Hampton: Free Things To Do
Best Bars In Hampton Va
Looking for the best local bars in Hampton, VA? We all know how great it can be to find a spot to relax and cut loose. Theres a time and place for everything and now is the time to find Hampton, VA bars.
Bars in Hampton, VA | best bars in Hampton, VA | Hampton, VA bars | bars around Hampton, VA | Local Bars in Hampton, VA
Learn About Aircraft At The Virginia Air And Space Center
A wonderful museum to take kids along is this museum that focuses on aircrafts and aeronautics. It is an educational facility and provides great information about various aircrafts and spaceships. There is also an IMAX digital theater where you can enjoy a show.
One of the main exhibits that is displayed here include the Apollo 12 command module, the Yankee clipper. Other than this many famous aircrafts are also placed here, including the Wright flyer replica, Grumman A-6 intruder nose section, a Pitts special, Piper J-3 club aircraft and many more.
There is also a separate exhibition area for space and space crafts called the space gallery. You can look at different replicas and space crafts here. And there are also rocks from Mars and Moon placed here.
There is also a very fine and very informational exhibit which is related to the solar system which showcases all the models of the planets in different sizes. Educational summer camps are also hosted for children here.
Recommended Reading: Things To Do In Baytown Tx This Weekend
What To Do Near Me: The Woodlands Golf Course Hampton Va
Built in 1916, the Woodlands Golf Course is one of the oldest in the United States. A local favorite, The Woodlands is a challenging course with water on eleven of its holes and fifty-two sand bunkers. The greens are bentgrass, while the fairways and rough are Bermuda grass. The Woodlands is an 18-hole, par 69, 5,900-yard course.
The clubhouse has an excellent restaurant, The Grille at The Woodlands, which serves breakfast and lunch daily. There is also a pro shop that sells men’s and ladies’ golf apparel and accessories. Golf clubs and carts are available for rent. The clubhouse also has an 18-seat conference room that it lends out to community groups.
9 Woodland Road, Hampton, VA 23663, Phone: 757-727-1195
Places to eat near me, free points of interest, lakes near me, waterfalls, weekend getaways near me, 3-day foodie places to visit in September, October, November, December, RV, prettiest places, lodging, campground, hangout, where is, spas, holiday, museum, hiking near me, canoeing, hotels close to me, sushi, hikes, scenic spots: Beaches for Toddlers and Kids, Lafayette, Parker, Salida
View Some War Exhibits At The Virginia War Museum
Located in the Huntington Park area, this museum honors the American military history from as back as 1775 till today. The main collection here focuses on artifacts and exhibits from the First and Second World Wars.
The museum is also well organized and arranged very well in a chronological manner starting from the American Revolutionary War, which then follows up to the American Civil War, followed by the Philippine American War, the World War One, the world war two, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and at last at the war in Afghanistan.
So, if you are a history buff, you have definitely found your paradise!
There are also various different galleries including a weapons gallery, poster gallery and more. They also have a large collection of propellers which is a special kind of aircrafts alongside many pieces of artillery. A small resource base libraries also available on site.
Also Check: Healdsburg Things To Do
Best Things To Do In Hampton Roads
What better place to vacation than a place filled with water bodies and landmasses flowing around? Welcome to Hampton Roads, which is one of the world’s largest natural harbors.
Incorporating the waters of as many as three rivers, including the Elizabeth, the Nansemond, and the James, alongside many smaller rivers, it is one of the best harbors in all of USA.
The landmass consists of cities, counties and towns located and distributed among the various water bodies. Moreover, it is very well developed and the metropolitan cities are all great places to visit.
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
As the premier park in Hampton, you can enjoy running, walking, or biking along 12 miles of nature trails that offer water views and an abundance of wildlife. You can also climb the observation tower, take part in a nature program, or spend time on one of the two lakes.
Grab a paddle and canoe through the narrow channels or around Crystal Lake for a day of fishing and sightseeing. The park offers Jon boat, canoe, and paddleboat rentals. If you are not comfortable exploring the channels on your own, join one of the guided canoe trips.
The nature center overlooking Sandy Bottom Lake has a variety of animal and environmental exhibits.
Enjoy a meal at the picnic area or rent one of the four tent cabins or 11 campsites within the park to extend your stay.
The park is pet-friendly.
Recommended Reading: Fun Free Things To Do In Syracuse Ny
Take A Ride On The Hampton Carousel
Built in 1920, the carousel is completely restored to its original beauty and housed in its own weather-protected pavilion on the citys downtown waterfront. It is one of only 170 antique wooden merry-go- rounds still existing in the U.S.
