For those of you from the South Jersey region...I'd like to make the trip halfway down on a Friday to get some work hours done in the am. Wachapreague is about 1/2, but thinking of Exmore because Robert from the old group used to speak highly of the Great Machipongo Clam Shack. A good dinner is kind of important! Anyone stay at the Exmore Hampton or Holiday Inn ever? Other VA areas off Rt. 13? We will be very early on Saturday, but would prefer that to being in traffic coming through Kitty Hawk on down to Hatteras Island. Thanks!
@LakesMom I'm originally from outside Philly. Whenever we'd breakup the trip we'd stay at the Sunset Beach Resort. Nothing fancy but the location was key. Just across the bridge, has a beach with simple bar/grille. Unfortunately I just looked it up and the hotel is closed. However, it looks like the KOA there is flourishing with cabins and tiny homes. It's also pretty close to Cape Charles which is a cool little town. I'd check it out.
Get a dinner at the Metompkin seafood located right on Rt13 in Mappsville VA,
@Alexy yes. Machipongo Clam Shack ain't so great anymore. If you just want a sandwich or a parfait, the Lighthouse Country Market is good for that, you can stretch your legs and pet the goats. I can't speak for the hotels/motels, we drive straight through.
Chincoteague Comfort Inn Bills Prime for dinner
If I were staying in Chincoteague, it would be at The Refuge, it's so beautiful. For dinner, Bill's is good but reservations mid summer are hard to get. Captain Zach's has very good seafood, a very nice island atmosphere and very nice local people. It's probably a 5 minute drive from the Refuge.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts/suggestions! We are going to make the decision next week. Greg, I agree about The Refuge, It's a great place! Our kids always loved the pool:)