TRAVEL River View Inn - 1940s motel restored to its original retro neon glory. Cottages - More than 50 cottages are available around town on both the bay side or riverfront if you prefer.
BEERS AND BEVERAGES Despite being a town of just 2.6 miles, Colonial Beach is home to both a brewery and a winery, as well as two tiki bars. Clearly, they embrace the vacation mentality and know how to kick back! Both tiki bars also have great full-service food menus, and offer live beachfront music throughout the night.
Colonial Beach Brewing - Family-owned and run small-batch brewer offering a rotating variety of delicious beers. Housed in a former garage, they have already had to expand once to fit in their growing fan base. Pet-friendly patio, live music, large TVs and nice variety of tasty beverages makes a great place to spend some time when you come off the beach, a few blocks away. You can’t go wrong with the Hurricane Mitzi DIPA! Monroe Bay Vineyard - Small farm winery and cidery located just off the beach. Winemaker Kiki Apple brought her love of fine wines from her home in the South of France to this quiet town, and this love is reflected in the products she makes. Relaxed and friendly tasting room and store front in town, with a beautiful strawbale barn on Monroe Bay under construction now. Also, don’t miss Kiki’s crepes!! Dockside Restaurant and Tiki Bar Great food and tiki bar atmosphere with plenty of space to unwind with family and friends. Sandy beaches and plenty of room for the kids to play in the water and sand while mom and dad have an Orange Crush or two. Live music makes it even harder to leave this spot right at the point of the peninsula. High Tides on the Potomac - Beachfront restaurant with a sandy tiki bar complete with live music and an outdoor grill. Fun spot to grab a drink and still be beachfront.
DINING Denson’s Grocery and R&B Oyster Bar - Third-generation owned specialty market, and a true farm and bay-to-table
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restaurant that changes the menu based on what is the freshest available. Oysters grilled, fried or raw are some of the best in the state! Crab-stuffed shrimp, and stuffed soft shell crab is the best I‘ve ever tasted, along with tasty brussel sprouts and fried okra.
The Lighthouse - Located on Monroe Bay with some of the best sunsets around, folks come by water or land to try their delicious French or Thai cuisine. It’s a unique mix that just works! Whether you want shrimp fried rice, sauteed scallops or a grilled ribeye that stands up to any steak I’ve had around D.C., this place has you covered. Tides Inn - Full course meals, breads, pizzas, lunches, soups and salads are all available from Culinary Institute of America graduate Caitlin Townsend. Whether you eat inside, on the patio watching live music or take it to go, you’re in for a treat here. Chicken salad stuffed avocado really wowed me!
OTHER THINGS TO DO For such a small area, there really is a good amount to do in Colonial Beach. That being said, you don’t feel that you have to do it all. It’s a relaxing place with a smalltown feel, people know each other and aren’t afraid to greet you and welcome you to town. You can easily sit on the beach and waste a day, and with the lack of big waves, you can feel safe letting your small children play by the water. Taking a kayak trip around Monroe Bay is highly recommended as it’s an easy paddle
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even for a novice like me, and the sights and wildlife really are worth the workout. There is also a museum where you can learn more about the fascinating Oyster Wars between Virginia and Maryland, and the casino culture of days gone by. Or, visit the Riverboat Casino built over the waters of Maryland for off-track betting and a meal as well. Colonial Beach really is a gem waiting to be rediscovered. Whether for a day trip or a weekend, it’s a great change of pace from the rest of the Northern Virginia area.