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.

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)

Hotel Cape Charles
Mason Avenue
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-695-3854

Kiptopeke Inn Cape Charles
29106 Lankford Highway
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-1000

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

Sunset Beach Hotel
32254 Lankford Highway
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-1776

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

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.)

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.

Coach House Tavern, 757-331-8630, Cape Charles. Carry-out and dine in, maybe delivery.

Froggy’s Pizza , 757-331-1140, Rt 13 in Cheriton. Carry-out, no delivery.

Oyster Farm at Kings Creek, 757-331-8660, Cape Charles. Meeting space & food service. They also allow for small meetings in their wine room. Reservations required.

Amy B Catering, Amy@amybcatering.com. Full service caterer or delivery only.

Royal Farms, 757-331-1843, Rt 13 near Kiptopeke. Fried chicken – pickup only.

Machipongo Trading Company, 757-678-0005, Rt 13 in Machipongo. Custom trays, carry-out.

Kitchen Sync Catering , Loise Oliver, 757-695-2194

Restaurants:

The 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)

Cape Charles Brewing Company — pub fare and locally brewed beer; entering Cape Charles (before the water tower)

Kelly’s Gingernut Pub — pub fare and bar; Mason Ave, downtown Cape Charles

Cape Charles Coffeehouse — go-to for soup, sandwiches, salads; Mason Ave, downtown Cape Charles

Cravings — simple menu of sandwiches, salads (take out only); Mason Ave, downtown 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.

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)