The town of Colonial Beach, Virginia is set in picturesque Westmoreland County and home to the second largest strip of beachfront property in the United States. Visitors will easily spot Maryland from the shores of Colonial Beach. With a small population of about 4,000 residents and a pretty waterfront location, a Colonial Beach vacation is an ideal getaway where convenient amenities and plenty of outdoor fun are both readily available. Once a popular tourist destination in the nineteenth century that was known for great swimming boating and fishing, Colonial Beach hotels aren't as crowded with throng of tourist since the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The bridge created an easier avenue to many Eastern Shore ocean beaches, especially for Washington D.C. residents, unclogging the crowds of visitors and opening up the heavily touristed area.

Also known by area residents and visitors as the "Playground on the Potomac," Colonial Beach is directly linked to the free-flowing Potomac River and only an hour-and-half drive from both Springfield and Arlington. Tucked between the crisp waters of Monroe Bay on the west and the Potomac River on the east, the marinas and beaches in Colonial Beach are located in and between these two locations. The beaches in Colonial Beach are wide and spacious, offering a piece of summer paradise for every visitor. Water sport enthusiasts flock to the area for great boating, sailing, fishing, crabbing, and swimming. With a wealth of Colonial Beach hotels and motels to choose between, most travelers are well accommodated.

The many things to do during a Colonial Beach vacation include attending many fun festivals and events throughout the area such as the Potomac River festival, the Boardwalk Arts and Crafts Festival, and Bluegrass on the Potomac. Fishing tournaments are also popular events in Colonial Beach. The summer months are when things really heat up. Summertime is a great time to enjoy a Colonial Beach vacation because of the many community events going on. Open-air concerts, market days offering fresh market goods, and the annual Fourth of July celebrations are a few of the many good reasons to take a Colonial Beach vacation in the summer.

Virginia Map

Unique transportation options create another fun way for visitors to explore Colonial Beach. Designated as one of the scarce "Golf Cart Towns" in the United States, golf carts can be rented and driven by any licensed driver on almost all streets throughout Colonial Beach. This gives a Colonial Beach vacation a genuine laid-back feel and offers visitors a stress-free way to explore the ins and outs of the town. Golf carts can be rented by the day or by the weekend. The Town Trolley is another entertaining way to enjoy sightseeing in Colonial Beach and the cost is surprisingly cheap. Horse and carriage rides are yet another way to enjoy the sunset or tours around town and are perfect for a romantic evening out.

For visitors with rental cars or their own vehicles, a drive to the local Historic Corridor grants more opportunity to learn about area history. George Washington's Birthplace, historic Fredericksburg, and Stratford Hall Plantation can all be reached via the corridor. Both Caledon Natural Area and Westmoreland State Park are all along the route as well, offering plenty of green space for nature walks, bird watching, and hiking in Virginia. With many excellent dining choices, great antique shopping, a vibrant waterfront setting and a number of fine beaches in Colonial Beach, visitors are guaranteed scenic views and easy access to waterside recreation that echo the meaning of the town's moniker as the Playground on the Potomac.