Is there a horse lover in your family?  Is the classic Marguerite Henry book Misty of Chincoteague sitting on a shelf somewhere in your home?  Chincoteague Island, a resort island located off of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, might just be the perfect nearby spring break getaway for your family.  Only a couple hours’ drive from DC, Chincoteague’s accommodations are very affordable (about $375 to rent a small house Monday-Friday during the off season).  And the island offers a host of activities, even during the off season–crabbing, clamming, short chartered coastal cruises,  riding lessons, fishing, and hiking/biking.

Things don’t really gear up at Chincoteague until May, but even in late March and early April, there is plenty to do for a family that enjoys the outdoors.  (And, if you love camping together, Chincoteague has a nice selection of campgrounds as well.)

If you want to teach your kids about the wildlife and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore–and learn some local natural history yourself–it’s hard to find a richer spot to explore than Chincoteague and its surrounding waters.  Book a cruise with Captain Barry, written up in Washingtonian Magazine for his engaging and environmentally enlightened charters.  You and the kids can do some birding, learn how to crab or clam, comb the beaches for shells, hear colorful historical anecdotes, and gain a whole new appreciation for the Bay. Cruises last from two to four hours, and run from $25 to $45 per person.

If you want to check out the oldest pony breeder on the island–and interact with real Chincoteague ponies–head over to the Chincoteague Pony Center.  They offer pony rides, riding lessons, and even pony day camps.

On a rainy day, there’s always the Island Aquarium and the Oyster and Maritime Museum.

At the end of the day, you’ll find a number of family-friendly restaurants to choose from.  There is the Island Family Restaurant, where prices are reasonable and crab and other seafood dishes are abundant.  And, for dessert, if it’s not too cool outside, maybe a trip down to Mr. Whippy’s for soft ice cream?

For full information on Chincoteague and its activities, events, restaurants, and accomodations, check out chincoteague.com!

And, while you’re away enjoying crabs, boats, coastline, and ponies with the kids, why not let Presto Pink get your kids’ drawers and closets organized and ready for the spring wardrobe change?  You’ll come home with muddy, dirty, fishy, sandy clothes to launder–and your kids will find drawers full of neatly folded, carefully sorted, ready-to-go outfits for play and school.  Aaahhhhhhh, what a sweet relief after a week outdoors.