16 Best Things To Do In Colonial Beach, Virginia

Once called the “Playground on the Potomac,” Colonial Beach is an eclectic small town that is known for its sandy beaches, osprey, murals, and palm trees. Yes, palm trees, which are donated each spring by locals and visitors alike and are the calling card of Colonial Beach. It’s also the birthplace of two U.S. presidents: George Washington and James Monroe.

This one-time resort town with fewer than 4,000 residents sits quietly on a small peninsula about 35 nautical miles from the Chesapeake Bay, boasting warm sunrise views over the Potomac River and vibrantly colored sunsets across Monroe Bay. To be honest, Colonial Beach is still largely a secret, despite a location that’s just 90 minutes south of Washington, D.C. For those in the know, however, it’s worth visiting and the perfect place to scoop up a weekend cottage and relax for a few days. 

Getting Around Town

Hop Aboard The Trolley

It’s also a cinch to get around Colonial Beach. Jump onto the free trolley that operates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends during the summer season, picking up riders hourly at 17 stops across town. Given Colonial Beach is barely 4 miles long, it’s completely walkable, too. 

Grab A Golf Cart

This four-block-wide beach town is also noted for its golf carts. Already have one? You’ll fit right in. No golf cart? No worries. Rent one at T and T Golf Cart Rental or Custom Cartz. Golf carts are so popular here that the town has an Instagram-worthy sculpture right on the beach that features what the town holds in high regard—osprey, oysters, love, the flip-flop lifestyle, and sandy shores—all perched atop a golf cart you can pose in.

What To Do

Visit George Washington's Birthplace

Situated on Virginia’s Northern Neck, Colonial Beach is steeped in presidential history as the birthplace of both George Washington and James Monroe. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is perched on 550 acres of the old Popes Creek Plantation, where Washington's family had lived since the 1650s. The national monument features a museum, farm buildings, a Colonial Revival-era garden, and two nature trails.

nps.gov, 1732 Popes Creek Rd., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Explore James Monroe's Childhood Home

Just a five-minute drive from Colonial Beach, the James Monroe Birthplace Park & Museum sits on the former peach and apple orchard plantation where the fifth U.S. president grew up and walks visitors through his life during the Revolution and in politics. If you're not yet tired of presidential history, then drive less than 25 minutes from Colonial Beach to James Madison’s birthplace, Belle Grove Plantation, which is now a bed and breakfast. 

monroefoundation.org, 4460 James Monroe Hwy., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Drink Some Wine

Colonial Beach is also a part of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, which features nine wineries. Both Monroe Bay Winery and Ingleside Vineyards are a short drive from the five different beaches in Colonial Beach. Ingleside Vineyards notably won a coveted gold medal at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards for its 2021 Albariño.  

monroebaywine.com, 4786 James Monroe Hwy., Colonial Beach VA 22443

inglesidevineyards.com, 5872 Leedstown Rd., Oak Grove, VA 22443

Kick Back With A Craft Beer

For craft beers, you’re covered in Colonial Beach, too, thanks to Colonial Beach Brewing and Ice House Brewery, which also has a small marina where you can park your boat. In 2024, Ice House expects to dock tiny houseboats as overnight rentals, too.

cbb.beer, 215C Washington Ave., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

icehousecb.com, 119 Monroe Bay Ave., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Learn About The Town's History

A few doors down from Colonial Beach Brewing is the Museum at Colonial Beach. It’s a tiny three-room museum that’s only open on weekends, but in it, you’ll find well-preserved town artifacts, like newspaper clippings, photographs, and memorabilia. 

themuseumatcolonialbeach.com, 128 Hawthorne St., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Take A Walking Tour Around Town

The museum is a good starting point for the town’s self-guided walking tour, which features historic buildings, including a church, inns, a general store, and a schoolhouse. Along the way, you’ll spy a dozen colorful murals that speak to the town’s history and heritage, including seashore scenes that depict Colonial Beach’s early days as a resort town. For retail therapy, pop in the shops on Hawthorn Street, including Beach Paws Boutique and Hawthorne Mercantile.

