There is plenty to do in Occoquan this summer! Explore why people call Occoquan one of their favorite small towns in Virginia. From water sports and kayak rentals to shopping, dining, and art galleries, you're sure to find our charming riverfront town a great destination for an afternoon, day trip, or weekend!
1. Dine Outside
Relax and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants with outdoor dining service. Bar J Chili Parlor, Madigan’s Waterfront, and D’Roccos have great views of the river. Secret Garden Cafe, Cock & Bowl, and The Spot on Mill Street are great brunch, lunch, and dinner spots with garden patios. And for some good people watching head to Bottle Stop, Bann Thai, or Third Base Pizza & Frozen Custard.
2. Explore the River
Launch your watercraft at the newly opened accessible hand carry Kayak Launch, which is free to the public and located under the Rt 123 bridge. Don’t have your own? Rent a kayak or stand up paddle board from Penguin Paddling. Or head to Patriot Scuba where they offer dive training for adults and kids, scuba equipment rentals, and diving trips!
3. Shop the Artisan Markets
May 8 & 9 | June 5 & 6 | July 10 & 11
Head to River Mill Park for weekend Artisan Markets throughout the summer. Each month you can explore a unique arts and crafts market curated from the work of juried artisans. 10am-5pm, $5 entry/12 and under free; VIP packages available. Learn more at occoquanva.gov/events.
4. Discover Occoquan - August 13-22, 2021
The Town of Occoquan and Occoquan Merchants Guild co-host this popular annual event, celebrating the vibrant community of Occoquan, Virginia. Take a class, view a demonstration, test your knowledge with a scavenger hunt, and explore outdoors to see all that our historic riverfront town has to offer. Learn more about Discover Occoquan or see the full schedule of events at occoquanva.gov/events.
5. Grab a Cold Treat
There are plenty of quick stops to cool you down while you’re here. Grab an ice cream at Mill Street Sweets or Babba & Me, find gelato at The Spot on Mill Street, or get a frozen custard at Third Base Pizza and Frozen Custard. Need a refreshing drink? Head to Grind N’ Crepe for an iced latte or pick up a lemonade at the Ballywhack Shack.
6. Get Pampered
Treat yourself to an all-about-you day with a spa service from Dansk Day Spa, Angi’s Nails and Spa Salon, or Curate. Or refresh your summer do with a style, cut, and color from Good Hair Day or Shear Glo Beauty Bar. When you’re done, you can enjoy grounding energy work from Organic Allure or Tulia Qi Integral or a custom beauty service from Forever Young or Be Always Beautiful.
7. Create and Learn
Take a workshop, book a class, or attend a demonstration in one of Occoquan’s
many artisan businesses. Visit Paint Your Heart Out where you can paint a ceramic piece of your choosing (great for kids and adults!). Then head over to Hitchcock Paper Co. and take a calligraphy, art, or craft workshop. For fiber arts, visit Yarn Cloud for private lessons or book time at their project table. Sincerely Yours Stained Glass Studio hosts one-on-one classes teaching students to make their own stained glass creations.
8. Browse the Shops
There is plenty of summer shopping to do in town! Head to one of our home decor, beauty, clothing, jewelry, antique, consignment or gift boutiques. Specialty shops for chocolate, olive oil, organic products, stationery, and more can also be found. See a list of shops here!
9. Take a Tour
See our visits guide at visitoccoquanva.com for information on our Occoquan self-guided history walking tour. Or schedule a Haunted Pub Crawl or family-friendly haunted tour through Occoquan Spirits Ghost Tours.