Photo courtesy of The Tides Inn, Irvington, Va.
The Tides Inn offers seasonal activities and experiences for its guests this spring and summer.
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, The Tides Inn honors the timeless spirit of the Rappahannock with a series of experiences that capture the heart of small-town Americana and the storied maritime traditions of the Chesapeake Bay.
Located in the historic town of Irvington in the heart of Virginia’s Northern Neck region, The Tides Inn is a 70-room waterfront resort situated on a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The inn is about a 2.5-hour drive from Alexandria. Here's a summary of some of the experiences guests can explore:
Photo courtesy of The Tides Inn
The Tides Inn offer Duffy Boat activities to its guests.
Legacy Boat Building (May - September): The Tides Inn Boat Building Experience invites guests to collaborate with Captain Bill England and Chesapeake Light Craft in hands-on, two-hour sessions to construct a traditional Chesapeake Bay-inspired skiff, culminating in a summer launch of the completed vessel - permanently commemorated with a plaque honoring each participant’s contribution.
The Tides of History Speaker Series (May - October): Held on select Tuesday evenings this summer, the Tides Inn Speaker Series invites guests to engage with local experts and storytellers through enriching, hour-long conversations that delve into the Chesapeake Bay’s history and culture, with topics ranging from The History of Virginia Oyster Aquaculture to The History of Women in the Chesapeake Bay Fishing Industry and so much more.
Photo courtesy of The Tides Inn
The Tides Inn pool, restaurant and waterfront in Irvington, Va.
Cape Charles 250 Seaplane Excursion (June 20 & 21): Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a scenic seaplane journey to the Cape Charles 250 festivities. Enjoy a 25-minute flight from the Tides Inn, across the Chesapeake Bay, spend the morning exploring the waterfront celebration, and return to the Tides Inn by early afternoon.
Sail250 Flyover Experience (June 23): Enjoy a one-of-a-kind aerial perspective of Virginia’s Sail250 celebration from the Tides Inn’s seaplane, giving guests a front-row seat of the Chesapeake Bay’s tall ships and maritime festivities during a series of limited, small-group departures on June 24.
Historic Garden Tour (June - October): Led by Farmer Patrick, this seasonal garden experience invites guests to explore the agricultural traditions of the area through guided visits to the Tides Inn’s Demonstration Plot, a living classroom showcasing how farming has evolved over the past 250 years. The program offers hands-on opportunities to help tend heritage crops such as peanuts, cotton, tobacco and the Three Sisters - corn, beans and squash - while gaining insight into the region’s historic farming practices.
Signature Experiences
To truly understand the spirit of the Chesapeake Bay, one must venture beyond the shore and into the stories of those who have lived by its tides for centuries. The Tides Inn has just launched two new immersive, ecology-driven adventures that invite guests to dive into the Inn’s coastal heritage, the vital ecology of the Chesapeake Bay and the Tides Inn’s efforts to maintain the two:
Watermen’s Experience: A hands-on immersion into the life of a Chesapeake Bay Waterman. Guests join resort ecologist Will Smiley to learn the art of oystering and its importance to the ecosystem, while gaining a firsthand look at the traditions of the region.
Mighty Rappahannock: Guests meet Captain “Bull” Kurdziel at the Tides Marina for a cruise to Stingray Point aboard the Lil’ Tip-Sea. Out on the water, guests journey back in time to 1608 where Bull’s vivid depictions of early native inhabitants, European exploration and settlement, and the evolution of the fishing industry and its famed local watermen bring the fascinating regional lore to life.
As part of the Tides Inn’s recent renovation, guests can expect additional ecology and nature-focused experiences coming soon! Check the property’s experiences page for the most recent updates.
A renowned culinary destination supported by Virginia’s valleys, farms, orchards, and waterways, the resort’s coastal cuisine is presented at Salt & Meadow restaurant and Fish Hawk Oyster Bar– each a celebration of local ingredients.
Guests can enjoy engaging experiences, such as hands-on art workshops in the Maker Space, culinary classes in the Chef’s Kitchen and a plethora of interactive river ecology programming, all designed to foster a deeper connection to the natural world and the waterways that surround the resort.