facebook.com/BeachPawsBoutiqueCBVA, 116 Hawthorn St., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

facebook.com/Hawthornmercantile, 116 Hawthorn St., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Enjoy A Festival

Colonial Beach is also a festival town, hosting multiple annual events. First launched in 2019, the Virginia Osprey Festival has quickly become a mainstay for the town and visiting birdwatchers each April. A biker's paradise, the Colonial Beach Bike Fest each fall brings 30,000 people to town for a four-day celebration of all things motorcycles.

virginiaospreyfoundation.org, 427 Washington Ave., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

cbbikefest2.com, 215 Irving Ave. North, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Spend Time By The Water

Of course, no visit to Colonial Beach is complete without a visit to the actual beach. The town has one of the largest shorelines in the state, with over 2 miles of sandy beaches along the Potomac River. Walk along the boardwalk, swim, go sailing or boating, or catch fish on the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier at the Downtown Beach. Or head a little way up to the quieter North Beach.

If you’d rather cruise on the water, head down to the Colonial Beach Yacht Center. You can also fish, hike, bird watch, swim, and more at Westmoreland State Park, which is only about 25 minutes south of town.

facebook.com/CBYCmarina, 1787 Castlewood Dr. Colonial Beach, VA 22443

dcr.virginia.gov, 145 Cliff Rd., Montross, VA 22520

Where to Eat

Hang Out On The Dock

For a small town, Colonial Beach offers a surprising variety of seafood restaurants, coffee shops, tiki bars, ice cream shacks, and even Mexican restaurants, including three taco joints in town. Dockside Restaurant & Tiki Bar, which sits at the very tip of the peninsula, is a hands-down favorite, thanks to live music, colorful picnic tables, palm trees, thatched tiki umbrellas, and stunning waterfront sunsets. 

docksidetikibar.com, 1787 Castlewood Dr., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Stuff Yourself With Seafood

Wilkerson’s Seafood Restaurant, which you’ll pass as you drive into town on State Route 205, lures you in with its river views, but the seafood is first-rate, too. Wilkerson’s has been a mainstay in Colonial Beach for more than 75 years. Its all-you-can-eat seafood buffet on weekends draws in the crowds. 

wilkersonsseafoodrestaurant.com, 3900 McKinney Blvd., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Order Some Thai

Also try other spots in town, too, like Orchid Thai, which is a block down from the Municipal Pier. It has soup, salad, fried rice, noodles, curry, dessert, and more menu items. There are also plenty of vegetarian options. Or, visit Sunflower Cuisine, which, interestingly, is heralded for its Thai, sushi, and French cuisine. The menu is divided by each country's cuisine, with appetizer, entrée, and dessert offerings for each.

orchidthaicuisinebeach.com, 19 Hawthorn St., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

sunflowercuisine.com, 215 Washington Ave. Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Prep For A Picnic

Also, stop into Circa 1892, which opened in 2023. Named for the year that Colonial Beach was incorporated, Circa 1892 is a gourmet shop that sells wines, cheeses, chocolates, and cigars, as well as artfully crafted charcuterie boards that are perfect for a beach picnic.

circa1892.com, 106 Hawthorn St., Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Where To Stay

Get Retro At The Riverview Inn

When you want to stay the weekend, look to Riverview Inn, a historic 1950s motel that was refurbished to preserve its classic charm. The uniquely cyan-and-crimson retro-style motel is among the most photographed spots in town, especially its large neon sign on the street corner. 

colonialbeachriverview.com, 24 Hawthorne St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Try Something Historic And Charming

Colonial Beach is also home to historic inns, like the Colonial Beach Plaza Bed & Breakfast, as well as many comfortable Airbnbs with vacay-worthy names like Anchors Away, Crab Shack, and Sunnyside Up Cottage. 

colonialbeachplaza.com, 21 Weems St., Colonial Beach, VA 22443