Best Beaches Near Washington DC, United States
Best Beaches Near Washington DC, United States ,People around the globe acclaim Washington DC for its rich historical landmarks and bustling political ambiance, but the city also serves as a gateway to a multitude of picturesque beaches. These beaches offer a welcome break from the city’s vigorous pace. The scenic shores of the expansive Chesapeake Bay stretch over 200 miles and take in more than 11,000 miles of shoreline. Many untouched and pristine coastal treasures offer tranquil havens far removed from the East Coast’s crowd-heavy tourist hubs. The inviting sands of Virginia and Maryland Beaches welcome you, while the appealing boardwalks of Ocean City and Rehoboth Beaches exude charm. These beachfront paradises, conveniently nestled near the nation’s capital, strike a perfect balance between tranquility and lively activity. Visit our website, BearTravel, to get in-depth insights and real-time updates on these captivating coastal retreats.
Whether you’re looking for fun-filled, family-friendly activities or serene sunbathing sessions on sandy beaches, BearTravel can guide you to the best beach experiences. Dive into exciting water adventures like kayaking and boating, or take on some surfing action. Enjoy a leisurely picnic complemented by a beachside BBQ at your favorite spot. Assateague Island Beaches offer wildlife enthusiasts an unforgettable encounter with wild horses in their natural habitat. If you’re craving a romantic escapade, the serene shores of Old Town Alexandria Beaches and the historically-rich Cape May Beaches make ideal choices. Delaware Beaches, known for their vibrant nightlife, and the foodie’s paradise, Virginia beaches near Washington DC, deliver an enthralling experience for those seeking nocturnal excitement. If you’re considering a day trip from DC, let BearTravel guide you to these irresistible beach destinations, teeming with diverse attractions and boasting stunning natural beauty.
Kiptopeke State Park
Kiptopeke State Park, first documented by Captain John Smith in 1608, stands as a premier recreational site along Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay. Covering 562 acres, it functions as a vital coastal bird habitat with extensive hiking and biking trails. Two unguarded beach areas enable seasonal swimming from Memorial Day to Labor Day, while the south beach facilitates fishing, boating, and crabbing, with capacity for 70 boat trailers. A lighted fishing pier remains open from April to December. The park offers diverse accommodations like cabins, lodges, yurts, bunkhouses, and RV and tent hookup campsites. Additional amenities include a children’s playground, a beach bathhouse, and picnic areas.
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Address/Location: 3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles, VA 23310
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Best for: Birdwatching, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, boating, camping
Ideal for: Nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, campers, families
Breezy Point Beach
Calvert County Parks and Recreation manages Breezy Point Beach and Campground in Maryland, offering an array of family-friendly shoreline activities. The Chesapeake Bay beach extends half a mile, showcasing a netted swimming area and a 200-foot fishing pier. The spacious beachfront, perfect for picnicking and grilling, has two rented picnic shelters, each accommodating 100 people. Seasonal campsites for RVs, trailers, pop-ups, and standard tents provide services like water and sewer facilities, each housing six guests. The beach also has a children’s playground and bath houses, with a visitor-ready concession stand.
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Address/Location: 5300 Breezy Point Rd, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
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Best for: Family-friendly shoreline activities such as swimming, fishing, picnicking and grilling
Ideal for: Families, outdoor enthusiasts, campers
Leesylvania State Park
Leesylvania State Park, located beside the Potomac River in Prince William County and recognized for its links to several notable historic Virginia families, has been providing a wealth of seasonal activities since 1992 It boasts a universally-accessible 300-foot fishing pier where visitors can catch various fish species, including largemouth and striped bass, catfish, and perch. Although the park prohibits swimming due to unsafe water conditions, a natural sand beach enables other beachside activities. During the peak season, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats from the park’s Breakwater Marina. A primitive camping site is also available for group overnight stays.
