Over the past 7 months of not traveling, I’ve been able to explore and fall in love with my hometown more than ever before (And by hometown, I mean all of Hampton Roads, Virginia because it’s like one big family).
I’ve discovered incredible experiences all around that I’d never heard of until quarantine forced me to stay put and found a new appreciation for why so many people come to vacation here every summer.
If you’re one of those thousands of tourists (or locals!) who enjoy our sandy beaches, rich history, and unique aesthetic, this post is for you!
This week, I’ve compiled a must-do list for any trip to the Hampton Roads area. I’m including activities from Hampton Roads’ most popular tourist cities: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, and Williamsburg. If I have a blog on the topic, I’ve also linked to it so you can read up on each location and activity to see if it’s something you and your family would enjoy while you’re here.
Finally, I created a “cheat sheet” that you can download for quick reference later on.
So, if you’re ready to read about the best things to do in Hampton Roads, let’s get started!
Top Things to Do in Virginia Beach
Check out the Oceanfront!
Virginia Beach’s oceanfront is jam-packed with incredible activities for everyone, from classics like mini-golf and arcades (My faves are the Jungle Golf and Beach Arcade) to a carnival and fantastic food.
Be sure to spend some time relaxing on the beach before exploring the extensive boardwalk and surrounding area. There’s shopping of all sorts and plenty of fun local experiences. And there’s always live music and street performers during the summer, too!
Top Sights to See On the Boardwalk:
- King Neptune Statue
- The Fishing Pier
- Naval Aviation Monument Park
- 1st Street Jetty
Explore First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and habitats. This gorgeous state park features cypress swamps, beaches, marshlands, and forests right next to each other! It’s an intriguing place to walk through and offers tranquility from the crowded public beach. There’s a reason it’s Virginia’s most popular state park!
It also has some fascinating history as the first place the English settlers landed (before heading up the coast to Jamestown) and a frequent haunt of Blackbeard the pirate!
Visit the Cape Henry Lighthouses
The Cape Henry Lighthouse offers a fun history lesson and gorgeous views of the Atlantic from its lantern room! It only costs $10 per adult (check Groupon for $5 tickets) and is free for kids under 42 inches. Plus, it’s pretty cool to climb up a building built in 1792!
You can actually take a picture with two lighthouses here, as a second lighthouse was built on-site in 1881 but is now closed to the public.
Tour the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
If you have animal lovers in your group, you’ll enjoy the relaxing environment of the Virginia Aquarium.
Plan to spend at least 2 hours here as you view sharks, sea turtles, komodo dragons, fish from the ocean to our local bays, and more! There’s also a ton of educational information, fun learning activities, and a beautiful nature trail along the Owl’s Creek Marsh Reserve.
Take a Walk Through the ViBE District
Virginia Beach has an incredibly unique collection of public art scattered across the buildings, crosswalks, and even utility boxes near the boardwalk known as The ViBE district. These gorgeous murals created by local artists are perfect Instagram fodder!
Download a map to the district.
Visiting the whole district will take several hours, but it’s so much fun! Leave time along the way to try some of the restaurants, cafes, and shops behind those murals!
You may also enjoy…
Top Food Recommendations
When you’re hungry, I give my highest recommendation to Repeal Burgers. They have an incredibly unique, award-winning menu that gets my taste buds tingling just thinking about it! Or, if you’re in the mood for Italian, 19 Italian Bistro is a new favorite. They have fresh, authentic cuisine and delicious homemade bread to go with it! After dinner, be sure to stop by Duck Donuts (a local favorite) for dessert!
Top Things to Do in Norfolk
Visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden
The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a literal wonderland of gorgeous flowers, trees, lakes, and more. It’s one of my favorite Hampton Roads activities! The best time to visit is definitely spring and summer when all the flowers are in bloom, but you can actually visit any time of the year and still enjoy a breathtaking array of blossoms.
There are 175 acres to explore, so leave plenty of time in your schedule and bring a camera!
Explore the Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin
Hampton Roads is chock-full of history, and Norfolk is front and center to quite a bit of it. If you enjoy naval history in particular, you’ll have a ball at the Nauticus and Battleship Wisconsin.
