The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Irvington, Virginia Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2022 • 4 min read
Welcome to Oyster Country. Nestled on the shore where Carter’s Creek flows into the Rappahannock River, just north of the Chesapeake Bay—Irvington, Virginia is a small town that feels just like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Image courtesy of Visit Virginia
1. THE SHOPPING
What do you picture when you think about the Northern Neck of Virginia? You might imagine waterfront scenery, historical sites, fresh oysters, and charming wineries—well that’s all correct. However, did you know that there are several unique stores throughout this remarkable region? It’s true, especially in the storybook resort town of Irvington, Virginia.
Shopping in Irvington, Virginia
It’s true, especially in the storybook resort town of Irvington, Virginia. It doesn’t matter if you’re browsing for clothing, artwork, jewelry, or home decor. You’ll love the selection of women’s clothing at Dandelion, Objects, Art and More for artwork fans and Fore-and-Aft for new additions to your home or wardrobe. You can find what you’re looking for at the variety of charming shops within walking distance from one another or a short drive.
2. THE ART
Allure Art Center is a stunning art center featuring a fine art gallery that highlights original art by award-winning Virginia artists. The main gallery hosts special art exhibits throughout the year in addition to the works of their resident artists. The artisan jewelry studio features hand crafted jewelry by local artisans in a wide range of styles.
Allure Art Center in Irvington, Virginia
The mission of Allure Art Center is to provide a multifaceted venue for Virginia artists and artisans to gain exposure, network, collaborate and further their craft and in turn enhancing our community. You can find original works of art from local artists across many mediums including painting, sculpture, carving, metal work, wood working, photography, illustration, mixed media and more.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Serving up, “Fresh Out of the Water” Virginia oysters and seafood, jerk chicken, cuban pork, tacos, burgers, and much more with a Caribbean, Cajun, and Asian influences—DREDGE offers an array of boat and farm-to-table style dishes that are sourced from family-owned Black Sheep Farm, which includes grass-fed cattle, pigs, chickens, and ducks from Lively, Virginia. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Carter’s Creek Mule—concocted with Cirrus vodka, cranberry juice, Crabbie’s ginger beer, fresh squeezed lime and finished with a mint sprig.
DREDGE in Irvington, Virginia
DREDGE specializes in classic, yet bold dishes made from locally sourced ingredients from their family farm. Specializing in fresh oysters, favorite dishes include Local Virginia Oysters such as Revivals and Olde Salts, Mahi Mahi Tacos served blackened or grilled pickled cabbage, fresh pico de gallo and their very own Key lime tartar sauce, Jamaican Jerk Chicken with boneless chicken thighs brined overnight and jerk seasoned, as well as Byrd’s Jambalaya with fresh Gulf shrimp, grilled chicken and andouille sausage.
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of their many decadent desserts such as Dredge Key Lime Pie or Fried Plantains with chocolate sauce. Hungry yet?
4. THE WATER
Travel by boat and discover scenic views and endless fun on the water with premier cruises at the Tides Inn. Discover the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle with water activities such as shucking oysters or simply taking to the dock to enjoy a stunning sunset. Take in the scenery, wildlife and gorgeous homes around Carter’s Creek on the Cove Cruise.
The Marina at The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia
Enjoy a picturesque sunset cruise around Carter’s Creek with a bottle of wine paired with cheese and seasonal fruit while navigating through the beauty and history of Carter’s Creek. Rent an electric Duffy Boat to set out cruising and exploring the waters of Carter’s Creek on your own. Stop by the Tides Inn Marina to rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and get a map of Carter’s Creek that includes a list of the wildlife you can see around the peninsula.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Step into one of America's great buildings, a National Historic Landmark that stands today virtually unchanged since 1735. Christ Church was the gift of Robert “King” Carter, the wealthiest, most powerful planter of early eighteenth-century Virginia. An architectural masterpiece, Historic Christ Church & Museum features soaring detailed walls, beautiful brickwork with molded-brick doorways while its interior includes vaulted ceilings, large compass-headed windows, a walnut altarpiece, stone pavers, and colonial Virginia's only surviving high-backed box pews.
Historic Christ Church & Museum in Irvington, Virginia
The church was built to replace a wooden church his father, John, had constructed on the site in 1670. Historic Christ Church & Museum also has one of just two triple-decker pulpits to survive from the period: community announcements were made from the bottom tier, the Gospel read from the middle tier, and the sermon given from the top tier. Free, indentured, and enslaved craftsmen built the church, creating one of the most visually stunning buildings in America and the most finely crafted Anglican parish church in all of colonial Virginia.
WHERE TO STAY IN IRVINGTON, VIRGINIA
Welcome to The Tides Inn, Irvington’s most beloved Chesapeake Bay resort since 1947. Located on a private peninsula, the stunning waterfront property is situated on a tributary of America’s most important estuary, the Chesapeake Bay. Just two hours from Washington, D.C. and one hour from Richmond, Virginia—the Inn offers warm hospitality in a beautiful setting featuring a beach and walkable shoreline.
