Cape Charles

Cape Charles is a town in Eastern Virginia, at the southern tip of the Delmarva peninsula. It used to be the terminus of the eastern shore railway and still has an operating rail-to-barge ferry terminal with freight service to Norfolk. It has the feel of a time gone by.

Get in

One way to get in to Cape Charles is to arrive by boat. There approach to the harbor is simple, just head north from the outer marks.

Most visitors arrive by car. Cape Charles is one mile west of US Highway 13, the main north-south road on the Delmarva Peninsula, along Virginia State Route 184.

Get around

This small town is perfect for a walk-around. You can get anywhere you want in about 10 minutes. Getting lost will not be a problem.

See

• Railroad operations are visible occasionally, if you get to see them load rail cars on a barge, it is quite a sight.
• A concrete plant is still in operation making preformed items. This plant created all the concrete structures of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (nearby).

Do

Mainly you will want absorb the feel of the charming town from yesteryear and meet a few of the local people.

• Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. 24 hours. At nearly 18 miles long, this bridge-tunnel complex is one of the engineering wonders of the world. Connecting Virginia's Eastern Shore with Virginia's mainland in Virginia Beach/Norfolk, this toll facility will save travelers 90 miles or more as they travel from points north of Wilmington, Delaware and head down the East Coast towards Virginia Beach or North Carolina's Outer Banks. Enjoy a stop at the Scenic Overlook, located on the southern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, offering breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay and the facility. (updated Sep 2023)
• Kiptopeke State Park. (updated Sep 2023)

Buy

• gallery 209. 
• Stage Door Gallery. 
• Cape Charles Emporium. 
• Rayfield's. 
• Bay Breeze Day Spa. 
• Bad Girlz. 
• Shops at Bay Creek Marina. 

Eat

• Rayfield's Pharmacy, also on the main road, has a nice counter for lunch and breakfast. There is always someone interesting to talk with there.
• Kelly's Gingernut Pub. 
• Aqua. 
• Bayside Cafe. 
• Coach House Tavern. 
• Cape Charles Coffee House. 
• Veneto's Pizzeria. 

Drink

• Kelly's Gingernut Pub. 
• Rock 'n' Robins. 

Sleep

• Fig Street Inn, 711 Tazewell Avenue, ☏ +1 757-331-3133. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Boutique−style bed & breakfast on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in the historic town of Cape Charles. Enjoy elegant and gracious accommodations with a mix of antique furnishings, contemporary design and modern amenities. From $260. (updated Jun 2022)

Go next

Routes through Cape Charles

Salisbury ← Accomac ←

N  S

→ Virginia Beach → Norfolk