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Eastern Shore of Virginia, Melfa, VA

Photo: Patrick Nouhailler's…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingOutdoor AdventureLocal Gem

Eastern Shore of Virginia

· Melfa, VA

Why you should go…

Virginia's Eastern Shore is a narrow peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, dotted with small fishing towns such as Cape Charles. Visitors come for barrier-island wildlife refuges, working waterfronts, and access to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

  • #eastern shore
  • #virginia
  • #fishing towns
  • #barrier islands
  • #coastal

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Eastern Shore of Virginia, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Cape Charles

    Free

    A walkable Chesapeake Bay town on Virginia's Eastern Shore with a sandy public beach and historic downtown.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

    Under $25

    A 17.6-mile toll crossing of the Chesapeake Bay mouth with a scenic overlook and gift shop at the North Toll Plaza.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

    Under $25

    Watch Chincoteague ponies graze in the salt marsh, look for shorebirds and walk an undeveloped Atlantic beach.

    32 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Worcester County

    Free

    Maryland's only oceanfront county, home to Ocean City's boardwalk and Assateague Island.

    42 mi awayMore like this

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    The Country House

    Free

    Large home decor and gift retailer near Ocean City known for farmhouse, coastal and seasonal merchandise.

    51 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Assateague Island National Seashore

    $25–$50

    Watch wild horses graze the marshes and beach on a 37-mile barrier island with camping, beach walks and nature trails.

    53 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor