Virginia--Eastern Shore to Chincoteague
· Date: 2004-12-12
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The Delmarva Peninsula lies between Chesapeake Bay on the west and the
Atlantic on the east. While the area touches three states: Delaware, Maryland,
and Virginia, this drive will take you through a small part of Virginia.
Known for its beautiful beaches, wildlife preserves, and picturesque fishing villages, the area has something for everyone. Children will love the pony roundup and swim immortalized in Marguerite Henry's book, "Misty of Chincoteague." Take U.S. 13 south from the Maryland-Virginia border for four miles to Route 175 toward Chincoteague. Soon you'll come to the NASA Visitors Center--hard to miss with its rockets, launchers, and other space equipment out front. The self-guided attraction features models of satellites and space vehicles with hands-on exhibits; you can build and launch a bottle rocket or find out about the speed of data transmission via satellites.
Back on Route 175, cross the tidal flats and salt marshes and drive on to Chincoteague Island. Chincoteague has some of the best seafood restaurants around as well as plenty of shops selling local crafts. The Refuge Waterfowl Museum and the Oyster and Maritime Museum detail the region's natural history.
A short causeway over the Assateague Channel leads to Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The Eastern Flyway is a migration route for thousands of waterfowl, and the wildlife refuge here was created to protect the birds' island habitat. Herons, egrets and numerous species of waterfowl are around throughout the year, though July and August are peak times to see such shorebirds as terns and sandpipers. On the last Wednesday in July, wild ponies are rounded up on Assateague Island to swim across the channel to Chincoteague, where they are auctioned off with proceeds going to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. Arrive early as this popular event attracts huge crowds.
Starting Point:
U.S. 13 Virginia state line
Distance of Drive:
18 miles
Must Eat:
Steamers Seafood
6251 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague, VA 22336
Phone: 757-336-5478
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round (spring for bird watchers)
Points of Interest on Drive:
NASA Visitors Center
Refuge Waterfowl Museum
Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife
Refuge
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