This extensive museum covers a LOT, including the naval history of Hampton Roads, the United States maritime history, and all sorts of information about boats, local marine life, and even marine biology. You can also tour a retired battleship, the USS Wisconsin, and get a taste of life at sea for our Navy.
It’s heavy on the informational side, but they do break it up with some fun activities for kids to make it family-friendly.
Shop Away at MacArthur Mall
If you need some retail therapy on your trip, the MacArthur Mall is your one-stop solution. You’ll find something for every taste in three stories of shops, restaurants, and an extensive movie theater.
Depending on the season, you may also catch a show or special event!
Check Out the NEON Arts District
Like Virginia Beach, Norfolk also has a fascinating display of public art decorating its streets. It incorporates these murals into an entire tour filled with unique restaurants, art galleries, and shows!
Be sure to tour the NEON District to see all the different sites and and sounds, including the Chrysler Museum and Glass Studio, the Harrison Opera House, the Push Comedy Theater, and more!
You can also just do a tour of the public murals to enjoy the colorful displays from some local artists for free!
Walk the Cannonball Trail
If you have two hours and some energy to spare, consider a walk down the Heritage Cannonball Trail. You’ll tour over 400 years of local and American history as you view important buildings and monuments stationed around Norfolk’s different districts.
If you want to tour some of the museums and historic homes, be sure to add in some extra time, or break your journey up into two days.
You can view and download the entire brochure and map here.
Top Food Recommendations
If you get hungry along the way, be sure to check out the Grilled Cheese Bistro for some unique local twists on a classic snack or the Freemason Abbey with traditional American food served in a 143-year-old renovated church!
Top Things to Do in Portsmouth
Do a Self-Guided Path of History Walking Tour
Portsmouth is one of the most historically preserved towns in Hampton Roads, and you see the evidence of centuries of life all along its streets.
The Path of History Tour takes you through these historic neighborhoods to some of the most notable and significant buildings, monuments, and locations within the town’s borders.
If you enjoy historic architecture and being on-site where important events happen, you’ll have a great time exploring on this tour!
Check Out The Children’s Museum of Virginia
If you have kids in your group, the Children’s Museum of Virginia is definitely worth your time. You and your children will have a blast exploring all aspects of science, adult life, and art from their little perspectives.
Trap yourselves inside a giant bubble, teach your kids about going to the grocery store and bank, create artwork, and try out hair-raising science experiments.
The Children’s Museum is always a family favorite, so be sure to block out a few hours to enjoy it all!
Have a Ball at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Calling all athletes! The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is a must for any sports fans. The museum focuses primarily on ball sports (football, basketball, soccer, etc.). Still, there’s a great variety of activities and other memorabilia for everyone to enjoy.
You’ll have the chance to do everything from admiring famous retired jerseys to challenging each other to a shootout in soccer and basketball. There’s also a lot of memorabilia dedicated to great coaches, journalists, and other sports contributors from the state, and a lot of cool stuff from Virginia’s state colleges.
Catch a Movie at the Commodore Theatre
There’s no cinematic experience quite like watching a movie in a historic art-deco theatre! The Commodore Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register for a good reason. It originally opened in 1945 with some absolutely gorgeous internal décor and artwork and was restored recently to feature a 40-foot screen and a full restaurant experience in the auditorium!
The theatre tends to show older movies (no new releases here), but the $10 tickets and fine dining in such a gorgeous setting make it an unforgettable experience nonetheless.
Shop at the Olde Towne Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning, you can stroll through the peaceful streets of Old Towne to take your pick of fresh produce, art, and even jewelry at the Farmer’s Market. You’ll find the market on High Street, right by the Commodore Theatre and Courthouse Square.
It’s a relaxing way to spend your morning, and coffee-addicts should be sure to grab a cup at The Coffee Shoppe while you’re there!
Top Things to Do in Newport News
Drive the Art & Sculpture Tour
A great way to see the town of Newport News from your car is to take the Art & Sculpture Driving Tour! This tour takes you from top to bottom of Newport News to see the best public artworks displayed in local parks, neighborhoods, and street corners.
