Colonial Beach Virginia/ Playground on the Potomac
Colonial Beach is a quaint little town located on the northeastern tip of the Northern Neck in Virginia. Sitting along the Potomac River, it was known for its gambling back in the 1950’s. Today visitors can still get a taste of betting at Riverboat on the Potomac which features betting on horse races as well as both Virginia and Maryland lottery, Keno and card game tournaments.
Colonial Beach is a great place to go swimming. The town features a large beachfront for swimming and wading along the Potomac on its east side.
Boating and other water sports are also very popular in this small town that boasts many areas for docking. Numerous marinas line the protective waters of Monroe Bay on the town’s west side.
A free and newly renovated public boat launch is located on the southern tip of Colonial Beach along Monroe Bay Avenue. Inexpensive spaces to park vehicles and boat trailers are also available while you spend the day on the water.
A trolley system runs during the summer accessing every area of Colonial Beach or visitors can call one of the local cab services. Colonial Beach is a golf-cart community, sharing the road with vehicles and bicyclists. The downtown area features medium box stores with a mix of small quaint shops, including golf cart rentals, thrift stores and gift shops throughout.
A large population of artists have settled in Colonial Beach and the town has become a hub of local and visiting artists featured at various shops in town.
Nightlife in Colonial Beach is laid back and grown up, with a large variety of restaurant-style bars and pubs, many featuring live entertainment year round.
The town also has local private clubs such as the Moose lodge, American Legion, VFW and the Eagles. There is also a local group for boy scouts, girl scouts and Colonial Beach venture crew.
Colonial Beach is home to a host of large birds of prey, such as osprey, eagles and the occasional hawk.
Cranes, blue herons, swans, geese, ducks, seagulls, loons and a variety of small birds also reside year-round in Colonial Beach.
Blue crabs are plentiful in summer and oysters in winter thanks to conservation efforts that have brought back these local delicacies. Beginning in July area restaurants will also feature Snakehead fish. Many who have tried it, say it is just as tasty as Cod, Rockfish or Flounder.
Colonial Beach also offers many tackle shops to accommodate fishermen and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission is located in the downtown area on the corner of Taylor and Wilder Avenues.
Annual events include the Father’s Day Car Show, Potomac River Festival and Bike Fest. Potomac River Festival features The Firemen’s Parade, Grand Parade, fireworks and a carnival.
People come from miles around for the whole day to enjoy 4th of July fireworks.
Whether you come for a day, the weekend or a week, you’re sure to fall in love with this little slice of paradise and come back again and again.
Linda Farneth
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