Take In Stunning Views from Atop Historic Assateague Lighthouse
March 9, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
Assateague Lighthouse opens its doors to weekend visitors beginning in April. If you’ve never experienced the view from the top of the tower, you’re missing out!
The first Assateague Light was built on the Virginia side of Assateague Island in 1832. The original structure proved too short, however. The red and white brick tower seen today replaced in in 1867.
The tower is 142 feet tall, the base over 27 feet in diameter, with 175 steps to the top. The tower’s twin rotating lights are 154 feet above sea level and can be seen 19 miles out to sea.
The initial beacon was just a candle. An oil lamp that needed refueling every hour replaced it. Can you imagine lugging two, five-gallon cans of oil up 175 stairs every hour? Now there’s a workout. Phew!
The beacon was eventually upgraded to a modern electronics but the light’s old, first-order Fresnel lens can still be seen at the Museum of Chincoteague.
The historic Assateague Light is one of less than 20 lighthouses of its kind still in use on the Eastern Seaboard. Best of all, it is open to the public on weekends for much of the year!
Visiting Assateague Lighthouse
Down the spiraling stairs
of the Assateague Light tower.
Getting to the lighthouse, which is located in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, is a simple affair. It is only a quarter of a mile (402 meters) from Chincoteague and you can easily drive, bike, or even walk there from anywhere on the island. A popular and well maintained trail leads directly to it.
Tours of the light include information about the light’s history, and what it was like to live here as a lightkeeper. You’ll also see the keeper’s house and the old oil house.
Best of all, you can climb to the top of the tower. Here, sweeping views of Chincoteague, Assateague, Wallops, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Maryland, and more await. Simply stunning – don’t forget your camera!
It’s quite the climb, however. 175 steep stairs and not for everyone. If you do climb, be sure to wear appropriate shoes and hold onto the handrail.
Learn more at www.assateagueisland.com.
Chincoteague Lodging
Island Manor House Bed and Breakfast is a historic Chincoteague inn offering individually decorated guest rooms and luxurious amenities. Our convenient location puts the best of both islands at your fingertips. Let us help to arrange your visit with our concierge services. Book your stay at Island Manor House Bed and Breakfast today!
A Valentine’s Day Chincoteague Island Getaway
January 17, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
Chincoteague is a well known romantic destination. Our beaches, quiet community, wild ponies, excellent dining, and more make a Chincoteague Island getaway the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that special someone in your life.
Chincoteague Island’s romance is innate and ubiquitous. It’s in our scenery, our history, and our quiet and friendly culture. Our Virginia coast barrier island is within reasonable driving distance from Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Norfolk, Virginia.
Come walk hand in hand on our pristine beaches and historic village’s streets. Just one of our stunning, Virginia Coast sunsets will make you feel like you are falling in love all over again.
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Scenic Chincoteague Island Boat Tours
April 13, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
One of the most popular things to do on Chincoteague is to leave the island … aboard one of the many excellent and professional Chincoteague Island boat tours!
Chincoteague Island offers an endless variety of reasons to come for a visit: the wild ponies, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Lighthouse, our pristine beaches, and so much more. One of the more popular pastimes is enjoying a scenic Chincoteague Island cruise.
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Things To Do During Chincoteague Pony Swim 2018
June 15, 2018 by Corey A. Edwards
Chincoteague Pony Swim 2018 is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25th, this year, with a week of pony related activities planned around the swim. The annual pony swim is undoubtedly the most famous aspect of Chincoteague Island – but it’s hardly the only thing to do here!
Chincoteague Pony Swim helps to make July – already awash with events and activities – the island’s most busy and popular month. There is the 4th of July, the Volunteer’ Fireman’s Carnival, and Pony Swim week (July 21-27).
Pony Swim week offers plenty to see and do, what with the two swims, the roundups, and auction. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that the wild ponies of Assateague Island are the only things to see on Chincoteague Island!
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Enjoy A Chincoteague Island Thanksgiving and Save!
November 4, 2017 by Corey A. Edwards
Come enjoy a Chincoteague Island Thanksgiving and save with The 1848 Island Manor House Bed & Breakfast Chincoteague Island Thanksgiving Lodging Special!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday but it can also be a lot of work and stress. If you’d prefer to relax during your holiday, let our Chincoteague B&B, 1848 Island Manor House can help! Our Chincoteague Island Thanksgiving Lodging Special is designed to let you sit back and relax while we do all the work.
Your Chincoteague Island Thanksgiving starts the moment you arrive in the form of a bottle of wine and a cheese tray waiting in your room. Come Thanksgiving dinner, we’ll send you off to Bill’s Prime Steak and Seafood, a lovely 3 minute stroll from the front door of our Chincoteague Island B&B. Your dinner at Bill’s is on us and includes an unlimited, plated meal and a glass of house wine. Bon appétit!
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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Weekend 2017
October 13, 2017 by Corey A. Edwards
Why settle for one bird this Thanksgiving when you can have thousands? Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Weekend is a rare chance to visit the otherwise off-limit refuge during the peak of the annual fall migration. November 23-26, 2017.
