1. Home
  2. Station Use
  3. Local Resources

Local Resources

Use these sections to find recommended local resources to support your visit to the Eastern Shore, including alternative lodging, catering and take-out, medical care, and boating for non-research trips (or those beyond our capacity).

In addition to the resources we have provided, Northampton County provides many recommendations on their website, including nature access points that may help round out your visit to the Eastern Shore.

You can also explore suggestions from prior station users about things to do in our local community.

Special Suggestions for 20th Anniversary Weekend:

Concierge List for 20th Anniversary Events

Alternative and additional lodging

Alternative and additional lodging

Whether your group exceeds the capacity of our dorms or your research schedule necessitates a visit during our busy season, we recommend the following options for additional housing near the Coastal Research Center.

Lodging near Cape Charles, VA (all are between 10 and 15 minutes from the ABCRC)

Cape Charles Tiny Livin'
22102 S Bayside Rd
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Phone: (757) 695-9900

Hotel Cape Charles
Mason Avenue
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Phone: (757) 695-3854

The Northampton Hotel
1 Mason Avenue
Cape Charles, Virginia 23310, United States
Phone: (757) 695-3750

Cape Charles / Chesapeake Bay KOA Resort
Reserve: (757) 331-1776
Info: (757) 331-1776
32246 Lankford Highway
Cape Charles, VA 23310

Shore Stay Suites
26406 Lankford Highway
Cape Charles, VA 23320
757-331-4090

Watson’s Rental – Trailer in Oyster near lab. Email Ellen Watson ebwatson1@yahoo.com
Two bedrooms, room have has a full size bed and a set of bunk beds. Room two has two twin beds.
650.00 Per week

Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles
403 Tazewell Ave
Cape Charles, VA 23310-3217
Phone: (757) 331-2838

The Laughing King
14367 Mattawoman Road
Eastville, Virginia 22347

You can find even more great places to stay by checking AirBnB listings

Lodging near to Brownsville in Exmore (about 20 minutes from the ABCRC)

Hampton Inn Suites
4129 Lankford Highway
Exmore, VA 23350
757-442-7722

Holiday Inn Express
3446 Lankford Highway
Exmore, VA 23350
757-442-5522

Campgrounds

Cape Charles / Chesapeake Bay KOA Resort
Reserve: (757) 331-1776
Info: (757) 331-1776
32246 Lankford Highway
Cape Charles, VA 23310

Kiptopeke State Park: https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/kiptopeke-state-park/VA/140162/overview

Sun Outdoors
1511 Townfield Dr,
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Call us: (757) 331-3063
Reservation Center: (757) 331-3063
 

Boating

Seasider Charters 
Captain Tom Burkett 
Phone: (757) 607-6277
Licensed USCG Captain, Certified Virginia Ecotour Guide
Private boat tours in the beauty of Virginia's coastal wilderness on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Virginia Barrier Island Tours, Chesapeake Bay Tours, Sunset Cruises, and Wildlife Ecotours 

Hire an Ecotour Guide
Vessels run by the CRC are designated Research Vessels, which means they can only be used for research excursions. If you are seeking access to the seaside for other purposes, a local ecotour guide may be a better fit. (Click the link for a list of certified ecotour companies on the Eastern Shore.)

Meals

Fully furnished kitchens are available to dorm users in each suite. We also provide a grill and picnic tables on the porches that are suitable for hosting group meals.

Groceries:

  • Food Lion (3 miles west) — a full grocery store with all the basics; Rt 13 in Cheriton
  • Quail Cove (10 miles north) — bulk dry goods, organic foods, and local produce; behind the Machipongo Trading Company on Rt 13.
  • Gull Hammock (5 miles west) — a small gourmet market with local and specialty items in downtown Cape Charles
  • Cape Charles Farmers’ Market (4 miles west)– Tuesday afternoons in the summer at the Cape Charles Museum

Catering & Take-out:

Note that many restaurants/caterers do not deliver due to our rural setting. Please plan accordingly.

Restaurants:

  • AJ’s Bar and Grill- bar and pub food - Cape CharlesThe Shanty — seafood on the dock with occasional music and a bar; long waits in the summer; downtown Cape Charles (across the tracks by the marina)
  • Ambrogia Caffe and Enoteca- upscale Italian- Cape Charles
  • Cape Charles Brewing Company — pub fare and locally brewed beer; entering Cape Charles (before the water tower)
  • Cape Charles Coffeehouse — go-to for soup, sandwiches, salads; Mason Ave, downtown Cape Charles
  • Cravings — simple menu of grab and go sandwiches, salads (take out only); Mason Ave, downtown Cape Charles
  • E&O Pub — pub fare and bar; Mason Ave, downtown Cape Charles
  • Hook @ Harvey - fine dining- Cape Charles
  • Local Ketch- upscale raw bar and kitchen- Cape Charles
  • Oyster Farm - upscale restaurant
  • Rayfield Soda Fountain- diner option in Cape Charles
  • Salt and Sand Family Restaurant - diner vibe, Wednesday wing night, affordable eatery in Cape Charles
  • Small's BBQ — BBQ and fixings, Rt 13 across from Food Lion (Cape Charles)

Note: Many places on the Shore are closed Sunday/Monday. Many places in Cape Charles are only open Thursday-Sunday (especially in the winter). Some of the catering and take-out options listed above also offer a restaurant setting. Restaurants in downtown Cape Charles change frequently; check Google for up to date offerings.

Other basic needs

You can find additional resources near the station via a Google search.

Medical Care

Eastville Community Health Center, (757) 331-1086, https://www.esrh.org/

Rayfield’s Pharmacy (Cape Charles), (757) 331-1212

Walgreen’s Pharmacy (Exmore)

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, (757) 302-2100, https://www.riversideonline.com/shore/, (40 minutes North on Rt 13)