King George and Westmoreland Counties

Explore King George and Westmoreland counties in VA.  See bald eagles and look for shark teeth at Caledon State Park.  Go back in time and see a former plantation at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.  If time, visit the birthplace of Robert E Lee, Stratford Hall.  

Caledon State Park (Point B), George Washington Birthplace National Monument (Point C),
Robert E Lee birthplace, Stratford Hall (Point D), and El Charro Mexican Restaurant (Point E)

THINGS TO DO:

1.  Arrive at Caledon State Park early in the morning (56 miles, 1 hour 21 minutes)

• Start your day at the Visitors Center and ask where the eagles have been spotted recently
• Hike to see the bald eagles 
• Spend time looking for shark teeth on the beach (the state park allows you to keep any shark teeth you find)

2.  Visit the George Washington Birthplace National Monument (21 miles, 34 minutes)

• Stop at the Visitor Center
• See the original location of George Washington's house
• Explore Popes Creek, a living colonial farm
• Hike

3.  If time and interest in paying fee, visit Stratford Hall (9 miles, 16 minutes)

4.  Eat dinner at El Charro Mexican Restaurant before heading home (24 miles, 32 minutes)


THINGS TO KNOW:

Caledon State Park is a park that is easy to pass on the road if you’re not paying attention.  On our adventure, we learned that this park is definitely worth a visit.  We followed some of the hikes that lead to the Potomac River and we had a wonderful time searching for eagles and for shark teeth (the state park allows you to keep any shark teeth you find).  Be sure to stop in at the Visitor Center for advice on where to find the eagles that day.  If you’re interested in paying an extra fee to go on an eagle spotting tour, call in advance to find out the specific times it will be offered on the day you visit the park. 

When you go to George Washington Birthplace National Monument (Popes Creek), you’ll find that there is no fee to enter the park.  There is a video in the visitor center and then you can take a self-guided tour around the property.  If possible, check the website for the park schedule and plan to go to the plantation when there will be demonstrations.  Our family loved the demonstrations on blacksmithing, cooking, sheep sheering, spinning and fabric dying. 

Both Caledon State Park and George Washington Birthplace have nice restrooms, water fountains, and small gift shops. 

We would’ve liked to see Stratford Hall, but half the passengers in our vehicle had worn themselves out on the beach of the Potomac hunting for treasures earlier in the day, so we opted to let them sleep.  If you go, leave a comment and tell us what you think of it.

We enjoyed El Charro Mexican Restaurant.  It was a recommendation of someone we know in the area and it didn’t disappoint.