You can get out and walk around at several of the sights if you wish, but you’ll be able to see everything in drive-by fashion if that’s more your style.
This tour also works well if you plan to visit the Army Transportation Museum and Mariner’s Museum, as several of the pieces are on display at these locations.
Tour the Army Transportation Museum
As a central hub for America’s military efforts, Hampton Roads has many military-themed museums to explore. One of these is the U.S. Army Transportation Museum, featuring a wide range of military vehicles used throughout America’s history. Get up close to tanks, missiles, cannons, and more, in addition to some sobering memorials to our fallen.
It’s a wonderful balance of educational history, fun discovery, and important reminders about the sacrifices our military makes every day.
Visit Lee Hall Mansion
Do you like Gone with the Wind? Then you’ll have a great time touring the Lee Hall Mansion, the only antebellum mansion left in the peninsula! This gorgeous house museum belonged to the Hall family, who completed it just three years before the start of the Civil War.
It’s not only a beautiful home filled with lovely restored furniture, but it’s also filled with a gripping story about this family and the role the home played in the Civil War.
Explore the Virginia Living Museum
The Virginia Living Museum is a fantastic combination of museum, zoo, botanical gardens, and aquarium. Dedicated to the nature and wildlife of Virginia, the museum is filled with living examples of this diverse state. Indoor exhibits bring different geographical parts of Virginia to life, from the Coastal Plain and Cypress Swamp to the Mountains and Virginia Underground.
Outside, you can walk the elevated boardwalk to get a glimpse of native birds and animals frolicking around their natural habitats. And if you have any little dinosaur lovers, be sure to check out the Dinosaur Discovery Trail. It’s a permanent outdoor exhibit featuring dinosaur fossils, a paleontology camp, and life-size dinosaur models!
Check Out the Mariners’ Museum
Come discover all things maritime-related at the Mariners’ Museum. Created by Archer Huntington, the son of Newport News Shipbuilding’s founder, this incredible museum covers the vast scope of maritime history in Newport News and beyond. There are 90,000 square feet of exhibits to explore, including the USS Monitor Center and a Civil War ironclad’s gun turret!
The Mariners’ Museum works in nicely with the Art & Sculpture tour as well because several of the most impressive pieces (in my opinion) are on the grounds. The Huntington’s wife created three lovely pieces that are included in the tour and can be viewed in the Mariners’ Museum Park. So be sure to explore some of the 550-acre park and the shoreline trail!
Top Things to Do in Hampton
Meet Some Animals at Bluebird Gap Farm
Who’s down for a free petting zoo? Then be sure to swing by Bluebird Gap Farm! It’s actually one of Hampton’s fantastic city parks, which is why it’s free to the public. You’ll get the chance to pet llamas, cows, horses, and goats, plus see plenty of fun extras like emus, peacocks, a tortoise, an owl, pheasants, a turkey, and so many types of geese and ducks! (Seriously, their bird pond was packed!)
In addition to the animals, Bluebird Gap Farm also has a lovely wooded walking trail with a path along their living shoreline and the Master Gardener’s Arboretum!
Catch a Show at the Hampton Coliseum
Check the Hampton Coliseum’s schedule if you’re in the mood for a special event. There’s always something going on . The Coliseum has hosted everything from the circus (RIP) to concerts. During social distancing times, they’ve had to cancel a lot of events but replaced them with a local drive-in theatre experience featuring old family favorites!
At the very least, be sure to drive by because the Coliseum’s architecture is pretty impressive on its own!
Visit Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Sandy Bottom Nature Park is another of Hampton’s free city parks that doesn’t seem like it should be a city park. It’s so beautiful and extensive, it’s hard to believe it’s smack in the middle of the city!
Sandy Bottom is perfect for a relaxing day away from the beach crowds. There are two beautiful lakes where you can fish, swim, and kayak, several miles of wooded walking trails, campsites, and some amazing wildlife. Be sure to walk the land bridge through Crystal Lake for a chance to be right beside herons and swans!
Learn and Discover at the Virginia Air & Space Center
Another excellent family museum is the Virginia Air & Space Center. Here, you’ll discover all sorts of aircraft from a life-size model of the first functional airplane to pieces of the Apollo XII.
