Itineraries

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Relax and unwind! With water sports, enjoying regional food, retail therapy, craft beer, or a massage, Callao in Northumberland County has the best treatments to unwind! 

BREAKFAST 

Get an early start to a full day with a favorite of the locals…freshly made, delicious and hot breakfast items at the The Lucky Duck Food Truck. Another delicious option would be Breakfast at Tootsie's Diner where you will step back into the 50's! Tootsie's Diner is located on 255 Northumberland Highway. 

AM: GET OUTSIDE AND RELAX IN NATURE! 

ON THE WATER: Experience first-hand how local seafood gets to your table with a Waterman’s Heritage Tour, a hands-on encounter with oyster dredging, oyster tonging, and pulling crab pots. Or just relax with a Charter Fishing expedition with Captain David Rowe aboard the “Bay Quest,” an authentic 43’ Chesapeake Bay dead rise boat. Advance reservations required. 

If you have a boat, launch it at Lodge Landing Public Boat Ramp or go fishing or crabbing off the piers, located at the end of Lodge Road (State Road 712) off Harry Hogan Road in Callao, VA. (804) 580-8910. Relax to the “song” in the gentle water flow, while viewing, up close, diverse waterfowl, birds and wildlife. Launch your kayaks or canoes for a 3.9-mile paddle on the Lower Coan River Trail from the Lewisetta Marina boat ramp, 369 Church Lane, Lottsburg, VA 22511. 804-529-7299. Or for a 4.9-mile paddle on the Coan River Trail, launch from Rowes Landing Public Boat Ramp at the end of Rowes Landing Road off Hwy. 360 in Heathsville, VA.  

ON THE LAND: Feel the sun in your face and the breeze in your hair… head to the Quinton Oaks Golf Club for a relaxing round of golf. Remember to Reserve your tee time!  

LUNCH IN CALLAO 

The Flippin’ Yellow Truck is a regular spot for locals, offering a variety of soups and sandwiches including seafood options. It has outdoor seating and is located at 129 Northumberland Hwy, next to the Callao Brewery. Get takeout from Fred’s BBQ & Ribs located next to the bakery at 179 Northumberland Hwy. Tootsie's Diner is another option for yummy American hometown delights.

Need a little break? Stop for caffeinated beverages and treats at Coffee and Tea at Callao Jubilee, located at 32 Hampton Hall Road in Callao.

INSIDER TIP: Keep an eye out for buggies of the Amish who frequent Callao from their nearby farms.  

PM: NATURE PRESERVE OR “THERAPY” SESSION EXPERIENCE A NATURE PRESERVE Visit Tidal Marshland and Mud Flats. If you have not seen tidal marshlands and mud flats, head to Bush Mill Stream Natural Area Preserve, Knights Run Road, Heathsville, VA. (804) 786-7951. With walking paths, boardwalks, and viewing platforms, this preserve is the home and resting area for an abundance of feeder fish, waterfowl, and wading birds, such as egrets, pelicans, cormorants, and the great blue heron.  

INSIDER TIP: Bring binoculars if you can. 

 RELAXATION “THERAPIES” SHOPPING THERAPY? 

A short distance to the Callao Community Trading Post Flea Market. Or visit R.W.’s Sports for gifts, nautical decor and more. 

MASSAGE THERAPY

Head to Abilities Abound Physical Therapy and Wellness Center for one of its many types of message: deep tissue, Swedish, hot stone, reflexology, aroma therapy, and more. Call for appointment.

HAPPY HOUR 

Head back to Callao for Happy Hour at the Callao Brewing Company. Beside enjoying the locally made craft beer, be ready to add bingo to your beer, live music, or karaoke! Indoor and outdoor seating is available. 

DINNER 

Pick up a pizza or other options across the street at Nino’s Pizza. Interested in Mexican food? Los Portales was voted the #1 Mexican Restaurant in Virginia Living Magazine in 2020. It offers indoor and outdoor dining.

