Spring is a lovely time to have Chincoteague to yourself. The foals begin arriving in the pasture, the warblers pour through the Woodland Trail in waves, the mosquitoes have not yet hatched, and the island is quiet and unhurried before the season begins in earnest.
Our Two + Tuesday special is made for it: book a three-night stay that includes a Tuesday and your Tuesday night is half price. We recommend Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, so you can beat the traffic home on Friday. Spring dates run April 4 through June 17, 2027.
Recommended 3-day itinerary:
Tuesday
Arrive and check in, then go straight out to see the ponies. This is foaling season, so there may well be a new arrival in the pasture across the parking lot, and if not, take a drive out along Beach Road and look for one among the wild herd.
Enjoy dinner at the Village Restaurant over Eel Creek, followed by a cone from Island Creamery, and end the evening with a swim. Our pool is enclosed and heated until the weather turns warm.
Wednesday
You have two good ways to spend the morning, so take your pick.
On foot, get out to the Woodland Trail early. In April and May the warblers arrive in waves and that trail is where they come down, so walk it slowly with the Merlin app running.
On two wheels, rent bicycles from the Bike Depot next door and ride the Woodland Trail and the Wildlife Loop together while the loop is still closed to cars, watching the impoundments fill with waders as the shorebird migration builds.
Either way, bring your binoculars out to the balcony for breakfast as well. Our listening station has recorded 151 species on the grounds of the inn alone.
In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Chincoteague Island and the Beebe Ranch, both open Tuesday through Saturday and both covered by a single combination ticket. Read the book beforehand if you can, especially if you have children with you.
Pick up dinner from Famous Pizza, or if the weather turns, Alley Oops Express on Main Street has mini bowling and an arcade until 9pm.
Thursday
Head out first thing with Cowboy Cruise Company. Early morning is the finest time of day to find the herds, and in spring you may well be the first person to set eyes on a brand new foal.
Back on land, the NASA Wallops Visitor Center is across the causeway, free, and open Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Spend the late afternoon downtown among the shops along Main Street, and treat yourselves to dinner at Bill’s PRIME Seafood & Steaks, a Chincoteague institution at 4040 Main Street since 1960.
Friday
Enjoy one last breakfast on the balcony and a final look at the ponies before you head home ahead of the weekend traffic.
Two + Tuesday applies to our Deluxe Queen and Deluxe King rooms on the Best Available and Peace of Mind Flexible rates, including the crib and roll-away packages. It cannot be combined with AAA, AARP, senior, military or veteran discounts, and it does not apply to the suites.