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Address/Location: 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22191
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Best for: Fishing, beachside activities, boating, group camping
Ideal for: Nature enthusiasts, families, fishers, campers
Chesapeake Beach
Chesapeake Beach, a historic resort community, emerged at the Chesapeake Beach Railway terminus in the early 20th century. A favored destination until the Great Depression, its placement in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 revived it. It now features the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, complete with water slides, a lagoon, and a children’s area. It hosts the Herrington Harbour marina resort, which Marina Dock Age magazine named America’s best, and the Railway Museum that showcases the city’s unique history. Bay Front Park and Brownie’s Beach offer beachfront activities and access to the Chesapeake Bay shoreline.
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Address/Location: 8200 Bayside Road, P.O. Box 400, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland 20732
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Best for: Exploring historic sites, enjoying beachfront activities, visiting the water park and museum
Ideal for: History buffs, families, beachgoers
Assateague Island National Seashore
The Assateague Island National Seashore extends across the Maryland and Virginia barrier island, housing Assateague State Park and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. After numerous hurricanes in 1965, the park’s creation stopped the development of the Ocean Beach resort town. The seashore, covering 41,346 acres of safeguarded shoreline and marine areas, welcomes over a million visitors each year. Open year-round, the park has two National Park Service visitor centers and offers outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, hiking, and kayaking, creating a lively ambiance.
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Address/Location: 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811
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Best for: Outdoor Activities such as swimming, surfing, hiking, and kayaking
Ideal for: Nature enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and bird watchers
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, a top resort city located on the Atlantic coast, presents a three-mile celebrated boardwalk and boasts the longest pleasure beach in the world, a fact recognized by the Guinness World Records. Hosting attractions like the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, the Military Aviation Museum, and First Landing State Park, the city holds a rich history, including being the landing site of the 1607 Jamestown colonists. Besides the central boardwalk, beachfront access extends to several locations such as the tranquil Sandbridge Beach, lesser-known Chicks Beach, and wildlife-laden False Cape State Park.
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Address/Location: 2101 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
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Best for: Beach activities, museum visits, historical exploration, wildlife viewing.
Ideal for: Families, history enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, beachgoers
Rehoboth Beach
Located on the Atlantic Coast, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware combines history and fun-filled activities. Visitors can enjoy beach activities on the vibrant beachfront, explore the bustling boardwalk dotted with inviting shops and excellent dining options. The heart of the town vibrates with free concerts from the bandstand, audible even to those lounging on the beach. The town also boasts the nature-filled Cape Henlopen State Park and the historical Rehoboth Beach Museum.
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Address/Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
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Best for: Beach activities, shopping, dining, free concerts, history, and nature exploration.
Ideal for: Families, beachgoers, history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and food lovers
Matapeake Park and Beach
Matapeake Park and Beach, situated on Kent Island across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis, stand where the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System’s landing used to be. The county manages this park and beach, which invite visitors from dawn to dusk. The park begins the six-mile Kent Island South Trail, which offers ample walking and biking paths across the island. The former ferry house and landing have been turned into a clubhouse and fishing pier, respectively, offering stunning views of the nearby bridge and bay. The park also includes a public swimming beach where leashed dogs are permitted, and a network of trails that lead to local natural sites. Additional facilities include a family picnic area and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts and other public events regularly.
Open-Close Hour: Dawn to Dusk
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Address/Location: 2010 Sonny Schulz Blvd, Stevensville, MD 21666
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Best for: Walking, biking, fishing, beach activities, picnicking, concerts, public events
Ideal for: Families, dog owners, nature enthusiasts, cyclists, event-goers
Ocean View Beach Park
Located on Norfolk’s pristine Chesapeake Bay shoreline, Ocean View Beach Park evolved into a lively, handicap-accessible 6.5-acre public beachfront. Lifeguards ensure the safety of public swimmers from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Kayaking and shoreline jogging attract visitors to this serene yet invigorating environment. The park hosts spirited summer events like the concert series – Big Bands on the Bay and TGOV Beach Music Concert, featuring local musicians and an atmosphere ripe with outdoor games, dance, and local cuisine. The annual Brews on the Bay event congregates beer enthusiasts for craft brew tastings.
