Chincoteague
town in Accomack County, Virginia, United States
Chincoteague is an island and small town off the Eastern Shore of Virginia, near the state border with Maryland.
Understand
editThe local Chamber of Commerce can answer tourism-related questions.
Get in
editDriving is the way just about everyone gets to Chincoteague.
If you are coming from far away, there is a small commercial airport in Salisbury, Maryland, with flights from Charlotte and Philadelphia. You can rent a car from there and make the one-hour drive. Alternatively, Norfolk International Airport has many more flights, also offers rental cards, and is a two-hour drive away.
From the South
editTo get to Chincoteague Island, take Interstate 64 east from Richmond until you reach Norfolk. From there, take US 13 North. You will need to pay a $12 bridge toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel. Once on the other side, continue up the Eastern Shore for about an hour and a half. In Oak Hall, there is a Food Lion and Sonic. Turn right onto Rt. 175. Continue following 175 past the NASA base and across the bridges. There is a stoplight after the last bridge.
From the North
editHead to Salisbury on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Take US 13 South. Follow directions as above, except take a left onto Rt. 175.
Get around
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Map of Chincoteague
There are many ways to get around Chincoteague. During the summer months, the roads can get crowded. Bicycles are a great solution (and they get you into the beach for free!) Consider renting from 1 Bike Depot or one of the other rental shops.
- Pony Express (look for Trolley Stop signs around the island), ☏ +1 757 854-8575 (after 5PM). May & Jun: F Sa 5-10PM; Jul & Aug: daily 5-10PM; Sep & first half of Oct: F Sa 5-10PM. Pony Express is the public transportation on the island. It operates around Chesapeake Island from May through the first half of October. Some trolleys operate on the red route while others run the green route, although the two routes mostly overlap. Note that the trolley does not go to the beach or anywhere else on Assateague Island. The Pony Express is a particularly great way to get to the carnival, as parking there is limited. $0.50; exact change or ride tokens only (some businesses give free ride tokens).
- 2 Star Transit, ☏ +1 757 787-8322. M-F. Star Transit provides transportation between Chincoteague Town Office, Oak Hill, and Wattsville, with transfers available to other towns along Virginia's Eastern Shore. $0.50; children ages 0–3 are free.
See
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- 1 Annual Pony Swim (Memorial Park), 7470 Memorial Park Dr. Last Wednesday in July. It's best to buy seats on a boat.
- 2 Wild Pony Auction, 3648 Main St (Chincoteague Carnival Grounds). Starts at 8AM on the day after the Annual Pony Swim. Arrive early.. A fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
- 3 Captain Timothy Hill House, 5122 Main St, ☏ +1 914 589-7733. F 1-3PM only. Likely the oldest house on Chincoteague Island. It was built around 1800, although it was moved to its present location in 1980 when faced with demolition. It's a small house, built using pit sawn and hewn pine planks. It is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Now a museum, it is open limited hours.
- Second Saturday celebration, Downtown Chincoteague, second Saturday of every month. Local artists and shop owners celebrate the arts and take it to the sidewalks.
- The island, in its entirety. Take a cruise around the island with a local captain.
Do
edit- 3 Go to Asseteague Beach.. There is no commercialization over there--not even a Coke machine--so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. It is a wonderful beach, though you'll have to pay to get on Assateague Island, where the beach and wildlife refuge are located. Be sure to stop at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center on Assateague--they have activities and exhibits for nature lovers of all ages. You should also include a trip to the Tom's Cove Visitors Center, located near the beach this location boasts a touch tank and other exhibits.
If you're willing to have a little walk you should check out the Wild Beach. Located north of the main beach this secluded strip of sand is perfect for those just wanting to get away from it all. The Wild Beach is also accessible by the 1/2-mile Swan Cove Trail, which spurs off of the Wildlife Loop.
- 1 Fireman's Carnival, 3648 Main St. Certain weekends in Jun and Jul 7-11PM. It's a small-town festival complete with rides, games, bingo, and delicious oyster and clam fritters. All the rides and stands are run by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Many members of the fire company are World-Famous Salt Water Cowboys.
- 2 Funland Amusements, 6528 Maddox Blvd. +1 757 336-5420. You can play a round of Putt-Putt, race for the finish in go-karts, climb the rock wall, get soaked with bumper boats, and even do a little old-school air hockey or pool inside the arcade.
- 3 Surfside Golf, 6557 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-4653. Miniature golf. It also sells ice cream.
