation” with three of the first five American presidents being born here, along with other prominent families that helped form our nation and its Declaration of Independence. The property that is now entrusted to the James Monroe Memorial Foundation is a 74-acre property that runs from the main highway to a pier at Monroe Creek and sits just outside of Colonial Beach proper.  The Commemorative Timeline Walking Trail is the heart of the park which is free and open to the public and tells the life and events surrounding James Monroe. There is ample parking, a working service road and more in the works as we continue to improve and expand.

 

George Washington Birthplace

https://www.nps.gov/gewa/index.htm

1732 Popes Creek Rd, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Visitor Center (Wednesday - Sunday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm)

The Park Store is located at the Visitor Center (Wednesday - Sunday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm)

Memorial House Museum (guided tours begin at the Visitor Center, Wednesday-Sunday, at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm)

George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of the former Popes Creek Plantation, the American ancestral home of the Washington Family where George Washington was born. In addition to a Colonial Revival farm, burial ground, visitor center, and historic structures, the park also has picnic grounds and a public beach.

 

Parks

 

Westmoreland State Park

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/westmoreland

145 Cliff Road, 145 Cliff Rd, Montross, VA 22520

The park is open daily dawn to dusk. The park office and visitor center are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. – Fri.

On the Potomac River's Northern Neck, this park offers many opportunities for family fun. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a bathhouse, meeting area, snack bar, camp store and power-boat ramp. You'll also find a visitor center, campgrounds, camping cabins, cabins, a playground, a fishing pier, boat rentals and 6 miles of trails. Fossil collectors enjoy hunting for ancient shark teeth along the Potomac. Offshore breakwaters are great for fishing. Birding enthusiasts find the park an excellent site for spotting American bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, great blue herons, common terns, green herons and gulls, as well as wintering waterfowl. Murphy Hall, atop Horse Head Cliffs, offers a superb view of the Potomac River. The hall accommodates up to 72 people for meetings and other gatherings. Amenities include audiovisual equipment, a warming kitchen for catered events and an executive board room.

 

There's limited cell phone service in the park. WiFi is available at the camp store.

 

Caledon State Park

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/caledon

11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA 22485

The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset. The visitor center is currently open Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Hours are subject to change based on staff availability.

Visitor Center Hours:

Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April, May, Sept. and Oct.: Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

A National Natural Landmark known for its old growth forest and summer home to many American bald eagles, Caledon attracts bird watchers of all ages. Trails, including Boyd's Hole Trail, which leads to the Potomac River, are open year-round. A visitor center with bald eagle exhibits, four picnic areas, a picnic shelter and restrooms also are available.

 

Dahlgren Heritage Museum

https://dahlgrenmuseum.org/

3540 James Madison Pkwy, King George, VA 22485

Hours of Operation: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Telling the Story and Reflecting the Spirit of the Navy and the Community at Dahlgren

 

Antique Shops

 

Peddler’s Market

https://peddlersmarket.wixsite.com/peddlersmarketcbcom

501 Euclid Ave, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Open All Year

Thursday - Monday

Visit Facebook Page @PeddlersMarket.CB for Current Hours and Weather Related Changes

 

Hawthorn Mercantile

https://www.facebook.com/Hawthornmercantile/

116 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

(804) 410-2036

Hours:

Saturday             10 AM–5 PM

Sunday  10 AM–5 PM

Monday              Closed

Tuesday              Closed

Wednesday        Closed

Thursday            10 AM–5 PM

Friday   10 AM–5 PM

 

Gitie’s

https://gitiesbiz.wordpress.com/

17373 Ridge Rd, King George, VA 22485

(540) 775-1849

7 days a week; 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Specializing in antiques, jewelry, housewares, books, and other unique items. Stop by and find a new treasure or one-of-a-kind gift.

 

Unique Antiques and Home Decor Mall

https://www.uniqueantiquesmall.net/

9600 James Madison Pkwy #1, King George, VA 22485

540-625-2006

Open 10 am - 5 pm

Closed Tuesdays

Unique Antiques is the areas largest home décor mall, featuring over 140 dealers specializing in exquisite home decor, collectibles, French Country, primitive, farm style, nautical, mid-century modern and vintage retro.

 

The Minnow Bucket Antiques

http://tmbantiques.com/

331 Main St, Port Royal, VA 22535

(804) 884-0009

Hours:

Saturday             10 AM–6 PM

Sunday  10 AM–5 PM

Monday              Closed

Tuesday              10 AM–5 PM

Wednesday        10 AM–5 PM

Thursday            10 AM–5 PM

Friday   10 AM–5 PM

Antiques and much more.  They have 11 vendors spread throughout almost 2900 square feet of the shop (not including the shed when it’s open!) and strive to have a continuous rotation of awesome stuff for everyone!

