Day Trip to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

March 08, 2018 · 3 min read

The small town of Chincoteague is only seven miles long and three miles wide. That's why its visitors are always amazed at the abundance of activities that this place offers to them. With plenty of fun activities on land and on the water, Chincoteague seems to have it all. The Island City On the Eastern Shore of Virginia is a small island of such beauty that they call it a paradise island. Over a million of people from all over the country travel thousands of miles just for a glimpse of its pristine bountiful nature. Ponies run free here, and dolphins jump on the ocean waves and play with seagulls. Miles and miles of fine white sand cover the island's gorgeous and award-winning beaches. With its unbelievable sunsets, the island is the most tranquil and beautiful escape from a busy life. It is a dream place for all nature-loving and outdoorsy people. The Wildlife Refuge The island is the gateway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most visited nature preserves in the United States. The refuge was established in 1943 as a habitat for migratory birds. Today, it covers over 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest and offers a habitat for many wildlife species, like waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, song birds, and plants. The refuge management works tirelessly to protect endangered species and to conserve local wildlife and plants. The Chincoteague Refuge is popular for birdwatching, fishing, hunting, and exploring the wilderness and wildlife. The refuge offers wildlife tours and miles of hiking and biking trails. The Ponies Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is home to the world-famous Chincoteague ponies. To this day, it remains a mystery how the ponies arrived on the island. Most popular and romantic legend of the ponies' origin tells how ponies escaped a sinking Spanish ship, swam to the island, and made the island their home Every summer, thousands of people come to the island to for the annual Pony Swim. This island tradition is accompanied by various activities that last all week long. During this time, the island is busy with festivals, farmer's markets, carnivals, cinema and theater performances, and pony auctions. Dining With the Atlantic Ocean right there, it is no wonder that Chincoteague Island is famous for its fresh seafood. Here, you can even harvest your seafood fare with your own hands. Many restaurants are family-owned and offer elegant waterfront dining along the Chincoteague Bay. Etta's Channel Side Restaurant, for example, overlooks the Assateague Channel and Lighthouse. Most menus feature clams, oysters, scallops, crabs, and fish. For such popular indulgences like finger-picking crab feasts and all-you-can-eat seafood, try Steamers restaurant. Non-seafood entrées feature hand-cut fine steaks and poultry dishes. After dinner, it is highly recommended to go for a real treat at one of Chincoteague Island's fine ice cream parlors like Island Creamery, which bakes its own waffle cones. A full day on Chincoteague Island might prove to be not enough for this small but rich place. After your first glimpse, you might realize how much more you still have to see and do here. Image via Flickr by grelock under use of CC BY-SA 2.0/Cropped from original

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Goat | Priority Toyota Chesapeake in Chesapeake, VA

Sep 08, 2023 in Activities Near Chesapeake

Drive on Down: 3 Places to Experience the Best of Chesapeake, VA

Chesapeake, VA, is well-known as one of the best places to reside in Virginia. It's a vibrant, park-filled town with a rich history and an abundance of beautiful natural scenery. If you want to experience the best that Chesapeake has to offer, here are a few must-visit places. Hickory Ridge Farm Enjoy a taste of Chesapeake's thriving rural agricultural side and also a taste of fresh strawberries at this terrific local family-owned and operated farm. There's a huge range of delicious seasonal food to purchase here, including pick-your-own strawberries. Depending on which season you visit, you can buy fresh jams, eggs, sunflower seeds, pumpkins, vegetables, fruits, and other top-quality farm-fresh produce. more It's a wonderful farm to visit with children because there's a great petting zoo with chickens, pigs, goats, pony rides, and more. They have seasonal festival events such as a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch for Halloween and Santa visits at Christmas. You'll find this charming farm at 2928 South Battlefield Boulevard. Chesapeake City Park This clean and wonderfully well-kept park has a beautiful pine forest with walking trails, wide-open green spaces, a skate park, basketball courts, dog parks, shaded areas with benches for picnicking, and an exceptionally large and well-equipped playground. Needless to say, this last feature is a big hit with the kids! The playground has a natural woody theme and sprawls among the trees. It includes three large play castles, twenty swings suitable for all different ages, a fun maze, slides, and a sandpit for toddlers. Right beside the playground are pavilions with grills for fun family barbecue gatherings. Find this top-notch local park at 900 City Park Drive. Great Bridge Battlefield Chesapeake has an incredible history as the site of several important battles that impacted the formation of the USA. If you want to immerse yourself in the past for a day, visit the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation at 1775 Historic Way. The foundation preserves and shares the history of the Battle of Great Bridge, which played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. Nestled in a pleasant park, there's a gorgeous Georgian manor house containing a museum with knowledgeable curators to help guide you through the exhibits. The foundation frequently puts on exciting re-enactments and other immersive events. You can drive there in your new 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and enjoy an afternoon traveling back into the past before returning to the modern creature comforts and cutting-edge tech features of your powerful off-road SUV. These are just a few of the fun and entertaining options available in our gorgeous area that you can partake in to get out and about to make some terrific memories with your family and friends! Start making your plans to visit them today! Image via pixabay.com

