Located off the coast of Virginia and Maryland, the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague are two of the most intriguing places in the Mid-Atlantic region. Why? Because of the wild ponies, of course! These two islands were the inspiration for the 1947 classic, Misty of Chincoteague, which helped the area grow immensely in popularity over the past 70+ years.
I can remember my first trip here as a 13-year-old, horse-obsessed girl. And even though tourism had already taken over the island, it was absolutely magical to be right where one of my favorite stories took place. But I’m not the only one who was taken in by the heartwarming story of Misty the wild pony. Today, thousands of people flock to the islands every year to experience the week-long pony roundup in July, which is a focal point of the book.
But Chincoteague and Assateague have plenty to offer besides this one annual event. They’re wonderful places to disconnect and enjoy the wildlife of the coastal waters in this area. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway or an outdoor adventure, there’s something to explore on both islands. In this post, I’ll break down what each island has to offer and how they differ from one another.
How Chincoteague and Assateague Islands Differ
The main difference between Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island is the activities that each offers. While Chincoteague provides a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of shops and restaurants, Assateague is more remote and natural, offering opportunities to explore nature trails, spot wild horses, or camp overnight.
Both islands also offer beaches with swimming and bird-watching spots, however, Chincoteague tends to be busy with tourists while Assateague generally remains peaceful and secluded from crowds. (It’s also important to note that only the Maryland side of Assateague allows camping and the beaches are open all day, while the Virginia side requires everyone to leave by a certain time.)
No matter which island you choose to visit, both offer something unique for anyone looking for a tranquil getaway or an outdoor adventure!
What to See and Do on Chincoteague Island
Chincoteague is a fairly tranquil escape in Virginia with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. You can go kayaking, crabbing, fishing, or take a boat tour to explore the island’s natural beauty. There are also plenty of unique shops and restaurants around town that offer fresh seafood and other local delicacies. Plus, its close proximity to Assateague makes it easy to visit both islands in one trip!
One of my favorite stops on Chincoteague is the Island Creamery, which serves hand-scooped ice cream in flavors like Pony Tracks and Marsh Mud. Other popular dining spots include Ropewalk, where you can pick up crab cakes, burgers, and fresh seafood dishes, and ChincoTiki, which serves standard pub fare with a Caribbean flair.
The island also has a pretty impressive art scene, and you’ll find several different galleries around the town boasting local creations.
I also recommend taking some time to visit the Waterfront Park. It has a lovely view of the sound and a nice grassy area that’s ideal for a picnic. There’s also a statue of Misty of Chincoteague, plus some giant Adirondack chairs that create one of Virginia’s eclectic LOVEWorks signs. They’re the perfect spot to grab a souvenir photo.
What to See and Do on Assateague Island
Assateague Island is rather unique. Not just because it’s home to hundreds of wild ponies, but also because it’s owned by two different states! The island gets split right at the state line, turning it into two separate parks. Each side runs things a little bit differently and offers different activities, which makes both ends worth exploring.
Virginia’s Assateague Island
The Virginia side of Assateague is a beautiful place, with natural habitats that include beach grasses, maritime forests, and sandy beaches. It’s here where you can find the island’s famed wild horses, which roam freely around most of Assateague (although they are fenced off from the public areas). You can also explore some of the many hiking and biking trails that span this barrier island.
Other fun things to do while you’re here include relaxing on the beach, visiting the Assateague Lighthouse, and checking out the Toms Cove Visitor’s Center.
Pro tip: Bring plenty of bug spray if you plan to walk any of the trails. The marshes are the perfect habitat for mosquitoes, and they will try to snack on you!
Maryland’s Assateague Island
The Maryland side of Assateague Island provides a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, such as bird watching, windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding, spotting wild ponies, and even camping overnight at the state park campground. This side of the Island also offers plenty of hiking trails, biking trails, and nature walks that lead through dense forests and marshes.
What makes this end exceptionally fun is the fact that the ponies are 100% free to roam this half of the island. Unlike the Virginia side, no fences separate the ponies from the humans, so you may very well wake up on the campground with a pony grazing outside your tent!
For more information on camping on Assateague Island, be sure to check out this great article by guest blogger Jenneth Dyck!
How to Get to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
If you want to visit the Virginia side, you can easily hit both Chincoteague and that half of Assateague in one day.
- If you’re coming from the north, you’ll take the US-113 S to the VA-175 E, then follow this over the bridge to Chincoteague Island.
- From the south, you’ll follow the US-13 N straight up through Virginia’s Eastern Shore until you hit the VA-175 E, then take the bridge to Chincoteague.
- After you explore the island, simply take Maddox Blvd and cross the bridge that connects Chincoteague to Assateague.
For the Maryland side, things are also pretty straightforward.
- If you’re already in Maryland, just follow the MD-611 S. It ends on Assateague Island, which makes your journey incredibly simple!
- If you’re coming up from Virginia, you’ll follow the US-13 N until it connects to the US-113 N. From there, you’ll connect with the MD-611 S and follow it to Assateague Island.
Closing Thoughts on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
Whether you’re a fan of the Misty of Chincoteague series or just want a unique vacation destination, Chincoteague and Assateague have plenty to offer. While Chincoteague pulls quite the tourist crowd, Assateague is still a tranquil retreat where you can disconnect for the weekend and enjoy the rare experience of seeing wild horses roaming the sand and marshes. How magical is that?
If you’re interested in more wild horse/pony experiences, be sure to check out this post about seeing them in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
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