VisitCBVA is the official travel and tourism council for the Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia (CBVA), a waterfront resort town located in the northwestern part of Westmoreland County on Virginia’s Northern Neck peninsula. 65 miles from Washington DC and Richmond, 35 nautical miles from the Chesapeake Bay.
Bounded by the Potomac River, Monroe Bay and Monroe Creek, Colonial Beach is both a river town and a beach town, home to the second-largest public sand beach (named Best Virginia Beach 2018 by USA Today) in the state. Its location on the peninsula affords it some of Virginia’s most striking sunrise and sunset views; and from our shores, you might see dolphins or, as legend has it, maybe even a mermaid!
Formerly referred to as the Playground of the Potomac, CBVA is a bird sanctuary, home to 10 marinas, municipal fishing pier, beachfront promenade, public boat launch, riverboat gaming, outdoor recreation and watersports, a thriving arts culture, community events, charming shops and a variety of food and beverage establishments for every taste from casual to exotic, including fine dining, tiki bar, fresh seafood, pirates cove, ethnic cuisine (such as French, Thai and Chinese) coffeehouse, ice cream parlor and microbrew.
Long considered a “best kept secret”, Colonial Beach is less than 2 hrs. from DC, midway between Washington and Richmond. It is a golf cart, bicycle, and trolley community and a quieter alternative to the hustle and bustle of Virginia Beach. A fun fact about the Town is its position on the Virginia/Maryland line: step one foot into the water and you have left Virginia and entered Maryland!
Colonial Beach also boasts a rich history. It is the birthplace of President James Monroe, whose great-great grandfather settled the town in 1650 and near George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The summer home of Alexander Graham Bell’s family and several other 18th Century Victorians still stand. The Town’s colorful maritime past includes being the epicenter of the century-long Potomac River Oyster Wars that lasted from the 19th Century to the 1960s. Travelers used to arrive on CBVA’s shores by paddle wheelers and steamboats. Local lore says that ghostly visitors occasionally entertain visitors along the waterfront.
Vacationers can choose overnight lodging to suit any budget: vacation cottages and home rentals, condos, bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, motels and even campsites.
