Day Trips
There are a number of attractions that are within about an hour or two drive from Cape Charles:
About a 45 minute drive north on route 13 a very beautiful quaint town with shopping, coffee shops, art galleries, Watermen's museum, and award winning restaurants.
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Onancock
About a 45 minute drive north on route 13 a very beautiful quaint town with shopping, coffee shops, art galleries, Watermen's museum, and award winning restaurants.
Visit Colonial Williamsburg or the Jamestown Settlement, also home to amusement parks like Busch Gardens or Water Country!
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Williamsburg
Visit Colonial Williamsburg or the Jamestown Settlement, also home to amusement parks like Busch Gardens or Water Country!
If you're looking for some entertainment across the bay, Virginia Beach has numerous shopping opportunities, numerous restaurants, art galleries, and an aquarium the kids (and adults) will love.
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Virginia Beach
If you're looking for some entertainment across the bay, Virginia Beach has numerous shopping opportunities, numerous restaurants, art galleries, and an aquarium the kids (and adults) will love.
Wine Tasting
The only vineyard located on the Eastern Shore is about a 35 minute drive north on the shore Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek, stop in for a wine tasting, a flight or heck take a bottle or two home for the front porch! The winery is family owned and operated, and the farm it sits on has been a working farm for over four centuries.
9232 Chatham Road | Machipongo, VA 23405
https://www.chathamvineyards.net/
757-678-5588
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Chatham Vineyards & Winery
9232 Chatham RdThe only vineyard located on the Eastern Shore is about a 35 minute drive north on the shore Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek, stop in for a wine tasting, a flight or heck take a bottle or two home for the front porch! The winery is family owned and operated, and the farm it sits on has been a working farm for over four centuries.
9232 Chatham Road | Machipongo, VA 23405
https://www.chathamvineyards.net/
757-678-5588
The gourmet market features local artisanal chocolates, breads, and cheeses. They also have a large selection of wines and beers to pair with your treats!
We suggest trying to make it to a free Wine Tasting every Friday: 4:30pm – 6pm and Saturday 2pm – 5:30pm.
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Gull Hummock Gourmet Market
115 Mason AveThe gourmet market features local artisanal chocolates, breads, and cheeses. They also have a large selection of wines and beers to pair with your treats!
We suggest trying to make it to a free Wine Tasting every Friday: 4:30pm – 6pm and Saturday 2pm – 5:30pm.
Parks & Nature Preserves
Pristine beaches and herds of feral horses, definitely worth the drive!
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Assateague Island
Pristine beaches and herds of feral horses, definitely worth the drive!
The Eastern Shore is one of the most important stop-overs for the migration of songbirds, butterflies, and raptors during their journey south. We recommend stopping in the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, has a great interactive and educational center just before getting to the trails. The National Wildlife Refuge around the corner has easy walking trails, an old World War II bunker, and a panoramic salt marsh overlook. If you are lucky you may be able to spot the Cape Charles Lighthouse (the second tallest in the US) off in the distance.
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Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
The Eastern Shore is one of the most important stop-overs for the migration of songbirds, butterflies, and raptors during their journey south. We recommend stopping in the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, has a great interactive and educational center just before getting to the trails. The National Wildlife Refuge around the corner has easy walking trails, an old World War II bunker, and a panoramic salt marsh overlook. If you are lucky you may be able to spot the Cape Charles Lighthouse (the second tallest in the US) off in the distance.
My personal favorite! Here you'll find a serene undisturbed beach, 3 marked hiking trails, and your chance at seeing the rare population of northeastern beach tiger beetles.
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Savage Neck Dunes State Natural Area Preserve
2186 Savage Neck RdMy personal favorite! Here you'll find a serene undisturbed beach, 3 marked hiking trails, and your chance at seeing the rare population of northeastern beach tiger beetles.
On the Atlantic side is about 20 minutes south on 13. Easy walking nature trails, the “445-acre preserve encompasses woodlands, forested wetlands and extensive salt marshes. These communities provide habitat for a variety of coastal species. Waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds forage in the salt marsh for mussel, snails, fish and crustaceans. Diamondback terrapins and clapper rails are common on the mud flats.”
Magothy Bay State Natural Area Preserve
35540 Kiptopeke DrOn the Atlantic side is about 20 minutes south on 13. Easy walking nature trails, the “445-acre preserve encompasses woodlands, forested wetlands and extensive salt marshes. These communities provide habitat for a variety of coastal species. Waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds forage in the salt marsh for mussel, snails, fish and crustaceans. Diamondback terrapins and clapper rails are common on the mud flats.”
Located ~10 miles south of Cape Charles off Route 13. Swimming beach, fishing pier, picnic area, dog friendly nature trails, and historic World War II concrete ships in the near distance.
