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Chincoteague
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Much the most appealing destination on the eastern shore,
CHINCOTEAGUE
occupies a beautiful barrier island just south of the Maryland border. Although it's little more than a village, its two principal streets hold a fair assortment of motels and restaurants, and it makes an appropriately relaxed base for exploring
Assateague Island National Seashore
. The northern half of Assateague, which holds several popular hiking trails, can only be reached from Maryland; the southern half, just a mile onwards from Chincoteague, is taken up by the
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
, notable for its seabirds and wild ponies. Call in at the
visitor center
(daily 9am-5pm; tel 757/336-6122; $5 per car) for a schedule of ranger-guided wildlife safaris ($10); or if you just want a day at the beach, drive straight past to
Tom's Cove
. Families fill the area nearest the parking lot, but set off walking north and you may end up with several miles of sand to yourself. If you're in Chincoteague on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July, don't miss the annual
Pony Penning Carnival
, when the wild ponies that roam Assateague Island to the north are herded together and directed on a swim through the channel to Chincoteague Memorial Park to be sold by auction to help the local community. It can be a crowded event, but the sight of dozens of ponies swimming in convoy in such pristine surroundings is unforgettable.
Central
accommodation
options in Chincoteague include the grand
Island Manor House
, 4160 Main St (tel 757/336-5436; $100-130), an antique-furnished B&B, and the large but peaceful
Mariner Motel
, 6273 Maddox Rd (tel 757/336-6565; $50-75), on the main road to Assateague. Next door, at no. 6251, is
Steamers
(tel 757/336-5478), a brightly lit
restaurant
serving all-you-can-eat spiced crab and/or shrimp meals for around $20. Located in the small waterfront plaza,
Landmark Crab House
, 6172 N Main St (tel 757/336-5552), also serves tasty seafood. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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United States,
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