A quaint, little riverside town where the Potomac River meets the Occoquan River, just about one mile before the dreadful entrance to Interstate 95, complete with unspeakable traffic, countless gas stations with their neon signs screaming for your business, and one landmark Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant that appears to be holding on for dear life.
For decades, our family usually bypassed the street to turn into Historic Occoquan, on our way to the Atlantic Ocean; either Virginia Beach or the Outer Banks, NC. We would always stop at the KFC years ago, to grab “lap top” kids meals, before jumping on Interstate 95.
We took the kids to Historic Occoquan once, with our new puppy, years ago. We did not find the town to be very kid or dog friendly at that time, and decided to spend our Saturdays elsewhere.
Fast forward to December, 2025.
There is a scenic little waterfront restaurant right in the heart of town. Naturally, I had to step inside to see if it looked the same as it did in the early days of marriage, circa 1994-1995, where my husband and I (pre-kids!) would often enjoy a meal and live music following a busy week, on a Saturday night. Every now and again, I would get up and sing a song or two with the band.
Sure enough, the restaurant looks exactly the same as I remember, minus a new and brightly colored chalkboard at the entrance, announcing all the upcoming and regular events in the month of December.
“Hot Cocoa and Kayaks, with Santa!”
“Line Dancing Saturday Nights!”
“Karaoke on Thursdays!”
I took a walk through the restaurant to see the view of the Occoquan River from the beautiful, heated solarium off the back, and sure enough, just outside the windows were rows and rows of neon colored kayaks, all stacked up for the winter. I guess they are planning to break them out for Hot Cocoa and Kayaks, with Santa next weekend…. ? It wouldn’t be the first time “Santa” gets to take center stage on a water vessel in this part of the world. I have never seen it live, but apparently Santa enjoys waterskiing as well in December, down near Old Town Alexandria.
There was an alluring group of birds on a center island out in the river, and they caught my eye as well. The day was chilly and the sky overcast, but not freezing, and those little creatures looked quite content, without a care in the world.
I took an exit through a side door off the solarium and made my way up a tricky set of cobblestone stairs, to the little groups of neighboring shops. There was a fancy toy and baby item shop and a unique stationary store; each store perfectly arranged with eye-pleasing items for sale, and then, one of those shops you walk into with a very eclectic group of “home and garden” items, no patterns or themes, and no apparent rhyme or reason to the displays in the store.
I spent the most time in the chaotic little shop, with the obligatory fountain and a few small coy fish in the back right corner, but it was still impossible to take it all in during one brief visit. I picked up a strange, multi-colored garden tool made of stone, and to this minute, I have no idea what it was. I started to ask the shopkeeper, but she was busy explaining another mysterious item and its’ purpose to a more serious buyer. I could have spent the whole day in there.
As I stepped back outside and met a fierce winter breeze, I noticed there were shops upstairs as well, in a structure that reminded me of a giant, custom made dollhouse.
I decided to climb the stairs to the upstairs level, and take a peek at the boutique shops located there as well.
At the very top of the staircase, I took two steps toward a different perspective of the river, and this movement allowed me a glimpse into the outside patio of another little restaurant, perfectly situated under a bridge and alongside a little dock. The view was so unexpected, I felt a little like a child peering through a snow globe into a different world.
The restaurant did not appear to be open in that moment, but all the brightly colored table umbrellas and chairs, juxtaposed against the gray skies and the winterized version of the Occoquan River, took my breath away.
Here is my photo of the enchanting moment in time.
