Taste Virginia's Eastern Shore on these culinary adventures

The Eastern Shore of Virginia is an inviting enclave for food adventurers. This 70-mile strip of fertile farmland, flanked by the Chesapeake Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, is dominated by agriculture and aquaculture. For foodies, that translates into a divine abode of seafood and wine, ripe for the savoring from spring through fall.

Known as the Oyster Capital of the East Coast, Virginia is home to seven oyster regions, offering a range of distinct flavors. The Eastern Shore claims three regions and a multitude of restaurants, raw bars and seafood shacks that serve them in many ways, from raw on the half shell to baked up Rockefeller style.

The Eastern Shore also is an understated option for those seeking out a coastal beach destination without the hubbub of its overcrowded neighbors to the south. It’s home to two National Wildlife Refuges, one renowned for its wild ponies.

“This is an area that’s steeped in a rich history — its land and waters tell the story of generations that have come before it,” says Caroline Logan, director of communications for Virginia Tourism Corporation. “The oyster industry on the Shore is booming, providing an incredible opportunity for travelers to experience Virginia through their taste buds on the Virginia Oyster Trail.”

The Shore, as the locals call it, is separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. You can get there by crossing the 23-mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Our family of four visits the Eastern Shore determined to uncover unique culinary finds that this portion of the Delmarva Peninsula has to offer. We find adventure in kayaking to a winery and digging for clams.

“These are the kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that make the Eastern Shore a perfect destination for couples, families or solo travelers,” Logan says.

We do a few things the conventional way, like staying for the week at Bay Creek Resort in Cape Charles. Our three-bedroom condo makes a great headquarters, especially for Mike, who gets to play both Jack Nicklaus-designed and Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses, and our kids, who love the resort pools.

For adventure, we drive northward on U.S. Route 13, the Shore’s main drag, from Cape Charles to Chincoteague Island – its northernmost point and home to those wild ponies made famous by the children’s book Misty of Chincoteague.

We spy the ponies from a distance. And later, we get up close with clams on a kayaking adventure in Cape Charles, where we pluck our evening dinner from the muddy creek floor.

We also paddle to a winery in Machipongo, Va. and sip chardonnay while surrounded by a cornfield on a 300-acre working farm. We explore walkable downtowns and visit a roadside barbecue shack where we have to fight off stealthy sea gulls — which was worth it. And we meet many friendly locals who readily recommend our next place to eat.

Browse the gallery above for inspiration to plan an adventure of your own tasting the Eastern Shore.

And see more summer seafood destinations below.