The beautiful shores of the 200-mile-long Chesapeake Bay offer over 11,000 miles of shoreline, with many sites remaining undeveloped and serving as hidden gem getaways away from the crowds and tourists of other East Coast sites. These beaches and beachfront cities are conveniently located near the nation’s capital and offer family-friendly attractions, public special event programming, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor summer fun. Here are the best beaches to visit near DC.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore preserves large sections of the 37-mile Maryland and Virginia barrier island of the same name, which is also home to Assateague State Park and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The park was developed in 1965 to protect the island forming significant hurricane damage throughout the mid-20th century, which thwarted the development of the Ocean Beach resort town.
Today, 41,346 acres of shoreline and surrounding waters are protected as part of the seashore, which is open to the public year-round and attracts more than one million annual visitors.
Two National Park Service visitor centers are offered on the island, along with ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, hiking, and kayaking.
7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 410-641-1441
Breezy Point Beach
Breezy Point Beach and Campground has been managed by Calvert County Parks and Recreation since 1995 and is open seasonally between May and October, offering a variety of family-friendly summer shoreline activities in Maryland.
The beach is home to a half-mile of Chesapeake bay shorefront, which features a netted swimming area, 200-foot fishing pier, and ample area for sunbathing and relaxation.
Picnicking and grilling is permitted throughout the beach, including rental use of two sheltered picnic sites accommodating up to 100 people apiece.
Seasonal campsites accommodate RVs, trailers, pop-ups, and standard tents, offering water and sewer services and hosting up to six people per campsite.
A children’s playground, bath houses, and a concession stand are also provided on site.
5300 Breezy Point Rd, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732, Phone: 410-535-0259
Chesapeake Beach
Chesapeake Beach, MD is a resort community that was established at the ending site of the Chesapeake Beach Railway at the beginning of the 20th century and was a popular weekend destination and gambling site until the Great Depression.
Following its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the town has experienced a revival as a resort area, offering attractions such as the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, which features eight water slides, a lagoon, and a children’s play area.
Other major attractions include the Herrington Harbour marina resort, voted as the best marina in America by Marina Dock Age magazine, and the Railway Museum, which preserves the city’s railroad and social history through a variety of exhibits. Beachfront activities are permitted at Bay Front Park and Brownie’s Beach, which offers access to a beautiful stretch of Chesapeake Bay shoreline just south of town.
8200 Bayside Road, P.O. Box 400, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland 20732, Phone: 410-257-2230
Kiptopeke State Park
Kiptopeke State Park’s lands were first recorded by Captain John Smith in 1608 and have become a major recreational site along the Chesapeake Bay, located on the eastern shore of Virginia. The 562-acre park serves as a migratory coastal bird habitat and showcases more than five miles of hiking and hiking trails, along with seasonal swimming at two unguarded beach areas between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In addition, the park’s south beach area offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and crabbing, with launch and parking spots available for up to 70 boat trailers.
A lighted fishing pier is open between April and December, and overnight accommodations are provided at a number of cabins, lodges, yurts, bunkhouses, and conventional RV and tent hookup campsites. Other attractions include a children’s playground, a beach bathhouse, and day-use picnic areas.
3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles, VA 23310, Phone: 757-331-2267
Leesylvania State Park
Leesylvania State Park is located along the shores of the Potomac River in Prince William County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its connection to a number of Virginia’s most famous historic families.
The park has been open to the public since 1992 and offers a myriad of seasonal land and water activities , including a universally-accessible 300-foot fishing pier for largemouth and striped bass, catfish, and perch fishing.
Though swimming is not permitted due to hazardous water conditions, a natural sand beach provides access for other shorefront recreational activities.
Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats may be rented from the park’s Breakwater Marina in season, and a primitive campground site is available for group overnight camping.
2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22191, Phone: 703-730-8205
Matapeake Park and Beach
Matapeake Park and Beach is located on Kent Island across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis, occupying grounds formerly used as the landing for the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System.
The county-owned park and beach are open to the public daily between dawn and dusk and serves as the northern terminus of the six-mile Kent Island South Trail, which provides walking and biking access throughout the island.
The former ferry house and landing have been restored into a clubhouse and fishing pier, which offer spectacular views of the nearby bridge and waters.
A public swimming beach allows dogs on leashes, and several trails provide access to nearby natural sites. Other amenities include a family picnic area and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts periodic concerts and public special events.
2010 Sonny Schulz Blvd, Stevensville, MD 21666, Phone: 410-643-1060
North Beach
North Beach is a town and public beach that is known as the “Jewel of the Chesapeake Bay,” located approximately one hour from Washington, D.C.
The city is a more low-key day-trip alternative to neighboring Chesapeake Beach, featuring a quaint flower-lined boardwalk and attractions such as the Bayside History Museum, which showcases exhibits on the region’s social and cultural history.
The city’s family-friendly beachfront is open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk for swimming and sunbathing, though visitors should note that no lifeguard is present on duty.
Boat slips are available for free use, and fishing is allowed with a permit on the beach’s lower level fishing deck.
Special events are held at the beach throughout the year, including Movies on the Beach events, a Halloween BooBash, and an annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge.
