Urbanna is one of the great small towns in Virginia. It is a port town located in the middle peninsula of Virginia. It is located about 120 miles south of Fairfax in northern Virginia, about 56 miles east of Richmond, and about 75 miles north of Norfolk.
Urbanna is located on the Rappahannock River, and so water sports, activities, and events are definitely a major highlight of the town. The town itself only had a population of 476 as of the 2010 census. In fact, boats and kayaks outnumber people in the town!
Though Urbanna is small in size, it has a lot to offer! It is one of the great hidden gems of the state.
Below are some of my top recommendations of things to do in Urbanna, VA.
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Where to Stay in Urbanna, Virginia |
Chesapeake Inn – Great for charm and character Bethpage Camp-Resort – Great for Fully-Equiped Cottages |
Urbanna Oyster Festival
Location:
Near Oyster Rd and Virginia Street in Urbanna, VA
Dates:
- Friday, November 4, 2022 (10 am to 8 pm)
- Saturday, November 5, 2022 (10 am to 5 pm)
Tickets:
General Admission is free.
You can purchase VIP Tickets, which will give you access to:
- Access to the hospitality tents
- 6 wine tastings
- 6 beer tastings
- 6 oyster tastings
- 2 oyster shooters
- Private restrooms
- Private tables
- And more!
Description:
By far the biggest, not-to-be-missed event in Urbanna is the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival! It attracts 75,000 visitors each year!
The two day festival includes an Oyster Shucking Competition, an Antique Car Show, Fireman’s Parade, Oyster Festival Parade, Wine Tastings, Craft Beer Tastings, live music performances, food vendors, and of course, just about as many oysters as you can eat!
Urbanna Town Marina
Location:
210 Oyster Rd, Urbanna, VA 23175
Dates:
Not Applicable
Tickets:
Not Applicable
Description:
For those approaching Urbanna or the Urbanna Oyster Festival by boat, the Urbanna Town Marina is the perfect spot for you. Urbanna Boat Yard & Marina goes by the cute nickname “URBBY”.
The marina is located at Upton’s Point on Urbanna Creek. There are over 15 transient boat slips, one 27-foot wide mega-slip, and a long dock for boats over 90 feet
The marina is just two-tenths of a mile from downtown Urbanna, and it is convenient to grocery stores, a playground, restaurants and shops.
The Portside Grill is a restaurant with water views that you can check out nearby. Their menu features crab tots, she crab soup, shrimp and grits, and seafood pasta.
The marina also has the Carefree Boat Club, which has a membership that allows you to use their fleet of boats. They also offer boat safety training.
Bethpage Miniature Golf & Ice Creamery
Location:
4859 Old Virginia St, Urbanna, VA 23175
Dates:
Spring and Fall:
- Friday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Summer:
- Thursday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Tickets:
Not Applicable
Description:
Another fun destination for the whole family is the Bethpage Miniature Golf and Ice Creamery. It combines an 18 hole mini-golf course with a 20 flavor hand-dipped Hershey’s ice cream parlor! So it’s the perfect spot to have a fun round of mini-golf, and then enjoy an ice cream!
What’s even more exciting, the miniature golf course is named Cowtopia, and features cows at every hole, including a cow train, flying cows, and daredevil cows.
All of this makes Bethpage Miniature Golf and Ice Creamery one of the best places for celebrating a birthday or special event!
Urbanna Farmer’s Market
Location:
Taber Park on the corner of Rappahannock Avenue and Bonner Street in Urbanna, VA
Dates:
Second Saturdays of the month from June to September (9 am to 1 pm)
Tickets:
Not applicable
Description:
The Urbanna Farmer’s Market occurs on the second Saturday of the month from June to September. Some of the vendors include produce, artisan cheeses, local pasture raised beef, breads and other baked goods, local honey, flowers and plants, clothing, jewelry, soaps, and more.
Golden Age Charters
Location:
211 Oyseter Rd, Urbanna, VA 23175
Dates:
Not applicable
Tickets:
Not applicable
Description:
Golden Age Charters offers a number of boating tours and excursions from the Urbanna Town Marina. They offer both private charters and public tours.
Some of the private charter tours include: sunrise and sunset cruise, dinner cruise, as well as wedding cruise and other special events.
The public boat tours include: scenic tours, holiday cruise, and even a Pirate Day cruise!
Town of Urbanna Visitors Center Museum
Location:
Urbanna, VA 23175
Dates:
Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tickets:
Not applicable
Description:
The Urbanna Visitors Center Museum is located in a restored Scottish Factor Store that dates back to 1766. Visitors can learn about the history of Urbanna, including the important oyster festival! Another highlight of the museum is an original John Mitchell map dating back to 1755.
The building also serves as the Visitor Center for the town. Volunteers are also on hand to answer questions.
Urbanna Trolley
Location:
Multiple stops, including Urbanna Museum & Visitor Center, Bethpage Miniature Golf & Ice Creamery, and Urbanna Market.
Dates:
July 1 to Labor Day:
- Friday: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Tickets:
Free to ride
Description:
The Urbanna Trolley, which is named “The Pearl” is a great way to explore the town. Please note, though, that the trolley only runs during the summer from July 1 to Labor Day.
The trolley goes on a 30-minute loop around many of the main sites in Urbanna, including:
- Port Town Village
- Bethpage Camp Resort
- Bethpage Miniature Golf & Ice Creamery
- Urbanna Market
- Taber Park
- Rappahannock and Marston Avenue
- Urbanna Museum & Visitor Center
- Waterman’s Park
- Cross and Virginia Street (Visitor Center)
- Bay Design Group
- Bridge Marina
- Southside Sentinel
- Oyster Harbor Condos
- Something Different
- Urbanna Market
- Mi Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
Check out more fun activities near the Chesapeake Bay!
Learn all about the Best Wineries Near Chesapeake, VA!
