You don’t have to drop main money to take pleasure in an oceanfront getaway.
Virginia’s shoreline is house to a number of the most budget-friendly seaside cities on the East Coast. Whether or not you’re craving salty sea air, crashing waves, or a chilly drink in your hand whereas watching the sundown, you’ll find your good reasonably priced seaside escape within the Outdated Dominion.
From the full of life boardwalks of Virginia Seashore to the quiet solitude of Chincoteague Island, you’ll uncover locations that received’t break the financial institution. Gasoline up for a day of swimming and sunbathing with out paying resort costs.
Chow down on recent seafood, burgers, and seaside fare for below $15 a meal. And relaxation your sun-kissed head for lower than $150 an evening. An unforgettable seaside getaway awaits, all for a value you possibly can afford.
SEE: 22 Enjoyable Issues to Do With out Spending Cash
Hampton
Hampton is a historic metropolis on the Virginia shoreline that has not one however 4 public seashores alongside its 26 miles of shoreline.
At Buckroe Seashore, you’ll discover light surf, a scenic boardwalk, and beachfront parks good for sunbathing or internet hosting a picnic. It’s situated on the shores of the picturesque Chesapeake Bay, so you may also go boating, fishing or spot dolphins from the shore.
- The common lease for an condo in Hampton is simply $1,368, a lot decrease than the close by resort city of Virginia Seashore.
- The median family earnings in Hampton is $57,041, making it an accessible vacation spot for many budgets.
You’ll have your choose of beachside actions in Hampton with out the excessive costs. Go beachcombing for shells, construct a sandcastle, surf, or simply calm down within the solar. With historic points of interest like Fort Monroe Nationwide Monument and Bluebird Hole Farm close by, there’s a lot to expertise past the seaside.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague Island is a bit paradise off Virginia’s Jap Shore that provides miles of shoreline, wildlife refuges, and outside recreation at a fraction of the price of different seaside cities.
Chincoteague is the gateway to Assateague Island and Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, house to the well-known wild ponies. You possibly can see the ponies of their pure habitat totally free or pay a small charge for guided excursions. The refuge additionally presents over 14,000 acres of seashores, dunes, marshes and woodlands to discover. Go beachcombing, chook watching, biking or kayaking whereas having fun with the peaceable environment.
The city of Chincoteague itself is an ideal escape with its picturesque harbor, seafood shacks, and beachy boutiques. And at just one% larger than the nationwide common price of dwelling, you’ll discover reasonably priced rental cottages, motels and B&Bs for any finances. Take pleasure in recent native oysters or clams with out breaking the financial institution.
Virginia Seashore
Virginia Seashore presents an reasonably priced coastal getaway. Trip packages begin round $381 in 2023, and the median house value is $262,200. Hire is 6% decrease than the nationwide common at $1,258 month-to-month.
Past the seaside, Virginia Seashore is a protected, family-friendly metropolis with a secure financial system. There’s extra to do than simply sunbathing and swimming. You possibly can:
- Take a look at the Virginia Seashore Boardwalk with its outlets, eating places, and leisure.
- Go to the Virginia Seashore Aquarium and Marine Science Heart.
- See a present on the Sandler Heart for the Performing Arts.
- Tour the Army Aviation Museum.
- Go mountaineering, biking or boating at First Touchdown State Park.
When you’re on a finances, skip the dear oceanfront lodges and go for an inland motel or trip rental. You will discover offers for below $100 per evening. For additional financial savings, go to within the shoulder months of April to Could and September to October. The summer season crowds can have dwindled, however the climate remains to be nice for beaching.
Norfolk
Norfolk presents over 7 miles of free public seashores alongside the Chesapeake Bay, supplying you with an reasonably priced coastal getaway. The price of dwelling in Norfolk is 96% of the nationwide common, with a median month-to-month price of about $3,293.
Ocean View Seashore Park gives a extra secluded seaside expertise with facilities like eating places, picnic areas, and playgrounds alongside the shore. Swim, sunbathe or simply calm down whereas gazing on the sundown over the bay.
East Seashore and Ocean View Seashore provide lovely views of naval ships and industrial vessels passing by the port. Pack a picnic, convey a kite or Frisbee, construct a sandcastle with the youngsters, or go beachcombing alongside the shore.
The seashores host free occasions like outside films, concert events and festivals throughout summer season. Examine town’s occasion calendar for particulars.
If you wish to get out on the water, lease kayaks, paddleboards or jet skis, or take a crusing tour. Fishing charters and dolphin-watching cruises are standard, reasonably priced choices for having fun with the bay.
Cape Charles
Cape Charles is a picturesque seaside city on Virginia’s Jap Shore with a low price of dwelling. This Victorian-era deliberate neighborhood close to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay has one of many largest concentrations of turn-of-the-century buildings on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
Cape Charles is the biggest of Northampton’s 5 integrated cities, with a land space of two,817 acres and a inhabitants of roughly 1,000 full-time residents.
The whole price of housing, meals, youngster care, transportation, well being care, taxes, and different requirements for a single grownup in Cape Charles is $37,217 a 12 months, lower than the annual price of dwelling for Virginia of $44,012 and fewer than the nationwide determine of $38,433.
With miles of uncrowded seashores, Cape Charles presents an reasonably priced seaside getaway. You possibly can sunbathe, construct sandcastles, go beachcombing for shells, or attempt watersports like kayaking, paddle boarding, crusing or kiteboarding.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg presents an enthralling coastal getaway at a fraction of the price of different seaside cities in Virginia. With a median one-bedroom condo renting for round $1,188 month-to-month, Williamsburg’s dwelling price is considerably decrease than the nationwide common. Utilities and transportation prices are additionally decrease than common.
There are various free or low-cost actions like visiting historic websites, mountaineering, biking, and having fun with the scenic waterfront parks.
Colonial Seashore
Colonial Seashore, VA, presents over 2 miles of public beachfront and a low price of dwelling. The whole annual price for a single grownup is below $36,000, lower than the state and nationwide averages.
With a wealthy historical past as a resort city, Colonial Seashore has maintained a laid-back vibe. Folks flock right here for swimming, sunbathing, crusing, and recent seafood.
The seaside boardwalk dates again to the early 1900s. Stroll alongside to search out arcades, taffy outlets, and seaside gear shops.
Hire jet skis, kayaks or paddleboards to discover the Potomac River. Constitution fishing boats are additionally out there for these hoping to reel their catch.
The city has a number of piers open for fishing and crabbing, together with the historic Potomac River Pier. Drop a line to attempt catching perch, spot, croaker or striped bass.
