Mark’s Score 7.1
I have an ambivalent attitude regarding Chincoteague. The setting in low marshland between the bay and the ocean lends itself to breathtaking vistas and bucolic tableaus. Chincoteague’s position on the east coast migratory flyway makes it a birder’s paradise. But the town itself has a haphazard feel to it. Downtown is quaint, if a bit run down, and the main street (Maddox Blvd) running across the center of the island has a honky-tonk feel to it. It is littered with water parks, miniature golf courses and fast-food franchises. Surprisingly, given its small size, it is not very walkable.
You can’t tell by the architecture, but Chincoteague is one of the oldest settlements on the shore. Chincoteague was almost completely destroyed by a nor’easter in 1962, leaving very few structures built before that date. Daniel Jenifer was granted the first land grant in 1650 and the first settlers arrived in 1672. It has one other historical claim to fame, during the Civil War Chincoteague voted (132-2) to stay in the Union.
Though I am not very impressed with the town itself, the Chincoteague area has charms that offer many reasons to visit. The first and foremost reason, the National Wildlife Refuge, with its pristine beaches, the Assateague Lighthouse, the wild ponies and thousands of migratory birds (see review). You need no other reason to visit Chincoteague than to see the refuge. The refuge is a birders paradise. I last visited the park in December, there were a large number of snow geese in Snow Goose Pond. Snow geese usually travel in large groups, sometimes in their thousands. Maybe I watched Hitchcock’s The Birds one too many times, but I always find large gatherings of birds unnerving. Even in town, it is not uncommon to see birds. The last time I had lunch at Bill’s (see post) there was a flock of Mallards sunning themselves in Waterfront Park.
But if you need more reasons, NASA’s Wallops Flight Center is nearby. Chincoteague provides the perfect location to watch rocket launches throughout the year. The flight center also contains an excellent visitor’s center and scientific exhibits. It is also not uncommon to see unmanned drones flying the causeway from the mainland to Chincoteague Island.
If you like to kayak, canoe and fish the marshlands that surround Chincoteague Island provide amble opportunity for all three endeavors. You have several options when fishing in the waters off Chincoteague. You can charter fishing boats for both bay fishing and ocean fishing. There are designated fishing areas at Tom’s Cove and Swans Cove in the refuge. You can also fish from the beach in the refuge. As for kayaking, Chincoteague offers some unique experiences you can find no where else. Several companies offer guided kayaking tours that will take you to locations where you can observe the wild ponies up close, far closer than you can generally observe them in the Refuge.
At the end of the day, Chincoteague is not a place for fine dining, shopping, or cultural experiences, and there are far prettier towns for walking and touring. But if you like the unique combination of rookeries, rockets, and rock fish, Chincoteague is the place for you.
Places rated in or near Chincoteague
| Rating Date | Place | Category | Score |
| 2025 Jan | Wallops Flight Center | Museum | 9.4 |
| 2024 Nov | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge | Park | 8.98 |
| 2025 Jan | Bill’s Prime | Restaurant | 8.55 |
| 2025 Feb | Thomas Gardens | Shop/Garden | 8.55 |
| 2024 Nov | Decoy, Decoy, Decoy | Shop/Decoys | 8.45 |
| 2024 Nov | Drift | Restaurant | 8.06 |
| 2024 Dec | AJ’s on the Creek | Restaurant | 7.32 |
Places reviewed in or near Chincoteague
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