You don’t have to drop main money to take pleasure in an oceanfront getaway.
Virginia’s shoreline is residence to a few 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a chilly drink in your hand whereas watching the sundown, you’ll find your good inexpensive seaside escape within the Outdated Dominion.
From the energetic boardwalks of Virginia Seaside to the quiet solitude of Chincoteague Island, you’ll uncover locations that received’t break the financial institution. Gas up for a day of swimming and sunbathing with out paying resort costs.
Chow down on recent seafood, burgers, and seaside fare for underneath $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 Seaside, you’ll discover mild 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 too can go boating, fishing or spot dolphins from the shore.
- The typical lease for an condominium in Hampton is simply $1,368, a lot decrease than the close by resort city of Virginia Seaside.
- The median family earnings in Hampton is $57,041, making it an accessible vacation spot for many budgets.
You’ll have your decide of beachside actions in Hampton with out the excessive costs. Go beachcombing for shells, construct a sandcastle, surf, or simply loosen up within the solar. With historic sights like Fort Monroe Nationwide Monument and Bluebird Hole Farm close by, there’s a lot to expertise past the seaside.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague Island is just a little paradise off Virginia’s Japanese Shore that gives 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, residence to the well-known wild ponies. You may see the ponies of their pure habitat without cost or pay a small charge for guided excursions. The refuge additionally gives over 14,000 acres of seashores, dunes, marshes and woodlands to discover. Go beachcombing, chicken 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% increased than the nationwide common price of residing, you’ll discover inexpensive rental cottages, motels and B&Bs for any funds. Take pleasure in recent native oysters or clams with out breaking the financial institution.
Virginia Seaside
Virginia Seaside gives an inexpensive coastal getaway. Trip packages begin round $381 in 2023, and the median residence value is $262,200. Lease is 6% decrease than the nationwide common at $1,258 month-to-month.
Past the seaside, Virginia Seaside is a protected, family-friendly metropolis with a steady economic system. There’s extra to do than simply sunbathing and swimming. You may:
- Take a look at the Virginia Seaside Boardwalk with its outlets, eating places, and leisure.
- Go to the Virginia Seaside Aquarium and Marine Science Heart.
- See a present on the Sandler Heart for the Performing Arts.
- Tour the Navy Aviation Museum.
- Go climbing, biking or boating at First Touchdown State Park.
In case you’re on a funds, skip the expensive oceanfront lodges and go for an inland motel or trip rental. You’ll find offers for underneath $100 per evening. For further financial savings, go to within the shoulder months of April to Might and September to October. The summer time crowds could have dwindled, however the climate continues to be nice for beaching.
Norfolk
Norfolk gives over 7 miles of free public seashores alongside the Chesapeake Bay, supplying you with an inexpensive coastal getaway. The price of residing in Norfolk is 96% of the nationwide common, with a mean month-to-month price of about $3,293.
Ocean View Seaside Park gives a extra secluded seaside expertise with facilities like eating places, picnic areas, and playgrounds alongside the shore. Swim, sunbathe or simply loosen up whereas gazing on the sundown over the bay.
East Seaside and Ocean View Seaside supply stunning views of naval ships and business vessels passing by way of the port. Pack a picnic, deliver a kite or Frisbee, construct a sandcastle with the youngsters, or go beachcombing alongside the shore.
The seashores host free occasions like outside motion pictures, live shows and festivals throughout summer time. Test the 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 widespread, inexpensive choices for having fun with the bay.
Cape Charles
Cape Charles is a picturesque seaside city on Virginia’s Japanese Shore with a low price of residing. 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 included 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, little one 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 residing for Virginia of $44,012 and fewer than the nationwide determine of $38,433.
With miles of uncrowded seashores, Cape Charles gives an inexpensive seaside getaway. You may sunbathe, construct sandcastles, go beachcombing for shells, or attempt watersports like kayaking, paddle boarding, crusing or kiteboarding.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg gives an enthralling coastal getaway at a fraction of the price of different seaside cities in Virginia. With a mean one-bedroom condominium renting for round $1,188 month-to-month, Williamsburg’s residing price is considerably decrease than the nationwide common. Utilities and transportation prices are additionally decrease than common.
There are lots of free or low-cost actions like visiting historic websites, climbing, biking, and having fun with the scenic waterfront parks.
Colonial Seaside
Colonial Seaside, VA, gives over 2 miles of public beachfront and a low price of residing. The whole annual price for a single grownup is underneath $36,000, lower than the state and nationwide averages.
With a wealthy historical past as a resort city, Colonial Seaside has maintained a laid-back vibe. Individuals 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.
Lease 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.