Chincoteague Island, at the northeastern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, is part of Accomack County. It's known worldwide for wild ponies Marguerite Henry wrote about in the novel, "Misty of Chincoteague," later made into a film.

Unparalleled Beauty

Chincoteague Island, a tiny fishing town off Virginia's Eastern Shore, is steps away from the Atlantic Ocean by bridge to Assateague Island. The famous Chincoteague ponies live in the Chincoteague National WildlifeRefuge on Assateague Island, easily reached by bike or car from town. The Chincoteague Refuge is Virginia's entrance to an undeveloped 37-mile-long beach. The National Park Service and Refuge offer ranger-led programs seasonally. Spring and fall bird migrations are popular events but the biggest event for the area is held each July when the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company's Pony Swim and Auction brings scores of spectators to the island town. Saltwater cowboys have been rounding up ponies and swimming them across the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island for auction since 1926.

Visitors to Chincoteague love to dig clams, watch oystermen and compete in saltwater fishing tournaments for cash prizes. "Patriot Oysters," so named when Abe Lincoln sent a Union ship to protect the island's seafood trade, are a must when dining on the island. Water lovers enjoy kayaking, charter fishing and nature cruising. The Chamber hosts events year-round and a lively art scene plays out in galleries and at the restored Island Theatre. Next door on Wallops Island you can see rockets launched into space from the NASA Wallops Visitors Center.

With its variety of old-fashioned charms, Chincoteague has been called America's #1 Beach Town; a "slam-dunk" for grandchildren and one of America's best island towns.

Trip Advisor users voted it a top 10 Traveller's Choice island for 2013.

Things To Do

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• Marshland Charters and Outfitters

  4151 Division St., Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Assateague Explorer Pony Watching/Wildlife Cruises

  Curtis Merritt Harbor, Slip 14, Main St, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague Cruises and Nature Tours

  Chincoteague Town Dock, Main St, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises & Expeditions

  6262 Marlin Dr, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Daysail Charters

  Island Marina, 3801 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague Waterfowl, Hunting & Fishing

  Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

  Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Linda J Charters

  Island Marina, 6209 Clark Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague Pony Centre

  Chicken City Road, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague Island

  6733 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Museum of Chincoteague Island

  7125 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• The Bike Depot & Beach Outfitters

  7058 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

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Places To Stay

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• Fairfield Inn & Suites Chincoteague Island

  3913 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Lovingly Restored 3 bedroom House in Chincoteague

  6284 Cropper Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague Resort Realty Vacation Rentals

  6378 Church Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Chincoteague Island Rentals

  6378-A Church Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Waterside Inn

  3761 Main St., Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Channel Bass Inn Bed and Breakfast

  6228 Church Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Miss Molly's Inn

  4141 Main St, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• 1848 Island Manor House Bed and Breakfast

  4160 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Apple Tree in Chincoteague

  6185 Poplar Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Year of the Horse Inn

  3583 Main Street., Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Sea Hawk Chincoteauge Island Virginia

  6250 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Rodeway Inn-Chincoteague Island

  6273 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

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Where To Dine

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• Muller's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

  4034 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Island Creamery

  6243 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• The Sea Shell Cafe

  7085 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA, 23336

• Don's Seafood

  4113 Main, Chincoteague, VA, 23336

• Mister Whippy

  6201 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague, VA, 23336

• B Hive Eatery

  4114 Lankford Highway, New Church, VA, 23415

• Mallards Sidewalk Cafe

  23410 Front Street, Accomac, VA, 23301

• The Inn & Garden Cafe Restaurant

  145 Market Street, Onancock, VA, 23417

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