Skiing | Priority Toyota Chesapeake in Chesapeake, VA

Dec 23, 2022 in Activities Near Chesapeake

3 Favorite Winter Activities You Can Drive to From Chesapeake, VA

Chesapeake is a great central location to get out and explore the region with your family and friends. There are plenty of activities within driving distance that you can enjoy during the winter season. From skiing to snow tubing, here are three of our favorite winter activities you can drive to from Chesapeake, VA. Skiing at Wintergreen Resort If you're visiting Chesapeake during the winter months, you're probably thinking about skiing. While there are many skiing resorts in the mid-Atlantic region, Wintergreen Resort is one of the closest to Chesapeake, located just an hour away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. more Wintergreen Resort is a family-owned resort, and the owners are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the area. It's also one of the largest single-owner ski resorts in the country. One of the great things about skiing at Wintergreen Resort is that it's a smaller resort, so you'll rarely have to wait in long lines to get on the lifts, meaning you’ll be able to hit the slopes way more! Snow Tubing at The Homestead If you're looking for something a little different than skiing, snow tubing at The Homestead is a great option! The Homestead is a large indoor winter park that has many fun activities like snow tubing, mini-golfing, laser tag, and go-karting. It's perfect for families and large groups, with different packages available to best meet your needs. What makes The Homestead unique as a snow tubing place is that it's indoors and right on the water. So, even though you're snow tubing indoors, it's still a really cool experience because you can look out the windows and see the water outside. Along with snow tubing, The Homestead also offers indoor go-karting, laser tag, and mini-golf. Ice Skating at The Pavilion at City Center If you want to take a break from all the winter sports, ice skating is a great option. There are plenty of indoor ice-skating rinks in the area, but one of our favorite places is the Pavilion at City Center. The Pavilion is an open-air ice rink located in Portsmouth, less than an hour away from Chesapeake. The rink is open year-round, and it's a great place to take the kids or host a birthday party or group outing. At the Pavilion, you'll find fun things to do, like skating lessons, open skating, and a hockey school. These are just a few of the great activities you can drive to from Chesapeake. Visiting one of these spots is a great way to recharge your batteries and take a break from the routine. Start making your plans to visit one – or all! – of these stupendous spots to get out and enjoy a little activity during the winter months! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Art class | Priority Toyota Chesapeake in Chesapeake, VA

Nov 25, 2022 in Activities Near Chesapeake

3 Local Art Destinations Worth the Drive near Chesapeake, VA

If you're looking for a fun and creative day trip, consider visiting some local art destinations near Chesapeake, VA. There's something for everyone, from small galleries and studios to sprawling museums. So put on your exploring shoes and get ready to be inspired! Painting With a Twist Painting with a Twist is a popular art destination along 1437 Sam's Drive in Chesapeake. Customers can choose from various painting classes, ranging from traditional still life to more abstract pieces, and you don't have to be an artist to enjoy one of their classes, either! The class provides all the necessary supplies and walks you through the entire process step-by-step. more At the end of the class, you'll have your masterpiece to take home with you! The studio features a rotating selection of regional artists, allowing you to discover new talent or support your favorite artist. They also offer a variety of paint and art events that are perfect for a date night or a night out with friends and family. Great Bridge Frame & Art The Great Bridge Frame & Art gallery is located in the Great Bridge Historic District and has a rich history, as it has been part of the community for well over 35 years. It is known for its wide selection of pictures, frames, and custom picture-framing services. Visitors can find everything from landscape pictures and traditional art to modern and abstract pieces, making it a great place to shop for all art lovers. In addition to its wide selection of artwork, Great Bridge Frame & Art offers various other services, such as matting and framing services, canvas stretching, and more. Whether you're looking for a unique gift for a loved one or a special piece for your home, Great Bridge Frame & Art is sure to have something that will suit your needs. Norma Wilson Fine Art This studio is named after its owner and founder, Norma Wilson, an accomplished artist specializing in oil and watercolor painting. Wilson's paintings are characterized by their vibrant colors and intricate detail, and she frequently paints scenes from nature, including flowers, animals, and still life. You can also buy your favorite paintings at her gallery. In addition to her stunning artwork, Wilson also offers classes and workshops at her studio, teaching all levels, from beginners to more experienced painters, how to capture the beauty of the world around them. If you're looking for a change of scenery or want to enjoy art, these three spots near Chesapeake are worth the drive! Start making plans to visit one – or all – of these unique spots for a different sort of outing this weekend! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

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