9023 Bay Avenue, North Beach, MD 20714, Phone: 410-286-3799
Ocean View Beach Park
Ocean View Beach Park is one of several public parks offering access to Norfolk’s 7.3 miles of pristine Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The 6.5-acre beachfront park is open as a handicap-accessible public swimming beach with lifeguards on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day and serves as a popular spot for kayaking and shoreline jogging.
A large band shell at the park is host to a number of concert series and public special events throughout the summer months, including the Big Bands on the Bay series and the TGOV Beach Music Concert series, which bring local musicians to the park for evenings filled with outdoor games, dancing, and local food and beverages.
An annual Brews on the Bay event also brings beer aficionados to the park for craft brew sampling.
100 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503, Phone: 757-441-1767
Sandy Point State Park
Sandy Point State Park is located on Sandy Point on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, near Annapolis and Kent Island. Like its neighbor Matapeake Park and Beach, the park is the former site of a Chesapeake Bay Ferry System ferry landing that was purchased by the state of Maryland following the bridge’s construction. Today, the 786-acre park attracts more than one million annual visitors and is known for its spacious bayfront beaches, which are staffed with lifeguards between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Other popular activities at the park include picnicking, fishing, crabbing, hiking, and boating. Several historic sites are located within the park, including the Sandy Point Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the 1883 Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse.
1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409, Phone: 410-974-2149
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is one of the most popular resort cities along the Atlantic coast, offering three miles of famous boardwalk and the Guinness Book of Records-listed longest pleasure beach in the world. The city is home to major attractions such as the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, the Military Aviation Museum, and First Landing State Park, the site of the 1607 Jamestown colonists landing. In addition to the main boardwalk area, beachfront access is provided at a number of sites throughout the city, including the secluded Sandbridge Beach, the off-the-beaten-path Chicks Beach, and the wildlife-heavy False Cape State Park.
2101 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, Phone: 757-385-7873
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
There’s a deep and rich history behind Rehoboth Beach, but that is just one of the things that makes this lovely Atlantic Coast beach town in Delaware such a popular place to visit.
The beachfront is a great place to enjoy recreational activities, and people watch and enjoy a good old-fashioned day at the beach.
Spend a day exploring the boardwalk, hop in and out of great shops, or dine at incredible restaurants when in town.
The beach is also home to a great bandstand that regularly hosts free concerts that can even be heard and enjoyed from the beachfront. Meanwhile, other attractions include the Cape Henlopen State Park and the Rehoboth Beach Museum.
Cape May, New Jersey
Referred to lovingly as America’s “Original Seaside Resort”, Cape May is anything but normal or typical. Cape May is the proud home to several stupendous beaches, a beautiful promenade, and a ton of amenities that will undeniably make Cape May one of the best beach getaway destinations in the country. This lovely seashore town is home to incredible architectural diversity and a rich history that is just waiting to be discovered. Book a stay at a range of accommodations like hotels, bed and breakfasts, beach houses, and even campgrounds for your visit before heading over to the beach to enjoy leisure activities, great swimming, and an array of great beach-side attractions.
Colonial Beach, Virginia
A great beach vacation awaits at Colonial Beach, Virginia. Colonial Beach is the second largest beach in Virginia and is located right along the shores of the gorgeous Potomac River. The sandy beach is a great place to lounge and soak up sunlight, fresh air, and the sea’s revitalizing energy.
In addition to the main beach, there are additional beach fronts in the north and south of the downtown area which are favored by guests who want to enjoy a quieter and more secluded trip to the beach.
When visitors aren’t enjoying the beachfront, they can take a walk along the busy boardwalk to snag a bite at one of the many beachfront restaurants or a food truck.
There are also great shopping opportunities, lovely playgrounds, and even a great place to fish at Municipal Pier.
315 Douglas Avenue, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, MD is arguably one of the best beaches in the United States. The beautiful beach is home to 10 fantastic miles of finely maintained sand and is perfect for family-friendly fun like easy swimming, kayaking, and canoeing.
Ocean City is also a great place to enjoy surfing and fishing in addition to other free activities like publicly screened movies, live music, and fireworks.
Just off the beach is a three-mile boardwalk, which is home to great stores, several arcades, and amusement centers. Meanwhile, the boardwalk is also great for a refreshing bike ride.
Dewey Beach, Delaware
There is a unique rock-and-roll feel and a young and upbeat vibe in Dewey Beach, DE that has become a way of life for its fun and welcoming local community.
It’s this incredible vibe and the fantastic sunshine, of course, that brings guests to the pristine shores of Dewey Beach over and over again.
There are a number of great activities to enjoy at the beach such as tours with Delmarva Board Sports, live concerts at the Rusty Rudder, and other water sporting activities. Meanwhile, dining is also great at Dewey Beach with mouthwatering menus being offered at restaurants like Jimmy’s Grille, mama Maria Ristorante Italiano, and The Lighthouse.
What Dewey Beach is most known for, however, is Dewey Beach’s nightlife, which is characterized by spectacular live music and the young, and young at heart, crowd.
105 Rodney Avenue, Dewey Beach, Delaware 19971
