Courtesy of Tides Inn
The Tides Inn has welcomed guests looking for a peaceful retreat by the water since opening its doors in 1947. A little over an hour outside of Richmond, Virginia, the 70-room property sits perched on the banks of Carters Creek and the Rappahannock River, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay.
True to its location, much about the resort feels classically nautical—navy blue wallpaper and fabrics, carved mahogany furnishings, and ship-themed decor. Enormous picture windows grant stunning views of the water. But even with 77 years of history, the Tides Inn looks to the future with frequent upgrades. A $3.6 million ecosystem restoration project, completed in 2022, has brought guests closer to the natural surroundings with an 1,800-foot boardwalk and living shoreline that assists oyster repopulation efforts by creating a habitat for the mollusks to flourish and purify the water. This spring, the inn opened its newest restaurant, Salt & Meadow. Many of the dishes incorporate seafood from nearby waterways and fresh produce grown in the property’s gardens.
Guests can get in on sustainability efforts by booking a hands-on beekeeping experience or signing on to help restore oyster habitats. Other activities include watercolor and mimosa cruises, birding tours, afternoon teas by the bay, and pottery classes, not to mention active pursuits like morning yoga, pickleball, and golf. Stays can be customized with a variety of interactive offerings, but plenty of time should be left to soak up the sun on the beach, taking full advantage of the tranquility that has drawn visitors to its shores since the beginning.
Courtesy of Tides Inn
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Insider Intel
Resident ecologist Will Smiley shares his favorite features of the inn
Intro to Oysters
“I enjoy leading our Chesapeake Gold experience that educates guests about the key significance behind the Eastern oyster and the process of modern aquaculture. At the end, you get to enjoy roasted oysters and prosecco.”
Courtesy of Tides Inn
From Land to Sea
“As an avid outdoorsman I like Salt & Meadow’s wild game options, such as the venison or duck breast, along with the changing catch of the day.”
Waterside Walk
“The living shoreline is a beautiful addition to Tides Inn. It’s both a functional filter that improves water quality and a raised walkway providing a trail for the guests.”
This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue of Southbound.
