Our Weekend in Chincoteague
This past Memorial Day (okay, two years ago), we headed over to Virginia’s coast to spend a weekend in Chincoteague Island. Chincoteague is a lovely barrier island that is the gateway to the Assateague Island National Seashore. The town is charming, located right on the water, and very walkable. In addition to their small beach town vibes, Chincoteague and Assateague are known for their populations of wild horses. We enjoyed a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the DC area.
Where to stay in Chincoteague
I found a deal through American Express Travel for a stay at Miss Molly’s Inn Bed and Breakfast. Located near the downtown area of Chincoteague, it’s a cute and quirky B&B with loads of charm. We booked the Captain Jack Room. One note here: while this particular room came with a private bathroom, it was not an en suite, and we had to access the bathroom from the hall. This is noted on the website and was included in our confirmations. Miss Molly’s claim to fame is that Marguerite Henry wrote Misty of Chincoteague while living in the house.
Where to eat in Chincoteague
A three-course breakfast was included at Miss Molly’s and was worth the cost of staying here compared to a more traditional hotel. The courses included a fruit parfait or yogurt, an entree, and a baked good. The food was quite good, and the service was quick (the owners prepare and serve breakfast each morning). A good beach weekend includes a trip to a pizza parlor, so we walked over to Ledo Pizza for an early dinner on Saturday night. The service was fast, and we enjoyed our meal. We also grabbed ice cream at Island Creamery.
What to do in Chincoteague
On Friday night, we headed out for a cruise with Captain Dan’s Around the Island Tours. The weather looked a bit dicey, so the other group on our boat cancelled and we wound up with a private cruise. The charter picked up right behind Miss Molly’s Inn. While it was pretty windy on the water, the sights were beautiful, and we saw lots of wildlife, including our first wild horses of the weekend. If you are interested in a boat tour, I would recommend bringing rain jackets.
Saturday morning, we drove over the Beach Road bridge to the Virginia side of the Assateague Island National Seashore. We walked up to the famous striped Assateague Light then headed down to the beach. It was incredibly windy and a bit cold, so we didn’t stay long. We headed back to look for wild horses on the Virginia side of the island and took the Pony Overlook. While we saw a few, they were bit far away. You will absolutely need bug spray for this part of the park.
From there, we drove over to the Maryland side. The wild horses are much easier to see in the Maryland side of the park. They roam freely, so be careful while driving. And a friendly reminder that these are wild horses. You should stay at least 25 yards away from them (unless you are in a car), and you should not feed them.
Saturday evening, we walked over to Ledo’s Pizza then took a stroll around the downtown area. Be sure to stop by the statue of Misty of Chincoteague. If you drive to Chincoteague through Virginia, be sure to plan a stop at the NASA Wallops facility. They have a small museum with exhibits and displays about the rockets that have been launched from the facility. You can also view rocket launches from grandstands near the launch pad.
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