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Coastal Virginia TheBest of
Enjoy a few of our area’s abundant offerings.
Beaches
Buckroe Beach – Hampton http://www.hampton.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/46
Huntington Beach – Newport News www.nnparks.com/parks_huntington.php
Oceanfront – Virginia Beach https://www.virginiabeach.com/listing/attractions/virginiabeach-oceanfront
Sandbridge Beach – Virginia Beach www.visitvirginiabeach.com/visitors/beaches/sandbridge/
Yorktown Beach – Yorktown https://www.visityorktown.org/163/Outdoor-Fun
Cruises
Relax on the waterways that both enhance the spirit and ease the mind, through educational and historical endeavors. Climb aboard and experience a stir in your heart and feed your sense of adventure while you take in the enrichment of “America’s First Region!”
American Rover – Norfolk www.americanrover.com/
Carrie B. Harbor Tours – Norfolk www.carrieb.com/
Hampton Queen – Hampton https://hamptonharbortours.com/
Schooner Alliance – Yorktown http://www.sailyorktown.com/schooner-alliance.html
Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises – Norfolk www.navalbasecruises.com/
Family Attractions
Families know that the attractions Hampton Roads provides are too numerous to do all in a few days, let alone weeks! Whether you are young, or young at heart, enjoy the variety the region offers whatever strikes your fancy! Choose from history, amusement, pure educational fun, sports and more... no age limit binding!
Children’s Museum of Virginia http://childrensmuseumvirginia.com/
Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown www.historyisfun.org/
Inlet Cruises – Virginia Beach www.rudeetours.com/
Virginia Living Museum – Newport News www.thevlm.org/
Water Country USA/Busch Gardens www.watercountryusa.com/ www.buschgardens.com
Historical Sites
The essence of “America’s First Region” would not be where it is today if the past was not preserved. Relive the importance of historical sites, reflect upon yesteryears, take part in the remembrance of fallen heroes, and guide others to visit!
Emancipation Oak – Hampton www.hamptonu.edu/about/emancipation_oak.cfm
First Landing Cross – Virginia Beach www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/FirstLaningCross/
Fort Monroe – Hampton www.nps.gov/fomr/index.htm
MacArthur Memorial – Norfolk www.macarthurmemorial.org/
Victory Arch – Newport News www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/VictoryArch/
Yorktown Battlefield– Yorktown www.nps.gov/york/index.htm
▲ Erected in 1919, The Victory Arch is a memorial to those who have served America in war time.
Museums
Museums are the guardians of Hampton Roads’ collections, providing the journey between the then and now. Explore the great institutions of all kinds, and take away from the experience more enlightenment and wonderment plus a hunger and thirst to learn more!
American Revolution Museum – Jamestown Settlement www.jyfmuseums.org/
Mariners’ Museum – Newport News www.marinersmuseum.org/
Nauticus – Norfolk www.nauticus.org
Virginia Air and Space Science Center – Hampton www.vasc.org
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – Virginia Beach www.virginiaaquarium.com/
Virginia Zoo – Norfolk www.virginiazoo.org
Virginia Air and Space Science Center
Parks
Green spaces are gems of the Hampton Roads communities and so many to choose from! Look no further for uniqueness and diversity. Fly a kite, hike or jog, take your dog for a stroll, have a picnic, or find recharging solitude.
City Park – Portsmouth http://www.portsvaprls.com/parks/
Mount Trashmore – Virginia Beach www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/ parks-trails/city-parks/pages/mount-trashmore-park.aspx
New Quarter Park – Williamsburg https://www.yorkcounty.gov/CountyGovernment/CommunityServices/Parks,RecreationandTourism/ParksandFacilities/ NewQuarterPark.aspx
Newport News Park – Newport News http://www.nnparks.com/parks_nn.php
Waller Mill Park – Williamsburg http://www.williamsburgva.gov/i-want-to/ department-i-z/parks-recreation/waller-mill-park
‘Sea’ and Do!
Experience the endless possibilities!
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife conservation is one of the keys to healthy ecosystem maintenance between nature and cities. Take a break from the day and tune into the sounds of the outdoors! Many places, large or small are undiscovered jewels of visual delights and are never far away even from one’s own backyard!
Huntington Beach – Newport News www.nnparks.com/parks_huntington.php
Bells Mill Park – Chesapeake http://www.visitchesapeake.com/listings/index. cfm?action=display&listingId=901
Back Bay National National Wildlife Refuge –Virginia Beach www.fws.gov/refuge/back_bay/
Grandview Nature Preserve – Hampton http://www.visithampton.com/play/listing/ grandview-nature-preserve/
Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge – Suffolk https://www.fws.gov/refuge/great_dismal_swamp/
Norfolk Botancial Garden – Norfolk www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org
York River State Park – James City County http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/yorkriver#general_information
Hampton H Arbor Cruise
This 3-hour Harbor Tour departs from the Historic Downtown Hampton waterfront and proceeds out the Hampton River, passing Hampton University and Blackbeard’s Point, where the notorious pirate’s head was displayed on a pike after his capture off the coast of the Outer Banks.
Entering the Hampton Roads Harbor, you will be sailing the waters of Capt. John Smith and the First Settlers.
Your tour continues past historic Fort Monroe and the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. After an awe-inspiring view of the magnificent Chesapeake Bay the cruise will stop for a 45-minute guided walking tour of the Civil War island of Fort Wool (weather permitting).
The highlight of the tour is an in-depth view of the massive warships at the Norfolk Naval Base, home to aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, and various types of support ships.
The return trip to Hampton features a captivating review of the famous Battle of the Ironclads, as we sail across the waters of the battle site.