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Top 12 Things to Do on Chincoteague Island, VA

Ishaan Govardhan
The sister islands of Chincoteague and Assateague make for a laid-back island getaway like no other. There is much to discover on this relatively obscure summer destination.
Linked by a causeway to Virginia's Eastern Shore, this resort island gained fame after being used as the setting for a popular bedtime story about a pony: Misty of Chincoteague.
In Chincoteague, early-risers will be rewarded with an unmissable sunrise: golden rays peeking through the fog over the marsh.

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You'll want to check out the iconic Chincoteague Pony in its grassy habitat: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. These majestic wild beasts are the stars of the show, here.

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If you're lucky, you'll be blessed with front row seats to an incredible, one-of-a-kind event: Chincoteague Pony Penning Day.
Watch, as cowboys round up hundreds of ponies and drive them across the water channel. During this famous spectacle, entire herds of Chincoteague ponies swim to the other side.

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A good way to get acquainted with the island, is by venturing out on the Wildlife Pond Loop biking trail that seems to cut through the mysterious fog.

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Be sure to pack binoculars, because the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge is a bird-watcher's paradise. It acts as a pit-stop on the Atlantic Flyway, for over 300 species of migrating birds.

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Liven up your day at the beach, by jumping on a tame Chincoteague Pony, for the ride of your life!

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Go beyond the Chincoteague beaches, by chartering a boat and sailing out on the great open waters of the Atlantic.

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Get involved with the locals, by joining a fishing tournament that brings the community together. After all, Chincoteague was originally a simple fishing village.
Like most islands, the Chincoteague waterfront community has a thriving fishing industry and a unique seafood palate that's all its own. If you can, you should check out their annual Oyster Festival.
Right around the time of the annual Pony Penning, the locals of Chincoteague get together for a Blueberry Festival.

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On the neighboring Assateague Island, you can climb up the Assateague Lighthouse for unmatched views of the ocean.
It's a local Chincoteague tradition, to gather and watch rockets launch from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Have a family picnic at one of the launch-viewing spots, and make a day of it!