Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague Island lies at the gateway to Assateague Island National Seashore, famed for its swathes of sandy Atlantic beaches and walking and cycling trails through marshland, dunes and pine forest. South of this is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for lots of wildlife-spotting options: be sure to keep an eye out for Chincoteague’s wild ponies and the bald eagles and migratory seabirds that flock here throughout the year. Also within easy reach (about a quarter of a mile away) is the 19th-century Assateague Lighthouse; visitors can drive or pedal there in under 10 minutes or, alternatively, take a decidedly slower scenic promenade along the trail that links Chincoteague and Assateague islands. Several family attractions are a short drive away too, such as NASA's Wallops Flight Facility with visitor centre and astronomy and stargazing events; the exhibits of the area’s wild ponies the Chincoteague Pony Centre, and oyster-industry artefacts and model boat displays at the Museum of Chincoteague Island.