Tangier VirginiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Tangier, Virginia.
1. Tangier Island Beach
PRISTINE CHESAPEAKE BAY SHORES
Tangier Island Beach offers pristine white sandy shores along the Chesapeake Bay with spectacular views of the island skyline. Visitors can enjoy quiet walks along clean beaches surrounded by inlets filled with crab pot buoys and abundant waterfowl. The beach provides an excellent vantage point to see the island's most notable landmark, the water tower, rising above the town.
2. Tangier Island History Museum
ISLAND HERITAGE PRESERVED
The Tangier Island History Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage and unique way of life on this isolated Chesapeake Bay community. The museum is filled with exhibits detailing the island's colonial past, watermen traditions, and the distinctive dialect spoken by residents. Visitors can explore artifacts and historical information that tell the story of this remarkable island community's resilience through centuries.
3. Watermen's Tours
AUTHENTIC CRABBING EXPERIENCE
Watermen's Tours offer visitors an authentic glimpse into the traditional crabbing and fishing lifestyle that has sustained Tangier Island for generations. Local watermen guide guests through the surrounding waters, demonstrating crabbing techniques and sharing stories of island life. These tours provide insight into the challenging but rewarding occupation that has defined Tangier's economy and culture.
4. Fisherman's Corner Restaurant
FRESH SEAFOOD DINING
Fisherman's Corner Restaurant serves up the freshest Chesapeake Bay seafood caught daily by local watermen. The restaurant specializes in soft-shell crabs, a delicacy for which Tangier Island is nationally renowned as the 'soft crab capital'. Diners can enjoy authentic island cuisine while experiencing the warm hospitality that characterizes this tight-knit community.
5. Kayak Tangier Island
WATERWAY EXPLORATION ADVENTURES
Kayak Tangier Island offers guided paddling excursions through the island's picturesque waterways and surrounding marshlands. Adventurers can navigate the narrow channels that crisscross the island, observing abundant wildlife and gaining a unique perspective on this isolated community. These kayaking experiences provide intimate access to Tangier's natural beauty and ecological significance in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
6. Tangier Island Golf Cart Tours
ISLAND EXPLORATION RIDES
Tangier Island Golf Cart Tours provide a comprehensive introduction to the island's landmarks and history from friendly local guides. Visitors travel along the narrow streets where golf carts outnumber automobiles, experiencing the unique pace of island life. These tours offer fascinating commentary on island traditions, architecture, and the ongoing challenges of erosion facing this vulnerable community.
7. Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House
FAMILY-STYLE ISLAND DINING
Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House has been serving family-style meals to island visitors for generations, featuring local seafood specialties. The restaurant offers hearty, homestyle cooking with dishes passed around the table, creating a communal dining experience. Guests can enjoy crab cakes, clam fritters, and other traditional Eastern Shore fare in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
8. Tangier Island Gift Shops
LOCAL CRAFTS AND SOUVENIRS
Tangier Island's quaint gift shops offer handcrafted souvenirs, maritime-themed items, and locally made products that capture the island's unique character. Visitors can browse through nautical decorations, books about island history, and artwork depicting Chesapeake Bay scenes. These small businesses provide both charming mementos of an island visit and vital support to the local economy.
9. Swain Memorial Methodist Church
HISTORIC ISLAND LANDMARK
Swain Memorial Methodist Church stands as the spiritual and cultural center of the deeply religious Tangier Island community. The historic church building, with its distinctive architecture, reflects the importance of faith in island life. Visitors are welcome to attend services and experience the unique Tangier dialect that has been preserved through generations of relative isolation.
10. Tangier Island Ice Cream Shops
SWEET ISLAND TREATS
Tangier Island's ice cream shops offer welcome refreshment to visitors exploring this charming Chesapeake Bay destination. These small, family-run establishments serve classic flavors and local specialties in a friendly, unhurried atmosphere. Enjoying an ice cream cone while strolling the island's narrow lanes provides a quintessential Tangier experience, especially during warm summer months.
11. Onancock Wharf
GATEWAY TO TANGIER
Onancock Wharf serves as a primary mainland departure point for ferries to Tangier Island. The historic waterfront area offers scenic views of Onancock Creek flowing into the Chesapeake Bay and features shops and dining options for visitors waiting to embark. The wharf's location in the charming Eastern Shore town of Onancock makes it worth exploring before or after a Tangier Island excursion.
12. Reedville Fishermen's Museum
MARITIME HERITAGE CENTER
The Reedville Fishermen's Museum preserves the rich maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay region near Tangier Island. Exhibits showcase traditional wooden boats, fishing gear, and memorabilia documenting the area's fishing industry throughout history. Located in Reedville, another ferry departure point for Tangier, the museum provides context for understanding the working watermen's culture visitors will encounter on the island.
13. Janes Island State Park
COASTAL WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Janes Island State Park, located near the Maryland ferry departure point to Tangier Island, offers over 30 miles of water trails through pristine salt marsh. Visitors can camp, kayak, and observe abundant wildlife including herons, egrets, and other Chesapeake Bay species. The park's location provides excellent views across the bay toward Tangier Island and similar low-lying coastal ecosystems.
14. Smith Island Cultural Center
SISTER ISLAND HERITAGE
The Smith Island Cultural Center showcases the traditions and history of Maryland's offshore island community that shares many cultural similarities with nearby Tangier. Exhibits highlight the distinctive Smith Island dialect, traditional cake making, and the watermen's lifestyle that defines both islands. Visitors interested in Tangier culture will find fascinating comparisons at this museum located on Smith Island, which is accessible by ferry from Crisfield, Maryland.
15. Cape Charles Beach
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAY BEACH
Cape Charles Beach offers a mainland alternative to Tangier's shores with calm, shallow Chesapeake Bay waters ideal for families. The wide, sandy beach features views of passing ships and spectacular sunsets over the bay. Located in the charming town of Cape Charles on Virginia's Eastern Shore, this beach provides amenities like restaurants and shops that complement a visit to the more remote Tangier Island.