Northern Neck
Around Northern Neck
Photo: Mojo Hand · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Virginia · 80k people
Northern Neck
“The Neck”
A tidewater way of life
Deep Chesapeake blueMarsh greenSand tan
Welcome to the Northern Neck, where the rivers meet the bay and life moves at the pace of a waterman's tide. Come for the oysters, stay for the sunsets over the Potomac, and don't forget to say hey to your neighbors on the dock.
Clubs for Northern Neck
No clubs for Northern Neck yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Northern Neck. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Northern Neck. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- George Washington Birthplace National Monument Birthplace of the first president, with a working colonial farm.
- Stratford Hall Birthplace of Robert E. Lee, with gardens and a gristmill.
- Westmoreland State Park Cliffs along the Potomac, hiking and fossil hunting.
- Caledon State Park Known for bald eagle nesting and old-growth forest.
- Belle Isle State Park On the Rappahannock, with trails and water access.
- Colonial Beach A public beach on the Potomac with a boardwalk.
- Outdoors Crabbing on the Rappahannock
- Outdoors Kayaking the Potomac
- With kids Crabbing with the kids
- With kids Fossil hunting at Westmoreland
- Evenings Sunset cruises on the bay
- Evenings Oyster roasts at firehouses
- Locals love Watermen's docks
- Locals love Crab shacks
Through the year
- Northern Neck Oyster Festival October Shucking contests, oyster dishes, and live music.
- Colonial Beach Crab Festival June Blue crabs, carnival rides, and a parade.
- Kilmarnock Art in the Park May Local artists and crafts along the town's main street.
- Westmoreland County Fair August Livestock, 4-H exhibits, and demolition derby.
- King George County Fair July Carnival rides, local produce, and tractor pulls.
The Northern Neck has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The best time to be out is spring and fall, when the water is calm and the air is crisp. Best: Spring and fall are the sweet spot—mild air, calm water, and fewer bugs.
Talk like a local
- “the Neck”
- The region itself – 'I'm from the Neck.'
- “watermen”
- Those who work the water for a living.
- “crick”
- A small stream or inlet, pronounced 'crick'.
- “crab pickin'”
- The act of eating steamed crabs with friends.
Getaways
- Washington DC Monuments, museums, and city energy.
- Richmond Historic sites, riverfront, and food scene.
- Lexington Park Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and boardwalk.
- Middle Peninsula Quiet towns, marinas, and the Dragon Run.
Local flavour
Rooting for Washington Commanders (NFL), Washington Nationals (MLB), Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Virginia Cavaliers (NCAA), Virginia Tech Hokies (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Chesapeake Bay blue crabs Steamed and seasoned with Old Bay, a local staple
- Oysters on the half shell Rappahannock oysters are famous
- She-crab soup A creamy crab soup with roe
- Virginia ham Country ham with a salty, cured flavor
- Northern Neck ginger ale A local soft drink brand
Where people go
- Watermen's docks Where local fishermen and crabbers work
- Crab shacks Casual spots for fresh seafood
- Historic plantations Colonial-era estates along the rivers
- Small-town main streets Charming downtowns like Kilmarnock and Warsaw
- Marinas Boating and sailing on the Bay
- Oyster farms Aquaculture operations in the rivers
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaCaroline CountyVirginiaWhere Virginia's history meets rural peaceMiddle PeninsulaVirginiaWatermen's country on the Rappahannock.Lake of the WoodsVirginiaWhere the Blue Ridge meets the Piedmont, and the pace is easy.Lexington ParkMarylandWhere the Chesapeake meets the sky.Washington DCDistrict of ColumbiaCherry blossoms and corner storesLouisaVirginiaWhere Lake Anna's waters meet rolling hills.RichmondVirginiaA river city with deep roots and a lively spirit.CambridgeMarylandSmall town, big water
King George, Westmoreland, Northumberland, Lancaster and Richmond counties, VA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.