Romantic Weekend Escapes Near Hampton Roads, Virginia

The Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia is replete with romantic getaways. It is a region full of history, natural beauty, and water, water everywhere, so there are many possibilities for romantic weekend escapes! The typical romantic weekends in Colonial Williamsburg or at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach are great, but here are a few of the less well-known getaways that I recommend. All are within about two hours' driving distance from Virginia Beach, VA.

1. Edenton, North Carolina: I was very pleasantly surprised when I visited this historic town not too long ago. A bit out of the away on the picturesque coastline of the Albemarle Sound, Edenton is North Carolina's oldest town, which says a lot about all there is to see in this quaint town. There are blocks and blocks of beautifully preserved stately homes from the 1700's to the 1900's - smaller colonial homes, large New Orleans-style homes with wrought iron balconies and everything in between! There are some lovely bed-and-breakfast inns in the town, all within walking distance of a very nice downtown area. We loved with the "Main Street America" feel of the small town center and found it so charming that everyone seemed to know everyone in the local coffee shop. The city park and pier along the waterfront offer absolutely gorgeous views of the Albemarle Sound. This is a great town for a quiet, romantic weekend.

2. Onancock, Virginia: Onancock is often called things like the "jewel" and the "gem" of the Eastern Shore and rightfully so. What a gorgeous little town! But this is no "hick" town with nothing but old houses. Onancock has several very nice restaurants featuring both local seafood as well as international cuisine. We loved the food at Mallard's along the water. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and the water glistened as we ate a fantastic and economical meal. There is a cute inn on North Street right across from a Spanish restaurant and around the corner from a cinema that shows current movies as well as international films. Onancock has several fantastic old churches - one shingled church with white gingerbread wooodwork took my breath away! From Onancock you can take a day trip to Tangier Island, an island almost lost in time where the inhabitants still have the Elizabethan accent of their ancestors. There is a ferry that runs from Onancock to Tangier (check the schedule for the most up-to-date info to make travel plans) - this is a wonderful trip to fill a romantic weekend in Onancock. Then travel to Chincoteague to visit another quaint seaside town and Assateague National Seashore to marvel at the wild horses and spectacular beauty of the wild beaches of Assateague.

3. Smithfield, Virginia: I just love little Smithfield, well-known for its Smithfield ham. There isn't all that much to do there, but Smithfield is just so cute that I love to visit when I get the chance. There are actually some very nice shops in Smithfield. One antique and decor store is a gorgeous mix of old and modern and is worth a look around. Have an ice cream at the local ice cream shop and then walk around and admire the many beautiful colonial and Victorian homes in the downtown area. There is a local inn that is lovely and good restaurants nearby. Waterviews also abound and a drive through the countryside is very relaxing. This is a great little town for a quiet romantic weekend.

4. Outer Banks, North Carolina: Outer Banks? Yes, there are some romantic areas in the Outer Banks between the fast food places and tacky tourist shops! Some areas I particularly like are the Corolla section of the northern Outer Banks, where there is still a small-town feel despite the fact that it's mainly geared towards tourism. My all-time favorite part of the Outer Banks is a bit further than 2 hours from Virginia Beach, but it is so worth the trip that I am going to mention it anyway! Ocracoke Island - you can't get any more romantic than Ocracoke. The adorable seaside town is rich in pirate (and other) history and its gnarled live oaks and winding little dirt roads just set the tone for a fantastic weekend. There are lots of little mysterious streets to explore and by the time you're finished, you'll start pondering what it would be like to give it all up and move to Ocracoke, I guarantee it! There are plenty of places to eat, sleep, and shop too. One of the best parts of a weekend in Ocracoke is the ferry ride to and from the island. It's a beautiful trip and you really get the sense that you're getting away from it all because the island is only accessible by ferry. For more adventurous couples, there is also great beach camping in very "rustic" conditions!

There are many more romantic trips in southeastern Virginia that come to mind, but those are my favorites. Here are more worthwhile getaways within two-three hours of Hampton Roads: Richmond, Virginia; Yorktown, Virginia; Williamsburg, Virginia; Downtown Norfolk. Virginia; Charlotteville, Virginia; Georgetown in DC; Fredericksburg, VA.

Happy traveling and remember the old saying: Virginia is for lovers! Okay, North Carolina too!