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Kiptopeke State Park
3540 Kiptopeke DrLocated ~10 miles south of Cape Charles off Route 13. Swimming beach, fishing pier, picnic area, dog friendly nature trails, and historic World War II concrete ships in the near distance.
Our Favorite Local Restaurants
For a small town we sure do eat well!
Due to COVID-19 restrictions we recommend if you have a large party we recommend calling restaurants ahead of your arrival to ask about their capacity/reservation availability.
A laid back restaurant and bar that overlooks the town’s marina, with beautiful sunset views! Happy Hour is Monday- Friday 3-6pm!
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The Shanty
33 Marina RdA laid back restaurant and bar that overlooks the town’s marina, with beautiful sunset views! Happy Hour is Monday- Friday 3-6pm!
A pizza parlour and sub shop using quality ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. The oils and vinegars are also locally sourced from Drizzles - A Tasting Shop.
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Deadrise Pies
425 Mason AveA pizza parlour and sub shop using quality ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. The oils and vinegars are also locally sourced from Drizzles - A Tasting Shop.
A pharmacy and a local’s hangout for breakfast with a soda fountain and ice cream. Get there early for a quaint and quick meal. Breakfast is served until 10:30 AM.
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Rayfield's Pharmacy
2 Fig StA pharmacy and a local’s hangout for breakfast with a soda fountain and ice cream. Get there early for a quaint and quick meal. Breakfast is served until 10:30 AM.
A production brewery and brewpub locally owned and family operated with an impressive line up of beers and large menu! Live music weekly.
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Cape Charles Brewing Company
2198 Stone RdA production brewery and brewpub locally owned and family operated with an impressive line up of beers and large menu! Live music weekly.
Family owned and operated restaurant with southern home cooked food.
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Tim's Place
8 Peach StreetFamily owned and operated restaurant with southern home cooked food.
A neat restaurant in a bank built in 1907, have lunch/dinner or a beer in the old vault or throw some darts while you’re there.
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Kelly's Gingernut Pub
133 Mason AveA neat restaurant in a bank built in 1907, have lunch/dinner or a beer in the old vault or throw some darts while you’re there.
Whole cakes or sweet treats for any special occasion! Stop in for coffee and breakfast or a delicious sandwich.
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Coastal Baking Co.
555 Mason AveWhole cakes or sweet treats for any special occasion! Stop in for coffee and breakfast or a delicious sandwich.
Breads, pastries, and sandwiches made daily! The majority of their breads are based on a rustic sourdough that relies solely on wild Eastern Shore yeast.
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The Bakery on Mason
236 Mason AveBreads, pastries, and sandwiches made daily! The majority of their breads are based on a rustic sourdough that relies solely on wild Eastern Shore yeast.
A fine dining upscale waterfront bistro. Make sure you book a reservation! (last reservations at 8:00 p.m.)
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Hook U Up Gourmet
1011 Bayshore RdA fine dining upscale waterfront bistro. Make sure you book a reservation! (last reservations at 8:00 p.m.)
An authentic Italian dining experience with fresh ingredients and made from scratch pastas.
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Ambrogia
321 Mason AveAn authentic Italian dining experience with fresh ingredients and made from scratch pastas.
Head south on route 13 to visit a fun beachside tiki bar. Many people will park their boats in the waters nearby and come to shore for free live music and beach parties on the weekends.
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The Jackspot at Sunset Beach
32246 Lankford HwyHead south on route 13 to visit a fun beachside tiki bar. Many people will park their boats in the waters nearby and come to shore for free live music and beach parties on the weekends.
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Ukuzulazula
Golf Carts are a preferred mode of transportation in town.
Reserve a golf cart prior to your stay, as there is limited supply (especially during busy peak summer months). Rentals are available from two places in town:
Eastern Shore Custom Carts
713 Randolph Ave
Cape Charles, VA 23310
https://www.escustomcarts.com/
757-999-2278
C.C. Ryder Rentals
415 Mason Ave
Cape Charles, VA 23310
http://capecharlesgolfcarts.com/
757-678-3239
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Kayak/Paddleboard rentals & Guided Tours.
Southeast Expeditions- (rental delivery options available)
Email: Info@SoutheastExpeditions.com
https://www.southeastexpeditions.com/tours
757-350-0795
Poseidon Watersports-Bike, boat, jet ski, kayak & paddleboard rentals available
11 Marina Rd
Cape Charles, VA 23310
https://poseidonwatersportsva.com/
757-902-0400
Captain Pete at Eastern Shore Boat Tours:
Private boat tours (6 people max) available around the eastern shore and barrier islands
email: captainpete@easternshoreboattour.com