The beautiful scenery of Matthews has inspired many artists to live in this city, which has about 683 residents. See works from over 60 artists when you visit the Matthews Visitors Center. In addition, you will find many other options to view art around this small town, including Queens Creek Studio, The Poddery, Put-In Creek Carvings, and Bay School Community Arts Center.
This city was founded in the late 1700s, and it is full of historical attractions to visit. Consider starting at the Courthouse Square, where you can see the debtors' jail, sheriff's office, and county administration offices, which have been at this location since 1795. Learn about this area's ties to the shipping industry by stopping at the Matthews Maritime Museum. Then, head out to explore Fort Newsome, constructed during the Civil War. Thomas James Store is one of the oldest general stores in the United States.
While you are roaming around Matthews, you are bound to get hungry. The White Dog Bristo is a terrific place to get a seafood burger, but if you are craving crab cakes, head to Richardson's Café. Mi Casa Azteca serves outstanding Mexican food, and you cannot beat the pizza at the Salty Dog Pizzeria.
This town's location on Chesapeake Bay places it near many serene beaches. Head to New Comfort Beach to see the lighthouse, the 10th oldest lighthouse in the United States. Bethel Beach is a terrific place to go birdwatching, and you can see the Wolf Trap Lighthouse, which workers built in 1894, from this beach. The deep pockets of water make Haven Beach a fantastic place to go swimming.
Campgrounds Near Matthews, Virginia
The Matthews area has many beautiful campgrounds, including Cherrystone Family Camping & RV Resort near Cape Charles, Virginia. It has a swimming beach, guided crabbing excursions, and a café. You can get your supplies for fishing at the campground's bait and tackle shop. RV sites have full hookups, and many of them are shaded.
Another option to consider is Camp Cardinal RV Resort near Hayes. Here you can rent a standup paddleboard, paddle boat, or kayak to play on the Serine River. There is also a swimming pool, an inflatable fun zone, a dog park, and a playground. This campground has a snack shack, and the sites feature full hookups.
You may also want to consider camping at New Point RV Resort near New Point. Use their slip rentals to store your boat during your stay. They have a café, so you do not have to stop playing to prepare your meals. This campground also has a chapel, so it may make a perfect wedding destination. There are hiking trails to explore, along with a craft room. The sites have full hookups, and you can rent a golf cart during your stay.
National Parks near Matthews, Virginia
There is only one road through Shenandoah National Park, but you can find many fun activities along Skyline Drive. While there are four entrances, consider entering the park at Fort Royale, Virginia as this is the start of the 105-mile-long road through the park. Over 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail runs roughly along Skyline Drive, and you can hike part of this trail from numerous starting points. Big Meadows is a terrific place to stop for a picnic, and there is a horse stable right across the road. The Dark Hollow Falls Trail is a short distance north of the Big Meadow, and you may want to go on this hike to see the 70-foot waterfall. There are over 75 scenic overlooks along the road, so take advantage of them to see this park's scenery. There are five campgrounds at this park. Except for Meadows Arm Campground, all the campgrounds have showers, and modern restrooms.
New River Gorge National Park near Lansing, West Virginia is a terrific place for a whitewater rafting adventure on the New or Gauley rivers from April through October, and numerous guided options are available. This park is also a popular hiking destination. Follow the trails in the Nuttallburg area to see remnants of a historic coal mining town, or head to the Glade Creek area to see beautiful waterfalls. If you are short on time, consider hiking in the Fayetteville area, where shorter trails provide panoramic views of this park. There are nine primitive camping areas in this park.
Another national park you may want to visit is Congaree National Park. Rent a canoe or kayak to spend a day paddling under tall cypress trees and around their knobby knees. The boardwalk is a terrific place to see this park's towering trees and visit with park rangers who can answer your questions about these trees that grow up to 170 feet tall. Bring your gear to fish in the Congaree River and the Oxbow lakes. Longleaf Campground has 14 primitive camping spots, each with a picnic table and a fire ring.
