“You’ll love our nature”, promises Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

But, what’s not to love?

The Eastern Shore offers outdoor activities that include everything from kayaking through wildlife refuges, hiking birding trails, eco-touring the Barrier Islands to just walking miles of pristine beaches looking for shells and beach glass.

Located on the Southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Eastern Shore may feel like a world away from the hectic pace of crowded cities and rush hour traffic, but it is easily accessible via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel, a destination in itself, is a modern marvel, that spans 17.6 miles and connects Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore, with breathtaking views along the way.

Kiptopeke State Park
Once you’ve crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Kiptopeke State Park lies only 3 miles away. It offers 5 new, modern sun-filled cabins that sleep 16, RV and tent camping, and a group camping ‘yurt’, ( part cabin; part tent). The Park, a 640 acre site, offers 4276 feet of beach frontage along the Chesapeake Bay. Here, enjoy swimming, sunbathing, boating, and fishing. There are also interpretive naturalist programs, environmental educational workshops & birding opportunities for the novice to the serious birder.

Southesat Expeditions will help you take time to unwind and enjoy nature with a 2 hour kayak trip through the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. Available every day. The Wildlife Refuge tour is a perfect introduction to kayaking on the Eastern Shore. Each Tour begins with a brief paddling clinic so that you can learn all the skills you need to explore our favorite marsh in search of birds, crabs, and peace of mind.

Cape Charles
Just a short distance from Kiptopeke State Park, lies Cape Charles, a delightfully charming town. Here you will find Cape Charles Beach, one of only 2 public beaches on the Eastern shore, which extends ½ mile along Bay Avenue. You’ll know it by the Pavilion, one of the Town’s prominent landmarks.

For delicious dining, visit:
Kelly’s Gingernut Pub- a 1907 renovated bank building. Dine in the former bank vault- which still sports a heavy steel door- and enjoy a brew from owner Gene Kelly’s wide variety of 12 brews, while dining on succulent crab cakes that are mostly crab and very little ‘cake’. Mariah’s at Tower Hill - a Bed/ Breakfast & Inn is a 50 seat full service fine dining restaurant and five bedroom Inn owned & operated by Melanie Brown & her husband Timothy, an award- winning chef. The Chesapeake - Specializes in Crab - with Crab Cakes, Crab Imperial, Crab Soupboules as well as innovative seafood dishes with the infused styling of Asian, new southern, low country and Chesapeake Bay cuisine. Cape Charles Coffee House - a historic 2 story, 1910 renovated bank building serves specialty coffee (including their signature ‘Café Cape Charles’), desserts, as well as breakfast & lunch. Rayfields - an old-fashioned soda fountain serves up nostalgia and good food. Aqua, in the new Bay Creek's Marina Village, offers a varied menu. Executive Chef Amy Brandt brings out the finest of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean with her exciting dishes of the freshest seafood and local produce of the Eastern Shore

While in Cape Charles, visit Bad Girlz Collective; it’s a fun eclectic shop filled with unique gifts, boutique clothes and some very unique ‘wall art’ aquariums. While there, ask owner Andie Morgan about her interesting assortment of aquarium ‘critters’.

Extend your stay, overnight, and enjoy the comfort and hospitality of Cape Charles’ accommodations:
Cape Charles Hotel Historic Inn - is a Historic 17 room hotel located just 2 blocks from the beach in Cape Charles' Historic District on Virginia's beautiful Eastern Shore. The nicely decorated guest rooms are furnished with art and period antiques. Cape Charles House B & B - The Colonial Revival 1912 B & B is large and opulent with a wide wrap-around front porch and a grand foyer. Guest rooms have individual bathrooms, sitting areas, ceiling fans and climate control. Complimentary tea and sweets; wine and cheese. Gourmet breakfasts are unique and delicious.

Machipongo
Continue up Rt 13 at the former historic  “poorhouse farm” to the Barrier Islands Center. This museum houses artifacts, photographs and history about the early inhabitants of the Barrier Islands. Nearby, plan on visiting the tasting room at Chatham Vineyards, a family-owned winery that has won numerous medals. Better yet, buy a bottle and enjoy a picnic on this 300 acre plantation site along the banks of a bay creek. Looking for a place to buy that picnic to bring to Chatham? Visit the ‘Eastern Shore’s Seafood Outlet Store’, Great Machipongo Clam Shack and pick up lunch first. You can even buy seafood there to take home and stock your freezer... they even ship, anywhere, overnight. If your tastebuds are in the mood for more wine tasting, travel a little further on Rt. 13 to Franktown  and Holly Grove Vineyards. Though a relatively new winery, Holly Grove’s 3 wines have taken 5 medals!

Onancock
Further up the Shore, lies the captivating and picturesque town of Onancock. It is a boutique community offering fine dining, beautiful, historic B & Bs, shopping, theater, natural and gourmet food shops, art galleries, antique shops and a deep water port with easy access to the Chesapeake.

