Eco-Tourism in the Mid Atlantic

This article provides insights into eco-tourism opportunities in the Mid Atlantic region.

Wikipedia defines Eco-Tourism as "responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale."

Eco-Tourism is a very popular activity and a great way to spend recreational time while learning about nature.

Eco-tourism providers offer a variety of services which may include boat cruises, nature cruises, scenic cruises, sunset cruises, site-seeing, eco-tourism trips, kayaking adventures, and ocean charters. 

Some eco-tour providers offer several types of trips. Having a choice of eco-tourism packages means there is usually something for everyone.

Eco tours provide encounters with of wildlife and waterfowl including deer, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, plovers and other shorebirds, whales, porpoises, otters, seals and more.

Local guides usually know the best areas for viewing nature. Eco tour guides allow enthusiasts to enjoy experiences that cannot be accomplished otherwise.

In some areas, free or low-cost tours are another option. Eco-tours are often available at national wildlife refuges, state parks, and other public areas.

Although eco-tourism is a popular summer activity, it can be enjoyed year-round. In the Mid Atlantic, many of the most exciting eco-tours occur in the off season.

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Beaches

Things To Do - Mid Atlantic

Day Trips and Weekend Getaways - Mid Atlantic

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

A spectacular array of day trips, weekend getaways, and other travel opportunities can be found in the Mid Atlantic Region. This article provides travel ideas and examples of short trip destinations.

When planning a trip, travelers may want to consider a number of factors before choosing a destination.

Time affects virtually all travel in the Mid Atlantic Region. With some interests, timing will be a minor issue. For others, timing is critical.

Factors such as traffic, temperature, and availability of goods and services are all affected by time and season.

The following are trip ideas by state and region:

Jersey Shore

The Jersey Shore is one of the most popular getaway destinations in the northern part of the region. The Jersey Shore is known for its seaside towns, amusement parks, and other attractions.

Popular Jersey Shore destinations include Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area), Asbury Park Beach, Ocean Grove, Belmar, Manasaquan, Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park, Atlantic City, Ocean City, and others.

Cape May

On the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is a popular travel destination. The area is popular with birdwatchers, especially Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, and Cape May Point State Park.

Delaware Coast

Because of its strategic location, the Delaware Coast is one of the area's most popular destinations. The area is home to numerous beachfront communities. Near Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park attracts beach enthusiasts, birdwatchers, fishermen, and others.

Baltimore

One of America's oldest cities, Baltimore is a favorite city to explore. Access to Baltimore is possible by auto, bus, rail, air, or sea. The Inner Harbor is a must-see starting point. From there, visitors can spend time exploring museums, shopping, boat tours, historic neighborhoods, or take walks along the harbor.

Western Maryland

Western includes scores of destinations for day trips and getaway excursions. Popular attractions in Deep Creek Lake, Historic Cumberland, and others.

West Virginia

In West Virginia, Harpers Ferry is one of the best kept secrets in the Mid Atlantic region. The appeal of this historic town is due mostly to its geographic location. Harpers Ferry is located at the junction of two of America's most famous rivers; the Potomac and Shenandoah.

Ocean City MD

Ocean City, Maryland (OCMD) is Maryland's most popular coastal beach resort. Each year, Ocean City experiences a dramatic change as its population swells from less than 10,000 winter residents to over 2 million in the summer months.

Chincoteague Island - Assateague Island

Located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Chincoteague Island is a favorite weekend getaway destination for beach lovers, birders, and anglers. Once a small fishing village, the town is a mix of shops, restaurants, motels, and vacation cottages. A few minutes away is Assateague Island, home to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, sandy beaches, and the world-famous wild Chincoteague ponies.

Hampton Roads Virginia

The Hampton Roads - Tidewater region is known for its waterfront activities. Travelers can explore the seven cities of Hampton Roads and other areas.

Coastal North Carolina

North Carolina is home to some of America's most popular beaches from the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast.

Along the coast are important estuaries, including Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound, fed by the Roanoke, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers.

