Chincoteague named among nine pretty small towns

By Linda Cicoira

The nine prettiest small towns on the Atlantic Coast have been named for 2025 by worldatlas.com and include our own Chincoteague, known for its wild pony herd that is celebrated and adored all year, but especially with the swim, auction, and carnival every July.

“It is the Eastern Shore island with plenty of newfound discoveries to keep people on their toes!” the website stated. “The Museum of Chincoteague Island is dedicated to maritime oral history, local workshops about famed ponies and other equines, as well as iconic vessel exhibits and mosaics.”

For a tour of a rustic 1800s pine log home, there is also the Captain Timothy Hill House, where guests are encouraged to ask about its wooden chimney foundations and mysterious ship carvings of eras gone by.

Chincoteague Island Waterman’s Memorial is “a true sunset haven” with panoramic views surrounding a memorial site in tribute to those who lost their lives at sea. There are expeditions, suitable for families and travelers seeking adventure, and a chance to see bald eagles, ospreys, and even dolphins, the well-known world atlas stated.

The post also named it “a charming seaside settlement … with an assortment of quaint restaurants, lodging, and campgrounds, Chincoteague is a beautiful example of small-town America.”

Pronounced Shink-ko-tig, the Native American name means “beautiful land across the water.” It is the gateway to the barrier island of Assateague, meaning “swiftly moving water.” The ponies live most of the year on Assateague on the national wildlife refuge. The ponies are owned and cared for by seaside cowboys who are also members of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. Assateague also refers to a tribe that historically inhabited the area.

“These pretty towns around the eastern coastline are guaranteed to raise eyebrows and leave a lasting impression!” the atlas boasted.

The other places listed in the group were: St. Augustine, Florida; Cape May, New Jersey; Nags Head, North Carolina; Kennebunkport, Maine; Folly Beach, South Carolina; Rockport, Massachusetts; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and Newport, Rhode Island.

“All these pretty Atlantic Coast towns are memorable to outsiders seeking true oceanside beauty,” according to the post. It ended by saying, “This list provides countless motivators that are enough to get anyone out of the house and on the road to see what is out there!”