Colonial Beach is a convenient stop on the way to or from DC and has a lot to offer the cruiser, even for a longer stay. In season, the area is hopping, while out of season it is quiet and serene. A family-friendly beach with a bathhouse, all manner of water sports, picture-perfect swings, a town pier and shops, food trucks and restaurants (some year-round) on the Boardwalk are among the attractions here.

Colonial Beach is steeped in history and first emerged as a bathing and fishing resort in the late 19th century when it was known as the "Playground on the Potomac." Prior to automobile travel, most visitors arrived by boat from Washington, D.C. Many travelers continue to arrive this way and find no lack of marine facilities to accommodate them along "Marina Way on Monroe Bay Ave." 

If you are lucky, you might arrive on a "Sip & Stroll" weekend when you can visit the participating shops in town with libations in hand. Located 35 nm from the Chesapeake Bay, Colonial Beach is a worthy side trip in its own right.