Colonial Beach is the "playground on the Potomac"
The quaint town of Colonial Beach is situated on the Potomac River and is a popular summer destination in Virginia's Northern Neck region. The community was established by Washington-area locals in the late 19th century, who sought a waterfront retreat from the intense summer heat in D.C., giving rise to the area's nickname as the "playground on the Potomac." Swimming, fishing, and boating are popular activities for residents, as the town features the second-longest public beach in Virginia. "It's a great spot, there's a lot of second homes here, while people might have primary residences in Richmond and Washington and other places," says Allen Griffey, a real estate agent with Blackwood Real Estate, Inc., with over 22 years of experience.
Sandy beaches, boating and fishing around town
The town features 2.5 miles of public beachfront, split among four locations. The downtown beach features a boardwalk lined with restaurants and shops, while Castlewood Beach is farther south and hosts a playground, dog park, and a public boat ramp on Monroe Bay. Local anglers can cast lines at the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier or join the Colonial Beach Yacht Center, which hosts two rockfish tournaments each year. There are also unique excursions available around town for fun, such as Cruisin' Tikis, a boat tour service that allows guests to rent a floating tiki bar for a special event.
Modest single-family homes and waterfront amenities
Buyers can find ramblers, Cape Cods and coastal cottages along kempt, small-town streets. There are numerous waterfront homes on the market, some of which feature private piers. The median sale price for a single-family home in Colonial Beach is $339,949, with prices varying by square footage, lot size and remodel status. Potential homebuyers need to be aware that the community faces a moderate flood risk due to storm surges from the Potomac River, and many homeowners opt to buy flood insurance.
Local restaurants with riverside views
Residents can grab groceries from the Food Lion on McKinney Boulevard or head to one of several local eateries on a night out. Dockside Restaurant & Tiki Bar offers seafood specials, sandwiches and cocktails, which patrons can order at the beachfront patio. Los Hermanos Cantina serves burritos and margaritas and features a west-facing patio for picturesque sunset views over Monroe Bay.
CTE programs at Colonial Beach High
Colonial Beach Public Schools is the district serving the town. Students can attend Colonial Beach Elementary School and Colonial Beach High, which both get C-plus ratings from Niche. The high school offers a variety of Career and Technical Education programs, including hospitality and tourism, as well as business management and administration.
Fredericksburg is less than an hour away
Commuters can reach Fredericksburg after a 32-mile drive west on Virginia state Route 205, which takes around forty-five minutes, depending on traffic. Fredericksburg also hosts Mary Washington Hospital. " Dahlgren 's a big influence, as are Fredericksburg and Southern Maryland, we have a lot of tourists coming from there," says Griffey. "They rebuilt the 301 Bridge to Maryland; it has two lanes in each direction, which makes commutes easier from here." Naval Support Facility Dahlgren is a major military employer 15 miles north of Colonial Beach. Bay Transit buses offer shuttle service throughout town to help locals with their errands. It's legal to drive golf carts around town, making it a popular alternative to car travel. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is 63 miles north, which takes over an hour to reach.
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Maxwell Olarinde
