We wanted to make a day trip to search for fossils at Calvert Cliffs and this seemed to be one of…read morethe only options so off we went. The road to get to the campsites / office is relatively bumpy and the road is full of ruts and rocks that could actually be challenging for a small car or a car that is low to the ground. We drove slowly and it was fine. The lady in the office was very friendly and we paid in cash which is preferred. This is clearly a family-run operation. The walk down to the beach was via a kind-of steep set of stairs. At the bottom there were a few other groups of people there, many of them apparently semi-professional fossil hunters with specialized digging hand tools. Unfortunately the tide was coming in when we got there (poor planning on our part), but this limited our fossil searching to a sliver of exposed beach itself as the water was covering a significant portion of the ground. I would highly recommend Wellington-style rubber boots or something similar to keep your feet dry while you search (everyone else on the beach was wearing them). Your sneakers will probably get wet. As far as fossils go, we didn't find much. One of us found what appeared to be a very small shark tooth. You are not allowed to dig into the cliffs themselves due to erosion concerns but you could see layers of shells and small fossils in the cliffside which was interesting. All in all it was not the fossil-rich experience I was expecting. I've heard about digging for fossils at Calvert Cliffs for many years and so it was a bit disappointing to come away empty-handed. If we had been better prepared to wade out into the water and brought some sort of implements with us we may have had more success. Not a terrible afternoon at all but not a place I will be chomping at the bit to return to.

This review is for the beach. Perhaps a new owner has taken over, as we had nothing but a pleasant…read moreexperience with the woman who took our money and her husband, who showed us where to park. It was $10 per person (cash only!), but considering that the beach has tons of shells and fossils, and lots of parking, we found it a very fair price. They even give you a permit so you can leave and come back on the same day. I would suggest bringing an umbrella or sun tent, as there isn't much shade (at least before 2 pm est, when we left). The water is a bit murky, but refreshing and sandy once you get out past the shoreline. You may want to bring water shoes.

When you first arrive at Lighthouse View, you will be blown away by the breathtaking view of the…read moreAssateague Lighthouse (hence the rental's name). But once you step inside, you'll never want to leave. This townhouse rental is beautifully decorated with soft, cool colors and beachy items everywhere. It provides enough room for a small family (we had 5 and were plenty comfortable). Almost everything you could need is provided. I cannot say enough good things about this home and cannot wait to have many more stays here. I was even able to contact the owners directly when I had questions after the rental agency was closed for the day. I would highly recommend this house to anyone...just don't pick the week I want :-)

From the owner: Located right on the water with your own private dock. Lighthouse View offers spectacular views…read moreyear round, as well as direct deep water access (the public boat launch is less than 100 yards from our front door). You can moor your boat or kayak by your front door and enjoy time on the water in this scenic gem of Virginia's Lower Eastern Shore. Lighthouse View has two bedrooms (sleeps 6 comfortably) and two full bathrooms, with an extra half-bath downstairs. Everything else you could possibly need is there for your use, including a barbecue, crab cooking pots, as well as crab traps for catching them right off your dock! Beach chairs and patio set with an umbrella so you can enjoy meals and hanging out on your deck. This part of the east side of the island is relatively free from trees (places where mosquitoes hang out) so there isn't a need for a screened in porch with Lighthouse View.

Perfect for all 4 couples!…read more 2nd stay at Spinnaker Waterfront and it's even better than the last time. We stayed with 3 other retired  couples this time and enjoyed having our own bedrooms and bathrooms. One chilly and rainy day we couldn't go fishing but enjoyed the fireplace and appreciated the nice dry firewood the owners supplied. Really enjoyed seeing the Chincoteague wild ponies again, and this time we did get to the Wallops NASA base.   We are planning on bringing our grandchildren for a week next summer. There are so many free activities that we can enjoy with them from catching crabs and swimming off the dock,  surf fishing on Assateague, and even climbing the light house.  Plus the 2 visitor centers on Assateague and Wallops can keep them busy if weather doesn't let us enjoy the National Seashore which is my favorite beach. Especially enjoyed lots of take-out seafood, and the savings vs eating in restaurants. But cooked lots of great breakfasts in the wonderful kitchen that was exceptionally well stocked with everything from paper products to spices and every pot and pan you can imagine including a large crock pot for our gang

Spinnaker is the perfect house for a family vacation. We spent most of the week enjoying the house…read moreand all it offers. Our favorite activity was eating smores off the grill on the back deck after eating dinner on the screened in porch. Our first time in Chincoteaque and we never made it to the beach - no need to when the water is in your back yard! The owners take care of the property like it's the home they live in all year round. We already booked a week for next year!

