Worried about rain on your vacation to Chincoteague Island?
Good news! There is SO much to do in Chincoteague on a rainy day.
Visit a pirate ship at the Museum of Chincoteague Island. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the people, culture and heritage of the Island. Exhibits display life on this barrier island chronologically from before man to the present. With fun fresh exhibits each year, there is always something new to explore. They also offer a Tuesday Night lecture series with a wide variety of interesting topics and speakers.
Visit the home of the beloved Misty of Chincoteague at the Beebe Ranch. Great exhibits, happy ponies and fun docents to tell you all the stories of this historical property!
Assateague Island has so much to do beyond visiting the beach. Get in touch with nature at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's Bateman Visitor Center. Drive the wildlife loop after 3pm. Check to see if the lighthouse is open to climb the 175 steps to the top!
Get creative at Hansen's Craftory! The Craftory is more than a marketplace. It’s a place to create, explore, and have fun. Drop in for a casual crafting session at their make-and-take craft bar, where guests of all ages can complete simple projects and enjoy hands-on creativity. If you’re on the go, pick up a craft kit, packed with materials and easy instructions so you can take the crafting experience with you. Check their Facebook for scheduled workshops as well.
Fight zombies, ghosts, aliens, or even just go fishing at Another World VR. This is a virtual reality gaming arena offering fully immersive VR games, interactive adventures, plus family based escape room experiences and much, much more. Sessions are designed for ages 6 and up providing fun for the entire family.
Break a sweat at the David Landsberger Family YMCA. Programs & activities include health and wellness programs, group exercise programs, personal training, youth programming, camps, and family activities. Visitors are welcome. Daily and weekly rates are available.
Hit the arcade at AlleyOops! Express. Packed with virtual reality experiences, classic arcade hits, bowling, crane machines, and a prize-filled Redemption Center!
Meet real Chincoteague Ponies at the Chincoteague Pony Centre. Both a store and equestrian center, you can shop and visit Chincoteague Ponies, including Misty descendants and other adorable and friendly animals. They always have some activities happening, so check their Facebook to see what is happening.
Catch a movie at the historic Island Theatre. Step back in time and watch the movie, Misty every Wednesday at 2pm throughout the summer. They play a different movie every Friday and Saturday at 7pm too.
Get your puzzle on with the community puzzle at the Chincoteague Island Library. You can also borrow a book or DVD, or participate in one of their many family friendly programs and activities - great for locals and visitors alike!
Practice some self-care with a massage from Why Knot Massage or Salty Sisters Massage & Bodyworks, or get a haircut and style Suze Q’s Shear Magic and Boutique or The Mane Vibe.
Worship at one of the island’s 10 churches, accommodating a wide variety of denominations and beliefs.
Go on a shopping spree! Most of the shops on the island can be found in the Historic Downtown area and along Maddox, but be sure to explore the shops that are off the beaten path, and off the island too. We have it all, book stores, floral shops, antiques, art galleries, clothing, jewelry, thrifting , and all kinds of unique finds. Use the Chincoteague App for an interactive map of all the stores, shops, and galleries, just waiting for you to explore.
Relax and enjoy a dining experience at one of our amazing restaurants.
Check out the calendar of events for these Chincoteague community organizations:
Chincoteague Cultural Alliance is an all-volunteer, community-based organization, which presents more than 100 events each year, including Chincoteague Island Farmers & Artisans Market, musical performances, theatre, art shows, storytelling, and classes for children and adults.
Island Community House is a non-profit organization providing art classes for children, adult yoga and dance classes, puzzle races, game days, art exhibits, and so much more!
Explore the shore! A rainy day might be a great opportunity to visit other areas of the Eastern Shore.
Explore the universe at NASA Wallops Visitor Center. Enjoy a unique opportunity to explore the past, present, and future of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility through exhibits about aeronautics, orbital and sub-orbital rockets, scientific balloons, current missions, and the history of Wallops Flight Facility. In addition to exhibits, the Visitor Center also features an auditorium, a Science on the Sphere Theater, an observation deck, as well as numerous free public programs, events, and group tours of the facility. Admission is free.
Shore History, formally the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society/Ker Place, a Federal-period, Georgian-style mansion in Onancock, VA operates as a museum with volunteer docents offering guided tours of the house, grounds, and exhibits. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. They also offer a program of events. Be sure to check their website to see what they have going on.
Delmarva Discovery Museum in Pocomoke, MD connects people to the history, culture, and environment of the Eastern Shore. Visitors can look forward to newly refreshed exhibit spaces, expanded local history displays, interactive experiences for children and families, new stories highlighting the people and industries that shaped the Eastern Shore, and a revitalized Museum experience designed to inspire both long-time supporters and first-time visitors.
Be sure to check our Calendar of Events and a directory of shops and restaurants and download the Chincoteague App to plan your rainy-day getaway!
