Fall is here, and we could not be more excited to share the Fall Pony Roundup with you! This is one of the few times each year that visitors can see the ponies up close in person. Come join us for this special occasion, and enjoy a few adventures in island cuisine during your stay!
Thursday, September 19
Arrive Thursday evening. Get checked in at the Refuge Inn, enjoy dinner from the “Virginia is for Lovers” menu at the Village Restaurant, and take a leisurely, peaceful dip in the heated pool and hot tub. Weeknights in the fall are a wonderful time to enjoy the amenities at the hotel, as the weather is typically gorgeous and your fellow guests are here to enjoy nature and quiet–everything is very low-key.
Friday, September 20
Head back out to Assateague Island to find your parking spot on Beach Road for the Fall Pony Roundup for the southern herd of ponies in advance of the start of the event 4:30pm. Depending on where you find your parking spot for this 1-2 hour event, you will be able to see the Saltwater Cowboys round up the ponies in the marsh or bring them to the corral. A word of caution–those who park in the Woodland Trail parking lot will be unable to leave until the ponies are corralled. This will be a unique opportunity for photos that only happens a few times each year, so it is worth arriving early to get a good spot.
Back on Chincoteague Island, round out the evening with dinner at Don’s Seafood on Main Street. Here, you will experience gorgeous views of the bay (if you eat upstairs) while enjoying fresh, delicious seafood. Take a stroll down Main Street or through Robert Reed park after dinner. Capture the magic of the evening with a photo on our famous LOVE chairs before heading back to the Refuge Inn to rest.
Saturday, September 21
Enjoy bagged continental breakfast delivered to your room with a cup of Amarin coffee from the lobby. Then, head down to Assateague Island for the Fall Pony Roundup for the northern herd, which begins at 6am–though you don’t need to get there when it starts. The Saltwater Cowboys will roundup the northern herd of ponies and corral them in the north pen for a health check and vaccinations. The hooves and teeth of the ponies are also checked at this time. This is a special event, and visitors will not have the opportunity to see this again until spring.
Those who attend should park in the parking lot at the Wildlife Loop. The roundup can last for 5-6 hours and can be viewed by walking up the Service road, which is approximately three miles long. Bring your cameras, water, bug spray, snacks, and a good pair of walking shoes, and enjoy glimpses of this special display of how our island cares for the ponies we love.
Or, if you’re not up for that adventure, take a stroll down the beach at low tide and search for shells. Park at the recreational beach on Assateague, in P4, and walk south. The ocean is gorgeous this time of year and the peace and tranquility you’ll find just a mile south of the parking lot is truly special.
Follow your morning adventures with a late lunch at Pico Taqueria on Maddox Boulevard. Experience the feeling of eating artisanal tacos with your toes in the sand. Enjoy time by the bar or around the table with family and friends.
Finish the day’s adventures by participating in a Port of Call Dinner Cruise to benefit the Museum of Chincoteague Island. The cruise begins at 5pm and will stop at the docks of Chincoteague Island. At $65/person, it includes samplings of island cuisine and breathtaking views. Seating is limited, so please call 757-336-6117 to reserve your spot.
There are many delicious places to find breakfast on your final morning on Chincoteague Island. However, a unique place you will want to visit is Sandy Pony Donuts. After check out, head down to Sandy Pony Donuts on Maddox Boulevard to choose a dozen donuts to take with you on one last trip to the beach. What makes these donuts so special? The variety of flavors is fantastic, but they also offer gluten free options for those who do not experience severe celiac reactions. Try their bubble tea, acai bowls, and smoothies as well! You won’t be disappointed.
There is no better way to celebrate the arrival of fall than a trip to see the Chincoteague ponies, and there is no better place to stay than the Refuge Inn! Give us a call today at 757-336-5511 for more information on our rates and amenities.