Virginia’s Eastern Shore – A Taste of The Ocean
Virginia’s Coastal Eastern Shore mixes history and natural beauty to craft an intoxicating vacation and adventure destination like no other place in America.
Accessed from 17.5-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, the Delmarva Peninsula is just minutes from the big city yet feels like it’s on another continent. Green and rolling, you’ll discover time-forgotten islands and quaint towns.
Bring your appetite because the Eastern Shore is one of the nation’s best places for seafood. Fresh oysters are on the menu almost anywhere or if you want them even fresher you can harvest them yourself. Love the taste of crab? The bay grows some of the best in the world!
After a taste of history? Check out the Court Green Historic District or the mysterious Tomb of Custis. The Barrier Islands Center explains the region’s history and culture, while in Onancock you can stop in at the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Virginia
Time for sand and surf? Check out the quiet beaches in Cape Charles or remote and beautiful Gargathy Beach. And who can miss the ponies of Chincoteague? They might be the state’s most famous residents!
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Wildlife Abounds on The Eastern Shore
Virginia’s best wildlife viewing is found on the Delmarva Peninsula. Mockhorn Island State Wildlife Refuge is home to tidal marshes teeming with resident and migratory bird life. Visit the tiny William B. Trower Bayshore Natural Area Preserve to investigate dune life, while Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve protects freshwater wetlands. The area’s favorite animals, of course, are the ponies of Chincoteague – there are about 150 who call Virginia home.
Have an Outdoor Adventure on Virginia’s Coastal Eastern Shore
Looking for outdoor adventure? Look no further than Virginia’s Coastal Eastern Shore. Grab a surfboard and ride the beach breaks at Assateague Island or rent a kite surfer and head to Guard Shore. Hikers will find lots of trails to cover – lace up your boots and head to Tall Pines, Trails End, Guard Shore, or Brownsville Preserve. Road bikers will find miles of empty asphalt to pedal – popular rides head to Craddockville and Pungoteague.
Hit the Road for An Eastern Shore Road Trip!
Take a road trip like no other when you venture across Virginia’s Coastal Eastern Shore. Start in Norfolk then hop on the 17.5-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which soars over then dives under the bay – make sure to stop at one of the island pullouts along the way. Stop in at the Eastern Shore Visitor Center then set off to discover wild beaches, wildlife refuges, small town artisans, and quaint villages.
The Eastern Shore Is All About the Beach
You’ll find windswept expanses of white sand, rolling dunes, and small-town beaches when you visit Virginia’s Coastal Eastern Shore. Kiptopeke has a wedge of white sand sheltered water thanks to an offshore breakwater. The William B. Trower Bayshore Natural Area has remote sandy beaches and great wildlife spotting opportunities. Want to escape civilization? Charter a boat or pilot your own and offshore to discover uninhabited islands like Wreck, Cobb, and Broadwater.