Chincoteague vacation rentals

Seven miles long and half as wide, Chincoteague Island is located at the north end of the chain of barrier islands that hug Virginia’s coastline. It’s a popular getaway for visitors from up and down the Eastern Seaboard. You can relax on the seashore, take a boat cruise to scout for the area’s famous wild ponies, or ride a bike around town and across the bridge to Assateague Island. Clamming and crabbing are favorite local activities: You can buy the equipment to catch your own seafood or gorge on blue crabs at one of the local restaurants, finishing up with a trip to the island’s beloved ice cream shop.

Not surprisingly, peak travel season in Chincoteague coincides with the hottest months of the year: June through September. Temperatures then average in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. The humidity spikes in July and August, with regular showers, so you’ll want to pack light, breathable clothes and umbrellas. Winds blowing off the Atlantic Ocean do help to relieve the mugginess — and you can always jump in the water to cool off. A gentle autumn gives way to a mild winter. Snow is rare, but the temperatures regularly dip into the 30s Fahrenheit, and the winds can be brisk. Bring lined waterproof outerwear and good boots, and you’re set to wander on the beach no matter what month you visit.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

This 14,000-acre refuge was founded in the 1940s to protect the wildfowl who migrate here during the winters. Its beaches, marshes, and dunes stretch across the southern end of Assateague and onto surrounding islands. More than 300 species of birds nest here, including bald eagles, making this a paradise for birders. Short, accessible trails for walking and biking snake through the wetlands, including one that leads to the 19th-century Assateague Lighthouse.

Wallops Flight Facility

Five miles east of Chincoteague is NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, which the agency uses to launch research rockets and balloons. The garden at the Visitor Center will appeal to anyone who’s dreamed of escaping the Earth’s atmosphere, with spacecraft and airplanes on display. You can sign up for a guided tour of the center’s displays, or consult the schedule to see if a launch will be taking place.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Hop east from Chincoteague over a small stretch of water, and you’ve arrived at the Atlantic Ocean. The southernmost beach of 37-mile-long Assateague Island is a skinny isthmus covered in soft sands and, in the summer, beach towels. There are lifeguard-monitored swimming zones, as well as spots ideal for surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and surf fishing. If you drive to the beach you’ll need to buy a daily or weekly pass.