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Address/Location: 100 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503
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Best for: Swimming, kayaking, shoreline jogging, concerts, beer tasting.
Ideal for: Couples, families, beachgoers, music and beer enthusiasts
Cape May
Cape May, America’s unique “Original Seaside Resort,” provides exceptional beach environments, a stunning promenade, and plentiful amenities, marking itself as a top-tier beach vacation spot. This coastal town showcases diverse architectural styles and an engaging history awaiting exploration. From hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts to beach houses and campgrounds, Cape May offers various accommodation options. Guests can partake in leisure activities, enjoy refreshing swims, and discover numerous beach-side attractions.
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Address/Location: Cape May, New Jersey
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Best for: Beach activities, leisure activities, architectural exploration, and history.
Ideal for: Families, beachgoers, architecture enthusiasts, and history buffs
Colonial Beach
The picturesque Colonial Beach in Virginia, gracing the stunning Potomac River’s shores, promises a memorable beach vacation. This sandy expanse, ranking as Virginia’s second-largest beach, invites guests to sunbathe, refresh with clean air, and immerse in the sea’s restorative vibes. Beachfronts located north and south of downtown Colonial Beach provide tranquil, secluded beach experiences. Off the beach, guests can stroll the vibrant boardwalk, savor meals at a myriad of beachfront eateries or food trucks, shop to their heart’s content, enjoy delightful playgrounds, and engage in fishing at the prime Municipal Pier spot.
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Address/Location: 315 Douglas Avenue, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443
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Best for: Beach activities, shopping, dining, and fishing.
Ideal for: Families, beachgoers, foodies, shoppers, and fishing enthusiasts
North Beach
North Beach, hailed as the “Jewel of the Chesapeake Bay,” is a charming town featuring a public beach, about an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. This city offers a quieter day-trip alternative to its busier neighbor, Chesapeake Beach, complete with a beautiful flower-adorned boardwalk and the Bayside History Museum, which presents the region’s rich cultural and social history. The beachfront, open to public year-round from dawn to dusk, is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, but visitors should note the lack of lifeguard supervision. North Beach offers 19 boat slips free of charge, and permits fishing from the beach’s lower-level deck, provided a valid permit is presented. The beach is also the location for various special events held throughout the year, including the Halloween BooBash, the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge, and Movies on the Beach.
Open-Close Hour: Dawn to Dusk
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Address/Location: 9023 Bay Avenue, North Beach, MD 20714
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Best for: Swimming, sunbathing, fishing, enjoying special events
Ideal for: Day-trippers, history enthusiasts, families, couples
Sandy Point State Park
Sandy Point State Park, located near Annapolis and Kent Island beside the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, originally served as a Chesapeake Bay Ferry System ferry landing. Maryland acquired this site following the bridge’s construction. Today, this vast 786-acre park annually welcomes over a million visitors, celebrated for its spacious bayfront beaches, under the supervision of lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park also provides a variety of activities, including picnicking, fishing, crabbing, hiking, and boating. Several historical sites like the Sandy Point Mansion, on the National Register of Historic Places, and the vintage 1883 Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse, enhance its appeal.
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Address/Location: 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409
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Best for: Beach activities, picnicking, fishing, crabbing, hiking, boating, historical exploration.
Ideal for: Families, beachgoers, history enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers
Ocean City
Ocean City, a top beach destination in the United States, earned recognition as one of Trip Advisor’s top 10 beaches in 2017 Its ten miles of immaculate sand provide a venue for numerous family-friendly activities, including swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. It also appeals to surfing and fishing aficionados. Visitors can partake in complimentary entertainment options, such as open-air movies, live musical performances, and firework displays. The adjacent three-mile boardwalk, full of enticing shops, interactive arcades, and vibrant amusement centers, offers a perfect path for a revitalizing bike ride.
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Best for: Family-friendly beach activities, surfing, fishing, live entertainment, shopping, and biking.
Ideal for: Families, beach lovers, surfers, fishermen, music enthusiasts, shoppers, and bikers
