1. Markets on Main
On the third Saturdays of the month, Mathews Markets on Main features a variety of vendors, music, and food. It all starts with Saturday’s farmers market and continues with boutique vendors and retailers along Main Street, an artisan market and special events at the Bay School Community Arts Center, entertainment and dining. Stay for the day, dine in or take out and enjoy a picnic at the waterfront pavilion next to the courthouse green, browse local museums, and the library’s $1 book sale. Additionally, Arts on Main is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 20 and August 17.
2. The Hatchery
Learn how baby oysters get their start at The Hatchery—a waterfront eatery featuring food truck-style ordering, with picnic tables. This authentic oyster-lovers experience includes a visit to the rustic oyster seed facility where guests enjoy a weekly rotating merroir of oysters from local oyster farms. Enjoy sunsets across Milford Haven at the Gwynn’s Island historic wharf located at 425 Callis Wharf Rd., Grimstead, VA, 23064.
The Hatchery is open for dinner Fridays from 5 p.m.—sunset, Saturday, 4 p.m. to sunset, and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Call 804-725-3046.
Take your oyster experience further on a Mathews Deadrise Charter boat with oyster farmer and waterman, Captain Trey Sowers. Learn how oysters are raised to adult size and visit a local oyster farm on Milford Haven.
3. Richardson’s Cafe
At Richardson’s Cafe “it’s not just ice cream, it’s an experience!” Sit at an authentic 1950’s style soda fountain counter and enjoy hand dipped ice cream cones, sundaes, sodas, malts, banana splits and real milk shakes.
Richardson’s Cafe is one of the few remaining soda fountains at the Rivah. It also serves seafood, burgers, and wraps. Richardson’s Cafe, at 12 Church St., Mathews, is open everyday except Wednesdays, call 804-725-7772 to check hours.
4. More than history
The Mathews Museum’s latest exhibit is Tom Hundley’s General Store, an accurate recreation of an American country store in the early to mid 1900s.
The museum’s new theme is “More than just history,” and other featured exhibits include a collection of large, before and after, aerial photos of Mathews County, highlighting the many changes to the landscape over the past century. Every month guest speakers make historical presentations and cover topics of today.
The Mathews Museum at 200 Main St. is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 804-505-1277.
5. Rent a boat
Plan your next fishing trip, sunset cruise or excursion to Mathews’ beautiful beaches and New Point Comfort lighthouse with Backwater Expeditions, LLC. Rent a 17-foot boat, which has a recreational fishing license, all required safety equipment, and a 9.9 HP outboard motor, delivered dockside to your waterfront rental, home, marina or a local boat ramp where it will be launched and ready for your adventure. Backwater Expeditions also offers captained tours. Contact 804-581-0900 or backwaterexpeditionsllc@gmail.com.
