BayDreaming.com's Guide to the Chesapeake Bay

Cape Charles, Virginia

Cape Charles Quick Links: Things to Do and See in Cape Charles - Cape Charles Lodging
Cape Charles Events - Traveler reviews and hotel deals
Cape Charles Vacation Home Rentals - Cape Charles Pictures

Read Traveler Reviews and Find Hotel Deals at TripAdvisor.com

Cape Charles beach

Cape Charles Hotels: The Best Rates on the Best Cape Charles area Hotels

Cape Charles Area Attractions:

Cape Charles, located close to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, was founded in 1884 as a planned community by railroad and ferry interests. Cape Charles was, for many years, the terminal for passenger and car ferry service across the Bay to Norfolk and Hampton. The last ferry left Cape Charles in 1953. Cape Charles still serves as a terminal for railway barges that carry rail cars from the Eastern Shore Railroad across the mouth of the Bay to Norfolk. After leaving Cape Charles, the ferry boat terminal operated for some time out of nearby Kiptopeke. Ferry service from the Eastern Shore was terminated in 1964 with the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Cape Charles homes

Cape Charles has one of the largest concentrations of late-Victorian and turn-of-the-century buildings on the East Coast, with most of it's structures built between 1885 and 1920. The town has been designated as an Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center for more information on history of the town and the ferry and railroad service. The museum is located on Randolph Avenue in a former power plant and features photographs and items from the town's past.

For the visitor, Cape Charles features several restaurants, shops, and bed & breakfasts. The Cape Charles-Northampton Chamber of Commerce sponsors a series of "Applaud the Sun" Harbor Parties from 6:30pm to 10:30pm on the first Saturday of each month, June through September. These events are held at the Town Harbor and include a band, beer, dancing, food, and sunset.

The town of Cape Charles fronts on the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay and has a sandy beachfront park. The beach is a great place to view Chesapeake Bay sunsets. Also, allow time for a visit to nearby Kiptopeke State Park for birding and nature study. In September and October, you can visit the park's bird banding station. The park is also a prime hawk observation point during the fall migratory season.

The Bay Creek Railway offers excursions on a restored circa 1913 Interurban Dining Car. The car travels north from Cape Charles for diner excursions which last about two hours and "fun run" trips that last about an hour. More Information.

Cape Charles features a small town harbor, used by residents and visitors. The Cape Charles Harbor has 51 boat slips, a harbor master�s office, and two public boat launching ramps. The newer Bay Creek Marina is located in the protected harbor of King's Creek. Bay Creek marina has over 100 slips and can handle boats up to 150 feet.

Bay Creek Golf Course sunset
Cape Charles has two beautiful golf courses at the Bay Creek golf and residential community. Both courses were designed by golf legends and provide for challenging and enjoyable golf along the Chesapeake Bay and Plantation Creek. The Arnold Palmer Signature Course and the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will be enjoyed by any avid golfer. Bay Creek Golf Club website.

Cape Charles Hotels and Lodging:

Cape Charles Hotel Historic Inn. Welcome to Cape Charles Hotel Historic Inn & Shoppes, a 17 room Victorian downtown hotel with terrace, bar, meeting rooms, music, art, just 3 blocks from the beach and harbor � a perfect place for groups. 235 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA. Phone: 757-331-4000 or 877 TO THE SUN. Visit the Cape Charles Hotel Historic Inn website.

Best Western Sunset Beach Resort. The Best Western Sunset Beach Resort, outside of Cape Charles and � mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on Route 13, is one of the Eastern Shores premiere hotel complexes. Situated on 44 acres of land with a private beach, several picnic areas, gazebos, playgrounds and an outdoor pool. Two restaurants on site. Traveler Reviews and Rate Comparison

Kiptopeke Inn. The Kiptopeke Inn, Cape Charles offers you a newly renovated, full-service hotel, including a restaurant and outdoor pool. Traveler Reviews and Rate Comparison

More Cape Charles Lodging

The Baywood Bed and Breakfast. The Baywood Bed and Breakfast is on the Bay with a secluded beach. Golf, kayaking, trails nearby. We have spectacular sunsets and a definite beach house feel. 31400 Latimers Bluff Road, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Phone: 269-209-4406 Visit the Baywood Bed and Breakfast website.

