If you’re looking to hit the shore but are hoping for calm waters and small-town charm, then Cape Charles is the perfect destination for you!

We spent a long weekend in this nearby locale so we could sniff out all the best things to eat, drink, see, and do while we were there — as well as the best places to stay (spoilers: the answer is with Cape Charles Escapes).

Read on for your complete guide to the best weekend possible in this sweet coastal spot along Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

— by the RVAx team

Basic Info

With just over 1,000 residents to speak of, Cape Charles really is quite tiny — but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm.

The Eastern Shore of Virginia as a whole was one of the earliest colonized areas in North America. According to the municipal corporation of Cape Charles website, Cape Charles was officially incorporated on March 1, 1886.

A congressman from Erie, Pennsylvania named William L. Scott originally proposed the extension of the Pennsylvania Railroad further south along the Delmarva peninsula so that cargo and passengers could get across the Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk, which led to the formation of Cape Charles as a “planned community.” This meant working with engineers to do the official mapping of the town in 1884, approximately 136 acres divided into 644 equal lots.

Avenues extending east to west were named for Virginia statesmen, while the streets extending north to south were named for fruits.

You can visit Cape Charles: Virginia’s Cape for more information about the area, including details about the harbor and marina, vacation rentals, real estate, and more.

Where to Stay

Cape Charles Escapes

Erica and Todd Curran are part-time Cape Charles residents and vacation homeowners, as well as the founders of Cape Charles Escapes.

Cape Charles Cottage:

This husband and wife duo started out with just a single rental property called Cape Charles Cottage, which is where we stayed during our trip.

This beautiful home slept a whopping 10 people (!), with four bedrooms and one "bonus room" as well as two and a half baths and a fully fenced backyard. We arrived to find ample gear available for our use including two beach cruisers, beach chairs, a beach wagon, a beach tent, and two paddleboards (in addition to a high chair and a pack'n'play, for all the parents out there).

Best of all, this spot was within easy walking distance to literally everything that Cape Charles has to offer! While Erica did hook us up with a golf cart from Eastern Shore Custom Carts to use throughout our trip, we found ourselves walking just about everywhere.

Current rental properties through Cape Charles Escapes:

As Airbnb superhosts and major advocates for Cape Charles as a whole, Todd and Erica knew they wanted to expand to co-host additional properties around town. Enter their eight beautiful rentals.

An amazing Cape Charles travel resource:

In addition to hosting hundreds if not thousands of guests at their hospitable properties across town, Cape Charles Escapes also offers a wealth of information about how to make the most out of your time in Cape Charles. Check out their blog for guidance on getting around, exploring the shore, shopping, dining, and more — and of course, give them a follow on Instagram at @capecharlesescapes, too.

What to Do

Hit the Beach

Cape Charles is home to a free public beach boasting shallow water with gentle waves and soft, white sands. The calm waters are ideal for floating in your inner tube of choice if you're looking to relax, or paddleboarding and/or kayaking for the more adventurous among us.

Pro tip: Catch the sunrise or sunset on the shore if you’re able. The views are truly unmatched.

Go Shopping

Peach Street Books

Location: 401 Mason Ave

Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 10 am - 3 pm; Closed Monday - Wednesday

A Weekend Trip to Cape Charles: What to Eat, Drink, See & Do

Let’s go to the beach.

Basic Info

Where to Stay

Cape Charles Escapes

What to Do

Hit the Beach

Go Shopping

Where to Eat

The Shanty

Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery

Deadrise Pies

Brown Dog Ice Cream

Hook at Harvey

Coastal Baking Co.

Where to Drink

Cape Charles Brewing Company

Cape Charles Distillery

Buskey Cider On The Bay

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub

Gull Hummock Gourmet Market

Looking for more travel inspo?