the Best of coastal virginia

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 www.virginia.org/listings/outdoorsandsports/YorktownBeach/

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/

• Rudee Inlet Cruises – Virginia Beach www.rudeetours.com/

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/

• Miss Hampton II – Hampton www.misshamptoncruises.com/

• Schooner Alliance – Yorktown http://www.sailyorktown.com/schooner-alliance.html

• Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises – Norfolk www.navalbasecruises.com/

• Virginia Living Museum – Newport 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/Firstlandingcross/

• Fort Monroe – Hampton www.nps.gov/fomr/index.htm

• MacArthur Memorial – Norfolk www.macarthurmemorial.org/

• Victory Arch – Newport News www.virginia.org/listings/Historic sites/victoryarch/

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!

• America’s Historical Triangle – Hampton Roads http://www.historyisfun.org/virginia-vacation-getaways/ americas-historic-triangle/

• 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

Juried Art Show in Historic Yorktown

Parks

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Continental Army Encampment

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/parkstrails/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

Christopher Newport University Football

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

Harbor 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.