Beach Escapes: Unwinding on Virginia's Coastal Getaways, including Virginia Beach and Chincoteague Island
The coastline of Virginia is an unforgettable place, with its stunning beaches, and it can make for a perfect break destination if all you need is to unwind. Besides the lively Virginia Beach where the boardwalk bustles with life, a fairly secluded beach of Chincoteague offers its visitors a number of other options to be the protagonist of their own story.
Remember to continue reading below for information about Virginia’s top coastal escapes as well as ideas to help you make your beach vacation in Virginia a great experience.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is absolutely famous for its "World's Longest Pleasure Beach," which measures as a meridian of 35 miles, along the Atlantic Ocean.
As being known as a popular coastal resort on the East Coast, Virginia Beach features warm waters streaking sandy beaches forming a line of restaurants and hotels along the waterfront.
Accommodations
There are options to check-in at the luxury beachfront resorts, hotels, and condos, and these are only minutes from the beach, while a comfortable hotel room or a piece of condo is available for more budget-friendly options elsewhere within walking distance to the beach.
The Cavalier Hotel and Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront are the 2 options for luxury lodging literally on the sand. For people who want it easy on their pockets, but still wouldn't be short of a travel experience, hotel chains like Holiday Inn, Best Western, and La Quinta are conveniently a short drive inland.
Things to Do
Virginia Beach caters to all ages and interests. Families flock to the beach for swimming, building sandcastles, mini golf, go-karts, and amusement park rides. The 3-mile boardwalk features outdoor cafés, shops, concerts at the bandshell, and the Old Coast Guard Station with exhibits on local maritime history.
Nature lovers will enjoy biking or jogging along the boardwalk, fishing from the pier, kayaking on Back Bay, and exploring First Landing State Park just north of the resort area. History buffs can tour the Cape Henry Lighthouse dating back to 1792. And thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss taking a hang gliding flight for a bird’s eye view of the coastline.
Dining
Visitors can find almost any cuisine along the oceanfront, from all-you-can-eat seafood buffets to family-friendly diners to fine dining restaurants with ocean views.
For cheaper eats, grab pizza by the slice along Atlantic Avenue or a burger and fries at the neighborhood pubs a few blocks inland. No trip to Virginia Beach is complete without trying local specialties like she-crab soup, fresh caught seafood, and saltwater taffy from Candy Kitchen, which has been in business since 1915.
Chincoteague Island
For a more remote beach escape, head to Chincoteague Island, located over 150 miles north along Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Connected to the mainland by just a narrow causeway, Chincoteague offers miles of quiet, uncrowded beaches with beautiful views over Assateague Channel.
Accommodations
Inns, motels, and rental cottages are available on Chincoteague Island to suit different budgets. Many are pet-friendly, since the island is known for the annual Pony Swim event when wild Chincoteague ponies swim across the channel from Assateague Island. The Island Motor Inn or Refuge Inn are reasonably priced options within walking distance of the main beach.
Things to Do
Swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing for shells, and fishing are popular pastimes along the shores of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Explore Assateague’s remote beaches by booking a Jeep tour or renting over-sand vehicles. S
ign up for a kayak tour through the salt marsh wetlands rich in birds and wildlife. Wander around downtown Chincoteague’s shops and seafood restaurants, or ride the miniature trains and grab homemade ice cream near the carnival midway.
Don’t miss the Museum of Chincoteague Island to learn about the island’s fascinating history and culture. And be sure to visit the Chincoteague Pony Centre to see foals and learn more about the wild pony herd made famous by the children’s book, Misty of Chincoteague.
Conclusion
From the lively Virginia Beach oceanfront to the remote refuge beaches on Chincoteague Island, Virginia’s coastal escapes provide the perfect settings to relax and recharge.
With miles of sandy shores, refreshing waters, coastal cuisine, and attractions ranging from high-flying thrill rides to wild pony herds, beach lovers will find their ideal coastal getaway along Virginia’s shores.