There are a variety of wonderful places to dine in the town, including:
The Charlotte Hotel and Restaurant - an 8 room boutique hotel featuring an award-winning 33 seat restaurant. The restaurant offers Creative American cuisine featuring products supplied by local watermen, farmers, and area businesses. Everything is house-made, including the ice cream! The artwork throughout the hotel is that of owner Charlotte Heath. In addition to originals, selected works are offered as limited edition prints which may be purchased from Next Door Gallery which is adjacent to the hotel. Flamenco Restaurant - whose extensive menu offers European preparation of local produce; also uses European bread, garlic & herbs oil. Everything is cooked to order. After dinner you can feel free to dance in their dance bar. The Inn & Garden Cafe is a 50 seat fine dining restaurant. Guests may choose either the intimate dining room with a cozy fireplace, or their new four season window-walled gazebo with broad views of the gardens. Saturday Dinner and Sunday Brunch & Afternoon Dinner offer exceptional food worthy of a destination restaurant. Sunday Supper is a complete, fixed price 3-course meal featuring simple, time-honored dishes, served family style. Bizzotto’s Gallery - Caffe - Open for lunch and dinner, specializes in international cuisine, such as fresh seafood and the finest local crab. Be sure to check out Miguel Bizzotto’s (master leather craftsman) fine handbags and briefcases which are featured gallery items at the Gallery in the historic town.

While strolling through Onancock, do not miss gardenART, located on King Street. It is filled with “wares and whimsys for garden and home” - truly a treat to explore! Owner Joani Donohoe has recently become a member of Pet-Friendly Onancock. Well- behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!

Plan on staying a night or more in Onancock to fully enjoy it, especially since there are accommodations in this town as much a class act as the town, itself, including: The Charlotte Hotel - mentioned, above for their fine cuisine and the beautiful artwork of owner Charlotte Heath, is also noteworthy for its style and class. Charlotte’s art also graces the walls, the floors ( yes, even the floors are Trompe L'Oeil) and some of the furniture - all built by her husband Gary Cochran. Noteworthy, as well, are the Queen size memory-foam mattresses, plush bedding, including high thread-count sheets, ceramic showers and "rain-shower" heads and the Egyptian cotton towels. For truly ‘civilized luxury’, there’s The Inn at Onancock. There are 5, individually-themed rooms, each with feather-topped beds with plump down-filled pillows, a comfortable reading chair and desk. Private spa-style bathrooms include two-person air jet tubs, a five-jet massaging shower panel, or an antique claw-foot tub. A towel warmer will make your fluffy white towels cozy. And while you’re waiting for your tub to fill, slip into one of The Inn’s signature cotton robes and relax. Enjoy Wine-Down Hour from 6-7 p.m. and indulge in a full gourmet breakfast served daily at 8:30 a.m

Chincoteague
Definitely made famous in “Misty of Chincoteague” by author Marguerite Henry, Chincoteague continues to enthrall visitors with its herd of wild ponies. Every summer, the ponies swim across the Assateague Channel where they are auctioned off to keep the herd down to a size that can be sustained by the vegetation that grows in the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge Center. Funds from the sale of the ponies support the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and are used to maintain their equipment and facilities.

Of major significance on the island of Chincoteague, Assateague and Morris Island is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest. The refuge is home to a variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic species, threatened and endangered species and is also one of the top five shorebird migratory staging areas in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. The refuge also provides environmental education and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, interpretation, and wildlife photography and is one of the most visited national wildlife refuges in the United States. There are a variety of walking and hiking trails with access to bird & wildlife viewing. The Woodland Trail has a pony overlook, where you can view and photograph the wild herd. Check with the staff at the Refuge for recommendations for viewing conditions. While here, be sure to visit the Assateague Island Lighthouse which is easily accessed via one of the trails. The Lighthouse is an active navigational aid and is in the National Register of Historic places. The Assateague Lighthouse is open every Friday thru Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm, Easter weekend thru Thanksgiving weekend. Bus tours are available from Chincoteague Refuge, March through November and tickets can be purchased directly at the Visitor Center or through the Chincoteague Natural History Association.

Eco-Tours are an exciting way to get close to all that the area has to offer. Viewing wildlife - including ponies - birding, clamming, crabbing and exploring private beaches on the barrier islands will make the trip to Chincoteague and Assateague a truly memorable experience. Hop aboard Capt Barry’s Back Bay Cruises for a Birding & Nature Tour, a Champagne Sunset Cruise or a Coastal Encounter. Explore the Barrier Islands aboard Chincoteague Cruises with Capt Charlie who will help you, explore and get close to pony families or even go barrier island surfing!

Island accommodations include everything from rentals to B & Bs. For the charm and hospitality exclusive to B & Bs, visit the very charming and romantic 1848 Island Manor House, which offers 8 guest rooms - many with water views- a beautiful brick garden courtyard with fountain and lovely, well-appointed rooms. Or, stay in the very historic Miss Molly’s, where Marguerite Henry wrote “Misty of Chincoteague”. The Watson House was a recipient of Chincoteague’s restoration award, or the Channel Bass Inn which has been awarded a 3-star rating by Mobil. There you can enjoy afternoon tea - a 4 course affair that also includes the innkeeper’s famous scones (Barbara Wiendenheft is from England).

There are numerous restaurants on the island. A local favorite for grabbing a hearty sandwich or wrap to go, is the gourmet carry-out, Sea Star. Take your lunch to the beach, on the boat or enjoy their casual al fresco patio. Another restaurant known for its seafood is Village Restaurant and Lounge which offers waterfront dining overlooking Eel Creek. For “Fine dining Island Style”, try Bill’s Restaurant. Their extensive menu includes everything from seafoood to steak; they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For everyone visiting Chincoteague who loved the classic children’s book, “Misty of Chincoteague”, do take time to visit the Roxy Theatre directly across from the beautiful bronze statue of Misty on Main Street. There you will find her hoof prints and name scrawled in the cement. In the 50’s, she strolled through the aisles at the opening of her movie,“Misty”. And, if you listen closely... you might almost hear her whinny! DP