Chincoteague Travel Blog
Information to help you maximize your Chincoteague Island experience!

Chincoteague Christmas Events 2019

Posted: November 24th, 2019

The holiday season is upon us and its a great time of year to visit Chincoteague Island. Just a few reasons to make Chincoteague your destination during the holidays include cooler weather, no mosquitoes, no crowds, and a full line up of Christmas themed events! While your here be sure to go see the Snow…[read more]

Woof! Town of Chincoteague Island Dog Park

Posted: August 8th, 2019

Attention all dog lovers who can’t bear to leave their best friends behind on vacation. In 2019, the Town of Chincoteague Island opened a fabulous dog park! Finally, now the sweet doggies in our lives have a place to run around and play freely off leash. Entrance to the new dog park The dog park…[read more]

Ponies Walk the Beach

Posted: July 22nd, 2019

Today the Saltwater Cowboys moved the Northern Herd ponies from the north corral, down the beach and along the ocean, to the south corral. All the ponies (south herd and north herd) are in the south corral and ready for the big Pony Swim on Wednesday. It was a beautiful morning on Assateague Island. Spectators…[read more]

The Southern Herd Roundup Kicks Off Pony Penning 2019

Posted: July 20th, 2019

July 20, 2019 – The South Herd Roundup started earlier than usual to avoid the excessive heat expected later in the day. The Saltwater Cowboys make it all happen!

Viewing Rocket Launches

Posted: April 14th, 2019

NASA has been launching small rockets from Wallops Island (the Barrier Island to south of Chincoteague) since 1945. In recent years, however, Wallops has become better known for the large scale rocket launch taking place from the facility. Rockets like Northrup Grumman’s Antares, which routinely launches from Wallops Island, carrying supplies to the International Space…[read more]

2018 Spring Pony Roundup

Posted: February 28th, 2018

The 2018 Spring Round Up will take place Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 14th, 2018. Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim attracts nationwide attention. The swim and auction take place on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. 2018 will mark the 93rd anniversary of the world famous event. Did you know that the…[read more]

Marshfest – A festival that celebrates the Ecosystem, Craft Beer, Music and Art all for a good cause.

Posted: September 9th, 2017

Fall 2017 is proving to be one with great weather for Chincoteague Island. What better way to enjoy it than at an outdoor festival that has craft beer, live music, food, and even activities for the kids? This festival is called ‘Marshfest’. It is a fundraiser to be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from…[read more]

92nd Annual Pony Swim

Posted: July 29th, 2017

Wednesday July 26, 2017 marked the 92nd year of Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim. The Chincoteague Pony Swim was made famous by Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague“. Tens of thousands of spectators from around the world gather on Chincoteague Island each year to watch this annual tradition. Scroll down for pictures and video of this year’s…[read more]

Chincoteague Pony Auction FAQ

Posted: July 18th, 2017

Q: When is the auction? A: The auction runs from approximately 8am until Noon on Thursday (the day after the swim). Q: What should I take with me to the auction? A: Seating is limited so you may want to bring your own chair. It’s usually hot and humid at the auction so bring water,…[read more]

Pony Swim Day FAQ

Posted: July 17th, 2017

Q: What time do the Ponies swim? A: The Saltwater Cowboys swim the Ponies at “slack tide”. Slack tide is a period of about 40 minutes after the current stops moving in one direction, and before it starts moving in the opposite direction. Slack tide is the easiest time for the Ponies to make the…[read more]

Climbing to the Top of the Assateague Lighthouse

Posted: May 19th, 2017

The majestic red and white-striped Assateague Lighthouse sits like a grand decoration on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Like the bald eagles of the same island, the lighthouse is perched guardedly on her land as if protecting a nest. However, the lighthouse not only watches over Assateague Island but keeps the maritime sojourner safe as it…[read more]

Assateague Island Village “When Assateague Was Home”

Posted: May 4th, 2017

The Museum of Chincoteague has a wonderful exhibit that will be on display this Spring. The exhibit is part of Assateague Heritage Days and is called “When Assateague was Home”. Illustrated map of Assateague village, created by former resident Roy Jones. Assateague Island, Virginia is now a wildlife refuge and is home to the famous Wild…[read more]

Taking a Drive Back in Time with ‘Teaguer’s Tump Tours’

Posted: April 21st, 2017

This Spring, I had the opportunity to take a drive back in time through the streets and byways of ‘The Tump’, with the island’s new tour company ‘Teaguer’s Tump Tours’. In case you are wondering, it’s not far to get to ‘The Tump’. In fact if you’re staying on Chincoteague, you’re already on ‘The Tump’. Islanders…[read more]

Heritage Weekend, March 24 – 26, 2017

Posted: March 22nd, 2017

Reproduction of a Map of Assateague created by Roy Jones. The Museum of Chincoteague Island is partnering with the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance (CCA), the Chincoteague Island Arts Organization (CIAO), Chincoteague Island Library, the Chincoteague Natural History Association, Assateague National Seashore, and the Virginia Barrier Islands Center to celebrate Heritage Days. The theme this year for…[read more]

My Chincoteague Island History Tour aboard the Pony Express Trolley

Posted: March 16th, 2017

“With my high starched-collar and my high-topped shoes And my hair piled high upon my head I went to lose a jolly hour on the trolley And lost my heart instead” Lyrics from “The Trolley Song” * sung by Judy Garland, written by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane I just can’t talk about the Trolley without…[read more]

What is a ‘Buyback’ Pony?

Posted: March 13th, 2017

Wild ponies have inhabited Assateague Island for hundreds of years. Today two herds of wild horses make their home on Assateague Island, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. The Maryland herd is managed by the National Park Service. The Virginia herd is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Each year the Chincoteague…[read more]

My overnight stay at the Marina Bay Hotel & Suites – The Island’s newest and only Boutique Hotel

Posted: February 22nd, 2017

I’m not ashamed to admit it, but I’m a simple person, and I had no idea what a boutique hotel was or what it meant when I saw the term on the website of the Marina Bay Hotel and Suites. Did it mean they had a small and pricey clothing or accessory store inside of it? Did it…[read more]

The ‘Refuge Trek’ bus tour, a great way to see the North side of Assateague

Posted: January 22nd, 2017

Psst…are you looking for something to do on your visit to Chincoteague that’s a little “off the beaten path”? Well then, perhaps you’d be interested in taking the ‘Refuge Trek’. Formerly known as the Wildlife Tour, the ‘Refuge Trek’ will give you exclusive access to the Northern part of Assateague. The Northern OSV road The…[read more]

Spring and Fall Pony Round-ups

Posted: January 12th, 2017

Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim attracts nationwide attention. The swim and auction take place on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. This year, 2017, will mark the 92nd anniversary of the world famous event. Did you know that the Saltwater Cowboys round up the Wild Ponies on Assateague at two other times of…[read more]

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Chincoteague Travel Blog Information to help you maximize your Chincoteague Island experience!

Chincoteague Travel Blog
Information to help you maximize your Chincoteague Island experience!