Searching for Colonial Beach, Virginia’s greatest and most entertaining activities? A little over an hour from Washington, DC, Colonial Beach, Virginia, is a picturesque waterfront community on the Potomac River. Colonial Beach is a well-liked vacation spot for people of all ages because of its fun downtown, historic monuments, and sandy beaches.
Just as you might have guessed, this place is a boater’s paradise.
From swimming in the water to taking in the scenery from the town’s promenade, there are many things to do.
Then, you can cycle along its picturesque lanes or tour its old houses and gardens.
The town is also home to numerous historical landmarks, including the birthplaces of former US Presidents James Monroe and George Washington.
Check out this list of the top things to do in Colonial Beach, VA, to start your next adventure if you’re looking for the ideal experience in the state of Virginia.
Fun Things to do in Colonial Beach, VA
1. Stroll Along the Colonial Beach Boardwalk
Begin your adventure with a leisurely walk on the iconic Colonial Beach Boardwalk. Enjoy picturesque views of the Potomac River, and don’t forget to catch a magical sunset.
The Colonial Beach Boardwalk is bustling with activity, including a bathhouse, watersports, swings, the Town Pier, the CBVA’s LOVE sign, as well as stores, food trucks, and restaurants.
Bring your camera when you visit, as the Colonial Beach Boardwalk is a photographer’s dream because of the sunrises and sunsets.
Address: Beach Terrace, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
2. Visit George Washington’s Birthplace
History buffs will appreciate a visit to George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument, where the first U.S. president was born.
The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is an American ancestral home that sits on a 550-acre plantation.
This monument includes a tourist center, cemetery, picnic areas, historic structures, and a public beach.
You can go fishing, go through the park, take a bike ride through the neighborhood, or have picnics on the grounds of this historic house.
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you visit the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.
George Washington’s birthplace should be your starting point on your list of the best things to do in Colonial Beach, VA.
Address: 1732 Popes Creek Rd., Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
3. Go Fishing at Colonial Beach Town Pier
Fishing is one of the popular outdoor pursuits at Colonial Beach. Similarly, the Colonial Beach Town Pier is an excellent location for fishing.
This location is a fishing site in town where seasoned fishermen and fishing enthusiasts congregate. Along with fishing, the pier offers a tranquil retreat from the stresses of daily life.
Even if you don’t like fishing, the Colonial Beach Town Pier is worth visiting because of the breathtaking vistas.
If you intend to visit Colonial Beach Town Pier, remember to pack your favorite snacks, cold beverages, sunscreen, and a camera.
Address: Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
4. Visit Westmoreland State Park
Westmoreland State Park is located just a short drive from Colonial Beach. The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and explore the park’s waterways.
It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a bathhouse, meeting area, snack bar, camp store, and powerboat ramp. You’ll also find a visitor center, campgrounds, camping cabins, a playground, a fishing pier, boat rentals, and 6 miles of trails.
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.
Address: 145 Cliff Road, 145 Cliff Rd., Montross, VA 22520, USA
5. Take in the Amazing Scenery of Bayside Marina
Just a block from Colonial Beach’s main drag and close to the town’s eateries and stores lies the Bayside Marina.
The marina features 32 wet slips, spotless, air-conditioned restrooms, a lounge on the water, grill-equipped picnic spots, and parking spaces.
Additionally, there is a boutique cottage there where you can spend the night and take in the stunning lake views.
Also, Bayside Marina has a quarterdeck lounge that overlooks the expansive Monroe Bay, where the most stunning sunsets can be seen. You don’t have to worry about food because the marina has an onsite restaurant.
If you’re looking for someplace fun to spend your day with your friends, Bayside Marina is the perfect place.
Address: 11 Monroe Bay Avenue, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443
6. Explore Colonial Beach Yacht Center
The Colonial Beach Yacht Center, located at the mouth of Monroe Bay, is renowned for its stunning sunsets, deep seas, and convenient location to popular tourist destinations.
For your comfort, the yacht center offers heated and air-conditioned bathrooms, boat ramps, wireless internet, water services at the slips, and cable television.
Private beaches, grassy picnic spots, a marine store, a kids’ playground, and a number of local attractions are also provided by Colonial Beach Yacht Center.
