Hampton Roads is a Wonderful Place to Raise a Family

 Hampton Roads is a wonderful place to raise a family!  With the coast on the right and land on the left, there are always numerous fun things to do.  We are lucky to live in such a great area to keep kids engaged with kid-friendly family activities.  From exploring with toddlers at the Children’s Museum to refreshing water slides at Ocean Breeze, you and your visitors this summer are sure to have a blast over the next few months. You and your kids can do these fun activities listed below indoors and outdoors.  I’ve broken it up by city.

NORFOLK

• Cannonball Trail

Description: Follow markers through Town Point Park and Downtown Norfolk on the self-guided tour. 

Address: Freemason Street Reception Center for the Cannonball Trail

401 E. Freemason St

Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 441-1526

• Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Description: Museum follows the extensive history of the fleet in Hampton Roads. Free Admission. Seasonal Family Programming.

Address: One Waterside Drive Ste 248, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 322-2987

• MacArthur Memorial

Description: Memorial to General MacArthur and the millions of American men and women who served in the US Armed Forces from the Civil War through the Korean War.

Address: MacArthur Memorial, MacArthur Square

198 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 441-2965

• Norfolk Botanical Garden

Description: The 155 acre garden is home to 40 distinctive themed gardens, 95 species of birds and 40 kinds of butterflies. 

Address: 6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518

Phone: (757) 441-5830

• Mermaids on Parade

Description: Beginning at Nauticus, three separate trails take you along the Elizabeth River past Waterside, to the heart of downtown or to the Chrysler Museum while telling local history from the perspective of the 26 Mermaid statues along the trail.

Address: One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 664-4000

• Moses Myers House

Description: Historic home. Free admission and guided tours.

Address: 323 E. Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 333-1087

• Virginia Zoo

Description: From the plains of Africa to the jungles of Asia, the Virginia Zoo is a world of discovery, fun, education and excitement for everyone.

Address: 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23504

Phone: (757) 441-2374

• Norfolk History Museum at the Willoughby-Baylor House

Description: Historic home. Free admission and guided tours.

Address: 601 E. Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 664-6200

• Norfolk Police & Fire Rescue Museum

Description: History of police force and fire rescue in Norfolk. Free admission, donations are appreciated.

Address: 401 E. Freemason St. Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 441-1526

• Norfolk Southern Museum

   Description: Over 180 years of railroad history/Free admission.

       Address: 3 Commercial Place, Ground Floor. Norfolk, VA 23510    

• Ocean View Station Museum

Description: Local museum in Ocean View, Norfolk.

Address: Pretlow Library 111 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503

Phone: (757) 531-0445

• The Chrysler Museum

Description: Museum. Free Admission to Permanent Collection. Free Family Activities and Programs. Regularly Scheduled Free Admission/Family Weekend. Summer Camps available. Participant in Blue Star Museum Program.

Address: One Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 664-6200

• American Rover

Description: Cruise under the sun or stars down the Elizabeth River.

Address: 333 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 627-7245

• The Elizabeth River Trail

Description: Scenic trail through areas of Norfolk with markers providing area history.

VIRGINIA BEACH

• Virginia Beach Planetarium

Description: Committed to enriching your astronomical perspective.

      http://www.planetarium.vbschools.com

• Hunt Club Farms

Description: Just a few miles beyond VB’s resort area is another landscape the city is known for, farmland which is part of the city’s rich agricultural history.  Petting farm, pony rides & seasonal farm festivals. 

Address: 2388 London Bridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Phone: (757) 427-9520

• Green Bean Contemporary Child’s Play

 Description: A modern day party, play & learning venue devoted to engaging the imagination, curiosity and senses of children 0-6. 

 Address: 1952 Laskin Road, Suite 509, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 (Regency Hilltop)

Phone: (757) 282-6681

• Motor World

Description: Your place to race…Go-Karts! 

Address: 700 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Phone: (757) 282-6681

• Ocean Breeze Waterpark

Description: Family-friendly destination featuring over 30 rides, slides and attractions. 

      Address: 849 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

      Phone: (757) 422-4444

• Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Description: Creative classes for children ages 2-16. Children and teens exercise their imaginations and express themselves through art classes designed specifically to challenge and inspire.

Address: 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

      Phone: (757) 425-0000

• First Landing State Park

Description: Camp, hike or take a ride through the park where English colonists first landed in 1607. 

Address: 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

      Phone: (757) 412-2300

CHESAPEAKE

• Cloud 9

Description: Go high by going airborne at Hampton Roads first Trampoline Park.

Address: 825 Greenbrier Circle/Suite P, Chesapeake, VA 23320

      Phone: (757) 296-2001

• Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Description: Multi-use trail open to bicycling, walking running, horseback riding, and boating.

 Address: 1200 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323

      Phone: (757) 382-6411

• Fun Forest

Description: The ultimate children’s playground, imagination center and family adventure area! Address: 900 City Park Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320

      Phone: (757) 312-0243

• Triple R Ranch

Description: A 370 acre working ranch that includes summer camp filled with horseback rides, canoe glides down the Northwest River, archery and riflery.

 Address: 3531Bunch Walnuts Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322

      Phone: (757) 421-4177

• Battlefield Historic Park

Description: The Battle of Great Bridge was the first land victory of the Revolutionary War.  See where this rich history of our nation first took place.

 Address: 1775 Historic Way, Chesapeake, VA 23320

      Phone: (757) 482-4480

PORTSMOUTH

• Scuba Jam Virginia @ Chesapeake Bay Dive Center 

Description: Designed to provide a great scuba diving experience for boys and girls, aged 11-20 in a weekend long event based around fun diving activities, land based demonstrations, camping & other social activities for certified young divers to share with friends.

 Address: 655 Mt Vernon Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23707

      Phone: (757) 398-3483 (Dive)

• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Lightship Museum 

Description: Exhibits, hands-on programs and special events.

Address: 2 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

      Phone: (757) 393-8591

• Commodore Theatre 

Description: Dinner & a movie in luxuriously restored 1945 Art Deco style motion picture theatre.

Address: 421 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

      Phone: (757) 393-6962

• Carrie B. Showboat 

Description: Celebrate on the water in Portsmouth, Norfolk or Hampton.

Address: 1238 Bay Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

      Phone: (757) 393-4735

• Children’s Museum of Virginia

Description: A place where families with children ages 1-11 are encouraged to imagine, explore & discover together through play.

Address: 221 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

      Phone: (757) 393-5258

• Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center

Description: Devoted to offering quality educational, cultural and aesthetic experiences in the arts through rotating visual art exhibits, lectures, classes and performances.

Address: 521 Middle Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

      Phone: (757) 393-4735

• Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

Description: Where you can play your way into sports history.

Address: 206 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

      Phone: (757) 393-8031

• Hoffler Creek Wildlife Refuge

Description: Observe the abundant wildlife such as deer, fox, raccoons, otters & more that call Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve home. 

Address: 4510 Twin Pines Road, Portsmouth, VA 23703

      Phone: (757) 686-8684

All these activities are a wonderful way to show kids that learning can be fun! :-)