Seeking a good spot for a "day-cation?" Consider Gloucester Point, where in a small area you can launch your boat to tour the York River, lie on the beach, fish from a public pier, study nature and U.S. history, and indulge your passion for art—all without crossing the Coleman Bridge.

The Gazette-Journal this week continues its series on "Hometown Treasures" with a focus on the Gloucester Point getaway. Minutes from the rushing traffic of Route 17 you will find all of the above, enough to fill a day with appreciation of this concentration of local history and attractions.

Gloucester Point Beach

A crown jewel of the county’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the Gloucester Point Beach offers a popular area year-round for swimming, sunbathing, fishing and water-watching, along with boat ramps for a saltwater escape. It is also, however, most historic, having figured prominently in two wars and served as a commercial focus since Virginia&...