 

Wineries

 

Monroe Bay Winery
http://www.monroebaywine.com/

4786 James Monroe Highway, Colonial Beach VA 22443

804-410-5628
Saturday & Sunday from noon - 5pm from April - Dec

Monroe Bay Winery is a small farm winery and cidery located near Colonial Beach, Virginia.  The tasting room is Open at their Strawbale Barn every Saturday & Sunday from noon - 5pm from April - Dec.

 

Ingleside

https://www.inglesidevineyards.com/

5872 Leedstown Rd, Oak Grove, VA 22443

Hours (Winter 2023):  Open Thurs-Mon 12-5pm

(804) 224-8687

Opening in 1980, under the direction of Doug Flemer, Ingleside Vineyards is one of Virginia’s oldest and largest wineries and produces over 18 types of wine from its estate-grown grapes. For over thirty-five years, our hand-crafted wines have won numerous awards and top honors in state, national and international wine competitions, such as the London International Wine & Spirits Competition, the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition.

 

Backporch

https://www.backporchvineyard.com/

16595 Wilmont Rd, King George, VA 22485

(540) 940-3939

Hours:

Friday 4-8 PM

Saturday 12-6 PM

Sunday 2-6 PM

 

Circa1892

https://www.circa1892.com/

106 Hawthorn Street, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Closed on Monday

Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wine, Beer, Cheese and Gourmet Food Shop

Designed to be a regional destination for wine lovers — both novices and experts — Circa 1892

is a wine bar and retail outlet offering a large selection of wines, specialty cheeses and gourmet

foods from around the world. Eat-in or take-out fare includes artisanal sandwiches, salads,

charcuterie boards and specialty chocolates. A selection of high-end beers and cigars also is

available.

 

Breweries

 

Colonial Beach Brewing

https://www.cbb.beer/

215C Washington Ave, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

(804) 214-7530

Hours:

Saturday             2–10 PM

Sunday               2–8 PM

Monday              Closed

Tuesday              5–9 PM

Wednesday        5–9 PM

Thursday            5–9 PM

Friday                 5–10 PM

 

Ice House Brewery & Kitchen

https://www.icehousecb.com/

119 Monroe Bay Ave, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

(804) 410-2016

Hours:

Saturday             11:30 AM–10 PM

Sunday                11:30 AM–8 PM

Monday              4:30–9 PM

Tuesday              Closed

Wednesday        4:30–9 PM

Thursday            4:30–9 PM

Friday                 4:30–10 PM

 

Montross Brewery

https://www.montrossbrewery.com/

15381 Kings Hwy, Montross, VA 22520

(804) 313-7477

 

Highmark Brewery

https://highmarkbrewery.com/

Two locations:

7857 Dolleys Ct, King George, VA

390 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22405

(540) 709-2020

 

 

Games and Hobbies

 

CB Train Junction

https://www.cbtrainjunction.com/

509 Colonial Ave, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Thursday 10am-4pm

Friday 12pm - 6pm

Saturday 10am-4pm

Sunday 12:30pm-5:30pm

Monday 10am-2pm

Tuesday, Wednesday Closed

This shop is all about TRAINS.  It includes historic toy trains, history of trains, memorabilia, gifts, and model railroading supplies.  There is something for everyone.  Check out their operating layouts and unique Colonial Beach spin on model railroading.

 

Colonial Beach Games and Soda Fountain

https://www.colonialbeachgames.com/

501 Euclid Unit A, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

804-410-2009

Escape Rooms - Arcade - Pinball - Pool Tables - 60’s Style Diner

 

Arcade and Diner Hours:

Monday  11am - 8pm

Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday  11am - 8pm

Thursday 11am - 8pm

Friday 11am - 8pm

Saturday 11am - 8pm

Sunday 11am - 8pm​

Breakfast Hours:

Saturday 8am - 11am Breakfast Only

Sunday 8am - 11am Breakfast Only

 

Colonial Beach Plaza B&B

https://www.colonialbeachplaza.com/yuengling-retro-game-room

21 Weems St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Yuengling Retro Arcade Room

Arcade games, video games, board games, cards, and vinyl records all included for the enjoyment of overnight guests.

 

 

Coffee Shops

 

Colonial Buzz

https://www.colonialbuzz.com/

234 Colonial Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

804-410-2019

Monday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Tuesday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Thursday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sunday CLOSED

Colonial Buzz Espresso Bar serves hot, iced and frozen specialty coffee and tea drinks, along with other hot and cold beverages. Featuring locally roasted coffees served with an environmentally conscious attitude and small baked goods.

 

Julie’s Coffeehouse

https://www.facebook.com/juliescoffeehousecb/

200 N Irving Ave, Colonial Beach, VA, United States,  22443

Monday-Thursday CLOSED

Friday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sunday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Specialty coffeehouse in Colonial Beach, VA at Tides Inn Market.  Organic, fair trade, locally sourced.

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