If you want to enjoy the water on a nice, sunny day, they can rent kayaks.
A lovely and fascinating activity you should do in Colonial Beach is cruise the waters of Monroe Bay.
Address: 1787 Castlewood Dr, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
7. Sample Wine at Monroe Bay Winery
Monroe Bay Winery is a small farm winery and cidery located near Colonial Beach, Virginia.
Since 2014, Monroe Bay Winery has been making wines and ciders using farm-fresh ingredients.
The owner’s unwavering passion and love for wine served as the foundation for the history of Monroe Bay Winery.
Prior to growing grapes on the farm, the owner started her winemaking career by spending a year creating wines in her home.
Today, the winery provides a variety of top-quality wines, including Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. A bottle of wine that you purchase from the store can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home with a companion.
Due to its breathtaking views of Monroe Bay, Monroe Bay Winery also makes a wonderful wedding location.
The Monroe Bay Winery should be on your list of things to do in Colonial Beach, VA, if you’re traveling there with family or loved ones.
Address: 4786 James Monroe Hwy, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
8. Book a Room in Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast
Experience luxurious accommodation, warm hospitality, and delectable cuisine at the Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast.
The Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast is a Victorian-style bed and breakfast from the early 1900s that provides a home away from home.
The master suite contains a living room, a classically stunning bedroom, and a spacious bathroom, while the hotel’s lovely guest rooms are furnished with exquisite yet comfortable antiques.
You can take a stroll through the stunning grounds outside the hotel, which are loaded with lovely flowers and add to the area’s beauty.
A heated pool is another feature of the Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast, where you can cool down on chilly nights.
Without a meal, a stay at a bed and breakfast is obviously incomplete. Enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast and some free beverages to get your day off to a good start.
Enjoy the royal treatment throughout your stay at the Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast.
Address: 21 Weems St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
9. Relax in the Ice House Marina
Do you wish to experience delectable food, beverages, and lodging at a marina? Monroe Avenue is where you can find it.
You can take advantage of a great place to stay and delectable cuisine thanks to the Ice House Marina.
This location serves as a restaurant and brewpub, serving the best-tasting drinks and nibbles on the bayside.
There are flatbreads, entrees, soups, salads, and appetizers on the menu in addition to wines and draft beers.
You can just rent a “tiny houseboat” to moor at the Ice House Marina if you don’t own a boat.
The Ice House Marina will provide you with an experience you won’t soon forget with its stunning bay views, scrumptious food, and distinctive housing.
Address: 119 Monroe Bay Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA
10. Visit the Museum at Colonial Beach
A visit to the Museum at Colonial Beach is a great way to explore the area’s rich history. The museum is located in a historic home that was rescued by the Colonial Beach Historical Society.
The museum features stories and artifacts from the town’s history, including the history of the Potomac River, oyster wars, and even gambling.
Some of the exhibits include the Watermen’s Room, which is dedicated to the fishermen and oystermen from Colonial Beach.
As a historian, your list of things to do in Colonial Beach, VA, is never complete if you’ve yet to add the Colonial Beach Museum to your list.
The museum is free to the general public.
Address: 128 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
11. Visit James Monroe Birthplace Park and Museum
You can learn about the life and times of James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. He was born and raised near Colonial Beach.
You may visit a replica of the house where James Monroe was born at the James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum. There are chairs in the lobby, a sitting area, an office, and two bedrooms upstairs.
Based on historical data and plans, each room has furniture and designs.
Additional details about Monroe’s life, including his participation in the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War and his presidency, are available in the visitor center.
I would strongly advise spending some time strolling the paths in the area beyond the visitor center.
Along with a short nature walk that leads to stunning water views along Monroe Creek, there is a great, wide route leading into the woods that is lined with markers that honor Monroe’s significant achievements.
Address: 4460 James Monroe Hwy., Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
12. Sample Wines at Ingleside Vineyards
Another nearby winery that is worth seeing is Ingleside Vineyards. Just 13 miles separate you from Colonial Beach.
The vineyard is one of the oldest in Virginia, dating back to the 19th century. It has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Virginia Governor’s Cup and the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
They offer self-guided flights of five wines, which you can choose from among their collection of over 20 wines.
On nice weather days, Ingleside Vineyards has a lovely European-inspired courtyard where you can lounge with a glass of wine and cheese from the gift shop!
