Hampton Roads is home to all branches of the military and offers an ideal combination of a vacation destination/hometown. Tourists trek to visit the birthplace of the country’s first settlements, play at the oceanfront, and tour all the "best of" entertainment hot spots that military families stationed in Hampton Roads have in their backyard.
First things first: where is Hampton Roads? The area of Hampton Roads, VA, encompasses Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach on the south side of Hampton Roads, while Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg are located on the Peninsula.
Not sure where to begin your Hampton Roads exploration? Let’s look at a few of the most popular spots to start.
1. Colonial Williamsburg
There’s a reason TripAdvisor ranks Colonial Williamsburg as the #1 Thing to Do in the city of Williamsburg. Newcomers focus on the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg to see the live-action recreation of one of the nation’s first settlements. You’ll tour 18th-century homes, shops, and municipal buildings. You can even eat as the locals did in a period restaurant, but with a modern menu. Check out the calendar of events to find your favorite activity the day you visit.
If summer is your kid’s favorite time, head to nearby Water Country USA to keep cool and entertained. A lazy river and thrill rides are just the beginning of what is beyond the gates at Water Country USA. The park accommodates the smallest of kids with shallow and heated splash parks, pint-sized water slides, and even swim lessons for those who live close by. Older kids have it even better, as more than a dozen water slides and rides await. Be sure to reserve a cabana for a central meeting place to eat and take a breather from all of the sun and fun!
Governors palace at Colonial Williamsburg. Photo by Backyard Productions via Canva.com
2. Busch Gardens Williamsburg
You can’t PCS to Hampton Roads without heading to Busch Gardens. But if you live in the Hampton Roads area, there’s no need to pack everything into one day or even one season. Visiting Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for its Halloween or Christmas events is a great way to take in another festive activity. Use your free entrance from the Waves of Honor program to make a one-time trip more affordable.
3. Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Front
An oldie but a goodie, the boardwalk is a must-do. Iconic to the region, the boardwalk boasts traditional fun and fare, yet it offers Virginia Beach specialties to make the location unique. If you’re a Virginia Beach local, take advantage of the slower, more family-friendly weekdays in the summer to go to beach (and off-season) when the boardwalk is less crowded.
4. Norfolk Zoo
You can’t claim a city as your own until you’ve toured the local zoo! Parents of young kids love the Norfolk Zoo’s size and accessibility. The major animals kids love to see are on site: lions, giraffes, elephants, and farm animals. The giraffes and farm animals have interactive options to get up close and personal.
A kid-sized train runs the course of the zoo throughout the day so that everyone can take a rest and get a view of the zoo grounds. If you’ve packed accordingly, kids love the splash garden at the front of the zoo. The yearly pass is affordable and a smart idea if you plan to visit more than once.
Not sure where to live? View Norfolk homes for sale and rent below.
5. Children’s Museum of Virginia Portsmouth
Another rite of passage of childhood is visiting your local children’s museum, so don't miss this one in Portsmouth. The hands-on exhibits are entertaining and focused on topics they adore. There's a room dedicated to trains, a grocery store, and a music store to play with instruments made from unusual household objects.
6. Virginia Air & Space Science Center
Is there really anything cooler than NASA? Head to Hampton to check out the amazing visitor center for Langley Research Center. The Space Explorer Gallery features interactive displays and showcases space artifacts in cutting-edge exhibits. And, if you’re an IMAX aficionado, there's always a fun movie to catch. After, grab a bite to eat at the Zero Gravity Bistro!
7. Virginia Living Museum
Newport News is home to the Virginia Living Museum. It houses more than 250 species of animals found in Virginia, including reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish. It’s also a haven sanctuary for orphaned, non-releasable, or injured animals. The museum is also home to the Dinosaur Discovery Trail and has a planetarium to visit.
Restored ship Susan Constant at Jameston Settlement. Photo by Robert_Ford from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com
8. Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Visit both museums and discover everything you need to know about the first permanent American colony, settled in 1607. You’ll visit immersive gallery exhibits, including the one dedicated to Pocahontas and the local Indians who lived in the area. You’ll also walk through outdoor living history reenactments. Kids can take advantage of summer camp opportunities and specific programs reserved for homeschoolers.
With so much to explore in Hampton Roads, VA, it’s easy to see why families love calling this area home. If you're getting ready to PCS to the region, check out available listings on MilitaryByOwner. From cozy neighborhoods to waterfront living, there’s a perfect fit waiting for you. Start your search for a Norfolk homes for sale today, or check out one of the other Hampton Roads cities.
If you’re still in the planning stages of your PCS to Hampton Roads, be sure to download our free ebook below, Military Family Guide to Hampton Roads. It’s the perfect resource to get details about where to live and what to expect.
