Major city · United States
Colonial Beach
Half a day to one night: walk the beach, see the Monroe and Washington sites, eat seafood. Not a multi-day base.
Colonial Beach is a small Potomac River town in Westmoreland County, Virginia, best known as the birthplace of James Monroe and a short drive from the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The beach itself is narrow and the town quiet. Most visitors come for a half-day stop or an overnight to explore the presidential history and eat fresh crab.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, many places closed)
- Airports
- DCA · RIC
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Colonial Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Colonial Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (About 1 h 45 min drive; closest major airport).
- Getting aroundCar essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner crab cakes$20–35
- BeerDraft beer$5–8
- Budget bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (About 1 h 45 min drive; closest major airport) · RIC Richmond International Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Mar (11 rain days), driest Oct (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colonial Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car essential. The town is walkable on the main strip, but the Washington and Monroe sites are a short drive away.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive south on VA-205, about 10 min
National Park Service site; visitor centre, walking trails and the birthplace home.
Stratford Hall (Robert E. Lee birthplace)
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive south on VA-3, about 20 min
Historic plantation with tours and grounds.
Westmoreland State Park
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive south on VA-205, about 15 min
Fossil hunting on the Potomac shore and hiking trails.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre / beachfront
Small inns and B&Bs; walk to the beach and a few restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or B&B double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| George Washington Birthplace entrance fee (per vehicle)1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$259 per person per day, bed included | US$517 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Lunch seafood platter | $15–25 |
| Dinner crab cakes | $20–35 |
| Draft beer | $5–8 |
| Coffee | $3–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The beach is on the Potomac, not the ocean; water quality can vary after rain — check local advisories.
- Many restaurants and shops close early or are seasonal; call ahead in spring and fall.
- The James Monroe Family Home Site has limited interpretation; check the website for open hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Colonial BeachColonial Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, please.Take me to this address, please.
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DCA to Colonial Beach (drive): About 1 h 45 min, 110 km (68 mi)About 1 h 45 min, 68 mi (110 km)
- Richmond to Colonial Beach (drive): About 1 h 30 min, 100 km (62 mi)About 1 h 30 min, 62 mi (100 km)
Say or show
- How much is this? — How much is this? (how much is this)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the local language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Colonial Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Colonial Beach
Loading…
Was this useful?