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Chincoteague Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos
Located just off the Virginia coast, Chincoteague is a quaint yet stunning island with a unique history, breathtaking scenery and quirky local flavor marked by the legend of the Chincoteague Ponies. What are these ponies you ask? Well, legend has it that these feral ponies swim across the shallow waters between Chincoteague and the nearby Assateague Island every July in an event known as "Pony Penning Day," and are actual descendants of survivors of a Spanish galleon that sank en route to Mexico during a storm off the coast of the island. It’s also these same ponies that inspired the famous children’s book "Misty of Chincoteague" by author Marguerite Henry who recalled the true tale of the Beebe family attempting to raise one of these wild ponies: Misty (whose relatives can still be seen).
With plenty of gorgeous beaches, outdoor activities and zany local festivals (the Fireman’s Carnival), there are numerous opportunities for fun and relaxation in Chincoteague. But first – check out the local Chincoteague real estate scene for great deals on the various Chincoteague vacation properties and maybe even a great local Chincoteague bed and breakfast. Then head down to the beach! Mostly located on the nearby Assateague Island, the local beaches are often also seen as a nature preserve as well. So bring a camera because it’s pretty rare to get a picture of both the beach and a ten-point buck! For the history buff, the island boasts three great local museums: Beebe Ranch, the Oyster and Maritime Museum and the Refuge Waterfowl Museum. And for those who love camping, make sure to check out both Tom’s Cove Park – located on the south end of the island – and the Maddox Family Campground – located on the north end.
