Is there a beach or lake in Cape Charles or nearby? My family and my sisters and their families are planning to go in August and as we have 8 children all together we'd really like to be able to take them to a beach or lake for swimming while we're there. Any other suggestions you can offer for family activities would be greatly appreciated. It looks like VA beach isn't too far away for a day trip. We'll only be there for 4 days though.

The Cape Charles Coffee House is a few blocks from the beach. Its a great beach for kids as the water is fairly calm and very relaxing. Its on the Cheseapeake Bay side of the Eastern Shore. If you are coming from Virginia Beach its a easy day ride over the 17 mile bridge on Hwy 13 to Cape Charles. Its a cute little town.

I own a summer house in Oyster, a small village on the ocean side about 5 miles from Cape Charles, (which is on the bay side). It is a great laid back place, the beach is great for children as the water is very calm and you can walk out a long ways into the water and it is only up to your knees, if that. It isn't crowded, kinda like the OuterBanks of NC was 25 years ago.

thank you so much for all of your suggestions.. any more would be great. we're booked for the first weekend in August. I cannot wait to see my family and this is our first vacation together since i was a child!

Well, there is The Cozy Cottage, owned by Shannon Verber, cute things, a must go to is Bad Girlz owned by Andy, good prices, good stuff., all on Mason St. Kiptopeake State Park is just down the road, nice beach, fishing pier, walking trails, picnic areas. Good day trip would be to Tangier Island where islanders still speak in a dialect similar to Elizabethan English and the crab served for lunch is right out of the water. Or Chincoteague (if your timing is right, you’ll be able to see the famed Chincoteague ponies) Take the kids to the NASA Visitor’s Center on Wallops Island.

Many small towns/villages with shops all up and down Rt 13. Kayak rentals available in Cape Charles from David's shop- Southeast Expeditions), and paddle-boating (rentals at the Marina)The Cape Charles Coffee House, owned by Roberta and Marshall have the best chicken salad and cheesecake around

Hope this helps.

It really does help. You're very sweet to give me all this info. I will use all of your suggestions. Thank you so much!

My husband I and one of three sons spent five days last August in Cape Charles at the Bay CreekResort Rentals. It was one of the best vacations we've had! I highly recommend taking the sail on the Chesapeake Bay aboard the schooner Serenity. All ages can enjoy this. The sunset was awesome along with dolphins and osprey. They do shoot off a small cannon at the end so very young children might get scared. Kelly's Pub is a great place to eat and Gene is a fabulous host. In July 2007 our son is getting married at Bay Creek Resort. We can hardly wait to take another sail, walk the beach, eat great food, have the rehearsal dinner at Kelly's and enjoy the wedding day in Cape Charles! Everyone has been very accommodating for our guests coming to town! Last year we did spend a day in Williamsburg. Other than Yorktown does anyone know of other day trips we can take in the area? I there a naval base near by that we can tour?

My dad was stationed in Norfolk VA for years when he was in the Navy. I don't know about the tours but Norfolk is quite close so i'm sure you can get info on the internet and that would def. be an easy day trip.

We went to Cape Charles last August too and although it was hot as the dickens, we had a wonderful time and plan to return this fall maybe September and stay at Bay Creek which we discovered while we were down there.

Thanks for all the tips and keep them coming! :)

LinMpls, if you want to go the other way, Chincoteague can be a good day trip. In addition to the wildlife refuge and the ponies, NASA has Wallops Flight Facility near there. Another thought is a trip to Tangier Island from Onancock. http://tangierisland-va.com/eulice/

Aoey1996 & emmaproctor, thanks for the tips! We'll check into them for sure. When we get back I hope to add more ideas to this site.