State Parks Near Matthews, Virginia
Belle Isle State Park is on the Northern Neck's Rappahannock River, and it is a fabulous place to explore tidal wetlands. Visitors often see blue herons, osprey, hawks, and bald eagles flying overhead and may catch glimpses of white-tailed deer, turkeys, groundhogs, rabbits, squirrels, and moles on the ground. This is a terrific spot to go on a guided canoe adventure. Visitors can rent bikes from the park's office to explore ten miles of trails featuring eight unique tidal-wetland ecosystems. From March to December, there is a campground with electrical hookups.
Chippokes Plantation State Park is on the banks of the James River near Surry, Virginia. Tour the plantation, including two plantation houses, original plantation outbuildings, slave quarters, and farm buildings. It is one of the oldest continuously operated farms in the United States. Special events are held here frequently, including Easter egg hunts, fall festivals, and a Christmas open house. There is a spacious campground with campsites arranged around two loops. Most campsites have electrical hookups. Guests camping in longer RVs will want to stay in the left loop.
First Landing State Park near Virginia Beach is where English colonists first landed in 1607. Legend says that Blackbeard hid in this area, and you can follow in his footsteps by hiking along 20 miles of hiking trails. This park, the most visited in Virginia, also offers 1.5 miles of sandy access to the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more about this area's history as a colony, pirate hangout, and military site by touring the Chesapeake Bay Center, which houses many historical artifacts. Camping overnight in the campground allows you to use the boat ramp onto the bay, which is unavailable to day guests. Some sites have water and electrical hookups, while others have only electrical hookups.
National Sites Near Matthews, Virginia
Tyndall's Point Park at Gloucester Point is where the Battle of the Hook and other American Revolutionary War battles took place, and you can see the earthworks that the soldiers built when you follow this park's trails. This is where the first shot was fired in present-day Virginia during the war. Leashed pets can join you on your hike. Numerous historic markers help you understand the events that took place in 1783 at this site.
The Yorktown Battlefield is part of the Colonial National Historical Park, and it marks the site where the last major battle occurred during the American Revolutionary War. A guided audio tour is available to help you understand more about the battle and where it took place. Start your tour at the visitor center, where you can see historical artifacts. There are two self-guided driving tours through this location. RVers can also tour the Nelson House, which workers constructed in the early 1700s. Then, tour the Moore House, where officials worked out the surrender terms as the war drew to a close.
Also, you will want to explore the Cape Henry Memorial in Colonial National Historical Park. The granite cross at this site, where English colonists first came aboard in 1607, was erected in 1935. The granite cross is a memorial to the wooden cross the first settlers built. This site also has a statue of Admiral Comte deGrasse. In 1781, he was the commander of a fleet of ships that prevented the British from relieving Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown and helping the Americans win the 2.5-hour battle. This site is also home to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Workers constructed the first lighthouse in 1792, and it is open for public tours. The second lighthouse is approximately 350 feet from the first, and workers erected it in 1881.
National Forests Near Matthews, Virginia
North Carolina's Croatan National Forest covers more than 160,000 acres. Visitors may see deer, black bears, turkeys, ospreys, and alligators while exploring. Kayaking and canoeing are popular in the saltwater marshes and the blackwater lagoons. This forest has three areas where you can go RV camping. The Cedar Point Recreation Area is at White Oak River's mouth and has no services, but there is a bathhouse. The Flanders Beach/Neuse River Recreation Area is on the Neuse River's banks, and some sites have electrical hookups. The Oyster Point Campground is on the intercoastal waterway and is the starting point for the 21-mile-long Neusiok Trail. Each of the primitive sites has a picnic table and fire ring.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are operated as one unit, and it is a terrific place to go hiking and fishing. These forests cover over 1.8 million acres. There are eight campgrounds spread across the woods. There are 65 RV sites in the Sherando Lake Recreation Area, which is a terrific place to see Blueridge Mountain scenery. Anglers often catch their limit of trout in the two lakes in the Trout Pond Recreation Area. There are 50 campsites, and 14 of them have electric hookups. You will love the mountain views from the Racoon Branch Campground, where there are 20 sites, with some having water and electrical hookups.
Since its establishment in 1920, campers have been heading to Monongahela National Forest. There are numerous hiking and scenic driving options. There are 20 campgrounds in this forest. Many campers head to the Spruce Knob Campground, which is in the Spruce Knob Recreation Area, which is the highest point in West Virginia. This campground features 30 campsites, and each has a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and lantern holder.
