If you're planning a road trip down the eastern shore this summer, there are plenty of awesome, quick-visit, memorable destinations. Hit the road from Chincoteague Island to the Virginia boardwalk with our handy eastern shore road trip itinerary.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is home of the famous Chincoteague wild ponies. The entire island is full of beautiful, unspoiled nature, and the beach is a perfect place to start your road trip. Take a bike ride along the 15 miles of trails, or go on a scenic boat tour to see some of the most untouched wildlife. Ponies, dolphins, and the beautiful bay are just a few of the things you'll see before heading off for your next destination.
The NASA Visitor Center in Wallops features exhibits dedicated to the past, present, and future of the functioning flight facility, and focuses on the current and upcoming missions. The center offers plenty of programs, tours, and daily activities that everyone from kids to adults can enjoy.
The visitor center has an amazing view of the Wallops Island launch site, and gives visitors a detailed understanding of the science of aeronautics.
A great home base for your eastern shore adventure is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Exmore. It's conveniently located right on your drive and is close to the beach.
By now, you're probably starving. Pull off and grab lunch at the Exmore Diner, a Chincoteague fixture for more than 60 years. The diner serves everything from fresh seafood to prime-cut steak, so there's no way you'll leave hungry.
If you want to get out and stretch your legs, First Landing State Park is the place for just that. The 2,888-acre park is perfect for a swim, a bike ride, boating, fishing, or camping.
Park admission is only $4 per car on weekdays, and its the best place to grab an afternoon swim before getting back on the road.
The Cape Henry Lighthouse has stood guard over the Chesapeake Bay since it was built in 1792. It is one of the oldest remaining lighthouses in the United States.
For $8 guests can climb all the way to the top of the historical monument to check out some amazingly scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Guided tours of the 1.77 acres surrounding the lighthouse are also available.
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk has a little something for everyone. Ride a Ferris wheel, take a historical walking tour of the surrounding hotels, or check out all of the jugglers, live concerts, and magicians performing up and down the pier.
Today, the boardwalk stretches three miles and is home to countless outdoor restaurants and shops, and a 24-foot, 12-ton bronze statue of King Neptune who keeps his eye out over the nearby Neptune Festival Park. Named one of America's best, Virginia Beach Boardwalk offers so much to do, eat, and explore, you'll never want to leave.
The best time of year for a road trip down Virginia's eastern shore is late spring, in May and early June (avoid visiting arounf Memorial Day weekend, because the crowds at Virginia Beach will be crazy). Also, end of summer (after Labor Day) is a great time to road-trip; you'll enjoy nice weather while avoiding the massive crowds.