EVENING

Westmoreland Players and Theater for great performances in an intimate theater with stadium seating. Check the schedule and reserve tickets at   

STAR GAZING

As the locals say: “Hollywood has nothing on our stars!” Go star gazing at Vir Mar Beach, looking up at the Chesapeake Bay skies! Take your blankets or chairs and put your toes in the sand! Head east on Northumberland Hwy, proceed 10 miles and take a left on Hacks Neck Road (SR 644); go 3.7 miles and turn left onto Vir Mar Beach Road (SR 643) and follow to the end. Grab an ice cream at the Callao Dairy Freeze. 

Find hidden historical gems in Heathsville and surrounding villages! Wander through three centuries of time, while you shop, eat, and are entertained. Be prepared for a day of surprises in the historical heart of Northumberland County. 

BREAKFAST 

Start your day with breakfast platters, pancakes, omelets, and great sausage biscuits, too at the 360 Grill. Lottsburg Cafe’, affectionately known to the locals as “the tire store cafe” since it shares a building with Baughan’s Tire & Automotive. Enjoy country style breakfasts, while you get your oil changed or your car inspected--bowl of grits with a poached or fried eggs, fresh biscuits and home fries! There are lots of other breakfast choices as well. 

AM: STEP BACK IN TIME! 

In Heathsville, visit Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, an historical landmark that dates to the 1700’s. The Tavern is home to four artisan guilds, the Tavern Cafe’, several artisan studios, and the Tavern Gift Shoppe. Walk around our grounds. The Tavern is the oldest structure in Heathsville. Open Thursday – Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm. 

See Traditional Artisans at Work! While at the Tavern, chat with Blacksmiths, Woodworkers, Quilters, and Spinners & Weavers as they work. Follow the smoke to the Blacksmiths in the Forge behind the Tavern (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 10 am – 12 noon, reliably, unless it’s too hot or too cold!). The Quilters have a studio on the first floor in the Tavern, and the Spinners & Weavers’ studio is upstairs. The Guilds offer classes, too! 

INSIDER TIP! Visit on the third Saturday, April thru October, for the Heathsville Farmers Market, 9 am – 1 pm, held outside on the Tavern Green. All the guilds are on-site that day, demonstrating and selling their wares. Special on market day, the Tavern Cafe’ makes glazed donuts hot out of the fryer. About 50 vendors at each market, with local produce, meat, baked goods, gourmet peanuts, and more. Take Home a Memory! Shop for locally made handcrafts in the Tavern Gift Shoppe, which consigns the wares of over 100 artists and artisans. Several artisans also have their studio on-site. Purchase handcrafted pottery, baskets, wooden bowls, quilts, shawls, greeting cards, kitchen towels, and more. Each item is unique unto itself.  

LUNCH 

Eat Lunch at the Tavern Cafe’! Enjoy light luncheon fare made by the volunteers of the Tavern Culinary Guild. This includes homemade soups, salads, quiche, sandwiches and featured specials, plus sweet treats. The menu changes weekly, depending on what the volunteers want to make!  

INSIDER TIP! The Tavern bakes all their own breads. Ask for the Almond Brioche - it is their signature bread.  

PM: GET BACK TO THE LAND! 

Tour the Northern Neck Farm Museum, for a glimpse of our nation’s rural farming past. View their collection of farm tractors and equipment. Learn how rural electrification changed life on the Northern Neck, and the essential role the farm wife played in the success of the family farm. Special children’s activities are available for “Lil’ Farmers.” Check their events calendar. Open May – October.  Facebook: Northern Neck Farm Museum  

INSIDER TIP! Check out the Farm Museum’s gift shop, where they offer collectible miniature farm tractors for sale. The first in the series is the Allis Chalmers D-15 Hi-Crop. Other models will be added in the future. 

Take a Walk through History! Pick up a walking map of Historical Heathsville at the Tavern. Get the back-story on the old Northumberland Courthouse, Old Jail, and local plantation homes as you wander.  

HAPPY HOUR 

Find Your Bliss at Triple V Farms: Vines, Vodka and Vinegar for a relaxed afternoon of wine and cocktails, and try the vinegar tasting bar as well! Tastings are free. Enjoy live music on Saturday afternoons and check the calendar for Sunday events, too. Gather around the fire pit on cool days and watch the sun go down. Open Friday—Sunday.  

