Island Adventure: Discover Chincoteague and Assateague Islands

I knew a little about the running of the ponies but the RS program opened that world up for me! I'm hoping that maybe some day my husband and I can attend the entire pony experience in July!

This was our first Road Scholar trip. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and had two full days touring Chincoteague and Assateague. Highlights were the pontoon boat trip—we spotted an eagle and 2 bottlenose dolphins—and the “safari” on Assateague—a group of wild ponies walked right by us. Our guides were great: warm welcoming, and enthusiastic about their community. We thoroughly enjoyed the last night’s concert, too. My husband described the trip this way: “It was a blast!”

A wonderful experience. We learned a lot, had a good time and fell in love with the islands and the indomitable community.

Perfectly balanced to include history, culture, art, music, wildlife, trios, and nice meals together with the other participants.

This was my 10th RS program and the shortest, 4 days, 3 nights. I wondered if it might be too short but I was impressed how much RS included. The number and variety of activities was extensive and well balanced between cultural and educational activities. For those whose main objective in signing up for this program is to see the famous ponies, you will hopefully not be disappointed. We were lucky with the weather (early June) and saw lots of ponies, both on our boat ride as well as our bus trip in parts of the wildlife refuge that RS had special permission to enter.

I really enjoyed this program….every aspect was well run…I highly recommend it..

The program was presented in an excellent manner…I highly recommend it

The people guiding and presenting on the program were excellent however the bus broke down at the beginning of the program and there was no backup plan for the bus so we missed out on some of the program items.

The trip was great, liked how everything was included, no surprises. Learned lots of new things and made some new friends

As a first time lone female Road Scholar, I can only encourage other of my demographic to step out of your comfort zone and explore the world with such an incredible organization. I have no regrets and am planning my next adventure with Road Scholar as I write!

Great program and knowledgeable lecturers. Good introduction to the area. We plan to visit again.

This was my first program with Road Scholar and I will definitely be continuing my adventures with them. The organization, activities, information, and especially the leaders in charge of our program were exceptional. It was exciting, informative, and just plain fun!

This was a lot of fun, and so interesting.Great guide.

An excellent, informative program with guides who made the area and its past, present, and future come alive.

I thoroughly enjoyed this program - got to see the wild ponies and their foals up close. Waterfowl sightings were plentiful and beautiful, especially the Canada geese/goslings and snowy egrets.

life is a journey.. so go for it....

We had a lot of fun. We were immersed in pony and island lore from start to finish and saw numerous herds. While I understand closer sighting are common ours were somewhat distant and were glad we had binoculars. The hotel is in a beautiful location where we were able to catch wonderful sunsets over the water. The staff were knowledgeable, humorous and well spoken.

Great adventure and accommodations!! Coming from CA made it a true bucket list trip!!

The team that put this program together did a wonderful job. The program was interesting and fun: boat ride, museum, beech, nature preserve, art work, concert, aquaculture - all delivered with humor and warmth. These folks really care for and want to share their community. They welcomed us like family - and of course, the PONIES! They were beautiful and fascinating.

A relaxed easygoing learning experience with an excellent group leader and pleasant extra events. The history was especially interesting.

I am very glad I chose the Chincoteague Island trip as my 1st experience with Road Scholar. I love learning new things and as a photographer I took many pictures I am very pleased with. I am looking forward to my next adventure.

This was my first Road Scholar trip. It was also my first solo traveler experience. I was pleasantly surprised at how immersive an experience I had learning about Chincoteague/Assateague Islands. The tour guides introduced us to exceptional encounters that I will always remember. This trip will not be my last.

I learned about an area of the country that I had no knowledge of. The explanations about the ponies and the Civil War were very informative. I chose the program because I was going to be in Virginia, and this was a way of breaking up my trip. I'm so glad I did.

Fantastic, up close views of wild ponies by land and sea. Knowledgeable presenters.

An interesting, little known part of the US that encompasses flora, fauna, history and yummy food.

I highly recommend this program. The area is quaint, easy to get around in, the people involved are delightful, and the topics very interesting.

A special treat. This short, 4-day post-Covid pandemic trip was a perfect return to RS travel for my wife and me. Every aspect well planned, executed by the RS team: Pankey, Beth and Kenny. Great leaders. Well-prepared, personable, professional, engaging and participant-oriented. Organized by the delightful Museum of Chincoteague Island. What fun. Nothing boring about this trip. Programs were educational and entertaining. Pony presentation by Darcy: Wow!!!! Art: Awesome. Downtown history tour by Cindy was spot on; what a story teller. Aquaculture: all you wanted to know about clams and more -- w/a guy who's funny as heck and a USAF 20-year veteran who "landed" on the island. Excursions to the Atlantic coastline and a 2-hour boat ride (Daisy Island Cruises) on the Assateague Channel chasing eagles, osprey, wild ponys were thrilling -- complete w/a scrumptious box lunch. We had time, with early arrival (or stay a day or few late), to explore walking trails at the NWR. Bring your Senior Pass. Oh, and the evening music entertainers -- strap yourself in for some foot-stomping Irish, sea-faring fun. Food, OBTW, was spectacular. Breakfast at the hotel -- each room with a spectacular view of the sound -- was wonderful. Lodging was comfortable, clean, refreshed daily. Lunch, dinner meals were something to die for. Seafood lover's delights, but plenty of mouth-watering non-seafood options. Small-plates dinner with wine pairings was worth the visit alone. Just go. Especially if you live in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic or Northeast. One-day drive? One overnight? Or fly in from anywhere? And there are other Museum of Chincoteague-sponsored RS programs to choose from.

