Fishing and Boating

• The popular West Point facility of Glass Island Landing is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Glass Island Landing provides fishing access, a boat ramp, picnicking facilities, and parking for approximately 35 vehicles and trailers. See more information at the Bureau of Inland Games and Fisheries. Turn left on Glass Island Road just before reaching the Lord Delaware Bridge, east of West Point and follow the road to the parking lot.
• Access to the York River is provided at Beach Park located in West Point's Historical District. This park provides an exceptional view of the York River and gives the visitor an appreciation for the dynamic confluence of the Mattaponi and York Rivers. Follow Main Street to the end to reach Beach Park.

Riverwalk Trail

Cyclists and walkers enjoy the Riverwalk Trail. From Glass Island and Kiwanis Park, follow the walking path under the Lord Delaware Bridge. This route parallels the Mattaponi River past marsh land and includes scenic overlooks. This historic area is near the site of the former Indian village of Cinquotek, chief village of Opechancanough, brother of Chief Powhatan. Historians believe that this was the site where Captain John Smith was taken as a prize captive in 1607. The Trail concludes around 8th Street near former ferry landings and warehouses from the 1800's. Loop back on the Trail or turn left on Lee Street in the Historic District and pick up the Historic Walking Tour. Lee Street will connect to another spur of the Riverwalk Trail and return you to your parking area.

Historic Walking Tour

Stop at Town Hall at 329 Sixth Street for a copy of the West Point Historic Walking Tour Map or call ahead to 804.843.3330 for a copy to be mailed to you. This tour starts on 14th Street and follows through the historic downtown area along the sidewalks which follow the grid pattern of the streets. The historic buildings found in the the district include period representatives from the Victorian Italianate, Queen Anne, and Gothic Revival architectural styles, as well as Sears mail-order houses. At 5th Street, the York Wholesale Building stands as the sole survivor of a once extensive warehouse, wharf and railroad district. What is believed to be the oldest brick dwelling in West Point stands at 206 Main Street. It was built in 1887 by Robert Dudley, son of Alexander Dudley, who headed the Richmond and York River Railroad. The tour continues to Beach Park, once the site of the 200 room Terminal Hotel, which offered recreation facilities to thousands including a boardwalk, amusement park, skating rink and dance pavillions. This point offers a good view of the confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers into the York River. Looping back towards 7th Street, the tour passes sites once occupied by wharfs, oyster houses and ferry boat landings and site of the future 7th Street Marina.

Downtown Playground

Children may enjoy the downtown playground at Kirby and Main with its swings, climbing equipment and slides.

Golf

West Point Country Club offers nine holes of golf with reciprocal arrangements with other private clubs. West Point Country Club Route 30 West Point, Virginia 23181 King William County Phone(s): (804) 843-3168

Crab Carnival

This annual event, usually held the first weekend in October, is famous throughout Virginia. Look here for more information on current dates for parades, bands, booths, bike races, street fairs, and of course, plenty of seafood.

Indian Museums

The Pamunkey Reservation is one of the oldest in the nation and has a small tribal museum, shad fishery and pottery school. The museum collections, organized by periods, provide an in-depth history of the ancient and modern Pamunkeys with some artifacts dating back 12,000 years. One site that attracts attention on the reservation is Powhatan's grave site. Going east, turn left on Rt 30, then follow the signs to the reservation.

Pamunkey Indian Museum Route 1, Box 2011 King William, VA 23086 Phone: 804-843-4792 Pamunkey Chief William P. 'Swift Water' Miles greets tribe family members as they prepare to go fishing from the reservation.

The Mattoponi Museum is less formal. It holds many artifacts, some dating to 5000 BC, which are labeled with handwritten index cards. One of its most famous exhibits is a necklace that once belonged to Pocahontas. Often referred to as Pocahontas' people, the Mattaponi are the direct descendants of Powhatan and Pocahontas. Going east, turn left on Rt 30, then follow the signs to the reservation. For more information, call 804-769-2194.

Chelsea Plantation

Historic Chelsea Plantation is considered one of the finest examples of early 18th Century Georgian architecture in the United States. The grounds of Chelsea encompass nearly five acres of lawn with extensive English Boxwood gardens, overlooking the Mattaponi River. During the Revolutionary War, General LaFayette's army was encamped on Chelsea Plantation with the mansion house serving as head quarters. In 1764, Thomas Jefferson attended a wedding in the gardens of Chelsea. For Tour information please call 804.843.2386.

7th Street Marina

Still under development, this area will include waterfront condominiums, boat slips, shopping and restaurants coordinating with the historic downtown area. Learn more here.