Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and Certified Visitor Center

06/20/2026

It's almost here! America's 250th Independence Day Celebration is only 2 weeks away and Chincoteague Island is getting ready! We have the official details for the Carnival and Fireworks for you to plan out your day.

06/19/2026

Join us in welcoming The Ice Cream Truck!
Learn more : https://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/business-type/directory/detail/The-Ice-Cream-Truck/

06/19/2026

In celebration of Juneteenth, we would like to honor those who chose Chincoteague Island as their home following emancipation. Following the Civil War, the black population of the island increased significantly as newly "freedmen" moved here for work and to find homes.
As early as 1864 William Broadwater came to the island and settled in Deep Hole, becoming a renowned "bateau builder."
Others who came to Chincoteague included Park Riley, the Fisher family, and the Selby family.
Even before the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, formerly enslaved people made their homes on Chincoteague. Ocraw Brinney was emancipated in 1787 and by 1800 had a household of eight here. By 1811 he purchased 75 acres on the Chincoteague Channel, including what is now the Carnival Grounds. Island lore claims that he lived to 130!
These families helped to shape this island's heritage. Today we look back at our history and are thankful for those who decided to make Chincoteague their home.

06/19/2026

For 41 years, Chincoteague Hunting & Fishing has been a cornerstone of Chincoteague's outdoor heritage. Founded by Captain Pete Wallace as a charter fishing operation, Fish Tales, the business has grown into a premier hunting and fishing outfitter, serving sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country.

Over the years, Fish Tales expanded into Chincoteague Hunting & Fishing, LLC, earning recognition as one of the Top 100 Greatest Waterfowl Outfitters in North America. Today, the business continues its tradition of excellence with a team of five full-time, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains who provide guided fishing trips, waterfowl hunts, and unforgettable outdoor experiences on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Through decades of dedication to conservation, sportsmanship, and hospitality, Chincoteague Hunting & Fishing has helped generations of visitors experience the natural beauty and abundant wildlife that make Chincoteague a truly special destination.

06/18/2026

Join us in welcoming Experior Financial America, Raynard M. Fenster.
Learn more: https://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/business-type/directory/detail/Experior-Financial-America/

06/18/2026

Congratulations to Island Creamery! They were voted the #7 Best Ice Cream Shop in the US! Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.

Churning an all-natural premium ice cream, Island Creamery's menu features ingredients from local dairy and fruit farmers. Try cherries jubilee or black raspberry, or opt for the decadent bourbon caramel crunch or super-rich chocolate Marsh Mud.

06/18/2026

The Birchwood Motel has long been part of the island’s traditional family-owned lodging scene that developed alongside Chincoteague’s rise as a vacation destination in the mid-20th century. Located on Main Street, the property became known as an affordable, casual stay for visitors coming to enjoy the beaches, fishing, boating, and the famous Chincoteague ponies.

Like many of Chincoteague’s older motels and inns, the Birchwood reflects the era when tourism expanded rapidly on the island following the popularity of the book Misty of Chincoteague in 1947 and later the 1961 film adaptation.

Today, Birchwood Motel continues operating as one of the island’s budget-friendly lodging properties, offering efficiency rooms and a pool. Its close proximity to the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds allows guests to enjoy front-row views of the annual Pony Parade and the unique experience of hearing the ponies neigh from the nearby carnival corral.

06/18/2026

Since 1946, the Kiwanis of Chincoteague has been an unwavering advocate for the youth and heritage of our island community. Their story began with a shared vision among local leaders to create a lasting impact on Assateague and Chincoteague through dedicated service and community engagement. From pioneering the first local youth sports leagues to their defining role in supporting the local pony traditions, their legacy is built on the belief that when we serve our children, we secure our future.

Today, the Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague continues to bridge their rich historical roots with innovative service projects that address the modern needs of Chincoteague’s next generation. They touch every corner of our island – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to inspire a life-long love of reading, Terrific Kids awards at the elementary school, high school scholarships, Red Cross blood drives, Adopt-A-Road Program, sponsoring countless local organizations, serve hot dogs at the Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, and they run the Kiwanis of Chincoteague Health Foundation which supports quality healthcare on Chincoteague Island through ownership of the Chincoteague Medical Center and a partnership with Eastern Shore Rural Health. All of this and more ensure the island remains a place of opportunity and growth for all.

06/17/2026

Spark by Hilton Chincoteague Island opened as the Driftwood Motel in 1977 by the John White Shields family and was lovingly run by their daughter Lisa and her husband, Scott Chesson until their retirement in 2024.

Over the years, the Driftwood evolved from an independently operated island motel into a nationally branded property when it became the Best Western Chincoteague Island. The transition reflected a broader trend on Chincoteague as longtime family motels modernized to meet changing traveler expectations while still serving the island’s tourism-driven economy.

More recently, the property was renovated and rebranded again as Spark by Hilton Chincoteague Island Bayside, joining Hilton’s newer value-oriented hotel brand. Today, the hotel continues welcoming visitors to Chincoteague while carrying forward the legacy of one of the island’s longtime lodging locations.

06/17/2026

Chincoteague Island Vacation Cottages has been serving Chincoteague for 46 years!

In the mid-1970s, Bob and Judy Roe began vacationing on Chincoteague with their four children and quickly fell in love with the island. This passion inspired them to leave their federal government careers, relocate to the island, and open Roe’s Vacation Services in partnership with Vacation Cottages.

By the 1990s, Bob and Judy had taken over Vacation Cottages, growing it into a family business built on hospitality and a love for Chincoteague. In 2012, their daughter Karen and her husband, Mike Murphy, continued the legacy, with Karen’s brothers remaining involved. In 2020, Karen and Mike’s daughter Madison joined the company with her husband, Lee Ramsay, carrying the tradition into a fourth generation that now includes their daughter Ivy and other great-grandchildren of Bob and Judy Roe.

Chincoteague Island Vacation Cottages consider themselves to be the ‘mom and pop’ of vacation rentals specializing in clean and comfortable vacation homes in fantastic locations around the island, complete with all your favorite amenities! They are proud to carry on the legacy of a family-owned and operated business dedicated to helping others create lasting memories.

As Bob Roe stated years ago “Our secret here at Vacation Cottages, is a guest arrives… and a friend returns”.