You already know that Chincoteague Island, VA is home to lush natural beauty. Our pristine beaches, vibrant wildlife, and the famous wild ponies bring us visitors from around the globe. A less well known fact is that one of the best times for nature lovers to visit is on Thanksgiving weekend. That’s because it’s the peak of the annual fall migration.
Assateague Island is part of the Great Atlantic Flyway, with thousands of acres of beaches, forest, and both fresh and saltwater marshes. Many waterfowl literally flock here every fall either to rest during their journey south or to winter over in our milder climate. Herons, brant geese, snowy egrets, double-crested cormorants, snow geese, and many others become common sights in the refuge.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is mostly off limits for much of the year. Once Thanksgiving weekend rolls around, however, a very unique opportunity presents itself. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Weekend!
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The 14th Annual Chincoteague Island Plein Air Art Show & Sale
August 7, 2017 by Corey A. Edwards
The 2017 Chincoteague Island Plein Air Art Show & Sale is almost here! Artists from around the region will be on hand painting and selling. September 9th, 6pm to 9pm at the United Methodist Church Social Hall.
The Chincoteague Island Plein Air Art Show & Sale is an annual event, held the weekend after Labor Day each year. The event brings more than 50 fine artists to the island and a crowd of art lovers many times that size. That’s because you’ll have the opportunity to buy the paintings you watched being created!
“En Plein Air” is a French term meaning “in the open air.” It refers to the act of painting both out of doors and in a race with the changing light and movement of clouds. Plein Air paintings often contain a sense of life, urgency, and excitement brought on by this race against the elements.
En Plein Air became very popular in the mid-1800’s with the introduction of paint tubes and the box easel. Impressionist painters like Monet and Renoir practiced the style and helped to make it famous. Now you can come be a part of this artistic tradition on Chincoteague Island!
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Fishing, Clamming, and Crabbing Chincoteague Island
July 22, 2017 by Corey A. Edwards
Chincoteague Island is surrounded by some of the best fishing grounds on the Mid-Atlantic Coast. In fact, fishing, clamming, and crabbing Chincoteague are some of our island’s popular activities!
When most people think of Chincoteague Island, visions of wild ponies tend to fill their heads – and why not? The annual Chincoteague Island pony swim is a very unique and special thing – but it’s hardly the only reason to visit Chincoteague Island!
Chincoteague was once known for its unique, salty oysters. While “Chincoteague Salts,” as they’re known, are still sought after, most of the currently rebounding local oyster beds were over-fished during the 19th century. Today we’re more known for our fishing, clamming, and crabbing.
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Get Set For The 2017 Chincoteague Spring Pony Roundup!
March 6, 2017 by Corey A. Edwards
Spring is on the way and with it the annual Chincoteague Spring Pony Roundup! This year’s checkup on the wild horses of Assateague Island is scheduled for April 7th and 8th, 2017.
You’ve heard of the annual Pony Swim that occurs every summer but did you know that there are two other roundups during the year, too. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company holds a roundup in the spring and the fall, as well.
These roundups allow the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company a chance to give the herd an overall health check. The spring pony roundup also sees buybacks from the previous year’s auction released back into the wild.
While these seasonal, health-check roundups are nowhere near the spectacle of the annual swim, they’re still very much worth experiencing. Further, as the two events are not as famous as the Pony Swim, the crowds are lesser, too. That means more viewing the wild ponies of Assateague close-up and less time fighting crowds.
The roundups are split into two days to accommodate the two separate herds of wild horses on Assateague.
The southern herd is the first to be rounded up: April 7th, 5 pm. The pen for this herd is located on the road going out to the beach on Assateague Island. The southern herd is smaller and closer with plenty of parking. Consequently, this first roundup only lasts a few hours and is the most popular of the two spring pony roundup events.
The roundup for the northern herd is scheduled for 8 am on April 8th. This herd is located on the northern end of Assateague Island, translating into a three-mile hike, one way, up the island’s service road. One has to be prepared for the hike but, because of this perceived inconvenience, the Saturday morning roundup tends to be a less crowded.
The northern herd is quite a bit larger than the southern, so the roundup is a much longer affair. Add in the combined six-mile hike and you’re making a day of it. Fun!
Either date will provide you with an indelible snapshot of these gorgeous wild horses and the amazing lives they lead. Come see the wild ponies of Assateague!
2017 Chincoteague Spring Pony Roundup
April 7th & 8th
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Visit: www.chincoteaguechamber.com for more details and a guide to other events and attractions on Chincoteague Island.
Chincoteague Island Lodging
1848 Island Manor House Bed and Breakfast is your home away from home on Chincoteague Island. We offer air conditioning, wireless internet, daily treats, bikes, and a wide variety of beach gear. Let our concierge service assist you in booking all that you want to do in the Chincoteague area.
Come discover the comfort and relaxation of island time on Chincoteague. Book your stay at 1848 Island Manor House Bed and Breakfast today.
Discover Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on a Refuge Trek!
February 13, 2017 by Corey A. Edwards
People come from all around the world to see Chincoteague’s wild ponies – but there’s so much more to be seen here! A tour of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will help you discover all that you’re missing.
We’re not going to try and convince you that there’s anything more majestic on Chincoteague than the wild ponies. They are the main attraction and likely always will be. Our point is that there is more on Chincoteague to see and discover than just the ponies.
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