Whether living in, visiting, or attending college in Hampton Roads, there is lots of fun stuff to do. Hampton Roads is also known as the seven cities because of the larger cities (Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) that make up Hampton Roads. There are quite a few things to do in each city, not each city is the most exciting, but there is still one or two fun things to do.
Chesapeake
1) Pay a visit to Cloud 9
Cloud 9 is an indoor trampoline park fun for all ages. There are plenty of activities, like the Ninja Obstacle Course, Extreme Dodgeball, and the Trapeze.
2) Take the kids to Fun Forest
Fun Forest is the greatest children’s playground, and family area. Fun forest is located in Chesapeake City Park which has a skate park, dog parks, and basketball courts.
3) Visit Glazenfyre
Glazenfyre is the perfect place to paint and be creative.
4) Take a trip to Triple R Ranch
Triple R Ranch is a summer camp and retreat facility that offers a nature program, archery, laser tag and so much more.
5) Walk your way down the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is an 8.3 mile long trail that is used for bike riding, walking, horseback riding, etc.
6) Have fun at Funville Playground and Cafe
Funville has bumper cars, a 9-D cinema, a separate playground for bigger children and smaller children and a café and seating place for adults.
Hampton
1) Have a hands-on experience at Virginia Air and Space Center
Virginia Air and Space Center is a hands-on, minds on science center with interactive exhibits, an IMAX theatre, and awesome science stuff.
2) Pet some animals at Bluebird Gap Farm
Bluebird Farm is an educational and fun experience. The farm has domestic animals as well as wild animals. The animals they have include peacocks, pigs, horses, etc.
3) Go shopping at Peninsula Town Center
Peninsula Town Center is a beautiful outdoor shopping center with stores such as Macys, Victoria’s Secret and Journeys. There are plenty of places to eat and have fun as well, for example Cinēbistro, the ultimate dinner and a movie.
4) Catch an event at Hampton Coliseum
Hampton Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena. There is always something happening there. Whether it be a sports event, a comedian, a graduation, or a music festival.
Newport News
1) Explore at Mariners Museum and park
The Mariners Museum and Park is one of the largest maritime museums in North America. The museum explores global maritime history.
2) Lee Hall mansion
Lee Hall mansion is one of the last remaining antebellum homes on the Virginia peninsula, it was home to Richard Decauter Lee.
3) Have fun at Huntington Park Beach
Huntington Park Beach has plenty of features such as two ballfields, the Vietnam War and holocaust remembrance memorials, fishing piers, and a public beach.
Norfolk
1) Grab some lunch at Doumar’s
Doumar’s is a historic diner and curb service restaurant. They have amazing food and ice cream, which they make themselves!
2) Catch a Norfolk Tides game
The Norfolk Tides are the official minor league baseball team in Norfolk. They play at Harbor Park. They have different event nights throughout their season that are fun to go to.
3) Taiwanese Pagoda Tower and Oriental garden
The Pagoda Tower and Oriental garden is a beautiful serene place in downtown Norfolk. There is a restaurant to eat at and walkways to walk around and look at the nature around.
4) Ride the metro system, the tide, around town
The Tide extends about 7.4 miles from the Eastern Virginia Medical Center through downtown Norfolk all the way down to Newtown Road.
5) Take a tour at Nauticus
At Nauticus in Downtown Norfolk, take a tour of a real battleship and enjoy the museum.
6) Visit the Virginia Zoo
Visit the animals at the Virginia Zoo, free to Norfolk college students. There is a reptile exhibit and you can see the zebras!
Portsmouth
1) Catch a concert at the nTelos Wireless pavilion at Harbor Center
The nTelos Wireless pavilion at Harbor Center is an outdoor amphitheater in Portsmouth. There are plenty of events, concerts, and shows that take place there.
2) Play and learn at the Children Museum of Virginia
The Children’s Museum of Virginia is a place where families can take their children to imagine, explore, and discover all through play.
3) Learn at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum honors more than 350 Virginia Athletes, coaches, administrators, journalist and educators who made an impact on sports.
4) Walk through Olde Towne Portsmouth
You can find the best restaurants, specialty shops, art galleries, festivals, antique stores, and more in Olde Towne Portsmouth.
Suffolk
1) Relax at Bennett’s Creek Park and Boat Landing
Bennett’s Creek Park and Boat Landing offers two free boat ramps, a playground, tennis courts, shelters, trails, and more.
2) Skydive at Skydive Suffolk
Skydive Suffolk offers tandem skydives, skydiving lessons, and jumping for experienced licensed divers.
3) Enjoy yourself at Suffolk Peanut Fest
The Suffolk Peanut Fest is known for its fun family activities when it’s in town. There are concerts, amusement rides, contest and more.
Virginia Beach
1) Take a trip down to the Oceanfront
Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the place to go. There are plenty of different shops to go to to buy souvenirs, plenty of stuff to do, and plenty of places to eat.
2) Go to Hunt Club farm
Pet some animals, ride some ponies, take an educational field trip, and go to the seasonal festivals at Hunt Club Farm.
3) Explore at Virginia Aquarium
Experience the hands-on exhibits, nature paths, and marshlands of the Virginia Aquarium.
4) Climb Mt. Trashmore
There are two man made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skate park and multi-use paths at Mt. Trashmore.
5) Ride go-carts at Motor world
At Motor World, enjoy 11 go-kart tracks, paintball fields, inflatable bunkers, a shooting range, and a pro shop.
6) Top Golf
Top Golf is the premier entertainment and event venue that features climate- controlled hitting bays, event spaces for all group sizes, and an impressive food and drink menu.
