| Just a short drive off Virginia's Eastern Shore lies an | | | | tumble along the pristine sands. Spend as much time |
| island so stunning that its seven mile length is the | | | | as you like exploring the solitude of Assateague's |
| vacation destination for more than one million annual | | | | protected waterways by kayak, canoe, or nature |
| visitors, each one of whom arrives to enjoy a taste of | | | | cruise. Cast your line from a deep sea charter for |
| Paradise. Chincoteague's Island natural beauty, coastal | | | | marlin and other great gamefish, or dig for a supper of |
| charm, and Southern down-home hospitality are what | | | | legendary Chincoteague "Lil Nik" clams. |
| draw them from around the globe to this small place | | | | Step into the Eastern Shore of yesteryear by |
| big in romance and tradition. If you decide to take a | | | | reserving your accommodations at one of |
| page from their travel itineraries, you'll soon understand | | | | Chinctcoteagues' exceptional 19th century bed and |
| how easy it is to succumb to the spell of | | | | breakfasts, one of which was built before the |
| Chincoteague. That same spell has captivated the | | | | Chincoteague Islanders displayed their characteristic |
| Chincoteague colony of artists, who do their best to | | | | independence by remaining loyal to the Union during the |
| capture the spirit and substance of life on their beloved | | | | Civil War. Drift off to sleep and awaken again to the |
| island in paint, sculpture, glass, metal, and wood. | | | | gentle whispers of the surf and the island breezes, and |
| Chincoteague Island can be your stepping stone to the | | | | start your day's adventure with a breakfast of |
| undeveloped wilds of Assateague Island, the 37-mile | | | | mouthwatering Southern delicacies. |
| barrier island to its east which for millennia has | | | | Take time to mingle with the local artisans and |
| protected Chincoteague from the worst of the | | | | shopkeepers. View the ceiling mural at wood carver |
| Atlantic's legendary gales. Assateague is where you'll | | | | Jay Cherrix' Sistine Shed, as well as his life-size |
| find the world-famous ponies of Chincoteague running | | | | sculpture of a Chincoteague pony foal. Get up close |
| free. | | | | and personal with Chincoteague's marine life at the |
| The Chincoteague ponies, except during Pony Penning | | | | Island Aquarium where the touch tank will give you a |
| Weekend, spend their days happily grazing and sunning | | | | hands-on introduction to both fish and shellfish. |
| in and along the marshes, forests, and beaches of the | | | | Experience the shellfish in a different way by lunching |
| Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge at the | | | | on clam chowder or crab cakes at one of |
| southern end of Assateague. They share their territory | | | | Chincoteague's several outstanding seafood |
| the over three hundred different migratory bird species | | | | restaurants. Follow lunch by crossing to Assateague |
| which make Chincoteague and Assateague the best | | | | Island on a rented bike for some wildlife viewing on the |
| bird-watching haunts on the entire Atlantic Flyway. | | | | Wildlife Refuge's loops. Put the perfect ending on your |
| You won't understand why the ancient Algonquin | | | | day in Paradise by boarding Captain Barry's |
| Indians named Chincoteague "The Beautiful Land | | | | champagne evening cruise. You'll be entertained with |
| across the Waters" until you've witnessed the sun | | | | the Captain's encyclopedic knowledge of |
| setting across its marshes or stood on the | | | | Chincoteague history and enchanted by the sight of |
| Assateague shore at dawn as the Atlantic waves | | | | the sun setting on Chincoteague Bay! |