If you’re a wine enthusiast who is on a trip to Colonial Beach, be sure to include Ingleside on your list of things to do in Colonial Beach, VA.
Address: 5872 Leedstown Rd., Oak Grove, VA 22443, USA
Also, Read 20 Best Things to Do in Mansfield, Ohio
13. Eat at Dockside Restaurant and Tiki Bar
Grab some drinks and food by the water at the Dockside Restaurant and Tiki Bar. This vibrant atmospheric setting offers a bourbon bar, screened-in porch, and outside picnic tables in the sand with a tiki bar. It feels like a tropical hideaway right in the middle of Colonial Beach.
All year round, they often host live music events in both indoor and outdoor venues. As you might anticipate, there are lots of delicious seafood options on the menu, including sandwiches, salads, and fried shrimp and oysters.
Address: 1787 Castlewood Dr, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
14. Shop at Peddler’s Market
With more than 80 boutiques to discover! Peddler’s Market is a one-of-a-kind design from a plethora of artists, designers, craftsmen, and artisans, as well as a vast range of new, vintage, shabby chic, upscale furniture, pottery, antiques, collectibles, and much more.
This market, which is open year-round, is a great place to find a unique souvenir or a gift for friends and family back home.
Address: 501 Euclid Ave., Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
15. Spent Time at Riverview Inn Motel
On the last list of things to do in Colonial Beach, VA, is to visit the Riverview Inn Motel. Built in the 1950s with distinguishing teal and red paint, the Riverview Inn Motel is a quaint, retro-themed motel.
The motel features a total of 20 rooms, each with a distinctive theme.
A mermaid room, which was designed by local artists, exemplifies the idea of the motel.
The courtyard’s teal and red lighting, which casts a lovely glow at night, harmonizes with the colors of the structure.
This colorful low-rise inn with a casual 1950s atmosphere is a 7-minute walk from the Bayside Marina. It’s also a 6-minute walk from the scenic Colonial Beach and 1 km from the Peddlers Market.
The hotel offers complimentary coffee and water, Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and parking.
Address: 24 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USA
The best time to visit Colonial Beach, VA
According to a vast number of tourists, the best times of year to visit Colonial Beach for general outdoor tourist activities are from early to mid-June and from mid-August to early October, with a peak score in the first week of September.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colonial Beach, VA
Where is Colonial Beach located?
Colonial Beach is a town located in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on the northern neck of the Potomac River.
What are the main attractions in Colonial Beach?
Some popular attractions in Colonial Beach include the public beaches, the Colonial Beach Boardwalk, Monroe Bay Winery, and the Colonial Beach Museum.
Is Colonial Beach a good place for water activities?
Yes, Colonial Beach is known for its water-based activities. You can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and jet skiing in the Potomac River.
Are there any annual events or festivals in Colonial Beach?
Yes, Colonial Beach hosts several events and festivals throughout the year, including the Potomac River Festival, the Fireman’s Parade, and various music festivals.
What dining options are available in Colonial Beach?
There are numerous restaurants and cafes in Colonial Beach offering a variety of cuisines, including seafood, American, and Italian.
Is there a golf course in Colonial Beach?
Yes, Colonial Beach has a golf course called the Colonial Beach Yacht Center Golf Course, which is open to the public.
What accommodations are available in Colonial Beach?
Colonial Beach offers a range of accommodations, including hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds.
What is the climate like in Colonial Beach?
Colonial Beach experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. It’s a great destination for outdoor activities during the spring and summer months.
How do I get to Colonial Beach from nearby cities?
Colonial Beach is accessible by car from cities like Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. You can also reach it via Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Line to Fredericksburg, followed by a short drive.
Is there a nightlife scene in Colonial Beach?
While it’s not known for its bustling nightlife, Colonial Beach does have some bars and live music venues where you can enjoy local entertainment.
Are pets allowed on the beaches in Colonial Beach?
Yes, pets are allowed on designated areas of the beaches in Colonial Beach, but there may be restrictions during certain times of the year.
What are the best times to visit Colonial Beach?
The best time to visit Colonial Beach for warm weather and outdoor activities is typically from late spring to early fall. However, some events and festivals may influence your travel plans.