If you love nature and getting out into the great outdoors then you should not miss the opportunity to check out Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. The 14,000-acre wildlife preserve offers plenty of wildlife, a variety of trails, and miles of beach to explore.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife preserve located primarily on the Virginia end of Assateague Island. Assateague Island is part of the Great Atlantic Flyway. The refuge was established here in 1943 to protect waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and song birds, along with the other plants and animals of this unique barrier island habitat.
The refuge isn’t just for wildlife and foliage, however. It also offers a variety of outdoor recreation. In fact, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most visited in the country. Nature fans, birders, photographers, and hiking enthusiasts come from all over to walk its paths and beaches.
Ring in 2020 on Virginia’s eastern shore with the annual Pony Island Horseshoe Drop, aka Chincoteague New Year’s Eve 2019!
New York has it’s Waterford Crystal ball, Atlanta has it’s Peach, Prairie du Chen, WI has its … dead carp. Here on Chincoteague, we mark the final countdown to the New Year by dropping a giant, sparkling horseshoe – and you’re invited!
But wait: don’t go away thinking that’s all we do here on Chincoteague to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. While the Pony Island Horseshoe Drop may be the culmination of the day’s events, it’s certainly not the only event.
If you think Chincoteague is a lot of fun during the rest of the year, you need to see us during the holidays! Come celebrate the end of the year on Virginia’s eastern shore with a Chincoteague holiday getaway!
Chincoteague Island may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of the end of the year holidays – but maybe it should be! The island is home to many independent shops and galleries that are loaded with unique holiday gift shopping ideas.
Our local restaurants serve some of the finest, freshest seafood on Virginia’s eastern shore, and the weather? After summer, fall is Chincoteague’s next best season with primarily sunny skies and an average daily temp of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, since it’s the “off-season,” you won’t be fighting those friendly but cumbersome summer and pony-swim crowds.
Best of all, Chincoteague knows how to party and the last two months of the year are jam-packed with fun holiday events!
Enjoy a free Thanksgiving dinner this year when you take advantage of the Miss Molly’s Inn Chincoteague Thanksgiving lodging special. Our Chincoteague Bed and Breakfast is offering a Thanksgiving lodging package that includes three nights accommodation, gourmet breakfasts, and a Thanksgiving meal, with wine, for two!
Miss Molly’s Inn always spoils its guests but we go all out for our Chincoteague Thanksgiving lodging special.
The fun begins with your arrival and discovery of a cheese tray and bottle of wine waiting for you in your room. Sample it now or save it for later. Your Thanksgiving on our friendly Virginia coast island can be a romantic getaway, a pleasant break or whatever you want. It’s up to you!
See the famous wild horses of Chincoteague up close during their annual Fall Chincoteague Pony Roundup. The Autumn 2019 Roundup is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 18th and 19th.
If you thought the annual Pony Swim was the only time you could come see the wild horses of Assateague, think again!
In fact, there are three opportunities each year to see the wild ponies. There’s the Pony Swim (of course) but also the spring and fall roundups. While the purpose of the annual swim is for a health check and an auction of foals, these other roundups provide overall health checks for the herd. The Spring session also includes releasing foals from pony auction buybacks back into the herd.
The annual Chincoteague Decoy Show features hand carved wooden decoys and other fine wildlife art from local and regional artists, along with a selection of antiques. This year’s special guest is Joe Engers, from Decoy Magazine. Labor Day Weekend, August 31st to September 1st, 2019 at the Chincoteague Center.
The Chincoteague Decoy Carvers and Artists Show has been an annual event for so long its now an island tradition. In fact, decoy carving is such a part of the island that there’s an Easter Decoy Show show in April, too.
2019 is the 50th anniversary of the “Virginia Is For Lovers” and communities across the state are celebrating with special events and promotions. Enjoy fun and savings through special events and promotions celebrating 50 Years of Love on Chincoteague!
Virginia Is For Lovers but even haters can enjoy savings and fun during this summer’s 50 Years of Love promotion. Chincoteague is certainly on board with a whole host of events and offerings between June 21st and August 10th, 2019. Come celebrate the love on Virginia’s only resort island.
Chincoteague Pony Swim 2019 is almost upon us and now is the time to plan your visit to the island for this rare and amazing annual spectacle: July 24, 2019.
Our historic Chincoteague bed and breakfast, Miss Molly’s Inn, is less than a mile from the Chincoteague Fairgrounds, where so much of next month’s activity takes place. Our sister inn, Island Manor House bed and breakfast, is just across the street.
Both are here for any and all of your Chincoteague adventures – some of the most exciting of which occur during the month of July! Of course, that means you should book your Chincoteague accommodations sooner rather than later, before they all get snapped up!
The sun is out, flowers are in bloom, and the Chincoteague Farmers Market is in full swing. Come enjoy the fresh and colorful local produce, quality arts and crafts, and live entertainment every week!
The Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market is held most Saturdays and Wednesdays, from April to October. The market is located at 6309 Church Street, just a few blocks from our Chincoteague bed and breakfast.
Get those appetites and wet naps at the ready – it’s almost time for Chincoteague Seafood Festival 2019! The 51st return of this beloved annual celebration of Virginia’s Eastern Shore bounty is scheduled for May 4, 2019, from 10am to 4pm, Tom’s Cove Park, Chincoteague.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying some fresh, delicious seafood on the sunny seashore. This is especially true during Chincoteague’s annual Seafood Festival! Chincoteague Seafood Festival has been an Eastern Shore tradition since 1968 and shows no sign of losing steam, yet (and a good thing, too – that steam is needed for the clams).
The first Saturday of every May sees Chincoteague’s Tom’s Cove Park filled to brimming with tents, live music, and feasting festival goers.
If you love nature and getting out into the great outdoors then you should not miss the opportunity to check out Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. The 14,000-acre wildlife preserve offers plenty of wildlife, a variety of trails, and miles of beach to explore.
