Get Your Oyster On
Oysters are BACK and in a big way due to the work by the watermen and oyster farmers of Virginia’s River Realm. In our waters, Crassostrea virginica (that’s their biological name) has made a comeback, any one sports team would be envious of. The Chesapeake Bay is cleaner because of the oyster’s natural water filtration. “Virginia is for Oyster Lovers” reputation dares you to “Come and taste what the fuss is all about.”
What is Virginia’s River Realm?
Full of delightful surprises, hidden gems, and friendly, small-town spirit. The 465 miles of shoreline, eight great small towns, and hundreds of unique attractions invite visitors to enjoy the wonder of a perfect oyster, the promise of a back road or secret cove and the pleasure of sharing a table with friends. A place where you can catch your breath, calm your mind and live your dreams.
Experiences
Rock the Urbanna Oyster Festival like a Superstar!
The VIP Oysters Lovers Experience gets you entry into 3 exclusive hospitality tents, a festival concierge to help you navigate the festival, private restrooms with no lines, oyster tastings, Virginia wine & Craft beer tastings, oyster shooters and a whole lot more! This “VIP Pass” is the way to do Virginia’s Official Oyster Festival plus awesome activities like an oyster shucking contest, parades and waterfront fun!
Be your own roaster
Need to impress the neighbors? Grab a bushel and start up the grill because our seafood sellers have the oysters that will make you the envy of the neighborhood. Pair them up with a Virginia wine and you’re golden.
Enjoy Oysters for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
How do you like your oysters? There’s so many ways to try them, why not at every meal? Our restaurants serve them up in delicious ways. Oysters Benedict at Car Wash Cafe, Angry Oysters at the Tides Inn, Oyster Po boy at Rocket Billy’s, Angels on Horseback at Merroir, Oysters Rockefeller at Eckhard’s-they’re practically on every menu.
Attend the Virginia Oyster Academy
The Virginia Oyster Academy, held at the Tides Inn, brings everything oyster together: history, science, and culinary-all with an authentic on-the-water trip. This 1\2 day experience gets you out on the water to tong, cull and taste a fresh-from-the-water oyster. Leave from the Tides Inn docks aboard the Miss Nicole, a working deadrise boat (learn what this is too!) and then return for a culinary sampling of grilled oysters and wine.
Ride with the Real Deal and get your oyster education on!
Let our watermen take you on an authentic oyster harvest. Whether old school tonging or touring an oyster farm, these guys know their stuff. Learn all about the sex life of an oyster and the hard work they do to keep the Chesapeake Bay clean. Slurp one down right out of the water!
Show Your Oyster Love
Are you a true oyster lover? Got to have all things oyster-jewelry, home decor, a new bauble or two? We’ve got retail therapy that covers the gamut.
Urbanna Seafood & Raw Bar
Oysters Three Ways
Serves oysters grown from their own local farms, get them in the half shell raw or steamed. Oysters Three Ways comes in a basket prepared in Rockefeller, Buffalo and Bayou style!
Willaby’s on the Rappahannock
Oysters on the Half Shell
From appetizers to entrees, Willaby’s has fresh, locally sourced bivalves.
Tides Inn
Angry Oysters
These delicious gems come lightly breaded and have their own Angry Oyster hot sauce!
Merroir
Angels on Horseback
Rappahannock Oyster Company nursery is on site. Specialty small artisan plate dishes; one favorite is Angels on Horseback, oysters on the half shell, baked with herb butter and Edwards ham.
Car Wash Cafe
Oysters Benedict
Oh yes, oysters are perfect with eggs and hollandaise. Get your morning started oyster style.
Byrd’s Seafood Company
Oyster Tacos
Find this food truck around town for “fresh from the water” oysters with sriracha lime slaw. You’re not in Mexico with this yummy dish.
Tides Inn
Beautifully located on its own peninsula, these 4 Star accommodations are sure to please. Paddleboard yoga, mixology classes, private patio dining or sunset cruises are but some of the unique experiences at this classic River Realm inn.
The Chesapeake Inn
13 boutique suites in the heart of adorable, walkable Urbanna or peddle your way around town in the complimentary surrey bike to shop, dine and see the waterfront. Dock your boat and walk up to your overnight oasis.
Atherston Hall Bed & Breakfast
Nestled one block away from the waterfront, docks and beaches of the Chesapeake, Atherston Hall is just around the corner from all Urbanna has to offer. Indulge in afternoon tea with the British innkeeper.
Kilmarnock Inn
16 beautiful rooms and suites to choose from in walkable Kilmarnock-all with a Presidential theme.
October 13, 2018
Urbanna Wine & Oyster Stroll
Participating boutique shops in town offer wine tastings and tasty morsels! Be sure to walk down to the Town Marina and see Urbanna Creek with all the beautiful boats and water vistas. Try on the Watermen’s Way boots on for a great photo op at the Town Marina. Oyster Tastings are provided at the Town Green with live music.
October 20, 2018
Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival
The Deltaville Maritime Museum is located on the banks of Mill Creek, just minutes away from the Chesapeake Bay. Holly Point Nature Park provides a wonderful natural background to leisurely stroll through 60 vendors selling unique art creations and a car show. There will be a variety of seafood, festival food and beverages with live music and creek cruises throughout the festival day.
October 20, 2018
Bay Seafood Festival at Camp Kekoka
A River Realm Signature event now in its 28th year-come “Party with a Purpose”! Bay Seafood Festival is an all-you-care-to-eat festival with great dance music that raises funds for a variety of nonprofits throughout the River Realm.
November 2-3, 2018
Urbanna Oyster Festival
The Official Oyster Festival of the Commonwealth! A 61 year CELEBRATION! Come by BOAT or come by LAND because we have got everything oyster and more! The charming Town of Urbanna closes its streets for the biggest celebration of oysters and the heritage that surrounds it for two full days with over 60,000 visitors. Get your VIP Oyster Lovers ticket for tastings and “superstar” perks.
November 10, 2018
Shuckin’ on the Green
LExperience an old school roast on plywood tables with saltine crackers and hot sauce! The Lancaster County Historical Society and Mary Ball Washington Museum hosts this on the grounds of the original county jail, clerk’s office and museum.
November 10 & 11, 2018
Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Fall Oyster Crawl
Join in for a beautiful fall weekend of wine & oyster pairings when 9 wineries match up their wines with a distinct oyster dish.
