Colonial Beach, Virginia and Historic Garden Week

During Virginia’s Historic Garden Week a few years ago, I discovered a quaint beach town that you won’t want to miss when you’re visiting the East Coast of Virginia along the Potomac River! The colorful vintage summer cottages and small-town vibe of Colonial Beach, Virginia (USA) reminded me of my hometown in Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie.

And guess what? They were recently named the “Nicest Place in Virginia” by Reader’s Digest! Wow!

Water Fun Everywhere in Colonial Beach, VA

The town of Colonial Beach, Virginia covering only 2.6 square miles, is bordered by the Potomac River on one side and Monroe Bay on the other, so there’s no shortage of sunsets and sunrises over the water. Here’s where you’ll find the 2nd largest beachfront in Virginia and one of the closest sandy beaches to both Washington DC and Richmond. It also has the northernmost deepwater port on the Potomac river (in case you have a REALLY big ship – up to 150′ long). You’ll find 10 marinas and several piers that are great for fishing too. Rent or bring a canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or kayak for a more tranquil way to spend time on the water.

Rich History and A Presidential Legacy

Long before John Smith visited this area of Virginia on his voyage of discovery in 1608, there was a Native American presence dating back to 500 B.C. The town was first settled by Europeans as Monrovia in 1650 by the great-great-grandfather of President James Monroe.

George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument, the site where our Founding Father lived from 1732 until he was about 4 years old, is just minutes away, and the summer home of Alexander Graham Bell’s family still stands here near the shores of the Potomac.

President Monroe was born nearby in 1758 and the grand opening of his (recently re-constructed) birthplace was celebrated the same day as the Historic Garden Tour.

This sleepy little town emerged as a summer bathing and fishing resort in the late 1800s. It was known as the “Playground on the Potomac”. Before cars brought visitors from all directions, most arrived by boat from Washington DC, which, of course, you can still do today.

A Place For Nature Lovers

Colonial Beach, Virginia is also a designated bird sanctuary, where you can spot nesting Osprey, Bald Eagles, Herons, Terns, and countless other birds.

Several parks offer great opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, photography and eco-learning. Westmoreland State Park, Caledon State Park, and Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge are all within a 30-minute drive.

Where to Stay and What to Do In Colonial Beach

Visitors can easily explore the town on foot, bike, golf cart or car. When you’re not enjoying the water, you can check out restaurants, a brewery, a winery, antique shops, the Red Barn flea market, plus eclectic gift and beach shops.

A wide variety of accommodations are available too. From campsites to cottages, bed & breakfast inns to hotels. We had a chance to peek at a few of the spacious rooms at the mid-century beach-style Riverview Inn, just steps from the sandy beach and pier.

In 2019, the Commonwealth celebrated the anniversary of the popular “Virginia is for Lovers” tourism campaign. Colonial Beach, Virginia honored “50 Years of Love” with its own promotional items and special deals at local businesses throughout the summer.

Nearly every month of the year you’ll find family-friendly events like Beach, River, or Fall Festivals, Arts & Crafts and Classic Cars Shows, Fishing Tournaments, and Holiday fun.

Historic Garden Week Tour in Late April or Early May

The highlight of our recent visit to Colonial Beach was the Virginia Historic Garden Week Tour. It was hosted by the Garden Club of the Northern Neck and is an annual fundraising event statewide for the Garden Club of Virginia.

Historic Garden Week of Virginia Tours will be April 15-22 in 2023. In this region, the tours rotate between the quaint small towns of the Northern Neck area, so check the website for more information.

Garden clubs around the state coordinate an annual one-day historic home and garden tour that is wonderfully unique to each region. Every town and each year is different, as you can see from some of the posts I’ve done on other tours.

The photo gallery below gives a quick overview of the Colonial Beach Historic Garden Tour this year. I’m so glad I was able to discover this sweet little town and I look forward to visiting again.

More Posts About Virginia Historic Garden Week Tours

Tips for Viewing the Photo Gallery

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Learn More About the Colonial Beach and Northern Neck of Virginia:

Places to Stay

Where to Fill Your Belly

Colonial Beach Signature Events Calendar

George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument

James Monroe’s Birthplace

Garden Club of Virginia

Virginia’s Historic Garden Week

Garden Club of the Northern Neck

What do you look for in a beach destination?

Have you been to Colonial Beach, Virginia? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite places to stay, eat and hang out in the comments below. Your insider tips will help me and others when we visit again. Thanks for contributing to this traveler community.