Tag: Virginia’s River Realm

5 Things to Do in the Chesapeake Bay Area  

Just the name of this region in Virginia where we have two fabulous glamping options sounds like an absolute dream. The River Realm evokes images of scenic vistas and of course, one-of-a-kind river experiences. If you google “the River Realm” you will find it is the place where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Rappahannock River. Dig further and you’ll find it is a beautiful area of Virginia that encompasses three counties, each home to several charming small towns to visit and plenty of outdoor activities and unique experiences to definitely find yourself booking a glamping accommodation at Bethpage Camp-Resort, Grey’s Point Camp or Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay. We’ll help with the planning for this adventure by clueing you in on these five things to do here: 

Vacation Cottages at Bethpage Camp-Resort
Vacation Cottages at Bethpage Camp-Resort

1. Find the LOVE: As part of the state’s “Virginia is for Lovers” tourism campaign, more than 300 LOVEworks signs are sprinkled throughout the state and five of them can be found in the River Realm. What a perfect spot for an insta-worthy photo op, right? While all the signs are designed like the iconic LOVE sculpture popularized in the late 1960s, each of these signs also are designed to represent the local culture. The towns of Deltaville, Kilmarnock, Saluda, and Urbanna each have LOVEworks signs. To find the details of each location, visit virginiasriverrealm.com/love-works-river-realm. 

2. Go Day-Trippin’: Take a vacation within a vacation by choosing one, or all, of the day trip options from the area that are under 2 hours. Virginia Beach, which is about 90 miles away, offers access to the Atlantic Ocean, sandy beaches, the iconic Boardwalk and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center while Richmond, the state’s capital, is just over an hour’s drive. Richmond highlights include the Virginia State Capital, Maymont, a Gilded Age estate with a mansion, gardens and wildlife center and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with a fabulous collection of Faberge eggs.   

Cottage at Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA
Cottage at Grey’s Point Camp in Topping, VA

3. Learn the History: There is so much history here, you really have to have a plan. Don’t miss the John Mitchell Map, on display at the Urbanna Visitors’ Center, which is said to be the most comprehensive map of Eastern North America, created during colonial times. Try to see all 16 stops on the Middlesex County Historical Marker Trail, which takes visitors to markers that detail events of the history of the area. Fittingly, several museums dedicated to life on the water can also be found here and include the Deltaville Maritime Museum, the Irvington Steamboat Era Museum and the Morattico Waterfront Museum. 

Cabin at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay
Cabin at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay

4. Check out the Charm: Each of the towns found in the River Realm offers something a bit different, and the southern charm is unmistakable. Head to Kilmarnock for boutique shopping and dining while Saluda has many farmer’s markets. Urbanna has the Urbanna Seafood Market & Raw Bar, and a self-guided walking tour billed as “Museum in the Streets” which takes visitors to all the important spots in the town’s history. 

5. Take to the Waters: If a place is known as the River Realm, you can’t very well visit without exploring the waterways here. There are plenty of blueways, aka water trails, to paddle here and the best place to find one that works for your time and skill level is at virginiasriverrealm.com/5-places-to-paddle-in-virginias-river-realm. Another option to get to know the waterways and what they produce here, specifically oysters, is to book a tour with either Watermen’s Heritage Tours (vawatermentours.com) or learn everything about the tiny oyster, which plays a critical role in the area’s history as well as to the eco-system by taking the Virginia Oyster AcademyTM tour offered through the Rappahannock River Charters (rappahannockrivercharters.com). If you want to taste some of the best oysters, the crowd favorite is Merrior, a tasting room of sorts for all things oysters (rroysters.com). 

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4 Great Small Town, Fall Towns

There’s something about a vacation in fall that is just a bit extra – the crowds are gone, it’s OK to spend some time inside since your summer tan has come and probably gone and the fall colors are an attraction in themselves. Add a bit more to the magic by enjoying some small-town charm when glamping this fall.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes
Cabin at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes

Temecula, California: Pick a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes in Menifee and you’re less than 20 miles from Temecula – a tiny town with a chill vibe that has been named one of the most charming small towns in Southern California. Temecula is located in California’s South Coast Wine Region and there are more than 40 wineries here. Check out Briar Rose Winery, where the buildings are replicas of Snow White’s cottage or Longshadow Ranch Vineyards and Winery with a true old west feeling and cozy bonfires every Saturday night through November 18. Old Town Temecula is a perfect mix of old and new with antique stores, boutiques, craft breweries, and plenty of places to enjoy a bite to eat.

California’s Yosemite Area: While this part of California is best known for the magnificent National Park found here – we’re talking about Yosemite National Park – there are also several charming small towns that can serve as side trips when visiting here. First things first, book one of the fantastic glamping accommodations at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, which include yurts and cabins. Once you’re settled in, take in the beauty of your location during autumn and the charm of the surrounding towns. Sonora, a historic Gold Rush town, is home to the Indigeny Reserve which has the perfect fall offerings of hard apple cider and apple brandy tastings. For a beautiful fall hike, check out the Dragoon Gulch Trail, a 1.2-mile (moderate) loop. Jamestown, another Gold Rush town, is also worth a visit. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is good for a look at historic steam trains as well as some Hollywood history. And, the town has several wine tasting rooms as well as a craft brewery. You can also pan for gold, shop, and stroll the Walk of Fame to see which Jamestown locations have been featured in movies and television.

Cabins at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South
Cabins at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South

Milford, Pennsylvania: The perfect mountain town to visit during fall, Milford is located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Plan a glamping stay in a comfy cottage at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South and take in this picturesque small town. The Black Bear Film Festival is set for October 13-15 and includes a weekend full of indies and short films. Want to see Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall? That would be Raymondskill Falls, found in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is also a great spot for biking and hiking, plus some pretty great leaf-peeping. For some interesting history, visit Grey Towers National Historic Site, which was the home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service. Visitors can tour the mansion and the grounds of this estate that was completed in 1886. Milford also offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

Cottage at Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA
Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA

Virginia’s River Realm: Dotted with charming small towns, Virginia’s River Realm is the area where the Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay. It is all about the simpler life and a trip here in fall promises to be a pleasant glamping getaway. Book a cottage stay at Grey’s Point Camp in Topping and let the fun begin. The Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival is set for October 15 in Deltaville and offers seafood, live music and unique artwork from 60 different vendors and the always-popular annual Urbanna Oyster Festival is scheduled for November 3 and promises all things oyster! Shopping in Kilmarnock is an option with several boutiques and antique stores while Deltaville has a maritime museum and the beautiful Holly Point Nature Park with walking trails and kayaking opportunities. Several towns have regular farmer’s markets, and they include Irvington, Kilmarnock, and Deltaville while Urbanna has a spectacular seafood market. To learn more about the River Realm and its charming towns, check out virginiasriverrealm.com.

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