Rediscovering America_ Exploring the Small Towns of Virginia & Maryland - Bill Burnham [96]
Recreation
Boating and fishing opportunities are abundant with several marinas and boat ramps providing access to the rivers.
There are two golf courses in Isle of Wight County: Cypress Creek (tel. 757-365-4774) and Smithfield Downs (tel. 757-357-3101).
Dining
In Smithfield’s Historic District you can swivel on a bar stool at Smithfield Confectionary and Ice Cream Parlor (208 Main Street, tel. 757-357-6166); choose homemade bread for your sandwich at Smithfield Gourmet Bakery & Café (218 Main Street, tel. 757-357-0045); or try the local barbecue and Smithfield ham at Twin’s Ole Towne Inn (220 Main Street, tel. 757-357-3031)
For fine dining, you can eat where George Washington did at Smithfield Inn & Tavern (112 Main Street, tel. 757-357-1752, www.smithfieldinn.com); or perch on the edge of the Pagan River at Smithfield Station (415 S. Church Street, tel. 757-357-7700, www.smithfieldstation.com).
Outside the historic district, locals flock to Angelo’s Steak House for Greek and American fare (1804 S. Church Street, tel. 757-357-3104). For local flavor in Battery Park, there’s Battery Park Grill (201 Battery Park Road, tel. 757-357-1747); the Courthouse Diner in Isle of Wight (17167 Courthouse Highway, tel. 757-357-6309); and Captain Chuck-A-Mucks Sandbar & Grill in Rescue. (21088 Marina Road, tel. 757-357-2342)
Lodging
Ever dreamed of staying in a lighthouse? You can, in one of two suites at Smithfield Station Waterfront Inn and Marina. The main inn has 15 rooms and two suites. There’s a marina, bike and canoe rentals, outdoor pool and restaurant. (415 S. Church Street, tel. 757-357-7700, www.smithfieldstation.com, $$)
Built in 1752 and located right in the Historic District, Smithfield Inn & Tavern B&B has five one-bedroom suites and a garden house. (112 Main Street, tel. 757-357-1752, www.smithfieldinn.com, $$)
Also right in town, Isle of Wight Inn B&B has eight rooms and four suites with fireplaces and Jacuzzis. (1607 S. Church Street, tel. 800-357-3245, $)
Porches on the James is just that – expansive guest porches overlooking the river with complimentary 5 pm cocktail hour for guests. (6347 Old Stage Hwy., tel. 757-356-0602, www.porchesonthejames.com, $$)
Also on the river is Dynasty on the James, which has room for your boat to dock. Visitors bring their own sheets and towels. (6187 Rivers Ridge Lane, tel. 757-365-9231, http://users.visi.net/~dynasty/, $)
Pet-friendly: Outside town, Four Square Plantation B&B is on a plantation in the countryside with three guest rooms. The proprietors are dog owners themselves, and accept pets at no extra charge. (13357 Four Square Road, tel. 757-365-0749, $$)
Information
Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau, 130 Main Street, tel. 800-365-9339, www.smithfield-virginia.com.
Events
The Olden Days Festival brings crafters, vendors, antique cars, strolling entertainers, carriage rides, and nighttime ghost walks to Main Street during Memorial Day weekend. (Contact the Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau, above)
The Pork, Peanut & Pine Festival is held the third weekend in July at Chippokes State Park. (Contact the park office at tel. 757-294-3625)
Christmas in Smithfield is a month-long celebration with historic homes tours, tree lighting, boat illuminations and antiques show. (Contact the Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau, above)
Virginia’s Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore is a place to relax and “get away from it all.” Prior to the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in 1964, this was an isolated locale, with ferry the main link to Norfolk. With each passing year, more people discover this quiet gem. New retirement communities and golf courses are signs of things to come, but the Shore today remains by and