Woodbridge, Virginia, is a beautiful small city that sits on the Occoquan River and Potomac River. Since it’s situated on two large rivers, it’s easy to see why the area offers a variety of waterfront activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. The next time you’re looking to explore some of the best waterfront attractions in Woodbridge, be sure to check out these top options.
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Located where the Occoquan River meets the Potomac River, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers 642 acres for you to explore. Hiking is one popular activity in the refuge. Around 4 miles of old patrol roads that were once used during the area’s military days are now the basis of trails you can use to hike through the refuge. Wildlife photography is another popular activity in the refuge. You’ll find photo blinds and observation platforms throughout that give you a chance to snap pictures of birds, otters, deer, fox, and other animals.
Madigan’s Waterfront
Madigan’s Waterfront is a casual steak and seafood restaurant located on the Occoquan River. If you decide to stop by for dinner, consider ordering the crab cake platter. This popular dish includes two Chesapeake Bay-style crab cakes made with lump crab cooked in a blend of the restaurant’s secret spices. If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner, the Madigan’s Mountain comes with chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate fudge, and Oreo cookie crumble.
Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
Since public access to Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge is limited, it’s the ideal place to go when you’re looking to reconnect with nature. The refuge sits on the shores of the Potomac River and offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. The 325-acre refuge contains upland forest and tidal freshwater wetlands, making it a great place to look for muskrats, downy woodpeckers, American black ducks, barred owls, white-tailed deer, and more.
Leesylvania State Park
Situated just south of Woodbridge and nestled along the tidal shores of the Potomac River, Leesylvania State Park offers a variety of activities to enjoy. The park has five hiking trails that make it easy to explore the natural beauty of the area. If you want to see what’s biting, this section of the Potomac River is known for its largemouth bass. Other sport fish you can try to hook include striped bass, catfish, and perch.
Mill House Museum
When you step into the Mill House Museum on the Occoquan River, you’ll feel like you’re walking back in time. The small museum is housed in a 1790s miller’s office, and it’s all that’s remaining of the Merchant’s Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1924. The collection inside the museum spans centuries and includes artifacts from old cotton mills and gristmills, an iron ingot from the 1755 iron furnace, the contents of an old medical bag, and more.
From outdoor recreation to fantastic dining, it’s easy to enjoy the beauty of Woodbridge’s waterfront when you spend some time checking out these great activities around the area.
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