- Riding bikes on the Wildlife Refuge is an unforgettable experience. The 3-mile 4 Wildlife Loop is an easy, flat ride, and the short hike to the 1 Assateague Lighthouse is a lot of fun. Also check out the 1.5-mile 5 Woodland Trail, which is off the main road to the beach, is a prime spot for viewing ponies. The loop also includes two spur trails. The 0.5-mile Swan Cove Trail, which goes to the beach, and the 1-mile Black Duck Trail which connects the loop to the road. Another option is the trail that leaves the refuge parking lot and follows the main road before connecting to the Black Duck Trail. Walkers have several options, the 0.5-mile-long Marsh Trail, and the 1/4-mile-long Snow Goose Trail, both of which connect to the loop. Finally for the brave ones, there is the 7.5-mile-long service road. Originating at the wildlife loop and heading north, this trail is only open to walkers, with an exception during Waterfowl Week in November when it is also open to bikes and cars. For families with kids or those unsure of riding with traffic, rent from the Bike Depot[dead link]. They're close to all the paths and the beach too!
If you have time to spare, though when you are on Chincoteague Island, there is seemingly no concept such as "time". Enjoy crabbing off the paths located conveniently on Maddox Boulevard, right before the entrance to Assateague Island. The view is lovely and if you do a 180-degree turn, across the 2-way road, you will most likely see some wild Assateague horses grazing and/or running freely about.
Whatever you do, if it's outside, bring bug spray. The mosquitoes are blood-thirsty!
Buy
edit- Sun screen. Aloe. Bug spray. A good beach book.
- An authentic Chincoteague Pony. There are several options for this. Most people looking to buy a pony come for pony penning week (Last Wednesday in July.) and buy one at the Wild Pony Auction. For those that can't make it that week, or are interested in a more relaxed buying experience, the Chincoteague Pony Farm [formerly dead link] is a great alternative. Don Leonard has been raising ponies for decades, and now with the help of his sons and grandchildren, he is making a name for the small farm he's owned since the 60s.
- 1 Island Foods Great Valu, 6277 Cleveland St, ☏ +1 757 336-5829. 7AM-10PM, every day. The only grocery store on Chincoteague Island. It is a bit small, but it has most of the basic things. For a larger selection, take a 15-minute drive over the bridge to the Food Lion in Oak Hill.
- 2 Old Neptune's Bookshop, 6182 Maddox Blvd. Daily 10AM-5PM.
- 3 Sandpiper Boutique, ☏ +1 410 279-2717. W noon-10PM, Th-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 10AM-6PM; M Tu closed. Soaps, handbags, children's clothes, jewelry, art, accessories, and bath and body products.
Eat
edit- 1 Pico Taqueria, 6560 Maddox Blvd. Open spring, summer, and fall. Open-air taco stand. Very creative taco menu. Indoor and outdoor tables. it gets busy in the summer, for good reason!
- 2 Bill's Prime Seafood and Steaks, 4040 Main St, ☏ +1 757 336-5831. Open 365 days a year, 11AM-9PM. One of the best. It's casual enough to eat in shorts and a t-shirt, but fancy enough to go out for a family celebration. Their broiled crab cakes are the best!
- 3 Maria's Family Restaurant, 6505 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-5040. A great restaurant with a family-vibe and a fabulously friendly staff. The perfect place to go for family-friendly environment that provides a great well-cooked home-styled meal. Reservations are not necessary though due its popularity, it does tend to get a bit more crowded in the evenings and especially on the weekends during the in-season time period. Never fear though, if there is a wait, just add your name to the list and walk next door to Refuge Golf.
- 4 The Village Restaurant, 6576 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-5120. A more high-end restaurant. Overlooking Eel Creek with an exquisite menu consisting of seafood, veal, steak and specializing in fresh Chincoteague oysters, this is the perfect spot to take that special person in your life if you'd like to treat them right. Reservations are highly suggested, though not required, and the doors open at 5PM sharp. Bon Appetite!
- 5 AJ's On the Creek, 6585 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 894-7209. It has possibly the most upscale atmosphere on the island but is as casual as anywhere, and features seafood, veal, and hand-cut steaks as well as seafood pastas. Open for lunch and dinner M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM. And dinner on Su 5-10PM.
- 6 Woody's Serious Food, 6700 Maddox Blvd (at the circle), ☏ +1 410 430-4429. Features delicious barbecued pork and chicken, and fried chicken in a fun atmosphere.
- 7 Famous Pizza and Sub Shop, 6689 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-1316. Offering Italian items in a pizzeria setting.
