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SHORE Tour: Rediscover Small Town America Listed from North to South Stem to stern, bayside to seaside the Eastern Shore of Virginia is a treasure trove of historic towns and hidden waterfront hamlets.
Chincoteague Island: This seashore family resort town is famed for its wild ponies but with all it has to offer it’s far from a one horse town. Shopping in the pedestrian-friendly downtown ranges from decoys to dresses, antique to art. Second Saturday Art Stroll’s are popular evening events April –Dec. Wallops Island: Leaving Chincoteague Island stop at the Visitor Center at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and discover what has been going on since 1945 at one of the oldest launch sites in the world. Children love the popular model rocket launches and the new observation deck lets everyone witness the excitement of the real sounding rocket launches. 757-665-5670. Bloxom: Mediterranean flavor flows from a Victorian-era farm home to Bloxom Winery a mile west of Rt. 13. June – December, Fri.-Sun. the beautiful tasting room is open serving pastry chef Francesca’s fresh baked breads and truffles. 757- 665-5670.
Accomac: See this quintessential Southern town while strolling. The Courthouse Green holds court records dating back to 1663. The infamous town building is the one room 1783 Debtor’s prison. Onancock: With a pretty, petite harbor, rows of gingerbread porches, clapboard steeples and old-fashion glass storefronts it’s hard not to be smitten with this charmer chartered in 1680.
Exmore/ Willis Wharf: Enjoy the small downtown which includes a cozy café bakery, antique shops, B&B, the town’s retro-real diner, and even an occasional train excursion. Seafood and lodging are available on the town’s Rt. 13 frontage. Nassawadox: Along east RT 13 is an Italian restaurant –a local’ favorite and gallery gift shop. The west side restaurants include the Great Machipongo Clam Shack the only drive-thru for steam clams known on the East Coast. The hometown pharmacy is noted for its fun gift selection. Franktown: Pass through the west side of Nassawadox and follow the grape signs to visit Holly Grove Vineyards. Here three wines, yielded twelve awards…gold, silver, bronze. Free tours/tastings. 757-442-2844.
Eastville: The historic courthouse green and the nation’s oldest continuous court records lend a genteel sense of history to this pretty porch community. A restored inn serves up gourmet lunch and dinners. A unique shopping experience can be found at an artisans’ gallery that includes a porch filled with glass art. Also in the village is a “green” jewelry design company whose eco -gifts were spotlighted on The Today Show. Need more travel assistance; see the visitor center here. Northampton County Chamber of Commerce 757-678-0010. northamptoncountychamber.com Cheriton & Oyster: This mini-Mayberry, a tiny, friendly town makes for a pleasant Sunday drive any day of the week. Turn north on Sunnyside Road and follow it to the authentic fishing village of Oyster. Cape Charles: At the Southern tip of the peninsula this Cinderella town continues its amazing transformation, recapturing its 1886 glory days when the railroad gave birth to this Victorian beauty. Several B&Bs and a historic inn make staying here a pleasure. Eateries include a posh waterfront restaurant, chic coffee house, Irish Pub, and old fashion soda fountain. The Art Deco Palace Theater spotlights local, regional and national talent. Bay Creek Resort and Club’s upscale marina with shops and restaurants flank the northern side of town. Kiptopeke: A perfect pair for nature lovers is Kiptopeke State Park on the west with sandy beaches, camping, trails, boat launch and fishing pier, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Wildlife Refuge on the east. Its great little nature museum, butterfly trail, bird watching, and kayak launch, let you revel in the Shore’s wild side. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: The 21 mile engineering marvel transports you above and through the breath-taking beauty of the Bay, the perfect introduction to the Eastern Shore’s coastal charms. Fish the pier, enjoy a meal, hit the gift shop, and watch the ships passing by all on the Sea Gull Pier. By permit bird-watching is stellar on the manmade islands. 757-331-2960.On the northern end the welcome mat is out. We’re here to help you at the new Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center opening summer 2009. |
Fresh off the dock seafood is found in a variety of restaurants. Lodging is equally varied from family-owned motels to charming B & Bs. See the island from the water with expert guides. A 1945 movie theatre is a place to catch a flick the old-fashion way. Unspoiled beaches and nature trails along with the Assateague Lighthouse provide outdoor adventures on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The 84th Annual Pony Swim & Auction is July 29–30, sponsored by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. For more information stop by the helpful Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center located on the Maddox Blvd circle. 757-336-6161, chincoteaguechamber.com 
Parksley: Norman Rockwell would have loved this vestige of small town America The meticulously restored railroad station home to the charming Eastern Shore Railroad Museum is situated in the 1885 town square surrounded by quaint shops. 2 miles west off Rt. 13, 20 minutes south of the Maryland line.
Learn its esteemed history at Kerr Place, circa 1800 Federal style house museum. 757-787-8012.The small town sophisticate harbors the most restaurants on the mainland from gourmet bistros to an Irish pub, and an intimate wine bar. Dinner and a movie take on a delightful twist with a far from the multiplex madness, retro movie theater or theatrics at the local playhouse. Enjoy shopping opportunities for art, antiques and garden and home furnishings. The wharf provides safe harbor for visiting boaters, fishing charters, and kayaking tours. A boutique hotel and welcoming B & Bs make extended stays more than tempting. onancock.org
Tangier Island: Unplug from a too busy world and sail back in time from Onancock to this tiny Chesapeake Bay Island where natives speak in an endearing sing-song Elizabethan twang. Here life is lived in the tranquil rhythm of the tides and watermen still carry on the centuries-old tradition of harvesting the waters. Visitors can enjoy the fresh bounty at several of the island’s home-style restaurants. Rent bikes or Tangier taxis – golf carts –to cruise the car-less isle. The new Tangier History Museum & Interpretive Cultural Center and self-guided history walk give insight to the island’s enduring heritage. Pristine sandy beaches are excellent for relaxing. Take a Waterman’s Tour with a Tangier captain and discover the island’s legendary soft-shell crab “farms”. Free kayak rentals and mapped water trails bring you to secluded vistas. Come twilight, rock on the porch of a B & B and listen to the creatures of the marsh softly serenade the island. For more information gotangierisland.com 
Melfa: Along Rt. 13, check out the visitors’ center at the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. Inside the Accomack Airport Park Blue Crab Bay Company offers award-winning regional specialty foods and gifts. At the county airport seek a bird’s eye view of the Eastern Shore’s beautiful coastlines with Chesapeake Aviation Aerial Tours 757-787-2901. Just minutes north on Rt. 13 experience the internationally acclaimed bronze wildlife sculptures at Turner Sculpture. 
Wachapreague: Know as the “Little City by the Sea” and “Flounder Capital of the World”, this town of 250 residents’ shines with small town friendliness. Its setting along emerald green marshes is the scene stealer. Marinas provide an active charter fishing fleet, boat slip rentals, bait and tackle shop, boat and kayak rentals to explore the pristine barrier islands. If eating fresh seafood with amazing water views is your thing, stop on by or stay over. wachapreague.com 
Machipongo: Just further south at the historic former “poorhouse farm” is the intriguing Barrier Islands Center. Though the Eastern Shore’s chain of seaside barrier islands are mostly deserted now the museum preserves through relics and guided tours the fascinating tales of those who once called these shifting sands home. 757-787-5514.
On the southern side its two nationally ranked golf courses designed by golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer intersect along stunning water vistas. Resort rentals are also available. Get on track with the vintage Bay Creek Railway dining excursions. Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism ~ P.O. Box 72 ~ Tasley
Virginia ~ 23441
E-mail: info@esvatourism.org ~ 757.787.8268
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