Centuries of culture, change, and coastal life have shaped Virginia’s Eastern Shore into a region unlike any other. From some of the nation’s oldest counties to NASA launch sites, the past lives on in colonial towns, barrier islands, and historic trails shaped by both land and sea.
Historic Counties and Communities
Captain John Smith explored Virginia’s Eastern Shore in 1607, and its fertile land and waters have shaped the region ever since. Northampton and Accomack Counties, founded in the 1600s, are among the oldest in the nation. Early settlers like the Custis and Savage families left a lasting mark—visitors can still see the Custis family burial grounds near Cape Charles. Once-thriving barrier islands supported seafood and trade, and sites like Wallops Island and Hog Island tell stories of wartime history and coastal change. Learn more at the Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo.
The Shore’s Indigenous peoples—the Accawmacke and Gingaskin—fished, farmed, and harvested oysters long before European arrival. Their traditions influenced early settlers and still echo today in the region’s enduring culture of farming and water-based livelihoods.
Shoreside Adventures
Outdoor spaces on Virginia’s Eastern Shore are rich with history. The planned 49-mile Eastern Shore Rail Trail will follow the old railroad line that once moved seafood to northern cities. Kiptopeke State Park, formerly a ferry terminal, now offers kayaking past WWII-era concrete ship breakwaters. Walking tours in towns like Onancock and Cape Charles pass original colonial homes, while the Seaside Water Trail traces routes once used by Indigenous peoples and early watermen. Today, former farmland and ferry routes support birdwatching, hiking, and paddling.
You’ll find echoes of the past in local landmarks, too—from Wachapreague’s Island House Restaurant, once a 19th-century store, to the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center, which tells of the town’s railroad boom. In Onancock, Ker Place and the vintage Roseland Theatre offer immersive glimpses into daily life, while Chincoteague’s 1800s-era Captain Timothy Hill House—carved with over 30 ship designs—tells a maritime story. On the Saxis waterfront, the Saxis Island Museum highlights the area’s oystering and crabbing roots. The Eastville Courthouse, home to the oldest continuous court records in the U.S. dating back to 1632, gives visitors a direct window into early colonial life. And just a short boat (or plane) ride away, Tangier Island invites you to explore Chesapeake culture through its museum and self-guided walking tour.
From Tradition to Tourism:
Once a hunting tradition, bird migration is now a major eco-tourism draw. Top spots include Chincoteague Refuge, Kiptopeke State Park, Brownsville Preserve, and Magothy Bay.
