Virginia Beach to Martinsburg train

While boasting a suburban atmosphere that will make anyone jealous of an East Coast life, Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia by population and one of the state's best destinations. Positioned at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, its primary focus has always been its oceanfront location.

In the record books as having the longest pleasure beach in the world, the soft golden sands of Virginia Beach stretch for miles. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to take a stroll or bike along the three-mile boardwalk lined with cafés.

A block back, Atlantic Avenue plays host to Virginia Beach's dining scene, which incorporates everything from well-known names to family-run restaurants specializing in the bay's seafood.

But for all the glitz and glamour of Atlantic Avenue, it's Virginia Beach's natural splendors that will have you coming back again and again. As it twists with the coastline to become Shore Drive, you'll reach First Landing State Park. It preserves the spot at which English colonists first arrived on U.S. soil in 1607 after a five-month voyage. Meanwhile, out to sea, there's a chance to spot humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.

The city’s central location on the Atlantic coastline means there are many destinations you can visit from Virginia Beach for very cheap. The busiest terminus in Virginia Beach is on Northampton Boulevard. It sees buses reach New York City in around eight hours. Head to Norfolk, and you can also jump on Amtrak's Northeast Regional train service to Boston.

Martinsburg is a city in the lower Shenandoah Valley, at the tip of the Eastern Panhandle region in West Virginia. The city is popular for the well-preserved Martinsburg Roadhouse: the only cast-iron-framed railroad structure in the US, open for weekly tours. Martinsburg also has museums and history centers, like the Belle Boyd House, General Adam Stephen House & Triple Brick Museum, and the George Children's Museum for kids. The city features outdoor entertainment spots like the War Memorial Park, Mini-Golf & Concession, and Ambrose Park for dog lovers.

Martinsburg has several nightlife attractions, especially dance nightclubs. The city also has different craft breweries and brewpubs that contribute to the vibrant craft beer scene, wineries, vineyards, and distilleries for alcohol drinkers. Main Street Martinsburg is the entertainment district in the downtown area, with several restaurants, bars, and lounge locations, combined with historically significant buildings.

You can easily access Martinsburg via companies like Amtrak Capitol Limited and Amtrak, with daily scheduled trips to the city. Wanda Coach is your best bet if you want to travel by bus into the city; once you're in Martinsburg, Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority provides public transport.