Things to do / Travel Guide
While eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland is decidedly not the cheapest region in the U.S., budget travelers should also be able to enjoy themselves for reasonable prices. And great news for the shopping fans - shopping is completely tax-free in the Delaware towns on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Lodging Costs in Eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
Lodging prices throughout eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland jump in the summer months. In particular, North Carolina's Outer Banks (specifically the more upscale resort areas of Duck, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills) often fall on the highest end of the price spectrum. In the summer months, luxury and pampering hotels, resorts, historic inns, and bed and breakfast establishments (B&Bs) will generally cost around $200 a night or more. Colonial Williamsburg's inns in eastern Virginia tip the scales, running around $350 per night in the peak summer months. Mid-range B&Bs and inns usually begin at a more reasonable $125 a night, and clean-but-basic motels start at around $100 a night. Generally speaking, the further you stay from the shore, the more money you will save, but if you want to save, try one of eastern Virginia's youth hostels - a bunk bed in a dorm room will set you back less than $20 per night. Camping is also a sure money-saving deal, with rates hovering around $20 or less per night, per site throughout the region.
Dining Costs in Eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
You can easily get a good, solid meal in eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland without breaking the bank. Fresh seafood and crab shacks (the more rustic the better) and other inexpensive eateries will generally fill your belly for between $5 and $15 a plate. A mid-range sit-down affair usually runs anywhere from $10-$25 per person, and a posh, gourmet, establishment will cost about double that per entrée.
Transportation Costs in Eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
If you're planning on traversing eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland on your own (or rented) four wheels, you should know that, on average, gas prices are slightly less expensive in eastern Virginia than they are on the Delmarva Peninsula or the North Carolina shore. Within eastern Virginia, gas prices are cheapest in Richmond and Virginia Beach, and slightly higher in Newport News and Norfolk.
For travelers planning to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), plan to pay hefty toll. The CBBT carries one of the most expensive toll crossings in the United States - about $12 one-way. If you are planning to visit the CBBT just for the day, round-trip discount toll fares are available and can save money if you cross over and back within 24 hours.
The cost of public transportation in all regional communities is standard; generally under $2 for rides within the city limits and outskirts. On the Delmarva Peninsula, both Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Ocean City, Maryland, offer a service whereby you can park your car and ride a shuttle to the beach of your choice for a single, inexpensive fare. There are also other trolley and shuttle services of limited scope within the region (usually downtown/city center loop routes) that are either free or cost $1 or so per ride. In addition, as ferries are a relatively common mode of public transportation around the region, it pays to know that there are a number of ferries in the North Carolina shore area (including the Outer Banks). Many of these ferries charge for passengers (about $1) and vehicles (about $25).
Attractions, Activities, and Tour Costs in Eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
You can do quite a lot in eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland for $10 or less. Entrance to nearly all of the botanical gardens, historical homes and sites, lighthouses, beaches, ghost tours, and small-town historic tours cost under or around $10. Parking at wildlife refuges, state parks, and beaches likewise costs under $10 for the day. Your pocket will lighten slightly faster when it comes to exotic wildlife and safari tours. Privately-run boat tours and cruises generally run around $20, whale and dolphin sight-seeing cruises often cost around $35, and wild horse jeep safaris cost nearly $50. If you want to participate in the lectures, shows, and tours at Colonial Williamsburg, be prepared to shell out some money for a day pass, though even travelers on tighter budgets generally find the experience worth the price tag. Many travelers opt to save money in Williamsburg by staying at a Williamsburg hotel or inn that offers a family package. It is often possible to find hotels offering free children's passes to Colonial Williamsburg with a minimum several-day stay - these specials are generally more prevalent during the colder months, from late fall-early spring.
Guests of the official Williamsburg hotels can buy a discounted “Colonial Williamsburg Hotel Guest Ticket,” which costs about $30 per day. Even if you are not staying at one of these hotels, it is possible to choose from a wide range of combination-pass prices, which offer either limited or unlimited entrance to the events and attractions for either a single day or multiple days to a full year's entrance; prices vary from about $40-$75 per person, depending on the provisions of the pass.
Free Attractions, Activities, and Entertainment in Eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
If you want to be a beach bum in eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland without paying the price, you will be happy to know that the beaches in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Ocean City, Maryland, on the Delmarva Peninsula are free, as are the beaches in the eastern Virginia town of Virginia Beach; most other beaches charge a day admission or “pass” fee that will let your family spend a day at the beach for under or around $10. You can also walk around Colonial Williamsburg for free, attend one of the mini air shows in Virginia Beach at the Naval Air Station Oceana, or tour the cool space exhibits at the NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, on the Delmarva Peninsula without spending a dime.
To hear a live performance without footing the bill, visit the eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland region in the summer. Richmond, Virginia's Brown Island offers a yearly free summer concert series called Friday Cheers, featuring local and national bands, and Richmond's Summer City Fest features over 50 performances at various venues throughout the city during two weeks in July; the majority of which are free. Virginia Beach also offers many free concerts nearly every summer evening along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
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