The museum works in conjunction with NASA to put some pretty amazing pieces on display. As you tour, you’ll learn everything you could ever wonder about the history and development of flight through the years. Plus, there are fun facts about flight suits, military models, and how to get the perfect trajectory into space.
There’s plenty of interactive things to do as well, including flight simulators, a paper airplane wind tunnel, and a build-a-rocket simulator.
And don’t forget to take a stroll around the viewing deck for a great panorama of Hampton’s waterways!
Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe
Take the opportunity to explore a retired 1834 military fort at Fort Monroe! It’s the largest stone fort in America, and even has a room where Jefferson Davis was held as a prisoner! The actual museum chronicles the history of the location, beginning with the original 1609 fort, Fort Algernourne, and continuing through to the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.
You can explore the museum and fort for free on your own, but guided tours are available for groups of 10+ at $3 per person.
Top Things to Do in Williamsburg
Williamsburg has less variety than some other Hampton Roads locations but more big-ticket attractions you’ll want to spend the whole day exploring.
Spend a Day at Busch Gardens
Add some thrills to your vacation with a day at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Hampton Roads’ only theme park! There’s always something special going on in the park, from around-the-world dining to gorgeous holiday light displays. Of course, these are just bonuses to the park’s fantastic lineup of roller coasters, rides, and shows.
Some of my favorites are Apollo’s Chariot, Verbolten, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Griffon. And if you’re in the mood to do some shopping, the France area is my go-to for cute items, while New Canada has lots of take-home crafts like pottery and candle dipping.
You will need at least one day here to enjoy everything, so be sure to block off plenty of time and get there early!
Check out my guides to Busch Gardens during every season to know what to expect!
Step Back in Time at Colonial Williamsburg
Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the colonial lifestyle at historic Williamsburg. While walking these streets, it’s easy to forget that it’s actually 2020 because everything is so historically accurate.
Spend the day touring the various shops, homes, and museums around town, from the humble silversmith and wigmaker to the luxurious Governor’s Palace. In each shop and home, actors perform the various tasks that people would do every day in the 1700s. You can actually watch them sweat over furnaces to hammer out weapons or nimbly pull the seeds from cotton to spin it on a wheel.
These details really bring history to life in a way that’s enjoyable and memorable, making it a great day trip for couples on a date or full family outings.
Get in Some Retail Therapy at Williamsburg Premium Outlets
For those in need of some retail therapy, the Williamsburg Premium Outlets are a fantastic choice for variety and good deals. It’s the biggest in Hampton Roads and so chic! This extensive outlet mall has over 120 stores, including high-end options like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Brooks Brothers, and more, advertised at up to 65% off retail! Yes, please!
It’s open Monday-Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Cheat Sheet Download for Hampton Roads
Closing Thoughts on Hampton Roads, Virginia
As you can see, there are a ton of things to do in Hampton Roads besides just hitting the beach. Whichever area you choose to focus on, you can spend plenty of time by the water, walking through history, shopping, and having an absolute blast.
Thanks for stopping by the Mandala Traveler this week to explore my hometown with me. I hope you’ll add Hampton Roads to your vacation bucket list and that you’ll get to experience many of these places in person soon!
Don’t forget to save this post (and your cheat sheet) for future reference, and share it with your friends!
And if you haven’t signed up for the blog yet, you can do that below. You’ll be the first to know about my new adventures and exclusive discounts to companies like Serengetee and Dorsal Bracelets! Plus, I’m currently giving away a free download to exploring Paris to all new subscribers!
Sign Up for Updates from Carried Away Travels
Thanks, and happy travels!
Ready for More? Check Out These Recent Posts!
- My Top 12 Travel Tools For Saving Time & Money
- Dublin Exploration Hack: Big Bus Tours
- The Best 5-Day Colorado Itinerary
- How to Maximize Your Next Workcation: Top Tips
- Whale-Watching In Virginia Beach: An Epic Winter Tour!
- Say “Cheese” At Lost Planet Selfie Museum In Virginia Beach!
Make Vacation Planning Easier
Download my Vacation Planner or Travel Blogger’s Planner today!
Pingback: Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Hampton Roads