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Beaches and Coastal Travel Destinations

Things To Do in Harpers Ferry West Virginia

Winter Recreation Ideas

Popular Car and Truck Stickers - Mid Atlantic Region

In recent years, the popularity of vehicle stickers has skyrocketed throughout the USA. A closer look at this trend reveals some interesting clues as to the renewed popularity of vinyl auto stickers.

No doubt, vinyl auto stickers have been popular for decades. Some of the earlier bumper stickers featured a plain white background and simple text art. In many cases, these stickers were sold as souvenirs at local resorts.

This old school bumper sticker features a classic style of text.

Ocean City Maryland Arched Text Logo Car Bumper Sticker by north_america

In the Mid Atlantic region, Euro style oval vehicle stickers have become common. These designs are smaller, which allow vehicle owners to display them on windows, bumpers, or other parts of vehicles.

The popularity of Euro style oval stickers in the Mid Atlantic region began with stickers that displayed the acronym "OBX" to designate North Carolina's Outer Banks. As more and more travelers began adding OBX stickers to their autos, the trend spread along the Atlantic Coast.

OBX - Outer Banks NC Euro Style Oval Logo Oval Sticker

As the popularity of Euro style stickers increased, so did the variety of choices. Another popular three-letter oval sticker is "OKI", which designates Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.

OKI - Ocracoke Island Oval Logo Oval Sticker

Two letter versions are also popular, such as this "HI" Hatteras Island sticker.

HI - Hatteras Island Oval Logo Oval Sticker

Eventually, the popularity of Euro style oval stickers spread throughout the Mid Atlantic. This "CM" acronym logo is available for fans of Cape May New Jersey.

CM - Cape May New Jersey Oval Logo Oval Sticker

Some auto owners find the Euro style two, three, and four letter acronym stickers to be too cryptic. An alternative to the oval sticker is the rectangular vinyl sticker, which is well suited for SUVs, crossovers, and other small vehicles.

Outer Banks North Carolina Arch Text Logo Rectangular Sticker

American Littoral Society Montauk Spring Getaway

American Littoral Society Montauk Spring Weekend
June 7-9, 2013
Montauk Manor
Montauk, New York

The American Littoral Society (ALS) is sponsoring a spring weekend at the Montauk Manor in Montauk, New York. The event will begin with an orientation and slide show on Friday night.

Activities include: hiking, birding, tide pools, butterflies, rocky cliffs, a visit to Montauk Light, and an optional whale watch.

The Montauk Manor features well-appointed rooms, restaurant, hot tub, pool, and views of the Atlantic.

For more information, visit www.littoralsociety.org

Best Mid Atlantic Bed and Breakfasts

The Mid Atlantic region is fortunate to have an incredible range of bed & breakfasts and other inns. Settings include remote mountain retreats, historic colonial homes, beach homes, and other destinations.

Bed and breakfast inns usually accommodate guests by day or week, with some units available for longer stays. Inns range from simple homes in residential neighborhoods to upscale historic homes.

Bed and breakfasts are popular for honeymoons, weekend getaways, summer vacations, or simply for an overnight visit. Another popular option is to book an entire inn for family re-unions, company retreats or other functions.

When choosing a bed and breakfast in the Mid Atlantic, its always a good idea to have a list of questions ready in advance. Usually a little research prior to traveling will help vacationers find the perfect inn.

This list offers a few ideas for choosing the perfect inn or b&b:

Is a deposit required in advance?
Can a room be canceled once a deposit is placed?
Does the facility have a website or social network page?
Are reviews of the inn available?
Is the inn part of an innkeepers association or chamber of commerce?
Is a spare bed available if needed?
Are pets allowed?
What about restrictions?
How can the innkeeper be contacted in case of emergency?
Are room rates cheaper during the off season?
Is room service available?
What attractions are nearby?

Need to find a bed and breakfast or plan your next getaway? Visit these regional websites to learn more about accommodations near some of the Mid Atlantic's top travel destinations:


Tidewater Virginia accommodations