This was a short excursion, but packed full of really good things. We saw the ponies up close and personal, and had wonderful tales told to us by a lady who basically lived among the ponies. We also saw a wonderful artist describe how she did her art and actually show us how. The music event by Three Sheets was really good and rollicking, and the gentleman who described clam farming was really very interesting. The hosts and our bus driver were all very helpful, and the food was wonderful!

This program made me to cancel my future trips inside the country. Definitely I prefer international. It was a very big group for the time we are living with the Covid 19! plus, we were always inside a bus with windows close. The program is very inactive. Almost boring. Chincoteage is a very small place that invite to walk. But we went by bus even to the first restaurant around the corner. Most of the participants asked why! Food for the most part was fine. Except for the last dinner. Not good at all. The hotel was ok: had mold smell. I enjoy the nature of the place and making some friends.

Dear RS, Enjoyed all aspects of the trip particularly the local people who were involved in educating us on various topics. The artist, the aquaculture guy, the naturalist from museum, chef from Bill's Prime - all were great presenters. Beth was a super group leader. Only issue I had was being with group in small conference space and 1/2 people did not wear masks. Really not a comfortable situation. Hotel was nice and meals were good. I would recommend this trip to others. Lynn Wearsch

We came a bit early since the program was so short and because we were there with friends. Staying after the program would have provided a welcomed orientation to the islands and services. If you do stay a few extra days and have a national park senior pass bring it for "free" access to Assateague. Very interesting community and history. Two special events involving food and music were terrific. The program supports the local museum, also a plus.

Road Scholar trip to Chicoteague and Assateague was very enjoyable, informative and interesting.

Chincoteague is a surprising delight. Road Scholar provided terrific speakers and an excellent leader, all of whom had much to share about their views of the island and culture. All were humorous and fun to be with. We enjoyed a great imaginative small plates dinner with wine and a delightful concert by a local group as well as a boat ride, lectures, excellent meals and a lovely comfy place to stay...all in 2 and a half days. Go!

Fabulous trip to Chincoteague and Assateague! I learned a tremendous amount about this area and met lots of nice folks. I was a solo traveler but I never felt alone. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has an interest in the wild ponies or the barrier islands.

Very interesting and informative. A great option for get back into group travel. Beth and the other leaders were knowledgeable and able to show us a lot about the area, even with the constraints of Covid-19. We spoke with watermen and women, had a terrific concert of nautical and historical songs, a private dinner and a tour of the wildlife refuge. You won’t get the best experience of this rich community without the Road Scholar crew to guide you.

I have wanted to see the Chincoteague ponies for a very long time. I enjoyed learning more about the area and found the small community to be friendly. We did see the ponies during our field trip on the bus through a portion of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The group leader was very engaged and I really enjoyed the lecture on the clamming industry by a local clammer. Even though not on the itinerary, I enjoyed the pretty sunrise/sunsets and beautiful coastal birds. The small Chincoteague museum is filled with various interesting historical displays.

The trip to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands was extraordinary. If you are traveling for the first time with Road Scholar, I highly recommend this one especially if it is within driving distance for you. The food that was presented was outstanding, our tour guide knew the town from inside out and also many of people in the town. It felt like being part of a new family. I truly did not want to leave this charming town and the folks who attended this program with me.

If you've ever heard or read the story MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE and wondered if it was fact or fiction; if you've ever wondered whether there is a place where wild ponies rule; if you've ever longed to walk the shore of an ocean and feel the waves tickle your toes, then a Road Scholar trip to Chincoteabue is for you.

Anyone who likes animals, ponies: large males, sweet mothers, and little babies, on their wobbly legs cannot help but love this program. Also it was great learning about the sheep that used to be on the island while their coats were shorn and prepared for spinning and we must not forget he painting demonstration in which a duck appeared before our eyes after we all learned perspective using our own finger AND eyes...his was new to me!!

The Chincoteague trip went beyond my expectations. I learned so much about Chincoteague from our local leader and lecturers and saw more ponies than I could count. Definitely recommend this trip!

Easy to use and navigate while offering countless options for travel whether alone, with companion(s) or with family.