The Refuge Inn sits at 7058 Maddox Boulevard, between downtown Chincoteague and the entrance to the wildlife refuge. In summer that means you can park when you arrive and leave the car alone. Nearly everything below is closer than the beach.
Hours on this island move with the season, the weather and the staffing, so call ahead or check a place’s own page before you set out — especially outside summer.
Toward the refuge
Blackfin Island Grill & Tapas Lounge — 7085 Maddox Blvd
Directly across the street from us. Seafood and a tapas lounge.
Museum of Chincoteague Island — 7125 Maddox Blvd
Island people, culture and heritage, and the last thing you pass before Beach Road begins.
McDonald’s — 7039 Maddox Blvd
Sometimes it is what the kids want.
Toward town
Pony Tails — 7011 Maddox Blvd
Salt water taffy in more flavors than anyone needs, plus candy and gifts.
Steve’s II Express — 6761 Maddox Blvd
Gas, groceries, beach gear, crabbing supplies and bait — and the subs are genuinely good, which is not what you expect from a place that also sells bait.
Asian Express — 6758 Maddox Blvd
Chinese and sushi. Usually ready in ten minutes, sometimes fifteen if they are slammed.
Maui Jack’s — 6742 Maddox Blvd
The waterpark, and Keko’s Bar & Grill, which is its own business — you can go for a drink and a meal without buying a waterpark ticket.
Howie’s — 6735 Maddox Blvd
A food trailer in the Ace Hardware lot, serving fresh Chincoteague oysters. Some mornings they set up at the CCA farmers market instead, with hot breakfast sandwiches on fresh-baked bagels. Their days move around, so check their Facebook before you walk down.
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center — 6733 Maddox Blvd
In the middle of the traffic circle. This is where you buy tickets to the festivals, and where the staff will tell you anything you want to know about the island.
Lily’s Little Mexico, Woody’s Serious Food and K&J Teriyaki — 6700 Maddox Blvd
Three food trucks right in a row, with fun theming and great food. Mexican, barbecue and smashburgers, and Korean teriyaki.
Famous Pizza & Sub Shop — 6689 Maddox Blvd
Family-owned and a local go-to. The family is Greek, and everything on the menu is consistently good. They will deliver to the inn — including out to the pool.
AJ’s on the Creek — 6585 Maddox Blvd
A little more upscale than the rest of this list, with steaks and pasta alongside the seafood. Book ahead.
The Village Restaurant — 6576 Maddox Blvd
A local family, local servers, and forty-odd years in the Chincoteague seafood business behind it — owner Bobby Conner is a genuine island seafood name. Waterside on Eel Creek. Get the fried oysters. They open for dinner, and sometimes for happy hour. Book ahead.
Pico Taqueria — 6560 Maddox Blvd
A foodie take on Mexican, with appetizers you will not find elsewhere — the Po-tot-as Bravas among them — and a tiki bar with craft cocktails. A very well-run business that gives back to this community regularly.
Surfside Golf — 6557 Maddox Blvd
Two eighteen-hole mini golf courses, plus Dippin’ Dots and funnel cakes.
Funland Amusements — 6528 Maddox Blvd
Go karts, bumper boats, mini golf, a rock wall and an arcade, right by Maria’s. Mostly outdoors, and a family favorite.
Monkey See Monkey Brew — 6507 Maddox Blvd
Coffee and pastries.
Better. — 6507 Maddox Blvd
Sharing the lot next door. A genuinely chef-driven menu — the Potato Rocket, the schnitzel, and Justin’s clam chowder.
Maria’s Family Restaurant — 6505 Maddox Blvd
Pizza and Greek, with a little something for everyone. They do breakfast buffets and holiday buffets too — the Thanksgiving one is particularly good.
Ledo Pizza — 6477 Maddox Blvd
Pizza, wings and salads.
What you will want the car for
Downtown Main Street, the Assateague beach at the end of Beach Road, and the refuge itself. The beach is about three and a half miles — a good bike ride from the Bike Depot next door, and the reason plenty of guests never move the car all week. Bill’s, in town, is worth the drive and worth a reservation.
What restaurants are within walking distance of the Refuge Inn?
Blackfin is directly across the street. Everything from Pony Tails down to Famous Pizza is an easy walk, and Famous will bring a pizza to you at the pool. Past that, AJ’s through Ledo’s is under half a mile.
Can you visit Chincoteague without a car?
You will need one to get here — rideshare on the island is very sparse. Once you have arrived, this strip is walkable and the Bike Depot next door covers the rest.
How far is the beach from the Refuge Inn?
About three and a half miles, at the end of Beach Road. Drive it or ride it.
Plan Your Stay
Everything on this list is within a few minutes of your room. We sit a quarter mile from the entrance to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and breakfast comes to your door in the morning.