VA Memorial Day Beach Guide: What To Know For 2023 As Summer Begins

VIRGINIA — Memorial Day has arrived, and Virginians looking to hit the beach this summer have plenty of options.

Virginia's coast has a variety of beaches, whether you want a boardwalk experience in Virginia Beach or a more laid back experience with wildlife watching on Assateague Island. Many restaurants in Virginia Beach offer water views, live music and more on their patios and decks.

Out-of-state destinations like the Delaware beaches and Outer Banks in North Carolina are also frequented by D.C. area residents.

To help you prepare for Memorial Day beach trips and beyond, we've rounded up a guide to beach destinations ideal for Northern Virginia residents. This includes traditional oceanfront beaches, lakes, and more.

Virginia Beach

Virginia's premier beachfront destination has the traditional boardwalk experience as well as the more-low key bay beaches and Sandbridge Beach. Visitors can stay at a hotel along the main stretch near the boardwalk or rent a property on Sandbridge Beach, all while enjoying recreational activities and attractions.

There's plenty of family fun, from the Atlantic Fun Park to the Cape Henry Lighthouse, Virginia Aquarium and much more. Be sure to check out the calendar of events too.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. on the north end of Virginia Beach above 42nd Street and the south end of Virginia Beach in the Sandbridge area before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Virginia and Maryland

These undeveloped beaches offer a serene beachgoing experience and a perfect setting for wildlife watching. The destination is known for its protected beaches, marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Visitors also enjoy viewing the wild horses from a distance. Camping, swimming hiking, crabbing, fishing and more can be done here.

Colonial Beach, Virginia

This Potomac riverfront beach offers a beach experience with small town charm. It typically takes two hours to get to Colonial Beach from DC, providing a closer option for day trips. Branded as the "Playground of the Potomac," it literally has a playground for kids to enjoy. Visitors can also rent a kayak or paddle board, visit restaurants and shops, and more.

Deltaville, Virginia

Located on the Chesapeake Bay at the eastern end of the Middle Peninsula, Deltaville is bounded on the north by the Rappahannock River and on the south by the Piankatank River. Deltaville's history was shaped by these waterways, giving the town the name of "Boating Capital of the Chesapeake Bay." Book a weekend or an entire week at one of the many houses in the Deltaville area where you can enjoy easy access to the beach.

Buggs Island, Virginia

South of Richmond, follow Interstate 85 at Petersburg to the North Carolina border, and you'll come to Buggs Island, where you can enjoy every water sport imaginable at Virginia's largest lake. Take your pick of five campgrounds on the Virginia side in Mecklenburg County, and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and fishing. If you get bored with camp life, visit Occoneechee State Park on Buggs Island Lake.

Jamestown Beach, Virginia

Get a side of history with your beach experience at this riverfront destination near the Jamestown Settlement. It's also convenient to families spending time at Colonial Williamsburg or Busch Gardens. Picnic areas and grills are provided, and kayaks can be rented. Swimming is allowed, but there are no lifeguards on duty.

Cape Charles, Virginia

Avoid the crowds of the oceanfront beaches with a getaway at this bayside beach on the Eastern Shore. It is the Eastern Shore's only public beach without an entrance or parking fee. Swimming and sunbathing are popular at the beach, and park benches are also available to admire the Chesapeake Bay views and sunsets. A fishing pier is also available for fishing and crabbing.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

While the Outer Banks of North Carolina are five hours and counting from DC, visitors don't mind making the trek to this popular destination. The Outer Banks features numerous towns on the barrier islands along the ocean. Visitors renting a house can enjoy their own private or semi-private stretch of the beachfront. Aside from relaxing on the beach, visitors enjoy shopping, exploring various lighthouses, viewing the horses in Corolla, using the fishing piers, and walking the East Coast's tallest dunes at Jockey's Ridge State Park. Most beaches on the Outer Banks allow dogs year-round as long as they are on a leash.

Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland is a popular family destination with plenty of attractions and beachfront access. Everyone will find something to do here, whether it's exploring the amusement parks, venturing the boardwalk, visiting museums, or checking out various events and festivals. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants to choose from to unwind after a day on the beach. Dogs are not permitted on the beach or boardwalk at Ocean City between May 1 and Sept. 31.

Sandy Point State Park, Maryland

Located near Maryland's state capital of Annapolis, this bayside beach is typically less than an hour from DC. It's the last exit before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, so you'll skip the traffic heading to the oceanfront destinations. Swimming, boating and fishing are popular activities at the state park, and picnic facilities are available. Since this park has capacity limits, you'll want to arrive early to avoid being turned away during peak visiting times.

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

If ocean beaches aren't your thing, check out Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland. Visitors will find indoor activities at resorts as well as a plethora of outdoor adventures. Deep Creek Lake offers boating, water sports and tubing on the lake along with hiking, fishing and plenty more family activities.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

This Delaware Beach is typically less than three hours from Washington, DC, making it a popular pick for the region's residents. It's also a destination frequented by the Bidens, who have a home just north of Rehoboth Beach proper. Rehoboth Beach features a boardwalk with restaurants, shops and amusements, and more businesses can be found along Rehoboth Avenue. Another popular activity is sales tax-free shopping at the Tanger Outlets along the Coastal Highway. Dogs are not permitted on the beach or boardwalk at Rehoboth between May 1 and Sept. 31.

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Bethany Beach, south of Reboboth, is a small coastal town known for its small town beach charm. The town has a boardwalk, beach, shops, restaurant and the Bethany Beach bandstand that offers family-friendly live entertainment from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Lewes, Delaware

Located where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet, Lewes is a favorite for travelers who savor quiet strolls on boutique-filled streets or relaxing waterfront dining. Visit Cape Henlopen State Park, where you'll find six miles of shoreline and can enjoy fishing and walking or cycling down the miles of trails. Another option is to sail on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a 90-minute ride across the bay.