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you're a tourist, you probably came here to see Jamestown and 'Colonial
Williamsburg'. Now take a peek at Hampton. You would find it very
difficult to believe that Hampton is the oldest continuously
English-speaking settlement in the United States. Hampton was actually
settled in 1610 and has been thriving and growing ever since. Well, there
were a few downs, like being partially destroyed by fire (set by the
British) during the War of 1812 and, again, by the Confederate Army during
the War Between the States. But it came back with more vigor than ever.
If you need a great
place to 'headquarter' while in the area, check out the Holiday
Inn here.
It sports a 4-story high atrium featuring the Tivoli Gardens Restaurant.
Also in the atrium are the indoor pool (there's also an outdoor pool) and
the Garden Court Lounge plus many other facilities for your comfort and
convenience.
Bluebird Gap Farm
- various animals and birds, domestic and wild, plus a large display of
farm machinery. A picnic area plus small playground are also on the site
and the admission is FREE! 60 Pine Chapel Rd. Take exit 261 of I-64
(US-258 west) and head west to W. Queen St. Turn left, and head east
(toward downtown) to Pine Chapel Rd. Left again and in a moment you'll see
the Farm. For more information, phone 757-727-6739.
Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
- a gift to the city of Hampton by the daughter of Charles Taylor with the
stipulation it serve as a free library for the residents of Hampton, it
now serves as an art museum (a new, much larger library was built next
door) and as the offices for the Hampton Arts Commission. Read its
interesting story and view the exhibition schedules on their website at: www.hampton.va.us/arts/body.html.
4205 Victoria Blvd. Phone 757-727-ARTS.
The Hampton Carousel
- dating back to 1920, fully restored and operating in a weather-protected
pavilion. Ride it daily, Easter to mid-December for only $1. On Settlers
Landing Rd (on the waterfront). For more information, phone 757-727-0900.
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Hampton University Museum
- oldest African- American museum in the U.S., it contains over 9,000
artifacts of Native American, Hawaiian, Pacific Island, Asian as well as
African American arts and crafts. For more information, phone 757-727-5308
or visit their website at: www.hamptonu.edu/museum/index.htm
NASA Langley Research Center
- the birthplace of the American space program. The visitors center, named
the Virginia Air & Space Center, features an IMAX theater with
a giant, 5-story screen and surround sound. Learn, and be fascinated by,
our space programs. Then tour the museum, play with the hands-on exhibits,
launch a rocket, pilot a shuttle, view up close the Apollo 12 Command
Capsule. For more information, schedules, etc., see their website at: www.vasc.org.
600 Settlers Landing Rd. Phone (toll-free) 800-296-0800.
It would be a shame
to visit this area without taking a cruise around the harbor. Not only is
Hampton Roads the site of the world's largest navy base, the waterfront is
unusually attractive and interesting. While there are many cruise options,
our favorites are:
Miss Hampton II
- a double-deck tour boat offering narrated 3-hour cruises of the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay.
Docked next to the Hampton Visitor Center, purchase your tickets at the Miss Hampton II tour boat offices located on the ground floor of the Radisson Hotel Parking Garage.
710 Settlers Landing Road. For more information, phone 757-727-1102 or
(toll-free) 800-800-2202.
Venture Inn II
- a smaller capacity cruiser (also used for deep=sea fishing). While
cruises of the harbor are also available, during the winter months they
sail out into the Atlantic Ocean in search of whales for you to watch. No
guarantees about what you'll see but it can be very exciting. Docked next to the Hampton Visitor Center,
purchase your tickets at the Public Piers Dockmaster’s office adjacent to the Hampton Visitor Center.
756 Settlers Landing Rd. For more information, phone 757-850-8960 or
(toll-free) 800-853-5002 or visit their website at: www.ventureinncharters.com.
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