Chesapeake Bay

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In Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay region, waterfront serenity, natural areas and recreation are punctuated with quaint, vibrant towns.  

CBmapKnown since Virginia’s earliest days as the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula region, this tranquil region remains a world apart, despite its 90-minute proximity to both Richmond and Norfolk.  Two peninsulas formed by the Potomac, Rappahannock and York Rivers sit majestically on the eastern edge of the Chesapeake Bay.  Farmlands, wineries and fishing boats set a languid pace.

The birthplace home of Robert E. Lee and George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument are nestled in the gentle countryside.  Local history museums on both the Northern Neck peninsula and Middle Neck peninsula tell of the region’s rich past.

In Westmoreland State Park, there are casual accommodations near the beach or follow the Northern Neck peninsula to the end at Irvington and the Tides Inn, which has been one of Virginia’s premier resorts for decades and the region’s largest group facility.  It offers 20,906 square feet of function space, a sailing school, the award-winning Golden Eagle Golf Course and fine waterfront dining.

The Caledon Natural area, with its trails to the Potomac River, is home to old-growth forest and one of the largest concentrations of American bald eagles on the East Coast. 

Virginia is becoming the oyster capital of the East Coast, with seven different oyster regions, from sweet Rappahannock River to salty Chincoteague.  A definite stop for all visiting guests is one of the regions restaurants specializing in Rappahannock Oyster dishes.  Great regional wines match well with the local shellfish.

The region plays host to outdoor competitions such as jet ski racing in Colonial Beach, bicycling the Tour de Chesapeake in Matthews, sailboat racing in the Chesapeake Bay near Deltaville or Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Races in the Urbanna Cup.

For more information or contacts for destinations within this region, please contact:

Danish Saadat, National Sales & Marketing Manager
Sports Virginia
804-545-5543
dsaadat@virginia.org