Address: Located in front of the Virginia Air and Space Museum, 600 Settlers Landing Rd, Hampton, VA. Hours: Open April through Dec. Tues-Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Visit The Hampton University Museum
Rachel Cooper
Hampton University, founded in 1868, is a short walk from downtown. The museum is a surprising gem. The campus is home to the oldest African American museum in the U.S. and maintains a collection of more than 1,200 cultural artifacts and traditional and contemporary works of art.
Address: Hampton University, 100 E Queen St, Hampton, VA. Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sat 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sun and major campus holidays. Free admission.
Recommended Reading: Mystic Ct Tourism
Have A Farm Day At Bluebird Gap Farm
Do you want to have a taste of countryside life during your visit to the city of Hampton?
If so, bring your family out to Bluebird Gap Farm, a rural and educational family-themed site for adventure and a nice getaway from the usual urban environment.
At this 60-acre farm, you will be entertained by around 150 domestic and wild animals.
See the usual farm animals such as pigs, goats, cows, horses, and chickens, and more unusual ones such as alpacas, tortoises, peacocks, waterfowl, whitetail deer, llamas, rabbits, and birds of prey.
There are several food machines at the farm if you want to get interactive and feed the animals.
Here, there is an antique display barn with home and antique farm displays from different time periods.
Also, there are trails and paths, a large duck pond, an arboretum, a playground, and a stage for special animal-themed events and activities.
Explore this delightful place, bond and learn to care for animals, and get an education about this farm environment as you enjoy close-up time with wholesome living things right in your city backyard.
Things To Do In Hampton Roads
For the uninitiated, the Hampton Roads are seven cities of southeast Virginia: Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The Hampton Roads are best known for hosting many military bases and other government facilities such as NASA. Most famous is Norfolk Naval Station, home of the Second Fleet and said to be the world’s largest naval base. While the Hampton Roads are out of the way, or slightly off the I-95 corridor, they are less visited than other points to the south and west. Nevertheless, they have an interesting mix of history and culture. Close enough to the Hampton Roads, located up the Peninsula, is Williamsburg, and the Outer Banks is located down the coast thus combining a trip to the Hampton Roads with a visit to Williamsburg or the Outer Banks is quite practical.
Bacon’s Castle
Natwebb via Wikimedia Commons
Read Also: Stuff To Do In Syracuse
Chrysler Museum Of Art
While small compared to the art museums of major metropolitan areas, the Chrysler Museum of Art has an excellent cross-section of art from most major periods and includes 30,000 objects covering 4,000 years. Located near downtown Norfolk close to the Route 58 tunnel, in the Ghent district, the museum has an entrance fee. Wednesdays are free but a donation is appreciated.
Bruton Parish Church, c. 1711, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Relax At Buckroe Beach And Park
Since the bay is nearby in Hampton, why not invite your family to a day on the beach?
You can easily spend a leisurely family day at Buckroe Beach, with its numerous amenities, generous parking, and open space.
The park has a vast nautical-themed playground for the kids, a path for strolling or bicycling, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and picnic pavilions with tables and grills.
Concession stands offer hot food to go, ice cream, and frosty beverages for tasty refreshments while you relax.
If you visit on Sunday during the summer, you can participate in the Groovin’ by the Beach concert, and if you come by on Tuesday evenings, you will have a great family movie night on the beach.
With almost a mile-long stretch of shore on the Chesapeake Bay and eight acres of family-oriented space, enjoy your day of fun under the sun at Buckroe Beach.
Recommended Reading: Family Fun Near Cleveland Ohio
Casemate Museum Of Fort Monroe
Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe is located within Fort Monroe. The building dates back to 1834 and is one of the largest forts in USA. At this time, it is not active anymore, so it is open to the public. A visit to the museum is enough to learn a lot about different Civil Wars and military history. Usually, the visit here is self-guided, but even guided-groups of 10 visitors are available if reserved in advance. A great feature of this museum is the room of Jefferson Davis, where he was kept a prisoner. For all the reasons above, this museum is something you should not miss.
Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe
Address: 20 Bernard Rd, Hampton, VA 23651, United States
Air Power Park is very interesting as it is an outdoor museum. This museum is focused on Hamptons role in space exploration history. Some nice collections of jets, missiles and even rockets are available for every curious mind. The tour here is self-guided, so you have the freedom to admire each engine closely and take your time to see all the collections. In the centre of the park, there is an indoor museum with more than 325 aircrafts or spaceships. And for kids, there is a playground for them. This place is great for a couple of interesting hours.
Air Power Park
Opening hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Golfing On The Woodlands Golf Course
This golf course will especially be liked by you if you are an amateur and a pro at playing golf. One of the oldest courses of the USA and loved by locals and visitors alike, it is spread over various different types of landforms including water on 11 of the total holes.