- 8 Don's Seafood Market & Restaurant, 4113 Main St, ☏ +1 757 336-5715.
- 9 J&B Cold Cuts, 3571 Main St, ☏ + 1757 336-5500. Offers subs, pizza, and deli meat. Specializing in Philly cheesesteaks. Take-out only
- 10 Ledo's Pizza, 6477 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-6597. DC-area chain restaurant, offering pizza and Italian specials.
- 11 Captain Zack's Seafood, 4422 Deep Hole Rd, ☏ +1 757 336-3788. Offers wide variety of fresh seafood. Served fried, grilled, blackened and other ways. You can take home raw seafood if you like to cook yourself.
Ice cream
edit- 12 Mister Whippy's, 6201 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-5122. This soft-serv ice cream spot is a guaranteed must for locals and tourists alike. Order a famous Mister Whippy's cyclone, or any other of their fabulous treats which range from ice cream scoops in homemade waffle cones to thick milkshakes, and enjoy it on the front porch in a rocking chair, or inside at the tables if the weather is poor. There is a drive-thru window on the side of the establishment. However, if you do have time, be sure to check out the gift shop inside the parlor by the bathrooms. It offers shirts, hats, and souvenirs.
- 13 The Island Creamery, 6243 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-6236. Chincoteague Island's only homemade ice cream and more. Smell the waffle cones cooking as you enter the building and choose from a wide variety of ice cream, yogurt, sorbet, and slushes. If your stomach is empty enough, order the Round-Up. The creamery also features coffee drinks, homemade fudge, a gift shop and free WiFi.
Drink
edit- 1 Amarin Coffee, 6141 Maddox Blvd, ☏ +1 757 336-7229. 7AM-2PM, every day. Great coffee, tea, and pastries. A few seats outside.
Sleep
edit- The Refuge Inn, Maddox Blvd. The little hotel with local, knowledgeable, friendly staff. The rooms are spotless and very spacious for the price. The indoor/outdoor pool is great (and heated in the winter) while the observation deck above the 2nd floor is a wonderful place to sit at night and stargaze. They have ponies on-site from the Chincoteague Pony Farm and you can pet and feed the horses. In the spring and summer there are young colts and fillies running around inside the pen. They have a great gift shop too and a bike place right across the parking lot (with a free outdoor air pump). Breakfast is great, although it can be a little crowded.
- Miss Mollys Inn, 4141 Main Street, ☏ +1 757-336-6686, toll-free: +1-800-221-5620. At this bed and breakfast you will find a warm and inviting parlor that is just the place to curl up with a good book, chat, play board games or just sit by the fire. Author Marguerite Henry stayed here while she wrote Misty of Chincoteague.
- Uncle Joe's Cabins and Motel, Chicken City Road, offer 21 units, varying from cottages to mobile homes to motel rooms. Rentals exist as One to three bedroom units with cooking facilities. Television, A/C, private crabbing area, and picnic tables.
- Sea Shell Motel, Willow Street, offers efficiencies, suites, and cottages. Amenities include a summer kitchen, picnic tables, BBQs, wireless hot spots, pool, in-room coffee, refrigerators, phones, shade, trees, and flowers everywhere. This motel, which started off as only four units, is a block from downtown.
- The Sea Hawk Motel, Maddox Boulevard, offers rooms and efficiency apartments. Free wireless internet, pool, picnic, playground, and cooking area. Across the street from the Island Creamery
- Waterside Inn, Main Street, is another great place. Including a heated waterfront swimming pool, pier for fishing and crabbing, solar health spa with jacuzzi, tennis court, and marina. A conference and hospitality room is available. You can dock your boat for free if you're staying there. Wireless internet and continental breakfast are free.
- Island Motor Inn, Main Street is one of the top hotels on the island, with both an indoor and outdoor pool, exercise room and brilliant waterfront views. The Island Cafe is another major perk.
- Blue Heron Inn, Maddox Boulevard is a good place as well. It features a pool, playground, ponies on site, picnic pavilion, free continental breakfast (at a nearby restaurant), and Wi-Fi.
- Snug Harbor Marina, East Side Drive, offers cottages to stay overnight for a price less than many hotel rooms. Small palm trees and waterfront lounge chairs for sipping drinks or just watching the world go by, as well as the reggae music complete the tropical theme. Available to rent are kayaks and canoes, pontoon boats, skiffs, and powerboats. A small selection of bait and tackle is also available.