Natural Beauty: Virginia's Eastern Shore

You deserve a getaway. Come ... Taste fresh-from-the-tides seafood. Smell the ocean's breeze. Feel complete relaxation wash over you. This is Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Day 1:

Go the way of the birds at Kiptopeke State Park, a top 15 Hawk observation site and layover point along the bird migration route. Hike or bike the four miles of trails, take a dip in the Chesapeake Bay or pier fish. Want to venture into Cape Charles? Enjoy a sandwich (or skip to the dessert menu) at Cape Charles Coffee House and then peruse the galleries and shops. Stop by Brown Dog Ice Cream for a sweet treat and then stroll down to the town’s free public beach. Stay in a Kiptopeke lodge, RV or yurt for a quiet night among the pines or book at room at the Hotel Cape Charles for a relaxing stay in a posh hotel. Head to The Shanty for fresh seafood and a sunset you won't soon forget.

Day 2:

Splurge today! Golf at Bay Creek Resort and Club, one of the few golf courses in the country with greens on the water. Make your way north to Machipongo for a wine tasting at Chatham Vineyards. Then stop by the Barrier Islands Center for a history lesson about the thriving communities that once existed on Virginia’s barrier islands. Head to Onancock for dinner and a good night’s sleep, consider The Charlotte Hotel, offering on-site dining, for a boutique hotel experience or spend an evening lounging on the front porch at the Inn at Onancock for a romantic B&B experience. The Blarney Stone Pub is a great place for dinner with the kids and Mallards at the Wharf is the perfect place to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset. 

Day 3:

It's Chincoteague Island Time! Stroll down Main Street and check out the shops and galleries. Take a photo at the giant Adirondack chairs in Robert Reed Waterfront Park. Grab a bite to eat downtown or check out the restaurants on Maddox Boulevard. Share undeveloped beaches with the famous Ponies at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge or climb the Assateague Lighthouse. It's a perfect way to work up an appetite for a sweet homemade treat at Island Creamery, and a beautiful end to your Eastern Shore getaway.

Onancock

Capt. John Smith called the area of Onancock "the Gem of the Eastern Shore" in the 1600s…

Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague Island, at the northeastern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, is part of Accomack…