Colonial Beach on the Potomac

Colonial Beach is a riverside town on a peninsula bordered by the Potomac River and Monroe Bay. Water and maritime history shape many of the ways to get to know the town. If you’re looking for hotels in Colonial Beach, having a clear idea of your trip can help you decide what to do: would you like to spend time at the pier and enjoy water sports, or are historic buildings, art, and local history your main interests? You can combine these themes without having to focus your trip on just one of them.

By the water: Pier and water sports

The Colonial Beach Municipal Pier is open 24 hours a day, except on July 4. The hours may be changed by the municipality, so check the current information before your visit. Fishing from the pier is free; this may be subject to municipal changes. The pier and fishing offer two specific ways to enjoy a stay by the water.

Water sports are available at Downtown Boardwalk Beach, and kayaking is also possible in Colonial Beach. So there are other options for activities on the water besides the pier. To get to the pier, turn onto Hawthorn Street and continue to the end of the road. Check road access before setting out.

River scenery and getting around

Colonial Beach is designated as a bird sanctuary. The tidal creeks and marshlands offer opportunities for water-based recreation, and visitors can explore the town by bike. This brings together a range of themes: spending time by the water, enjoying the peninsula’s landscape, and exploring by bicycle.

Local history and architecture

The Colonial Beach Improvement Company was founded in 1883 to develop the area as a summer resort for Washington residents. By 1906, steamboats had transported thousands of visitors from the Washington, D.C., area to Colonial Beach. By 1906, Colonial Beach had a thriving boardwalk area.

The Oyster Wars are also part of the town’s maritime history: Colonial Beach was their center, and they lasted from the mid-19th century through the 1960s. The architecture offers a different perspective on the past. Colonial Beach preserves buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, so maritime history and the built environment stand as distinct themes.

Museum, landmarks, and art

The Museum at Colonial Beach features permanent and rotating exhibits and is located in one of the town’s oldest buildings. The Bell House is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is privately owned. The Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church was built in 1906 and is the second-oldest Catholic church in the Northern Neck of Virginia. These places and buildings offer different points of interest if you’re interested in the town’s history and architecture.

Another cultural highlight is the 2nd Friday Art Walk. It takes place year-round, except in January, on the second Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. Participating venues and routes change monthly, so if you plan to join the walk, check the details for the relevant month.

Discover more destinations: Montross.

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