A seven-day car pass for Assateague Island
(for both the National Seashore and the Refuge) is available at the
entrance gate for $10.00, and a season pass or duck stamp is available for
$15.00. There is no charge for bikers and hikers. Parking lots are
available next to the beach and near most of the trails on the Refuge.
Pets are not allowed on Assateague - not even in cars.
 Assateague
Island National Seashore
The National Seashore offers a lifeguard-protected section of beach next to the
bath house (changing rooms & cold showers). Boogie boards, mats, floats, surfing, and
surf fishing are not allowed in the lifeguard-protected area. Boogie boards
for use outside the lifeguard-protected area can be rented or purchased at a number
of locations on Maddox Blvd., the road that leads across Chincoteague
toward Assateague Island. Kites are are also available in shops along
Maddox Blvd.
For the most part, the sandy beaches of
Assateague Island have a gentle slope into the water. Please be aware that
ocean currents are not uncommon along the shore (especially on windy days)
and visitors should keep an eye on children playing in the surf. In
addition, larger floatation devices are often moved easily by the wind.
Generally, the beach is mosquito free, but occasionally, when a strong
wind blows over the marshland toward the beach, biting flies may show up
at the beach.
There are no food shops, snack bars, or
restaurants on the National Seashore or Refuge, so if you're planning on
spending a day at the beach, it's a good idea to bring your own snacks and
drinks.
At the Toms Cove Visitor Center, you'll
find an aquarium and a special "touch table" among other items of
interest.
The National Seashore offers a variety of
summer programs of interest to children including the Junior Ranger
program and aquarium talks at the Toms Cove Visitor Center.
Click here for a map of
Assateague Island.
 Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge has miles of trails suitable for biking and hiking. Bikes may
be rented along Maddox Blvd., including small bikes for children and bikes
with seats for children. The Wildlife Loop, which leads around Snow Goose
Pool, is open to cars after 3 pm. Since the wildlife are used to cars,
they are often best viewed from inside a car.
The trails (see
map): Wildlife Loop (3.2 mile loop), Woodland Trail (1.6 mile loop),
Swan Cove Trail (1.25 miles), Black Duck Marsh Trail (1 mile).
While Chincoteague Island has a mosquito
control program, Assateague Island does not (in order to protect the food
chain). It is a good idea to take along mosquito repellent for hiking and
biking on Assateague. Because ticks are sometimes present on island
vegetation, it is not a good idea to stray from the trails.
The Refuge and Seashore are home to the
Chincoteague ponies, which are often sighted along the main road or along
the trails of the island. In addition, many birds, including snow geese
and egrets are easily spotted along the roads and trails. Crabbing is also
a popular Refuge activity - see our crabbing and
clamming page.
The Refuge also has a visitor center and
shop and offers interpretive
programs that may be of interest to children.
Click here for a map of
Assateague Island.
 Assateague
Lighthouse
Older children might also enjoy climbing the steps to the top of the
Assateague Lighthouse. The lighthouse will be open every Friday thru
Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm, March through Thanksgiving weekend.
Adults $4.00
Children $2.00 (ages 2-12 and must be accompanied by adult)
Click here for a map of
Assateague Island.
 Playground
A very popular playground is located in Memorial Park facing Assateague
Channel and Assateague Island.
Click here for a map
showing the location of Memorial Park.
 Pony
Visits on Chincoteague
While Chincoteague ponies can often be seen from the roads and trails of
Assateague Island, they may also be viewed on Chincoteague. The
Chincoteague Pony Centre (click
here for web site) has a number of ponies and offers riding lessons,
Misty memorabilia, and a gift shop. In addition, The Refuge Inn (web
site), The Blue Heron Inn (web
site), and the Mariner
Motel (web site)
have their own ponies and welcome visitors. Children familiar with Misty of Chincoteague might also enjoy a
visit to the Beebe Ranch, located at 3062 Ridge Road (757-336-6520 - no
web site).
Minigolf
Refuge Golf & Bumper Boats at 6528 Maddox Blvd. (the main road that leads across the
Chincoteague toward Assateague) is a very popular destination for
children.
 The
Oyster and Maritime Museum
Older children may be interested in the Oyster and Maritime Museum (web
site) next to the road just before the causeway that leads to
Assateague Island. The museum has a variety of seashells from around the
world, model boats, a collection of curiosities and shell art from
Chincoteague, and a lot of information and exhibits on the oyster industry
which once thrived on the islands.
 Boat
Tours
Many children enjoy a boat tour in the waters around Chincoteague and
Assateague Islands. A number of tour operators provide short cruises with
talks on the history and wildlife of the area.
Click here for a listing
of tour providers at the Chamber web site.
Children's Story/Craft Hour at The Island Library
Starting summer 2008 - Every Thursday morning, 10AM-11AM, in July
and August
The Island Library, 4077 Main Street, downtown Chincoteague Island
 Firemen's
Carnival, Pony Swim and Auction
The Firemen's carnival, held each July during the weeks leading up to the
pony swim and auction, offers a variety of rides, food, and entertainment
on the Chincoteague carnival grounds on South Main Street (map).
The carnival is open on Fridays and Saturdays (usually at 7 pm - closed
Sundays). During the weeks in which the Fourth of July (fireworks!) and
the pony swim and auction occur (last Wednesday & Thursday in July), the
carnival is also open on additional weekdays.
Click here for the latest
schedule of events.
Other Things To Do on Chincoteague
The Island Roxy Theater (click
here) on Main Street near the bridge usually offers
films at 7 pm suitable for children. A visit to one of the island's ice
cream parlors (click
here) is often a welcome afternoon or evening activity. Finally, most
of the Island's restaurants (click
here) are children friendly, and there is a McDonalds located on
Maddox Blvd. close to the entrance to Assateague Island.
 NASA
Visitor Center & The Virginia Space Flight Academy
The NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center (click
here for web site) is located on Route 175 just before the causeway
leading to Chincoteague Island. In addition, the Virginia Space Flight
Academy offers a number of one-week summer camps for ages 12-17 from June
through August (click
here for web site).
 YMCA Camp
Silver Beach
YMCA Camp Silver Beach is nestled in 151 beautiful acres with 1,200
feet of pristine Chesapeake Bay beachfront on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. CSB offers fun
and recreation year round.
Summer Camp: Weekly sessions from mid-June to mid August for girls and
boys from ages 8 to 16.
Campers build confidence, learn sportsmanship, find potential, grow
friendships and develop a healthy independence from family through
traditional camp and adventure-based activities.
Activities: Alpine Challenge Course, 2 Swimming Pools, Tennis/Basketball
Courts, Giant Water Slide, Skate Park, Sailing, Water Sports.
Well trained summer staff from around the world. An experience of a
lifetime!
Click here for
the web site. |
