Northern Neck - Things to Do
The Northern Neck of Virginia is a water-lover’s dreamland, situated between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers, and edging the Chesapeake Bay. George Washington called the Northern Neck, “the garden of Virginia.” The Northern Neck offers visitors a collection of small towns, beautiful landscape, interesting museums, historical homes, and lovely lodging, as well as a variety of shopping and dining.
First and foremost, visitors can explore and enjoy nature in the Northern Neck. With over 6,500 acres of natural areas and preserves, visitors are sure to encounter animals, see birds, and find interesting species of plants and trees. Belle Isle State Park (733 acres, 7 miles of shoreline), Caledon Natural Area (2,579 acres, 3.5 miles of shoreline), Northern Neck Audubon Society (plenty of trails), and Westmoreland State Park (1,299 acres, 1.5 miles of shoreline) are just a few of the beautiful areas specifically meant for visitors to take pleasure in the natural environment. According to the Audubon Society, the Northern Neck is home to over 250 species of birds, and the Caledon Natural Area is the largest summer roosting sites for the American Bald Eagle.
Another fun way to enjoy nature, which doesn’t require the use of your legs quite as much as hiking or biking through nature preserves, is to hop on a boat and cruise around the Chesapeake Bay. There are many companies throughout the Northern Neck offering fishing charters, sailing trips and classes, and touring cruises. Cruises can be a particularly great activity for small families, entire family reunions, or corporate retreats. For those who prefer viewing the bay without a combustible engine, a number of companies offer kayak and canoe rentals, as well as guided tours. If you prefer to enjoy the water while keeping your feet on dry land, the Northern Neck also has a few public fishing piers for your use.
Within the Northern Neck, visitors will find sixteen interesting museums for their education and entertainment. One of the more fascinating museums is the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Although the home where George Washington was born burned in 1779, a model home was rebuilt in 1930 to inform visitors and honor George Washington. Inside the home, visitors can find over 1,000 Colonial era antique museum pieces and learn about the way of life in that time. Also on the George Washington Birthplace National Monument property, children will enjoy seeing a farm (with live animals) typical of the Colonial era. Not too far from the monument, visitors can tour the Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library, established to honor George Washington’s mother, a native to Lancaster County. The Museum and Library holds historical personal recollections, artifacts, and both stationary and rotating exhibits about the region’s history.
In the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum, visitors learn about the significance the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding bodies of water had on Northern Neck locals’ way of life. Inside, the museum documents and displays regional, historically important materials, such as actual boats, fishermen tools, maps, photographs, etc. The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum hosts both permanent and changing exhibits, as well as activities, workshops, and a few annual events.
With antique stores, farmers’ markets, art galleries, clothing boutiques and more, there is plenty of shopping to do in the Northern Neck. The best part is that you will not find these things in every other mall across America. At the Kilmarnock Antique Gallery, visitors can amble through 22,000 square feet of furniture, sterling silver, china, rugs, and much more. The Kilmarnock Antique Gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In The French Connection in Tappahannock, visitors can admire—and purchase—fine European antiques, such as clocks, china, sculptures, etc. from names such as Limoges and Quimper.
For those who enjoy getting hands-on with their shopping experiences, visitors at Zekiah Glass, which sells custom architectural stained glass, can take a two-day class to create their own beautiful stained glass piece. When combined with a stay in one of the Northern Neck bed and breakfasts, this class is a treat.
Plenty of farmers’ markets can be found in Westmoreland, Colonial Beach, Heathsville, and Irvington, although most are only open spring through early winter.
There is a lot to do in the compilation of small towns in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Most locals understand however, if you simply want to chill out and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
virginiatouristsguide - Virginia's Northern Neck
First and foremost, visitors can explore and enjoy nature in the Northern Neck. With over 6,500 acres of natural areas and preserves, visitors are sure to encounter animals, see birds, and find interesting species of plants and trees. Belle Isle State Park (733 acres, 7 miles of shoreline), Caledon Natural Area (2,579 acres, 3.5 miles of shoreline), Northern Neck Audubon Society (plenty of trails), and Westmoreland State Park (1,299 acres, 1.5 miles of shoreline) are just a few of the beautiful areas specifically meant for visitors to take pleasure in the natural environment. According to the Audubon Society, the Northern Neck is home to over 250 species of birds, and the Caledon Natural Area is the largest summer roosting sites for the American Bald Eagle.
Another fun way to enjoy nature, which doesn’t require the use of your legs quite as much as hiking or biking through nature preserves, is to hop on a boat and cruise around the Chesapeake Bay. There are many companies throughout the Northern Neck offering fishing charters, sailing trips and classes, and touring cruises. Cruises can be a particularly great activity for small families, entire family reunions, or corporate retreats. For those who prefer viewing the bay without a combustible engine, a number of companies offer kayak and canoe rentals, as well as guided tours. If you prefer to enjoy the water while keeping your feet on dry land, the Northern Neck also has a few public fishing piers for your use.
Within the Northern Neck, visitors will find sixteen interesting museums for their education and entertainment. One of the more fascinating museums is the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Although the home where George Washington was born burned in 1779, a model home was rebuilt in 1930 to inform visitors and honor George Washington. Inside the home, visitors can find over 1,000 Colonial era antique museum pieces and learn about the way of life in that time. Also on the George Washington Birthplace National Monument property, children will enjoy seeing a farm (with live animals) typical of the Colonial era. Not too far from the monument, visitors can tour the Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library, established to honor George Washington’s mother, a native to Lancaster County. The Museum and Library holds historical personal recollections, artifacts, and both stationary and rotating exhibits about the region’s history.
In the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum, visitors learn about the significance the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding bodies of water had on Northern Neck locals’ way of life. Inside, the museum documents and displays regional, historically important materials, such as actual boats, fishermen tools, maps, photographs, etc. The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum hosts both permanent and changing exhibits, as well as activities, workshops, and a few annual events.
With antique stores, farmers’ markets, art galleries, clothing boutiques and more, there is plenty of shopping to do in the Northern Neck. The best part is that you will not find these things in every other mall across America. At the Kilmarnock Antique Gallery, visitors can amble through 22,000 square feet of furniture, sterling silver, china, rugs, and much more. The Kilmarnock Antique Gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In The French Connection in Tappahannock, visitors can admire—and purchase—fine European antiques, such as clocks, china, sculptures, etc. from names such as Limoges and Quimper.
For those who enjoy getting hands-on with their shopping experiences, visitors at Zekiah Glass, which sells custom architectural stained glass, can take a two-day class to create their own beautiful stained glass piece. When combined with a stay in one of the Northern Neck bed and breakfasts, this class is a treat.
Plenty of farmers’ markets can be found in Westmoreland, Colonial Beach, Heathsville, and Irvington, although most are only open spring through early winter.
There is a lot to do in the compilation of small towns in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Most locals understand however, if you simply want to chill out and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
virginiatouristsguide - Virginia's Northern Neck
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