The grass grown on various patches are also different, including some batches with bentgrass and some with rough Bermuda grass.
The clubhouse on site has a great grill restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch both. A quaint pro shop selling golf accessories and gear is also present.
Read Also: Things To See In Syracuse Ny
Go To The Casemate Museum Of Fort Monroe
Focusing on the history of the magnificent fortress, it’s one of the most informational museums of this area.
If you are a lover of history, and the military and also love visiting old buildings and getting lost in general, then this place is a definite visit and recommendation for you.
The artifacts and displays are very well kept from the ancient times. It is essentially a self-guided tour that trails through the museum, then out to the moat followed by a visit to the defensive walls and more.
If you’re going in as a huge group of 10 people or more you can also opt for the guided tours.
Get Educated At The Hampton University Museum
The Hampton University Museum was established in 1868, which is when Hampton University itself was recognized.
It contains the oldest African-American museum in the United States and is home to a collection of more than 1,200 cultural artifacts with contemporary and traditional works of art.
Its mission is to disseminate knowledge and enlightenment on diverse cultures while emphasizing geography, history, and culture studies.
At this museum, they study, preserve, exhibit, collect, and interpret works of traditional art that show the heritage and cultures of African, Asian, Oceanic, and Native American people.
See their first collection of South Pacific art enriched by other pieces from Japan and the Philippines.
They also show pieces from across the continent widely esteemed works of African, American Indian, and African-American artists and relics that showcase the history of Hampton University.
Be enriched by all the knowledge that there is to discover at this fine institution.
Don’t Miss: Fun Things To Do With Kids In Cleveland Ohio
Free Things To Do In Hampton
Some say the best things in life are free. Discover the following around Hampton:
Hampton History Museum – Filled with displays and artifacts, this gallery is a wonderland for hungry minds.
Boo Williams Sportplex – Make this place one of your first stops for a dash of fun during your time away.
Hampton City Hall – Be inspired by the creativity and design of this fantastic example of modern architecture.
Hampton University – If you’re interested in the days of old, this is one attraction you really should visit.
Hampton Roads Convention Center – Spend some time here and learn about the importance of this place to the locals.
Buckroe Beach and Park – Take a brisk walk along the shoreline and perhaps even stick a toe in.
Boo Williams Sportplex – Prepare a picnic and enjoy a walk around the gorgeous plant life.
Things To Do In Hampton
Things to Do in Hampton Virginia
There is no shortage of things to do while touring the Virginia Peninsula from enriching historic attractions to cultural outlets and events, the communities of the Peninsula truly offer something for everyone.
Hampton is a city with an old soul and youthful enthusiasm. It is a Coastal Virginia vacation destination with fascinating sights to see and interesting things to do. Situated in the middle of the Hampton Roads region and the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, Hampton welcomes vacationers and meeting attendees alike with charming hospitality, multi-faceted attractions and activities and an atmosphere of discovery that youll find pleasantly surprising.
History and Museums
Hampton is home to several historic sites and museums, including the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe, the Aberdeen Gardens Historic Museum, the Hampton History Museum and the impressive Virginia Air & Space Center, which includes the Hampton Carousel. The air & space center serves as the visitor center for the NASA Langley Research Center and Langley AFB and it is filled with hands-on exhibits and flight simulators, as well as fascinating aeronautics and space displays.
Newport News houses The Mariners Museum, a facility designated as Americas National Maritime Museum. The city is also the site of the Virginia Living Museum and the Virginia War Museum, where visitors view more than 60,000 artifacts depicting U.S. military history from 1775.
For the Family
Accommodations
- 1
Read Also: Things To Do Wichita Falls Tx
Activities Near Me: Sandy Bottom Nature Park Hampton Virginia
Sandy Bottom Nature Park is a 456-acre property containing a pond, twelve miles of nature trails, and a huge nature interpretative center. The reclaimed land now has wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife such as white-tailed deer, frogs, turtles, Mabee’s Salamander, and the endangered canebrake rattlesnake. The trails are well maintained and suitable for both hikers and cyclists.
The park has a children’s playground, two sets of restrooms, five picnic shelters available for rental, and other picnic tables set in shaded areas around the park. Fishermen can fish off the pier or rent a boat to go after largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill. The water is so clear that you can see the fish and the bottom of the lake. It’s a great place for family outings, and it has an educational aspect to it that kids and parents can both appreciate.
1255 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666, Phone: 757-825-4657
You are reading “What is There to Do with Kids in Hampton, Virginia” Back to Top or More tourism, attractions for couples, food, things to see near me today