After two days of driving around disappointment after disappointment with the accommodations of…read moreSouthern Maryland, we finally found this jewel B&B tucked into a corner of Calvert Bay. The inviting long beige pebble driveway felt like a breath of fresh air cleansing all frustrations from the the previous two days away. The plantation has been renovated into a main guesthouse with mutilple cottages. Thomas Cox tastefully preserved the house and one can see the history within the walls. The rooms are immaculate and clean. There are tons of wildlife around the home, the sun sets just over the bay, and there are schools of fish swirling the waters. If you want relaxation, good kayaking, and plenty of good wine, this is the place to be... Just like the label on their wines, if you need to get away and "slack" off, Woodlawn is the place to leave it all behind.

OK. The place is OK. We stayed in the Magnolia cottage. "Magnolia is our romantic get away…read morecottage. Set off by itself" = false. Magnolia is a toolshed on the central patio. The door to the building doesn't lock or close very well. Don't expect any privacy. When the wind blows the door open, the wine drinkers at the little tables all look right in the door at the side of the bed. The building has no furniture, except a bed and a lecture stand with a slanted top. No night tables or a TV or a mini-fridge. Probably got stolen when the door quit closing all the way. Breakfast has changed from some of the reviews posted here. We were offered a couple of danishes and pastries, cut in half and some fruit and store-bought granola. Jim announced that the coffee was gone at 9:30 and he had no plans for making any more. "Whoever needs it the most can have the last little drop!" I don't know if they lost their food service license or just quit bothering to live up to the "Breakfast" part of their name. The rocking chairs on the lawn ARE lovely and have a peaceful view of the river. Until about 2:30 when the tourists show up with their fast food and spend the day drinking wine. So we went into Leonardtown which is about 45 minutes away and looks like it was deserted when PAX River AFB downsized. Don't bother with the Point Lookout lighthouse either - there's a big chain link fence around it. If you are looking for someplace to eat your roadside lunch while enjoying a free wine tasting, Woodlawn has it all. If you're looking for a romantic weekend for two - stay home.

Great location, beautiful views as always, friendly helpful park staff! Some guests fail to turn…read moreoff generators so try C loop or sites away from others. Sites along entrances less busy if you are tenting like I.

This state park is well staffed and maintained. Many free activities are offered and cover lots of…read moretopics, including age-appropriate, environmental programs for kids -- that's nice. Jane's Island seems to be known primarily for the camping possibilities. The camping sites, both for tents and cabins, are pretty full during the season. Has a loyal following. Reserve early. Also, fishing is all the rage here. I saw many people fishing from the banks of the water and from kayaks, etc. However, biking possibilities are only average. Hiking is about the same. Crisfield gets a fair number of storms, had a bunch during our visit, and it can affect the grounds, but the area dries out pretty quickly.

Large and comfortable tri-level home waterfront property in Northern Neck, Virginia. Four…read morecomfortable bedrooms, plenty of beds, clean and well stocked with linens, a large kitchen, lots of games, books, TVs in every room. Kiddie pool, hot tub for the adults, kayaks, canoes, and a 4-passenger pedal boat. 'The property has a garden shed storing bicycles (which need a little love, some rust, etc.) Care has been taken to ensure few or no mosquitos, or other flying insects, much appreciated in this part of the country. We especially enjoyed the large upper deck off the kitchen, with two barbecue grills, a long table with comfortable seating for 10. Our group of 8 (6 adults, 2 children) found something to do every day when including several day trips to local wineries, Colonial Williamsburg, or shopping. We found lots of second hand and thrift stores, full of treasures.

From the owner: Book our beautiful home for fishing, crabbing, recreation and more! Make your memories here!read more

We had a great time staying at the Inn. The people who run the inn are very friendly and met us at…read morethe dock when we arrived from the ferry. They helped us transport our luggage from the ferry and when we were preparing to return to the mainland. The rooms are comfortable and include private bathrooms. In the morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of pancakes, fruit, potatoes, and bacon. I would definitely stay again. There are three rooms available for rent. We also enjoyed borrowing the bicycles and the kayaks to help us explore the island.

Best hotel on smith island. Me and my grandmother stayed in the first floor room, and it was very…read morecozy. We took the morning ferry going back, so we never got breakfast, except for the free cereal. All together, it was a great stay. Will come back