A Lesser-Known Coastal Virginia Village Offers A Serene Escape Full Of Charm And Unspoiled Wetlands

Virginia's Eastern Shore offers a diverse land and waterscape for Mid-Atlantic vacationers in search of homey, walkable villages. Visitors will catch a glimpse at America's past and maybe even some fish along the beaches and the marshlands of this close-to-civilization paradise. For visitors looking for a lesser-known Eastern Shore destination that offers a quaint coastal vibe and the chance to be immersed in this unique area's natural beauty, a stop in Wachapreague might just be the scratch for that itch.

Wachapreague is situated on the Delmarva Peninsula about a 90-minute drive north of Norfolk among the hyper-rural marshlands and hardwood scrub forests of the Eastern Shore. To the east, shallow marshlands known for excellent inshore fishing for flounder, redfish and — at certain times of the year, striped bass — stretch to the barrier islands and the blue Atlantic beyond. To the west, over the forests and agricultural fields lies Chesapeake Bay, making Wachapreague a water-lovers destination. But it's more than that. This little village on the water possesses real oceanside charm and the chance to dive into the wild landscape that persists on the Eastern Shore, even as the East Coast urban engine motors on. Like other coastal Virginia destinations, Wachapreague offers the chance to escape Chesapeake Bay crowds to experience natural beauty and plenty of seafood.

As a crow flies, Wachapreague is fairly close to the urban centers of Washington, D.C., and Richmond, but, at a minimum, it's about a 3-hour drive from either city. But what a drive it is. A visit to Wachapreague means leaving the concrete and the traffic behind and entering a world where marshes and lowland woods provide refuge for some of the East Coast's most-treasured coastal wildlife. It's the geological opposite of visiting another cute Virginia town that's an underrated charmer right in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Front Royal. From the nearby Eastern Shore of Virginia and Fisherman Island national wildlife refuges, to the Mockhorn Wildlife Management Area and the Virginia Coast Reserve, this underrated slice of Virginia protects habitat critical to everything from monarch butterflies and migrating songbirds to increasingly scarce reptiles, like the eastern box turtle.

In the fall, the monarch butterfly migration along the Eastern Shore can be epic. These insects migrate 2,000 miles to their overwintering sites in Mexico and the Caribbean. From Wachapreague, visitors can drive about 45 minutes south to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Visitor Center. Once there, guests can walk along one of four trails for about 6 total miles into the signature marshlands that define the Eastern Shore. From October through February, guests can visit Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge by boat and walk about 2 miles of trails. Here, visitors can learn about the island's role in protecting Chesapeake Bay during World War II.

The fishing around Wachapreague can be excellent, and the marshlands to the east of the village are famous for spring flounder fishing, and inshore fly fishing for speckled trout, redfish and bluefish can be excellent. Because of the proximity to deep-sea canyons, anglers can book offshore fishing charters and go after everything from dorado and wahoo to marlin and even mako and thresher sharks.

But there's some real coastal magic in Wachapreague itself. The walkable community offers some great window shopping — the town boasts art galleries, antique shops and gift shops for souvenir hunters. Diners will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of restaurants in Wachapreague, whether they grab a table at the Island House for award-winning local seafood dishes or if they just snatch a sandwich from the Wachapreague General Store and Deli before they head on the boat for the day. Lodging options, too, are varied. From the Wachapreague Inn to the local RV campground, visitors should have plenty of options.

In all, Wachapreague is a great four-season destination for anyone seeking a little coastal therapy, or something totally different. With ample hiking and biking trails in the nearby refuges, and even unspoiled beaches accessible only by boat on the nearby barrier islands, Wachapreague offers plenty to do for everyone. If you want to continue your outdoor adventures, head to Virginia's highest point that offers scenic trails, wild ponies and stunning views of majestic peaks.