DINNER OPTIONS 

Dine by the Water! At Horn Harbor Restaurant in Burgess, you can come by land or river for seafood, steak and house specialties. The restaurant has three separate covered seating dining areas overlooking the great Wicomico River.

Or enjoy quiet wooded views from your table at Unique Experience Eatery in Heathsville located at 8200 Northumberland Hwy. More than a restaurant, this venue was established by Zion Church at Lottsburg to create more local jobs in the community and to have a place where you can spend quality time with the people that matter the most. Enjoy seafood, ribs, chops and more.

Look up at the Sky! No big city lights in Northumberland County, check out the stars!

Head to Reedville, world known for its Menhaden fishing industry—a fish used in fertilizers, animal food and vitamins. Explore its 150-year history and the life of commercial fishermen. 

BREAKFAST

For a quick breakfast on the go, start at Little River Market. Eggs, fresh biscuits with sausage, bacon, scrapple, or ham – fixed any way you like! Hot coffee too! If you would like a sit-down experience, stop at the 360 Grill. Great breakfast platters, pancakes, omelets, etc. Their sausage biscuits are the best!  

AM: GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE DAY 

Early riser? Drop over to Pride of Virginia Seafood Products at 900 Main Street (804-453-6191) before 9am and watch the fishing boats come in with fresh catch, oysters, crabs, and other seafood. This is where several local restaurants pick up the fresh fish for the day. Explore the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum to discover the rich history and culture of the lower Chesapeake Bay and the waters surrounding Reedville. The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum is filled with exhibits, displays, a hands-on room called KidzKorners, a unique gift shop, the Walker House (oldest home in Reedville), a working boat shop, a model (train) shop, the Herman Krentz pilot house, historic vessels, beautiful gardens, and lots more. 

During the summer the Museum hosts outdoor concerts, and cruises on the Elva C – free but require reservations. This is a truly magical maritime museum! Take a walking tour of Reedville and explore Main Street. See “Millionaires Row,” beautiful Victorian homes built by wealthy Menhaden factory owners and boat captain. Pick up a walking tour map at the Museum and head out for a short walk back in time.  

LUNCH 

For the best crab cakes around, head over to Cockrell’s Creek Seafood & Deli. Freshly caught crabs, and oysters, along with scallops, fresh shrimp salad, great burgers, and lots of terrific sides await you. You can stock up on food to go as well. Picnic tables along Cockrell’s Creek with scenic views, dock space available if you got by boat. Open April to Thanksgiving.  

Head over to Fairport Marina’s “Leadbellies” restaurant for fresh seafood and fish, a full bar, and a screened in porch right off the dock. It is located at 252 Polly Cove Rd., Reedville – 804-453-5002. Seasonal. 

Want some of the best ice cream on the Northern Neck? Stop by Chitterchats Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street for hand-packed ice cream, freshly made waffle cones, floats, shakes, and sundaes. Seasonal.  

PM: SHOPPING AND CRUISES! 

Do you want to pick up a little something to remind you of your travels? Stop by Forget Me Knot Shoppe for unique gifts, a few antiques, and beautiful hand-crafted wreaths. 

Looking for a unique gift? Stop at the Museum Shop at the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum for kid’s books and games; artwork; hand-crafted items; woodwork and more made by local artisans. 

Reminder… on the 2nd and 4th Friday of May-October, The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum hosts visitors aboard the Elva C for a tour of Cockrell’s Creek. Free but reservations are required. Call 804-453-6529.  

DINNER OPTIONS 

Casual dining with great views, try Crazy Crab. Drive over or bring your boat – there is plenty of dock space for diners. Terrific fresh fish and seafood, and choices for the landlubber as well! 

Days and hours change seasonally.  

If a nightly cocktail sensation is your desire, have drinks and dinner at The Reedville Market. Treat yourself to a wide variety of entries, great cocktails, and an enclosed porch for casual dining. Days and hours change seasonally.