A Weekend Getaway To White Stone
There’s something refined and classic about this small town by the water. In White Stone, you can sip cocktails and indulge in seafood by waterfront sunset or cozy restaurant candlelight. Cruise from market to market discover local produce, seafood, and gourmet creations. Shop colorful, yet refined local art and fashion you won’t find anywhere else. Get out for some fresh air and break a sweat while you’re here too.
Here’s our ideal weekend getaway in White Stone, VA:
Settle Into Your Home Away From Home
Local hosts are waiting to welcome you all over the River Realm in wooded cottages and waterfront homes. At Airbnb homes like the Rose Retreat, Little View on the Rivah, or The Fish House, you and your closest friends or family members will be welcomed with little like-home touches like a bottle of wine, passes to the neighborhood pool, speedy WiFi, and cozy beds. Every host has their own spin on making your say extra special here. You’ll be within driving distance to all there is to discover in White Stone and beyond in the River Realm. Get rested for a day of adventure.
Wake & Treat Your Sweet Tooth
You’re on vacation, so lean into it and treat yourself to something sweet! White Stone is home to a few different bakeries and sweet shops. Coffee drinks, fresh organic doughnuts, and savory breakfast sandwiches are all on the menu at Chesapeake Doughnut Company. Opened by River Realm native Gabe del Rio, you’ll feel the small-town charm and smell the love from the kitchen. Fudge, seasonal ice cream, candy turtles, and more are packed into the cute Country Cottage. The fudge is homemade fudge from scratch, so you know it’s good! Shop other gifts and flowers while you’re here in this colorful shop. For more baked goods, drop into the award-winning family-owned Out of the Oven Bakery. Stock up on fresh cookies, sticky buns, scones, and the famous sweet potato pies.
Shop It Off
We hope you saved room in your suitcase! This River Realm town is ready for the shoppers in your crew. Next door to Out of the Oven is The Pink Lemon Boutique. Jewelry, art, totes, glassware, tumblers, decorative pillows, and more make this colorful boutique an adventure all its own. Find gifts to bring home for loved ones or update your own wardrobe. Make time to wander through Allure Art Center, a 1901 home that now functions as a multifaceted art center. Take in rotating exhibits by talented local artists and grab a selfie with the LOVE sign out front. Check the calendar before you go to see if you may catch one of Allure’s art receptions, concerts, and other events. Art for the home can be found at the newly opened August Table. This luxe farmhouse will give off a Parisian vibe as you shop through home and kitchen essentials and accessories like block-printed hand towels, table cloths, and scarves. Pointe Provisions carries another unique array of home decor and toys. Meander through the charming displays of children’s toys, aromatherapy displays, art prints, jewelry, and more. If you’re celebrating something special, Stop at River Party Company & Boutique. Located in the heart of White Stone, you can pick up cards, dinnerware, party decor, and more.
Grab Lunch At The Market
Time for a little more shopping, but now it’s for food! White Stone is home to local farmers’ markets and seafood markets that will cure any craving. The River Market is a well-stocked market that can help you prepare for mealtime for one or for a big crew. Shop wine, beer, fresh soups and meals to go, freshly baked bread and pastries, sandwiches, salads, and more. At Old Farm Truck, fresh local and healthy foods are ready for you to create something new back home. You’ll discover items from more than a dozen local farms including beef, fresh salsa, corn, floral arrangements, and more. Seafood lovers have to head to Miss Mary’s Seafood. Captain Tony Ferguson and Lisa Carol Rose come from a long line of Virginia watermen and bring in fresh catches every day. Bring home fish or crabs to cook along with all the seasonings and tools you need. Seafood dips made fresh in-house are also great to grab to eat right away with yummy crackers from the market. Hall Seafood is a no-fuss seafood market locals love for steamed and fresh crabs, oysters, scallops, shrimp, and more! Plan out a meal to remember with your goodies from Hall Seafood!
Get Outside
You came to the River Realm to get some fresh air. Stretch your legs and your lungs with a walk through some of our local parks and marinas. Soak in views of the expansive Rappahannock River as you explore Windmill Point Marina. Here, there’s a small beach to enjoy and a kayak launch area. Boaters can take advantage of a pool, water and electric hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry, pump-out station, and more. During the summer, the Tiki Bar & Grill serves up food, beverages, and even hosts live music. A 10-minute drive away will take you to Baylor Park Nature Trail in Kilmarnock. This easy half-mile-long nature trail follows an old road around the boundaries of Norris Pond. It is part of Virginia’s birding and wildlife trails, so you’ll be sure to see some enchanting and interesting waterfowl and native plants along this quiet stretch of ground.
A Dinner To Remember
If there’s one thing we do really well here, it’s the long, leisurely decadent dinners. It’s the highlight of our day and once you enjoy the last meal of the day in one of our restaurants, you’ll know why. For dinner with a view, Willaby’s is the place to go. Order up colorful cocktails, fresh local seafood specials, and home-grown classics. Get your food to go and enjoy it on the restaurant’s private beach. Make sure you check the calendar for the live music schedule. For something more romantic and cozy, make reservations at Adrift. Explore the ever-changing menu of fresh delectably crafted cocktails to kick off your meal. Inspired by the region’s farms and aquaculture industry, you’ll discover a variety of farm-to-table and sea-to-table appetizers, dishes, and desserts to create a culinary journey you’ll remember. Locals love dinner at Sandpiper Restaurant. Enjoy filling classics like onion rings, filet mignon, and spaghetti, or order up dishes inspired by the waters like seafood chowder, crab dip, and stuffed shrimp.
Sweat It Out
It’s not all eating and drinking here, we promise! Make time to work it out at Body Fit. Opened by lifelong fitness professional Ramona Darden, visitors and locals can work out in the 24/7 fitness concept that features 7,600 square feet of space and equipment. Sign up for classes including boot camps, strength, and yoga for seniors, paddleboard fitness, spin classes, fusion pilates and yoga, high-intensity circuit classes, dance, and more. Temporarily, Niche Pilates is offering classes in this White Stone hub, but stay tuned for a pilates studio opening in Irvington in 2022.
Capture & Share Your Favorite Moments!
With every river bend and wind in the road, we’re sure you and your travel buddies captured memories of the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the River Realm. After your adventures are done, check out your photos and share the best with us! We hope more people like you can enjoy the calming and enchanting spirit of the River Realm. Tag us using @virginiasriverrealm and we’ll share your photos.