The Kellogg House Bed & Breakfast. Luxurious Accommodations located in the historic district of Cape Charles, VA. The Kellogg House offers an alternative for the B&B traveler other than the Victorian Country experience. 644 Monroe Avenue, Cape Charles, VA. Phone: 757 331-2767. Visit the Kellogg House website.

Nottingham Ridge Bed & Breakfast. A piece of heaven just minutes from the main road. High on a wooded ridge overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, with private beach. Birdwatchers paradise, safe flat roads for bikers/runners. 28184 Nottingham Ridge Lane, Cape Charles, VA 23310. www.nottinghamridge.com Phone: 757-331-1010.

NEW!

Cape Charles
Vacation Home Rentals

Read Cape Charles Hotel and Bed & Breakfast Reviews from TripAdvisor.

BayDreaming.com's Bed and Breakfast Directory. Includes B&B listing for Cape Charles, Virginia.

Cape Charles Weather NWS Marine Forecast Cape Charles Tides

Cape Charles Hotels Eastern Shore News (newspaper)

Cape Charles Pictures Cape Charles traveler reviews and hotel deals

2009 Cape Charles Events

March 29th - Sail in the Arts - Spring Plein-Air Painting Event. Art lovers enjoy watching images take shape on canvas in and around the bayside town of historic Cape Charles. Beach, bayside gazebo, vintage railroad cars, and Victorian architecture are some of the potential subjects. Later that evening have the opportunity to purchase some of the fresh creations right off the easels. Sale of paintings from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

April 3rd - Blessing of the Fleet, 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Cape Charles Harbor. Commercial fishing boats from all over the Chesapeake Bay will converge at Cape Charles Harbor for the blessing of a safe season and good harvest for local fishermen. Share the bounty of the Bay, the freshest seafood brought to the dock by local watermen. The celebration includes beer and award-winning Eastern Shore wine.

April 4th - Fleet Walk/Run. 5K Run. Registration 8:00am - 9:00am. Cape Charles Harbor.

April 25th - Low Country Shrimp Boil. An annual small town shindig following the Garden Week Tour. Feast on the Eastern Shore's version of a delicious Low Country Shrimp Boil on the grounds of the Cape Charles History Museum. Explore the latest display and enjoy a silent auction. Local Blue Grass Music. Opens at 5:00pm.

May 15th - May 17th - Black Drum World Championship Fishing Tournament. Enjoy world-class black drum fishing for cash prizes. Captains meeting Friday night, fishing Saturday and Sunday. More information.

May 23rd - Cape Charles Beach Party with live band - Jesse Chong.

June 6th - Annual Benefit by the Bay. A unique and grand affair alfresco alongside the Chesapeaked Bay. Champagne dinner, dancing under the stars with live music. One of the Eastern Shore's most elegant affairs. On the Bay at Bayshore Concrete. 5:30pm to Midnight. Tickets $100. Call 757-331-2787.

June 20th - Cape Charles Beach Party with live band - Ryan Conroy

July 26th - Cape Charles Beach Party with live band - Ben Phelps

Sept. 5th - Cape Charles Beach Party with live band - Michael Clark Band

October 7th - Harvest Festival. Sunset Beach Resort, Kiptopeake. Noon to 4:00. Tickets $40. Call Chamber of Commerce for more info. 757-787-2460.

Cape Charles Links:

Cape Charles Travel Reviews and Hotel Deals. Read traveler reviews and search for the best deals.
Cape Charles, Virginia. The town's official website.
Cape Charles - Northampton Chamber of Commerce Cape Charles and Virginia's Eastern Shore.
Cape Charles Photos: Pictures from Cape Charles - submit your own!
Cape Charles Light The tallest skeletal lighthouse in the U.S.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is the 17 mile link between the Eastern Shore and the rest of Virginia.
Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Virginia peninsula located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.
Kiptopeke State Park has camping, fishing, boating, birding, and nature trails.

Subscribe to the BayDreaming.com Newsletter
For updated events and information monthly