Chincoteague planning help, please

[Anonymous]

I’m taking my 10yo son to Chincoteague next week—just Sunday to Wednesday. We already have a place to stay in Chincoteague. I want to be efficient with our time, especially our time in the car, including making good use of time the days we are driving in and out. We will leave home early and can stay until about 4 on the last day. We want to go to Assateague, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and Ocean City (just for a bit on the boardwalk and beach-mostly for my own nostalgia). How would you plan this? Anything in particular I should think about or know? Anything specific we should do? We probably just want to hang out in nature as much as possible, other than the OC visit, but if you have recommendations for tours or specific sites I’m very interested. Any restaurant recommendations?

Thanks for advice. Please don’t roast me. I’ve had a major month at work and a series of young house guests who wanted or needed to be taken to various places all over the DC area. I’ve used up all my mental energy and would appreciate any help, even for just this little trip. TIA!

[Anonymous]

bring deet, and lots of it

[Anonymous]

Does he like rockets/space? You could visit Wallops Island. https://www.nasa.gov/wallops/visitor-center/plan-your-visit/

[Anonymous]

The Assateague beach is nice, and a good contrast to OC. Bring an umbrella and set up close to the water — the strong ocean breeze keeps most bugs away.

[Anonymous]

The Road Scholar senior tour company has an elaborate and expensive 4 day tour. Expensive because of being a full-service bus tour and talks from experts.

Go to the itinerary/schedule drop-down and read the details. There may be something about how they lay out their schedule that's efficient to copy. And you might find some of their stops of interest.

There may also be a Chesapeake Bay science for families tour on this site.

From what I've heard, you need to be well prepared re: biting insects.
https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/10545/Island-Adventure-Discover-Chincoteague-and-Assateague-Islands/itinerary/

[Anonymous]

PP. Click on the little down arrows by each date in the Road Scholar itinerary. The interesting info is in the deepest drill-down.

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/10545/Island-Adventure-Discover-Chincoteague-and-Assateague-Islands/itinerary/

[Anonymous]

Why would we roast you? I love Chincoteague. Have you been before? Lots to do. Island Creamery, Sandy Pony Donuts, that pizza place on the corner, mini golf, bowling alley, kayak tours, fishing boats, the beach of course… just drive around (or rent bikes) and look.
What does your son want to do? Have him pick out a few things before you go.

[Anonymous]

Bring cooler to keep drinks cold for the car and beach.

[Anonymous]

The ponies will definitely get into any food items that you bring to the beach. You’ll need to either leave stuff like this in your car or have a way to lock your hard-sided cooler. We use bungee cords strapped across the cooler for anything that we cannot safely leave in the hot car.

[Anonymous]

My first kid was conceived at Chincoteague.

[Anonymous]

I love Chincoteague. If the weather isn’t too hot, don’t park by Assateague beach. Instead, park at the bike rental near the beach and rent bikes. The wildlife loop is beautiful and takes you to the less crowded bike-access only beach.

Would also recommend kayaking. Ask the kayak company about kayaking to a sandbar or to the water-access only beach near Chincoteague.

Yes to bug spray.

Ocean City isn’t very close to Chincoteague. For a prettier drive, go down the Peninsula to Virginia Beach. The bridge connecting the peninsula to Virginia Beach is beautiful. Read the Wikipedia page. Virginia Beach is a nice day trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:bring deet, and lots of it

+1000

[Anonymous]

We did a guided kayak trip from Assateague that my kids really liked.

[Anonymous]

Look up the NASA visitor center on the road into Chincoteague. It's small, but your son will probably enjoy it.

Check the calendar to see if they are doing any launches while you're there. Both my kids went to space camp there, and both got to see launches.

Regarding the beach, keep a bit flexible for the weather. I can't stand being on a beach all day, so I only go for a short time and a bit of a swim. It depends on your preferences.

You could check out if either of the visitor centers have some junior ranger programs scheduled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first kid was conceived at Chincoteague.

Did you name them Misty?