Activities for Kids

The Nearby Beach Town to Visit This Fall

Grab your outdoors-loving family and leave the monoliths of D.C. behind—trade them in for a bed-and-breakfast on Chincoteague Island.

By Ayren Jackson-Cannady September 25, 2014

About three and a half hours east of D.C., you’ll find the quaint town of Chincoteague, Virginia that’s a perfect getaway for a long weekend. The crisp fall air draws fewer crowds (and thankfully mosquitoes) but shops and wildlife on Assateague Island are still bustling. So grab your outdoors-loving family and leave the monoliths of D.C. behind—trade them in for a bed-and-breakfast on Chincoteague Island.

These boots were made for walking (and riding)

The trails on Assateague Island are perfect for hiking, biking, and even strollers! Tip: Entrance fee is $8/car, but if you plan to go more than one day, get the 7-day pass for $15. And if you enter on foot or on bicycle, there's no entrance fee. Didn't pack a bike or trailer? No problem-o! Park your car at the Bike Depot (next to the Refuge Inn) and rent bikes for grown-ups, kiddies, and bike trailers. Just remember to pack hats and sunglasses because not all trails are covered.

Have you ever visited Chincoteague? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

—Lisa Ng

Photos courtesy of Lisa Ng