By Barbara Noe Kennedy. Cover photo by Tom Saunders via Flickr Excerpt: Admittedly, beaches aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Virginia, the land of Civil War battles, country villages, and the hazy Blue Ridge. But with more than 7,000 miles of coastline—including a scenic network of rivers and estuaries, the formidable Chesapeake Bay, and the meandering Atlantic coastline—Virginia offers an amazing number of sandy escapes to enjoy. From popular Virginia Beach to the remote Tangier Island, reachable only by ferry, here are seven of the best beaches in Virgini ..read more

Even long before bridges made them easy to reach, Virginia beaches were attracting tourists from Washington D.C. and other communities on the eastern coast. Virginia offers something for everyone – the lively attractions of Virginia Beach, the quiet and protected sands of Assateague Island with its wild horses, the constantly changing sandy spit of the Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve, the playgrounds and live music on Buckroe Beach, or the warm and quiet waters off Cape Charles Beach. There are beaches on the Potomac River, such as Colonial Beach, while others are in Chesapeake Bay, where t ..read more

Excerpt: Cruising up the majestic Potomac River – the second largest tributary of the Chesapeake Bay – is a breathtaking rite of passage for any boater. In 1608 John Smith mapped the Potomac, President George Washington was born, lived and died on it, and our nation’s capital was established on it. It’s a waterway that shaped our country. It’s as enticing and intriguing now as it was then. And, once you get close to the nation’s capital, one of the most famous waterfronts in the U.S. is on the horizon and waiting to be explored. The Potomac, from end to end, meanders 405 glorious miles from Po ..read more

Within the shops located in Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, (CBVA), you’ll find handcrafted gifts, antiques, personalized souvenirs and other unique items that can’t be bought in shopping malls. So, this Black Friday–and all year long–support small business, support local, and support artists and craftsmen right here in CBVA. Here’s are some options: Beach Paws Boutique Town of Colonial Beach’s newest retailer and first pet store, Beach Paws Boutique offers an eclectic variety of items for pets and their people, and anyone who loves animals: pet-themed clothing and gifts; treats and toys for ..read more

Fall flavors are back! For breakfast, Happy Hour, dinner, evening cocktails, and or any other time of day, here are some of the best Fall drinks (with and without alcohol) in Town of Colonial Beach. Wake up with a latte. Nutty Pumpkin, Caramel Apple Butter, Maple Spice and other autumn flavors from local coffee shops Colonial Buzz Espresso and Wine Bar and Julie’s Coffeehouse. Shake up Friday cocktail hour with Dockside Restaurant & Tiki Bar‘s Bourbon Pick of the Week, featuring specialty bourbon cocktails enhanced with flavors of the season, such as pumpkin spice, blackberries ..read more

First DORA Sip & Stroll in Town of Colonial Beach to be held during November Second Friday Art Walk The first of up to 16 annual Sip & Strolls in Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, (CBVA) will be held Friday, November 11, 6-9 pm, during Colonial Beach Artists Guild’s Second Friday Art Walk. Sip & Strolls permit the consumption of alcohol in a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), as regulated by Virginia ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.) During Sip & Strolls, those of legal drinking age (21+ years) may purchase “to-go” alcoholic beverages from select ABC-licensed ..read more

The Museum at Colonial Beach is THE source of information about Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia’s (CBVA) rich and colorful maritime history–including some spooky stories! Here is a sampling of the ghost stories you’ll hear if you visit the Museum: Ghosts of the Potomac River Oyster Wars Colonial Beach, VA, is the site of the century-long Potomac River Oyster Wars, which lasted until Colonial Beach resident Berkeley Muse was killed by an officer on a Maryland Marine Police patrol boat. Local lore says that ghosts roam the riverfront–could Berkley be one of them? Captain’s House at 211 Irving A ..read more

Cover photo: Susan Pietras-Smith Only approximately 65 miles from Washington DC or Richmond, the Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia (CBVA), offers a welcome respite from the traffic, noise and frenzy of city life. Home to the second largest public beach in Virginia, located on the Potomac River, CBVA gives river and beach lovers quick and easy access to coastal life. A favorite aspect of Colonial Beach is its designation as a golf cart community. Though cars and trucks are not prohibited, the speed limit in Town is just 25 m.p.h. Golf carts are street legal and available for rent, thus a popular ..read more

By Laura Gray / Day Trips, DC Getaways, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC Summer is when the heat really turns up in the District of Columbia. The city turns into a swamp that even Kermit the Frog would find hot and sticky. Tourists crave an escape, and there’s no better place for a getaway then one of the best beaches near D.C. Excerpt: With a 2 ½ mile beachfront along the 6-mile wide Potomac River, Colonia Beach is a charming destination to enjoy the sun, fish, people-watch along the boardwalk, or enjoy a delicious dinner at a riverfront restaurant. The beach is pet-friendly betwee ..read more

by Stacy Smith Resident triathlete Hugh Mealy didn’t really expect to enter another athletic event at the age of 80, and yet he finds himself just weeks shy of competing in the Colonial Beach Triathlon in the riverside town of Colonial Beach, Virginia. “I’ve been billing this as ‘Hugh’s last try,’” he jokes. “It will probably be my last triathlon. I’m either going to make it or not.” Mealy will compete in a sprint triathlon on Saturday, July 16, facing off against others in the age 80-84 division. The event will be quite a feat. Mealy will have to start the race by swimming 750 meters followed ..read more