West Point is a charming little town that sits on the peninsula where the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers meet to form the York River. The community’s culture is shaped by its unique location, where boating, fishing and crabbing are a big part of life between the rivers.
This quaint river town packs a surprising amount into just a few square miles. Along 14th Street, the main commercial corridor through West Point, you’ll find grocery stores, fast food, shops and other everyday conveniences. Turn onto Main Street and the scene becomes much more residential, with historic homes and churches lining the road, and a small pocket of locally owned shops and restaurants.
The rivers have been part of West Point’s history and economy for generations. The paper mill remains a familiar presence along the waterfront and a longstanding part of the town’s industrial roots.
The popular public school district also plays a role in attracting homebuyers to West Point, while festivals, parades and other events make the town even more appealing to those looking for a community with a small-town heart.
With West Point about halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg, living here also comes with a financial advantage: Drive 30 minutes. Save $100,000. Buyers can get more for their money in West Point while still being within commuting distance of both cities.
Historic homes, new construction and waterfront properties
West Point can look surprisingly different from block to block. Many streets are lined with mature trees, and homes often sit right by the road. Century-old homes give West Point much of its historic charm, with Victorians, Colonial Revivals and Queen Annes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. They’re mixed with Craftsman-style homes and bungalows from the 1920s and ‘30s, along with mid-century ranches. For years, buyers have been choosing from these existing homes, but new houses and small developments have been popping up more frequently, giving homebuyers some modern options. Closer to the river, the area opens up to stretches of marsh and wide views of the water. That’s where you’ll find West Point’s waterfront homes, many of which feature private docks.
West Point Public Schools
West Point Public Schools is made up of West Point Elementary School and West Point Middle/High School. In 2025, the middle/high school earned a Distinguished designation, the highest rating under Virginia’s new School Performance and Support Framework. That same year, West Point Elementary ranked among the top 5 schools in Region 3 for reading, math and science mastery. The school was also named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2022.
Seafood, local restaurants and shopping in West Point
West Point has several small businesses, many located on or near Main Street. Tony & George’s Seafood & Italian Restaurant has been a community staple for more than 30 years. Other local spots include The Pie Lady and Blue Crab Restaurant. Three Rivers Seafood serves as a fresh seafood market and restaurant with outdoor dining along the Mattaponi River. Captain Johnny’s Crab House sits along the Pamunkey and specializes in fresh and steamed blue crabs to take home.
Local shops include West Point Antiques, 4 Paws Thrift Store and Divin’ Off the Dock, a coastal boutique and gift shop located in a building that originally served as West Point’s first Town Hall in 1894.
West Point also has several familiar fast-food chains, grocery stores and national retailers, including Food Lion, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Advance Auto Parts and Ace Hardware.
Boating, fishing and crabbing are a way of life
With three rivers surrounding West Point, much of the recreation here happens on the water. The West Point Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp on the Mattaponi provide a convenient place to cast a line or launch a boat onto the river. Riverwalk Park features a quarter-mile trail that runs along the Mattaponi River and West Point Creek, with part of the trail passing under the Lord Delaware Bridge. At the end of town where the rivers meet, Beach Park offers a small space to relax in the sand, swim in the water or launch a kayak.
The West Point Crab Carnival and other annual events
The West Point Crab Carnival is the town’s biggest event of the year, drawing more than 15,000 people every October for a two-day celebration with seafood, vendors, live music, a parade and fireworks. For more than 40 years, the festival has brought the community together to celebrate the blue crab and the rivers that are such a big part of West Point’s identity.
Other events throughout the year include Jammin’ on the Point, farmers markets, Food Trucks by the River and Christmas on the Town, which includes the town’s annual Christmas parade.