Exmore, Virginia
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Region
Virginia's Eastern Shore
Type
Incorporated town
County
Northampton County, Virginia
Known for
Railroad history and a central Shore location
Exmore makes a practical, low-key base for exploring the middle of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The town’s official visitor guide points to its downtown shops and cafés, community events, and central location on the peninsula, with regional outdoor activities and historic sites nearby. [1]
For a visit in town, start with the Exmore History Walking Tour and Main Street, then take a break at Town Park. Nearby, Willis Wharf offers a change of scene at the water’s edge. Exmore is also a useful place to pause while traveling the Eastern Shore by road; check official visitor and county information before setting out for specific events or waterfront facilities. [2][3]
Plan a trip to Exmore
Why visit Exmore?
Exmore is less a resort destination than a working town with a useful place in an Eastern Shore itinerary. Its appeal lies in the combination of locally owned businesses, a small-town downtown, railroad-era history and easy access to nearby bayside and seaside landscapes. The regional tourism commission highlights local shops, the Exmore Diner, the town park and community events as visitor draws. [4]
The town’s history is especially visible in its street pattern and the historic buildings featured on the self-guided walking tour. Visitors can pair a short town stop with a meal or shopping downtown, or use Exmore as a starting point for exploring the wider Eastern Shore. [5]
What to see and do
Exmore History Walking Tour
Follow the town’s self-guided route past Main Street and railroad-era sites. The tour notes that many stops are private property: stay on public sidewalks and respect posted boundaries. Check the official guide for the route and map before walking. [6]
Exmore Town Park
This community green space has a playground, picnic tables and grills, and hosts local events. Its facilities and event schedule can change, so check the town’s current information before planning a visit or gathering. [7]
Willis Wharf and Morley’s Wharf
For a waterfront outing, the town’s visitor guide describes boat and kayak launch access, fishing areas and observation points at nearby Willis Wharf and Morley’s Wharf. Facilities are managed locally; confirm current access and conditions before traveling. [8]
Main Street shops and the Exmore Diner
Browse downtown businesses and look for local food and everyday Eastern Shore character. The regional tourism commission features the diner and independently owned shops; business hours and availability vary, so check directly before visiting. [9]
History and character
The area around present-day Exmore was farmland before the railroad reached the Eastern Shore. The Town of Exmore’s history account says the New York-Pennsylvania-Norfolk Railroad arrived in 1884 and made Exmore an important stop for shipping local produce to northern markets. The railroad helped establish an inland commercial center on a peninsula where many earlier communities had grown around waterways. [10]
The walking tour traces how the rail connection supported produce brokers, shops and packing businesses, and how road travel later reshaped the town’s commercial life. Exmore was incorporated as a town in 1950, according to the town’s history page; Virginia’s official charter record also lists the original incorporation and charter in 1950. [11][12]
Today, Exmore serves as a year-round service and business town as well as a convenient stop for travelers on the peninsula. Its visitor identity centers on everyday downtown life and community gatherings, rather than a single major attraction. [13]
Planning a visit
Exmore is on the Eastern Shore’s north–south road corridor, with downtown Main Street and businesses along Lankford Highway. The official visitor guide presents the town as a central base for exploring the peninsula; driving is the most practical way to reach Exmore and nearby destinations. [14]
For a compact visit, allow time for the walking tour, a stop downtown and a break at Town Park. If you plan to visit a wharf, fish, launch a boat or kayak, or attend an event, confirm current arrangements with the relevant local authority or organizer. Some walking-tour stops are private property, and visitors are asked to remain on public sidewalks. [15][16]
Nearby places and attractions
- Virginia's Eastern Shore — Explore the peninsula’s small towns, coastal landscapes and regional visitor resources.
- Cape Charles, Virginia — A southern Eastern Shore town and waterfront destination.
- Onancock, Virginia — A historic Eastern Shore town to the north.
- Chincoteague, Virginia — A gateway to the barrier-island landscape and Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia.
- Virginia's Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge — Find refuge information and nature-oriented stops in the region.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Explore Exmore, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Exmore History Walking Tour, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Play, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Exmore, Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Explore, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Exmore History Walking Tour, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Exmore Town Park, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Water Recreation, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Exmore, Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ About: History of Exmore, Town of Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ About: History of Exmore, Town of Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Town of Exmore Charter, Code of Virginia, Virginia Legislative Information System. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ About, Town of Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Explore Exmore, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Exmore History Walking Tour, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Water Recreation, Visit Exmore. Retrieved 2026-10-23.