Kelly's Guidebook
Food scene
Don's is a casual seafood restaurant with a big, varied menu that can accommodate all including meat eaters and vegetarians. Our favorites are crab cakes (no filler), crab imperial, prime rib weekly special and their kids menu includes crab legs! Live bands and a lively safe bar is upstairs. Can accommodate large groups with reservations. Outdoor seating on the water with beautiful views of the sunset.
27 locals recommend
Don's Seafood Restaurant
4113 Main StDon's is a casual seafood restaurant with a big, varied menu that can accommodate all including meat eaters and vegetarians. Our favorites are crab cakes (no filler), crab imperial, prime rib weekly special and their kids menu includes crab legs! Live bands and a lively safe bar is upstairs. Can accommodate large groups with reservations. Outdoor seating on the water with beautiful views of the sunset.
Excellent sandwich shop, best italian subs, lunchmeat and prepared salads. Breakfast sandwiches will change your life. Our favorite morning is ordering sandwiches, OJ and a 6 pack of beer and heading to the beach.
10 locals recommend
J&B Subs
3571 Main StExcellent sandwich shop, best italian subs, lunchmeat and prepared salads. Breakfast sandwiches will change your life. Our favorite morning is ordering sandwiches, OJ and a 6 pack of beer and heading to the beach.
An iconic staple on main street. A must visit in the winter. In the summer, the ambiance is beautiful, but has no view or outdoor seating. The atmosphere in the evening is upscale with a large menu and retains its small town warmth. Dependable quality with always friendly staff.
Their breakfasts are wonderfully huge and unique. They will make you want to walk home to get some calories out :)
Reservations will be needed during peak season.
30 locals recommend
Bill's PRIME Seafood & Steaks
4040 Main StAn iconic staple on main street. A must visit in the winter. In the summer, the ambiance is beautiful, but has no view or outdoor seating. The atmosphere in the evening is upscale with a large menu and retains its small town warmth. Dependable quality with always friendly staff.
Their breakfasts are wonderfully huge and unique. They will make you want to walk home to get some calories out :)
Reservations will be needed during peak season.
Beautiful family brewery that has excellent beer. The tasting room may be closed but you can still find their beer on the island!
17 locals recommend
Black Narrows Brewing Company
4522 Chicken City RdBeautiful family brewery that has excellent beer. The tasting room may be closed but you can still find their beer on the island!
These tacos will change your life. Order at least 2. Even their salads are amazing. Fresh lemonade and limeade, frozen margaritas and beers are available.
34 locals recommend
Pico Taqueria
6560 Maddox BlvdThese tacos will change your life. Order at least 2. Even their salads are amazing. Fresh lemonade and limeade, frozen margaritas and beers are available.
AJs has good seafood and steaks. They have a pick 3 meal to share that gives you a great deal of local seafood for a great price. Reservations are encouraged and they have a lovely outdoor screened in area on Eel Creek.
22 locals recommend
AJ's on the creek
6585 Maddox BlvdAJs has good seafood and steaks. They have a pick 3 meal to share that gives you a great deal of local seafood for a great price. Reservations are encouraged and they have a lovely outdoor screened in area on Eel Creek.
Formerly Etta’s, reservations available. Great music scene, outdoor and indoor eating. Sometimes breakfast lunch and dinner, but check their website.
The Pearl
Formerly Etta’s, reservations available. Great music scene, outdoor and indoor eating. Sometimes breakfast lunch and dinner, but check their website.
Unique Shopping
Hollyhocks on Main
4090 Main StGreat little shop with unique homegoods on main street.
Chincoteague
Sightseeing
Our favorite trail is the bivalve trail off of the woodland trail (~2 miles round trip). The wildlife loop is open to cars after 3pm. The Bike Depot is just before the entrance and rents bikes, helmets, even kids seats and trailers for a reasonable price. Entrance to the refuge is free via bike or foot.
36 locals recommend
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
8274 Beach Access RdOur favorite trail is the bivalve trail off of the woodland trail (~2 miles round trip). The wildlife loop is open to cars after 3pm. The Bike Depot is just before the entrance and rents bikes, helmets, even kids seats and trailers for a reasonable price. Entrance to the refuge is free via bike or foot.
City advice
Getting around
A lovely trolley is hop on and off and very cheap.
The trolley runs around all of the “hot spots” of the island. It is hop on and hop off, you just waive them down from the sidewalk to get on and pull the chord on the trolley to get off. Cash only.
Book before you go
Coming from up north?
Need a stop on the way? Consider Arena’s in Milford Delaware. About 2 hours north of Chincoteague and on your way if you are coming from northern Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey or New York. Great food, beautiful outdoor seating by the Missipillion River.
Useful phrases
I’ll get up with you.
This means I’ll call you back as it gets closer or I have more information. Pony Pinning is Pony Penning. Chincoteague starts with Shhh not a Ch.
Travelling with kids
Lots to do for a family
Our favorites are: J&Bs bfast sandwiches & get to the beach early. The waves are rough, but the sand and water- beautiful. Take the kids on a walk on the trails at the wildlife refuge or on a hike up the steps of the lighthouse - a little longer is the bivalve trail which takes you out to the beach where you can see the NASA facility at Wallops. Grab some crayons & paper-enjoy a beer and juice boxes at Black Narrows Brewery. Ropewalk sunsets. Captain Barry’s boat tour is a must.
What to pack
Home away from home packing
If you haven’t ordered the linen package, we only provide bath mats and mattress pads. So you’ll need to provide comforters, pillows, sheets and towels. Consumables such as trash bags, hand soap, dish soap, dishwasher soap, coffee, etc. are all available and reasonably priced at Island Foods just down the street. The grocery store is small but well stocked and also sells beer and wine. There is an ABC store on the island close by as well. Posiden’s Pantry sells specialty foods, wine, beer and has a great menu for takeout to the beach or dining on our pier. Pack a sweatshirt for summer breezes.
Don't miss
Shopping
HollyHocks on Main Street Sandy Sky’s on Main Street Sundial Books on Main Street Posiden’s Pantry on Maddox The Brant on Maddox
Don't miss
Chincoteague Step Through Time Tours
Low impact walking tours for people even with some mobility limitations. Learn the history of Chincoteague entertaining and educational for all ages!