Tourism - Attractions, Culture & Accommodations
There is no shortage of things to do while touring the Virginia Peninsula. From enticing historic attractions to cultural outlets and events, the communities of the Peninsula truly offer something for everyone.
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. This facility, serving as the visitor center for the NASA Langley Research Center and Langley AFB, is filled with hands-on exhibits and flight simulators, as well as fascinating aeronautic and space displays.
Newport News houses The Mariners’ Museum, a facility designated as America’s 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.
Less than 30 miles northwest of Newport News is Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement on the continent. Visitors can check out the original site and the Jamestown Settlement, which is lined with interesting indoor and outdoor exhibits. Other Peninsula area historic sites include the Yorktown Battlefield, the Watermen’s Museum, Colonial Williamsburg and the Riverwalk Landing.
In addition to the attractions highlighting the area’s rich heritage, the Virginia Peninsula is home to family-friendly destinations such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, Langley Speedway and a host of cultural venues. Owned by the Hampton Arts Foundation and managed by the City of Hampton’s Arts Commission, the landmark American Theatre stands as one of the most popular performing arts venues in the region. Other sites that continue to draw audiences who enjoy everything from professional theatrical performances to musical concerts and art exhibitions include CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, the Virginia Premiere Theatre and the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center.
The Virginia Peninsula also hosts a number of much-anticipated events. Residents and visitors alike take pleasure in such events as Hampton’s BlackBeard Pirate Festival, Hampton Bay Days, Hampton Jazz Festival, the Poquoson Seafood Festival and the Annual Harvest Faire—a three-day event filled with fine medieval entertainment.
Accommodations – Visitors to the Virginia Peninsula have a wide selection of accommodations to choose from. Numerous full-service hotels cater to both business travelers and leisure tourists with common amenities such as indoor pools, fitness centers, business centers, event space and complimentary high-speed Internet and breakfast. Extended stay options are available for those in town for a longer duration. And for those in search of more private quarters, the area’s charming bed and breakfast inns offer a peaceful environment conducive to a relaxing vacation.
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2012 PUBLICATION ADVERTISERS
Salt Ponds Marina
www.saltpondsmarinaresort.com
Coliseum Central
www.coliseumcentral.com
Newport News Tourism
www.newport-news.org
