Go Wild! Travel Exclusive: The Wildlife of Chincoteague (Part 2 of 2)
An egret perches on a dead tree in Chincoteague's National Wildlife Refuge.
All photos by David Wheeler, WildNewJersey.tv
Read below for photos of some of Chincoteague's most charismatic wildlife. All photos by David Wheeler, WildNewJersey.tv
Getting There
From New York City, the trip to Chincoteague takes approximately 5 hours if taking the New Jersey Turnpike into Delaware, then taking state highways south through Maryland into Virginia.
What To Do
Managed primarily by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is reached at the end of Maddox Boulevard. Their main office can be reached at 757-336-6122. Assateague Island National Seashore (410-641-1441) in Maryland is managed by the National Park Service.
Snug Harbor 757-336-6166) is a convenient location for renting boats or kayaks, situated just across the Assateague Channel from the lighthouse area of the Chincoteague Refuge where wild horses can most often be observed from the water.
The Assateague Explorer (1-866-766-9794) offers guided pontoon boat tours to see horses, birdwatching cruises, and sunset cruises.
The Chincoteague Pony Centre (757-336-2776) is located on Chicken City Road, just west of Maddox Boulevard.
Jus’ Bikes (757-336-6700) is located at 6527 Maddox Boulevard, about halfway between downtown Chincoteague and the entrance to the refuge, making it a convenient rental stop for bikes, surreys, scooters and “scoot coupes,” or colorful mini-cars.
A few shops down from Jus’ Bikes is Surfside Golf (757-336-GOLF), with 36 well-crafted holes of miniature golf. Across the street is Refuge Golf & Bumper Boats (757-336-5420), which also gives kids the chance to shoot water at competitors while spinning boats around the pool.
For a rainy day, the Island Roxy Theatre (757-336-6301) offers family fare in an old-fashioned pink Art Deco landmark at 4075 Main Street. Misty’s hoofprints are etched into the front sidewalk just like the two-legged celebrities at the Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
No matter what you do, bring plenty of suntan lotion and bug spray – you will likely be outside quite a bit and mosquitoes sure enjoy the saltmarsh, particularly at night.
Where to Stay
A helpful resource is the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce (757-336-6161). Their office is located at 6733 Maddox Boulevard.
What To Eat
For breakfast, Maria’s Family Restaurant (6506 Maddox Boulevard, 757-336-5040) offers an excellent buffet.
At Mr. Baldy’s Family Restaurant (3441 Ridge Road, 757-336-1198), the nicknamed proprietor and friendly staff serve exquisite breakfasts and lunches.
Etta’s Channel Side (7452 East Side Drive, 757-336-5644) and The Village Restaurant and Lounge (6576 Maddox Boulevard, 757-336-5120) each offer fresh seafood dishes at reasonable prices with waterfront views.
And for dessert, it is hard to beat the sumptuous ice cream parlors. Island Creamery (757-336-6236) and Mister Whippy’s (757-336-5122) are located on Maddox Boulevard, while Muller’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor (757-336-5894) serves up ice cream downtown on Main Street in an original Victorian home said to be haunted. Yes, the olden days live on in Chincoteague.
Black-crowned night-heron
Muskrat
American oystercatcher
Bottlenose dolphin
Great egret
Snapping turtle
Snowy egret and lighthouse
Black rat snake
Egrets and herons thrive in this gorgeous waterworld.
Diamondback terrapin
Blue crab
Snowy egret
David Wheeler is a freelance writer and founder of WildNewJersey.tv . His book, “Wild New Jersey: Nature Adventures in the Garden State,” will be published in February by Rutgers University Press. He can be reached at dwheeler@edisonwetlands.org.
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 7/23/2010 10:00 AM 
Categories: Go Wild! Travel Exclusive,Wildlife
Tags: american osystercatcher black-crowned night-heron Assateague Island National Seashore snapping turtle diamondback terrapin black rat snake bottlenose dolphin muskrat snowy egret great egret blue crab Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Categories: Go Wild! Travel Exclusive,Wildlife
Tags: american osystercatcher black-crowned night-heron Assateague Island National Seashore snapping turtle diamondback terrapin black rat snake bottlenose dolphin muskrat snowy egret great egret blue crab Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
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