A getaway to any of the below could mean dipping your toes in diamond-dust white sand, strolling through historic beach towns, or escaping into the most remote wilderness. (Not to mention orca watching or wild pony spotting as possible activities.)
The thing that unites all these islands is incredible scenery, proximity to water (AKA vitamin sea), and the fact that getting away from the mainland is the quickest means by which to leave behind work stress and get on vacation time.
Location: Virginia’s eastern shore
Dreamy draw: Chincoteague is so untamed it actually has wild ponies. (But then, you knew that if you were obsessed with the children’s novel Misty of Chincoteague growing up.) Explore the wetlands and pristine coastline any time of year. Or, try to time your visit to the annual Pony Swim on the last Wednesday in July, when the wild ponies make a journey from nearby Assateague to Chincoteague.