The Hampton Roads is bounded on the north and east by the Chesapeake Bay and on the south by the Hampton Roads Harbor. Hampton Roads is the site of two key Civil War events: the naval engagement between CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor. The duel was the first between warships and found in the harbor in 1862. 

 

The Hampton Roads area features 12 deep water marinas and activities in Hampton tend to center around the harbor with tours aboard the 65-foot "Miss Hampton," and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. There are also a few sandy beaches open to the public.  

Buckroe Beach: Buckroe Beach offers a sandy shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay. The boardwalk is a popular spot for cyclists and strollers, while windsurfers and swimmers flock to the gentle waves. North First Street, (757) 850-5134.  Hampton Roads Parks & Recreation Website.

 

Grandview Nature Preserve: The Preserve covers over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks, and Chesapeake Bay beachfront. The Preserve is open to the public free, but has limited parking along State Park Drive. The Preserve is a great location to beach comb, observe the migratory birds, and discover the wonders of wetlands. State Park Drive. (757) 850-5134. One of two wide public beaches in Hampton, just across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel from Norfolk. Grandview Nature Preserve, a 578-acre property that includes a 2 1/2-mile beach, is geared toward bird and wildlife watchers.

Carousel Park: Take a ride on a wooden carousel from 1920 with 48 horses and two chariots. Located in the heart of downtown.  $1 rides.  602 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton Roads Parks & Recreation Website. 

 

The Cousteau Society: The Cousteau Society made Hampton, Virginia, its North American headquarters in 2003, opening an attraction featuring a display of Cousteau Society photography, models of the Alcyone and the Calypso, artifacts of their underwater marine exploration programs and gift shop. The attraction is located on the Downtown Hampton waterfront and is free. 710 Settlers Landing Road, (800) 441-4395, www.cousteau.org.

 

Fort Monroe/Freedom’s Fort: Built in 1834, Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort built in the United States and served as a safe haven for runaway slaves during the Civil War. Walking tours of the fort are offered during the summer months. CM 20 Bernard Road.

 

The Mariners' Museum & USS Monitor Center: Explore maritime history at the Mariner’s Museum with over 60,000 square feet of gallery space filled with ship models, artifacts, small craft and much more. Recently opened, the USS Monitor is a Civil War naval attraction inside the Mariner’s Museum where visitors can maneuver a sailing frigate in battle, walk down a mock dock between a wooden sailing frigate and CSS Virginia, step inside the “battle theater” and experience the action during the Battle of Hampton Roads; visit the living quarters of the sailors, see inside the real turret and much more. (757) 596-2222, (800) 581-7245, www.marinersmuseum.org

 

Miss Hampton II:  Offers cruises of the Hampton harbor. Tours off views of the Hampton University campus, Fort Monroe, a stop at Fort Wool, and the massive vessels at Naval Station Norfolk.  Offered April through October. The Venture Inn II docked near the Cousteau Society offers year-round fishing and harbor touring adventures. And the Ocean Eagle provides twice-daily seasonal fishing excursions. (888) 757-BOAT, www.misshamptoncruises.com/misshampton.htm

 

Virginia Air & Space Center: Visit the Virginia Air & Space for hands-on air and space exhibits, an interactive aviation gallery that spans 100 years of flight, more than 30 historic aircraft, unique space flight artifacts and more. Visitors can launch a rocket, pilot a space shuttle, become an air traffic controller, fly an airplane, and climb aboard a WWII bomber. The Virginia Air & Space Center celebrates Hampton as the birthplace of America’s space program. (757) 727-0900, www.vasc.org

 

Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Hampton Roads Parks & Recreation and tourism websites