Mathews County and our waterfront Bed and Breakfast are wonderful places to visit in the Fall. Here are just a few good reasons to Stay Inn with us this Fall.
1) Fall Weather
Fall on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay bring lovely cooler days still with some warmth and sunshine. Warm, sunny days turn into cool, crisp and clear evenings. Perfect for gathering around the waterfront wood firepit to roast marshmallows for smores. If booking one of our three luxury suites, you can enjoy a firepit on your private patio overlooking the creek.
2) Oysters, Oysters, Oysters!
Although our county has fresh local Oysters year-round, Fall is the time when they are most celebrated. Join us for one of our Inn’s Oyster Roast weekends or attend a locally sponsored oyster roast throughout October/November. The nearby town of Urbanna hosts the largest Oyster Festival in the US, held the first weekend of every November. Local restaurants will have them featured on the half shell, steamed, or fried, along with many other local seafood favorites.
3) Kayaking
Water temperatures stay tepid through November making it the perfect time to paddle the creeks and estuaries of Mathews. Bring your own kayak to launch at any of the 19 public launch sites. You’ll be able to explore secluded beaches, marshlands, or get a closer view of the iconic New Point Comfort Lighthouse. Don’t have a kayak of your own or don’t want to bother with the hassle of towing one? Then feel free to use one of the Inns sit on top kayaks. You can launch right from the dock of our Virginia waterfront Bed and Breakfast and explore the historic East River.
The shoreline of the East River boasts many stately homes and other noteworthy stops. Williams Wharf is a great place for a waterside picnic or bathroom break. You could also get up close to one of the last remaining tide-mills on the East Coast. You can also venture out to nearby Mobjack Bay for more expansive views of the shoreline. Download a copy of Mathews County Blueways Water Trails here or pick up your free waterproof Blueways Trail map when staying at The Inn at Tabbs Creek.
4) Cycling
Mathews County is the perfect place for both the cycling enthusiast as well as the casual rider. With low traffic and flat country roads the fall months provide for a more comfortable ride making it easier to go farther and stay hydrated. You’ll enjoy beautiful scenery as the leaves start to change to brilliant colors. You can take one of our cruiser bikes provided here at the Inn and take a ride to Bethel Beach Nature preserve. Enjoy a nice beach walk and possibly a picnic. Or let us show you one of many loops to see different marinas, waterfronts, beaches, and tree lined scenic routes.
5) Fall Foliage and Sunsets
In the Virginia Mountain regions the peak fall color season is October. Here, along the Chesapeake Bay area, we see Fall colors starting to emerge a little later. About mid to late October with it lasting well into November when it peaks. The fall foliage is made even more spectacular from our vantage point as the color of the trees reflect in the water. Taking a walk, drive, kayak or bicycle ride through quiet country roads makes it easy to soak up the areas natural beauty. The Chesapeake Bay Sunsets also take on a different coloring and glow in the fall making for a spectacular early evening show.
6)Fishing
Fall in the Chesapeake Bay region is the most popular time for fishing enthusiasts. The most popular prize catch being Striped Bass, (better known as Rockfish in these parts). Some striped bass can be caught off our private dock, or on several public access points. We have a Deep Glow Fish light at the end of our dock which can make for some excellent night fishing as the Rockfish get bigger and like to feed nocturnally. Fall can also bring in Puppydrum, (Red Fish), Speckled Trout, Bluefish, and there are still plenty of Croaker hanging around.
Many of our guests have luck fishing from our kayaks at the mouth of the East River or into nearby Mobjack Bay. Of course, a private fishing charter will provide the best opportunity to catch the most amount or biggest variety of fish with access to deeper waters and experienced Captains. Find out more including potential licensing requirements here.
7) Stargazing
Virginia has been named the best state for stargazing on the Eastern seaboard. With little to no light pollution in our small county, we have one of the best spots for seeing stars, constellations, meteor showers, and the occasional view of the Milky Way. Popular fall constellations include Aquarius, Aries, Pisces, Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Pegasus, and Cepheus. Orion makes his first yearly appearance in early November, and of course we always have a great view of both the Big and Little Dippers, (Ursa Major and Minor).
There are several larger meteor showers that occur during the fall months, but on any given clear night it is not uncommon to catch a shooting star with our expansive visibility. During the Fall Full moons, head over to nearby Bethel beach to catch a spectacular moonrise over the Chesapeake. All around Mathews County, and right here in our back yard is a night photographers dream, so don’t forget your camera!
8) Birding
Fall brings in a whole new set of shore birds along with our year-round favorites like the great blue heron, white egret, and kingfishers. Many varieties of ducks start to come into the Bay and Bald Eagles are more prevalent. Their biggest rivals the osprey leave for the fall and winter months. Migrating Geese can often be seen and heard as they flyover in flocks small and large. Many land and shore birds can be seen around our grounds and several varieties of ducks as well as loons and cormorants are spotted in our creek. Head to one of the Bay beaches or explore some of the marshlands on kayak for even more varieties of birds including over 30 types of Sea Gulls alone, (who knew?). We have several pairs of binoculars for any guests who want to borrow. Check out our simple Birding Guide for birdwatching in our area.
9) Small Town Fall Fun
Fall brings several events to our little town, mostly celebrating the seasonal weather and natural beauty this time of year has to offer.
The Mathews Annual Seafood Festival takes place annually in late September. Tickets include live music, raffles, beer, and of course the best local seafood freshly cooked and all you can eat, (along with local BBQ as well).
Our Saturday eclectic Farmers Market runs through the end of October. A big Markets on Main celebration is held the first weekend of October. This market features even more vendors, local shop specials, live music, and food trucks. Music on Maple is held every 2nd or 3rd weekend in October. Live bands play to an intimate crowd enjoying local beer and wine and food trucks.
Our local herb Farm hosts several weekend Drum circles and other seasonal festivities. Halloween weekend will see some local restaurant/ bars hosting parties and fun decorations in town. There is also a Haunted Trail and Halloween show at nearby outdoor music venue Flat Iron Crossroads in Gloucester.
The Made in Mathews Open Studio tour happens on the two weekends after Thanksgiving. This unique tour gives the visitor a chance to shop local artist studios not usually open to the public. This is a grat opportunity for finding unique gift ideas and treasures for holiday gift giving. For a complete list of Mathews events visit here.
Stay Inn with us this Fall and enjoy all these reasons plus a few more! Our inn boasts amazing views year round, and this time of year is no different. Come see for yourself.
