Cape Charles, Virginia
Visiting Cape Charles
Cape Charles is the southernmost town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. It was, for many years, the location for passenger and car ferry service across the Bay to Norfolk and Hampton.
The construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel made ferry transportation obsolete and the last ferry left Cape Charles in 1953. Although there is no longer passenger ferry service across the Bay, rail barges still depart from Cape Charles, transporting rail cars over the open waters.
Today, Cape Charles thrives as both a local residential community and a destination for vacationers.
The town has a public beach right on the Bay and the historic downtown has a number of restaurants and shops to visit. Many travelers arrive by boat, making use of the town’s convenient marina facilities. Golfers are drawn by Bay Creek Resort’s Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus signature courses, and nature-lovers enjoy visiting nearby state parks and wildlife refuges.
Cape Charles has received national attention on the HGTV shows Beachfront Bargain Hunt and House Hunters.
Bay Creek Resort
The Bay Creek Resort and Club, with beautiful Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses sits on the edge of town.
The golf courses were once open to the public but are now private. Vacation rentals are available within the resort that provide access to the golf courses.
Nearby Parks
Nearby attractions include Kiptopeke State Park, where you’ll find off-shore reefs constructed from concrete ships, and the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge near the southern tip of the peninsula. Cape Charles is an excellent home-base for birders and kayakers.
Learn more about things to see and do in the Cape Charles area – Cape Charles Attractions.
More Things to See and Do
Visit our Cape Charles Attractions page to learn about more things see and do in and around Cape Charles. You’ll also find Cape Charles area events on our events page.
Featured Hotels
Hotel Cape Charles. In-town boutique hotel on Mason Avenue, in the heart of Cape Charles’ downtown. Close to shops and restaurants and an easy walk to the beach
Rittenhouse Motor Lodge. An old-school motor lodge located on a wooded lot on Route 13, just outside of Cape Charles.
Shore Stay Suites. Located on Route 13, south of Cape Charles. Suites have full kitchens with full-size appliances. Pet-friendly rooms are available.
Sunset Beach Resort. Large property near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel with private beach and RV camping.
More Information About Cape Charles
- Town of Cape Charles – the town’s official website
- Cape Charles Traveler Reviews at TripAdvisor.com
- Cape Charles Vacation Rentals – at VRBO
- Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism – Official tourism site for the Eastern Shore of Virginia
- Eastern Shore Visitor – information about the Virginia and Maryland portions of the Eastern Shore
- Chesapeake Bay Real Estate – Directory of real estate listings by region