SLIDESHOW
Remember "Misty of Chincoteague"?
The Eastern Shore is the place to see the wild ponies of Chincoteague. Visitors have been flocking to the Eastern Shore since the 1800s for its combination of history, fishing and hunting, beaches that aren't overpopulated, great boating, golfing the famous wild ponies and the annual pony swim.
The Eastern Shore is the strip of land that is separated from Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. The Eastern Shore is accessible to mainland Virginia by the 17.6 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Sister islands Chincoteague and Assateague are the best known attractions on the Eastern Shore. Chincoteague doesn’t have an actual sandy beachfront, but it does offer quaint shops, restaurants, and bicycle rentals. Grand accommodations on Chincoteague include the Island Manor House and the Mariner Motel. Chincoteague and Assateague are connected by a short causeway.
Many visitors to the Eastern Shore stay in Chincoteague and head to Assateague to explore the Assateague Island National Seashore which offers several popular hiking trails and access to expansive beaches. The beaches can be reached by wooden walkways which extend from four main parking lots. There are two visitor centers at the entrance to Assateague. Entrance is $5 per car and free to those who arrive by bicycle or on foot.
The annual pony swim is held the last Wednesday and Thursday of July and can get mighty crowded, although those who go say it's worth it. At other times of the year, you’ll find wild ponies grazing on Assateague.
Beaches:
Assateague Island National Seashore: Explore the expansive, seaside beaches of Assateague. Families flock to Tom’s Cove which is perfect for a place for a picnic lunch. If you’re looking for a more secluded spot, start walking north and you should be able to find several miles of peace and quiet.
Cape Charles: The town of Cape Charles is located at the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay. It fronts on the open waters of the Chesapeake and has a sandy beachfront park. The beach is a great place to view Chesapeake Bay sunsets.
Kiptopeke State Park: Located three miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bride Tunnel and at the northern tip of the Eastern Shore, Kiptopeke State Park is a primo spot for bird watching. Migratory birds fly over this patch of land every year. Expect to see hawks, kestrels, osprey and other birds. The park also features a sandy beach and an area for swimming Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission: $3 Monday-Friday and $4 on weekends and holidays.
Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch and Virginia Tourism Corporation.
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