Welcome Back, Spring!

The weather is warmer; the birds are chirping; and seasonal Irvington, Virginia, businesses are reopening. Welcome back, Spring and welcome back, visitors--we've missed you! Here's what's happening.

Steamboat Era Museum reopens its doors on April 1 (no joke!) Step inside the Museum's most valuable artifact in its collection: the largest surviving remnant of the Chesapeake Bay steamboat era – the pilothouse from the steamer “Potomac”. The steamboat’s upper most structure consists of the wheelhouse, captain’s quarter, and crew quarters. Learn how steamboats changed and molded the culture and heritage of those living along 11,684 miles of shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Click here to learn more about the interactive exhibits at Steamboat Era Museum.

The Tides Inn is celebrating its 75th season with Coastal Getaway Packages & Offers, such as Fourth Night Free, Virginia Resident, Military, AAA and Senior Rates. Get breakfast included or receive a credit toward any of resort experiences, dining, or spa treatments. Have fun on the water with river cruises, boat rentals or watersports. Play golf in a wooded landscape around a 50-acre lake. Get creative in the Maker Space or wine and dine in Tides' award-winning restaurant or waterside bar. New this year is the complimentary Volvo Roadtrip Experience, in which guests can experience the Northern Neck in style from behind the wheel of a new luxury Volvo XC90 SUV. Crabbing: Beautiful Swimmers takes guests aboard a waterman's boat to learn how to set a crab pot and bring crabs back to the Watermen’s Pier. Learn about oysters' key role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay and growing more of them to create better water quality ecologist Will Smiley.

Where the terroir of the grapes matches the merroir of the oysters...The Dog & Oyster Vineyard is where the Virginia Wine Trail intersects with the Virginia Oyster Trail, creating a perfection in pairing. A member of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, the winery participates in the Trail's annual signature event, Spring Oyster Celebration, held this year Saturday & Sunday, April 23 and 24. The micro-vineyard is now located on the grounds of sister property of The Hope and Glory Inn, a historic boutique hotel with a variety of stylish rooms, cottages, oyster bar, fine dining restaurant, scenic boat cruises, garden bath, pool and more. This Spring, the Inn is offering a special Virginia Elopement, as well as Romantic and Girls' Getaway packages.

Windswept Experience and Supply Co. has been a welcome addition to Irvington, VA's downtown since it came on the scene just under two years ago. Billing itself as an "elevated men's & women's retail/lifestyle boutique", Windswept has been a place to shop for all things apparel, bicycles, boards, accessories, vintage; listen to live music; relax and connect. Still, owner Craig Dodson's vision is not yet complete. He is planning to reopen the weekend of April 8, with a more comfortable space, a scaling down of brands it carries and a greater focus on Windswept's private label goals of sustainable, handmade products, designs and artwork that USA-made and inspire outdoor experiences, including its own paddleboard rentals.

Consistently voted Best Farmers Market on Virginia's East Coast, Irvington Farmers Market offers a variety of fresh, local produce; homemade bread and baked goods; artisan cheeses, meats and seafood; handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, soap; furniture, glassware, baskets, artwork; plants, flowers, oyster gardens, water products and more! Sponsored by the Irvington Village Improvement Association, the pet-friendly, open-air market features a playground, live music, and special events and is held every first Saturday from May through November, 9 am - 1 pm, at the center of Historic Irvington, Irvington Town Commons, on King Carter Drive, next to the Steamboat Era Museum.

Retailers such as The Dandelion, Sewlovelee, Irvington Home Goods, and Objects, Art and More are stocking their shelves with the latest Spring merchandise. Visit The Dandelion every third Thursday of the month and receive 20% off a single, full priced item. Join Sewlovelee for its monthly Community Sew-cials.

April showers bring May flowers--and a great excuse to enjoy indoor fun at Compass Entertainment Complex. Watch the latest movies or classic favorites in the cinema for only $8 every Tuesday. Test your skills in the arcade, climb the wall or ropes course, or ride the bumper cars. There's a soft, indoor playground for the little ones and interactive, immersive obstacle course for older kids. Outdoor attractions such as Go-Karts, Batting Cages and Mini Golf are now open, weather permitting.

PS: Look for the opening of the new Deadrise Disc Golf course. Details coming soon.