Saltwater ponies, golf carts, and island charm all await you when you visit Chincoteague Island, one of the country's most unique towns, and it happens to be located right here in Virginia. With sandy beaches, loads of charm, and scenery that will stop you in your tracks, this remote town is always worth a visit. Whether you value culture, history, or the natural landscape, you'll find that this day trip won't disappoint.
Chincoteague Island is located at the northeastern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Route 175, also known as Chincoteague Road, will take you over the bay and into town.
One of the most popular destinations on the island is the historic lighthouse. Known as the Assateague Lighthouse, it was constructed in 1833 and stands 142 feet tall.
Of course, no trip to Chincoteague is complete without visiting the island ponies. Stop by the Chincoteague Pony Centre where you can pet or perhaps even ride one of these majestic animals.
The island offers plenty of boating and kayak tours depending on your interest.
Speaking of wildlife, you won't find a better place for spotting it than the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Miles of shoreline without any tourist stops means you'll be totally immersed in the coastal landscape.
And while you can experience Chincoteague Island in a day, you'll definitely want to consider spending the night so that you can wake up to a sunrise view like this!
Have you ever visited Chincoteague Island in Virginia? What was your favorite part about the experience? We'd love to hear from you - leave us a comment!
The Fastest-Growing City in Virginia That’s Perfectly Sized
It's not far from the Nation's Capital, but the reason Winchester, Virginia is one of the fastest-growing regions of the state goes beyond the hustle and bustle of the city.
Northern Virginia is often thought of in terms of its proximity to Washington D.C. And yet the fastest-growing region of the state, while it isn't far from the nation's capital, is appealing for more reasons than its convenience to DC. Winchester and Frederick County have made significant population gains over the past few years, more so than any other region of Virginia, in fact. Since 2020, this area has seen a population growth of 5.4%. And sure, it doesn't hurt to be close to a metropolis, but what locals love about Winchester and the surrounding area is its small-town feel complete with delightful local attractions and access to the great outdoors.
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Ask locals what they love most about living in a place like Winchester and you'll get a host of different reasons. But it seems to boil down to a common theme: balance. It's sizable, but not too big. It's close to Washington, D.C., but has everything you need in town so braving the traffic into the city isn't always necessary. There are enough locals that the town feels busy, but never over-crowded.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the location is ideal. Just a 30-45 minute drive will land you in the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Appalachian Trail. It's even close to West Virginia's Tuscarora Mountains.
And then there's the history. It's the oldest incorporated city in Virginia west of the mountains, with its founding dating back to 1744. Prior to that, it served as significant land and a camping ground for the Shawnee. George Washington spent time in Winchester and even set up an office there. It's also the birthplace of country music star, Patsy Cline.
Terry Long / flickr
The history becomes apparent as you make your way through Old Town. Some must-see landmarks include the Handley Regional Library, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, and George Washington's Office Museum.
m01229 / flickr
Of course, there's plenty to do in Winchester, too. Aside from the famous Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, there are countless live music and community events to enjoy. Traveling with kids? We'd recommend a trip to the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, an ice cream cone from Red Fox Creamery, and a trip to a local apple orchard.
Have you visited Winchester, Virginia lately? What were some of your favorite attractions and activities? Feel free to share them with us -- we would love to hear from you! And, if you need the perfect home base for your adventures, check out these unique places to stay in Winchester, Virginia.
On a recent road trip, my family and I seized our chance to visit one of the most famous small towns in Virginia: Appomattox. We just had time to eat lunch and explore a bit of this beautiful, historic area, but even though our time was limited, we made the most of it! Here are some things to do in Appomattox, Virginia, the highlights of our visit, and also what I would do differently if I were to take a day trip to Appomattox again.
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Our first stop in Appomattox was the visitor center, which is housed in a historic old train depot.
There were several cute shops and boutiques, but I decided that for myself that, from my sampling of the area, if I ever get a chance to visit downtown Appomattox again, I'll set up camp in Baines Books and Coffee and never leave.
The quiche and pastries looked delicious, and I could have spent hours and hours sipping coffee and browsing the treasure trove housed on their shelves. As it was with the few minutes I had, I contented myself with a quick perusal of the children's corner, my prize being the first book of the Wingfeather Series in like new condition (but an out-of-print edition that matches the others in the series that I've collected!) for only $4.
When we first pulled into town, I noticed a sign with the town's slogan: "Where our nation reunited." That's a reference to historic events that occurred at the nearby community of Appomattox Courthouse, where, on April 9, 1865 in the parlor of the McClean family home, General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant met to end the Civil War.
In light of that, no trip to the Appomattox area is complete without a stop at the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park, so of course we spent a few fascinating hours wandering the grounds. Admission is free, and the park is only five minutes from downtown Appomattox.
I recommend starting at the visitor center (don't miss the exhibits upstairs -- we almost did!), which is the brick two-story house on the right as you walk into the village. From there, loop around through the village, exploring the jail, the general store, the McClean House, and more.
We had just a few extra minutes after we finished exploring Appomattox Courthouse, so for our final stop in Appomattox, we went on to the neighboring Clover Hill Village. Wow! I wish I had known about this hidden gem before we planned our trip so I could have allotted it more time! Open Fridays through Sundays in season and run by the city's historic society (admission is free but donations are appreciated), Clover Hill Village is a living history museum just two minutes from Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park.
Featuring a diverse set of authentic pioneer buildings jam-packed with antiques and evidences of days gone by, it's a treasure trove for the curious historian. The friendly proprietor let my boys try out an old slide projector. He showed my mother-in-law and I a turn of the century Sears-Roebuck catalogue and some miniature product models that general stores used to stock for customers to see what kind of stove or lamp or iron they wanted to order. He challenged my husband to a game of checkers around the potbelly stove (sadly, we had to decline because of time).
Before we left, we did manage a peek inside the blacksmith shop, though, and the one-room furnished cabin. Next time, we'll be sure to see the church, the schoolhouse, and the gardens.
Another one of the places to eat in Appomattox, Virginia that we want to try when we visit again is the Taco Wagon, a restaurant that came highly recommended by several locals. We've also heard that two other excellent things to do in Appomattox, Virginia are the The American Civil War Museum and Holliday Lake State Park. Appomattox, I enjoyed the chance to get to know you a bit! I definitely hope to take another day trip to this charming small town in Virginia soon. Maybe we'll even spend the night!
