Visitors and residents alike have been having fun in Colonial Beach for well over 100 years. Located at the northwest tip of Virginia's Northern Neck, Colonial Beach is a unique Potomac River town, shaped by the river traffic was the main source of transportation well into the 20th century.

You can learn the town’s colorful history at the Museum at Colonial Beach, which chronicles this late 19th century resort that was once known as the Las Vegas of the Potomac.

(At left, a Colonial Beach postcard from the 1950s)

The boardwalk has always been the center of Colonial Beach life – and has borne the scars of some of the region’s nastiest storms.

The museum itself is housed in the one time telephone office, which once was the only place in town where residents could place a long distance call. Those waiting for the call to go through often wrote their names on the Grafitti Wall, which has been preserved. (Photo at right)

Colonial Beach has another connection to the telephone – as its inventor, Alexander Graham Belle, spent many of summer here – his home, Belle House, is a popular Bed and Breakfast today.

The museum at Colonial Beach tells this town’s story with pictures, artifacts, and creative exhibits that will help you enjoy your visit and increase your understanding of life in the Northern Neck.

Colonial Beach today is still a popular spot for visitors, especially for those taking a day trip from DC, Richmond or Baltimore. Besides a walk on the beach, it offers a public pier and off-track betting. Yes, betting. Since the waters of the Potomac River are in Maryland, restaurants built over the water are technically located in Maryland.