Getting Here by Boat or Car
Ask most people if they’ve heard of the Northern Neck of Virginia and you will probably have to mention famous Williamsburg, an hour south, to help them get their bearings. The state’s northernmost peninsula, jutting out to the widest part of Chesapeake Bay, flanked by the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, is home to old fishing villages, former steamboat ports and a wooded waterfront that has resisted large-scale development in a way few American shore towns have. It’s every bit as bucolic as Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
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The town of Irvington is particularly seductive, a place where sleepy cul-de-sacs wind around quiet creeks, carvers continue to perfect the art of the decoy and tiny white clapboard Baptist and United Methodist churches line barely trafficked roads.
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Now, high-end housewares stores, men’s and women’s clothing boutiques, specialty food shops and restaurants that are decidedly cosmopolitan in both food and price have brought just the right measure of urban cachet to this otherwise lost-in-time seaside resort.” – By NICOLE SPRINKLE, Published by New York Times, September 13, 2002.
Driving Directions by Car
Irvington, Virginia, about 3 hours from Washington, DC, 1 hour 15 minutes from Richmond and 1 hour 30 minutes from Norfolk.
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Directions from Baltimore & Washington
I-95 South to Fredericksburg, Exit # 126 for US 17 South to the town of Tappahannock. Take Route 360 East across the Rappahannock River to Route 3 East to the town of Kilmarnock. At Route 200 South (6th traffic light) turn right and travel to Irvington.
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Alternative Route from Washington
Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) to Route 228. Left on Rt 228 for 5 miles to Rt 301 South. Right on Rt 301 South across the Harry Nice Potomac River Bridge to Route 3. Left on Rt 3 to Kilmarnock. At Route 200 South (5th traffic light) turn right and travel to Irvington.
Alternative Route from Baltimore – I 97 South merges with MD Rt 3 South (Crain Highway) which merges with Rt 301 South. Rt 301 South across the Harry Nice Potomac River Bridge to VA Route 3. Left on Rt 3 to Kilmarnock. At Route 200 South (6th traffic light) turn right and travel to Irvington.
Directions from Richmond
I-64 East to Exit #220 for Route 33 East through West Point. After 10 miles turn left on US 17 and follow for 2 miles. Take Route 33 into Saluda, right at the traffic light, then 7 miles to the second traffic light and left on Route 3 West, across the Rappanhannock River Bridge into White Stone. At the stoplight, turn left on Route 200 North, go 2 miles to Irvington.
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Directions from Norfolk / Virginia Beach
I-64 West to Exit #258 for US 17 North towards Saluda. Two miles after the light in Glenns, bear right on Route 33 East into Saluda. Right at the traffic light, then 7 miles to the second traffic light and left on Route 3 West, across the Rappanhannock River Bridge into White Stone. At the stoplight, turn left on Route 200 North, go 2 miles to Irvington.
Marine Navigation for Boaters
If you are coming by sail or motor boat there are several marinas where you can moor your boat.
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Rappahannock River Yacht Club
Rappahannock River Yacht Club is located on Carter Creek (37° 39.396′ N / 076° 26.116′ W). By boat, we are located approximately 11 miles up the Rappahannock river from the Chesapeake Bay. We welcome visitors and offer club reciprocity through Yacht Clubs of America. Bi-lateral reciprocity offering free overnight transient access is available to members of Annapolis, Indian Creek, Hampton, Mathews, Eastport, Fishing Bay, Solomon’s, Norfolk and Tred Avon yacht clubs. Our dock can accommodate sailboats up to 40’ in length.
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Location: 37° 39.396′ N / 076° 26.116′ W
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Phone: 804.438.6650
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Tides Marina
The Tides Marina is located 11 miles up the Rappahannock River from Windmill Point on the Chesapeake Bay in the natural harbor of Carters Creek. There are 24 transient slips that offer safe and convenient deepwater dockage. The Tides Marina is considered "Best of the Bay" by readers of Chesapeake Bay magazine. Channel 16 is monitored.
www.tidesinn.com/chesapeake_bay_marina
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Location: 37 39.8'N, 076 26.0' W
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Phone: 804.438.4418