Virginia’s River Realm is home to 8 incredible towns, each with their own unique characteristics. Follow our next 8 posts as Virginia’s River Realm showcases each towns unique piece of history, fun fact, local knowledge and what to see and do!
1. KILMARNOCK
Fun Fact: Did you know that Kilmarnock has survived 3 major fires?
Known for: Kilmarnock is the commercial shopping hub in Virginia’s River Realm, home to unique boutiques, an array of dining options and an incredible Kilmarnock Town Centre Park that brings the neighborhood together.
What to do like a local: Grab your pie at Lee’s Restaurant before they sell out! Head to Kilmarnock Brewing Company for a flight. Indulge yourself with some jewelry at Burkes Fine Jewelers or stop by the unique boutiques. Try the gourmet popcorn at Northern Neck Popcorn Bag. Grab breakfast at Car Wash Cafe or Carried Away Cuisine. Grab a lobster roll at Small Town Burger for dinner! Catch a concert at the Music on the Half Shell Stage. Kilmarnock has so much to offer!
2. URBANNA
Fun Fact: Urbanna is home to Virginia’s Official Oyster Festival and has more boats than folks! A delightful town that you can drive and boat to!
Known for: Urbanna is steeped in history, you will see where tons of tobacco were loaded into ships to sail back to Europe. The Famous Mitchell map is displayed at the Urbanna Museum & Visitors Center located in the Scottish Factor Store.
What to do like a local: Dock your boat at the Urbanna Town Marina and take in the rich history by walking the “Museum in the Streets.” Shop the many boutiques like Cyndy’s Bynn. Sip on a coffee at Grounded before heading for a bite to eat and some live music at Something Different. Stay the night at the beautiful The Chesapeake Inn allowing you the time to see and experience all Urbanna has to offer! Not to be missed is the Urbanna Cup – Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing, each one of these single person boats are fast and intoxicating to watch! There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite?
3. WHITE STONE
Fun Fact: The White Stone name (one theory) comes from an account of accumulations of white stones in the area’s waterways. The stones were said to be dumped there in the colonial era by British ships that dumped their stone ballast to make room for cargo like tobacco to carry back to England!
Known for: Home of the Rappahannock River Waterfowl Show, ranked one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society!
What to do like a local: Eat at the Man, the Myth, the Legends Rocket Billy’s! Stock your fridge with the delectable dishes from The River Market. Shop stunning clothes at FARM and art at Allure Art Center. Grab dinner at a local fave Sandpiper Restaurant, Inc. Or watch the sunset with a craft brew at Willaby’s Cafe’ and Catering. Finish your fun night by seeing at play at The Lancaster Players! There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite?
4. TOPPING
Fun Fact: Hummel Airport ‘s runway is 2,200 feet long and is one of the shortest runways in Virginia!
Known for: Nationally renown headquarters of the Rappahannock River Oysters, LLC
What to do like a local: Dock your boat or drive to Merroir, Rappahannock River Oysters, LLC waterfront tasting room overlooking the Rappahanock River where they grow their oysters! Dine at Eckhard’s Resturant for a culinary mix of German, Italian and American fare. Charter a private plane with Coastal Sky Taxi ‘s Pilot Davy Nichols. A Virginia’s River Realm native that will make your custom trip truly spectacular. There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite?
5. IRVINGTON
Fun Fact: Irvington was a stop for the Chesapeake National Bank’s Boat ‘n Bank. A houseboat with bank tellers that cruised the Rappahannock River’s wharves, canneries and oyster houses. Pretty cool huh!
Known for: Irvington is Internationally known for The Tides Inn, a 4 star Luxury Resort since 1947!
What to do like a local: The Local, Irvington VA is owned and operated by locals, the place for early morning coffee! “Sip and Slurp” at The Dog and Oyster Vineyard and stay at Southern Living’s 20 Best Inn’s, The Hope and Glory Inn. Shop till you drop at The Dandelion-Irvington, VA and Objects, Art and More. Learn the history of the Steamboat Era Museum and how they provided an economic lifeline for our region. Dine and wine at the Trick Dog Bar & Bistro! There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite
6. SALUDA
Fun Fact: Saluda was home to Lieutenant General Lewis B.Chesty Puller who was one of the most decorated Marines to ever serve in the Corps!
Known for: Paddle down the Dragon Run, part of Virginia’s most pristine blackwater stream, The Dragon Run meanders for nearly 40 miles through remote portions of four eastern Virginia counties. Near Saluda, the Dragon widens to form the Piankatank River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay!
What to do like a local: Grab breakfast at G’s Country Store & Deli then head back in time to the 19th century — and beyond at Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society. Grab your fresh local produce at Norman’s Produce. Stay at the picturesque Bethany Inn at Leafwood Bed & Breakfast. There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite?
7. DELTAVILLE
Fun Fact: Deltaville has a renowned reputation of being the wooden deadrise boatbuilding capital of the Chesapeake Bay. From about 1900 to the 1990s, more wooden deadrise boats were built in the Deltaville area than anywhere else on the Bay!
Known for: Deltaville is classified as the Boating Capital of the Chesapeake Bay with over 20 Marinas and is home to the semi-pro Deltaville Deltas! Go catch a game!
What to do like a local: Grab lunch at the oh so delicious The Table & The Table at Wilton or, grab some fresh seafood to go at J&W Seafood – Gourmet Market and head to the Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park and picnic overlooking the river! For some nautical finds, head to Nauti Nells Deltaville Va or Lowe Tide for your fashion finds! There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite?
8. LIVELY
Fun Fact: Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington, was born in Lively.
Known for: Lively is the capital of “up the county” and is the gateway to the beautiful Belle Isle State Park!
What to do like a local: Get THE best rib eye around at the The Oaks Restaurant! Yummy! Swing by for The World Famous Bar and Grill (THE CORNER!) for the coldest beer in Virginia’s River Realm and a crab cake sandwich the size of your head! A local fave. There’s too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all…. What’s your favorite?
