Coastal Virginia Attractions 2015

SPECIAL SECTION

Welcome to

Coastal Virginia

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 1

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A1

12/15/14 4:07 PM

SPECIAL SECTION Attractions include the Children’s Museum of Virginia, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Lightship Portsmouth Museum, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center and the nTelos Wireless Pavilion.

SPIRIT OF NORFOLK Cruising Year-Round From Downtown

Get ready for the time of your life. Step aboard the Spirit of Norfolk and come alive for an afternoon or evening of all-out fun. You’ll dine and dance to live DJ entertainment while being dazzled by skyline sights and a close-up look at the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Choose from fun-filled lunches, dinners and midnight cruises.

Details and tickets, www.spiritofnorfolk.com or (866) 211-3803. Advance reservations strongly recommended.

SCHOONERS ALLIANCE AND SERENITY

Join the Yorktown Schooners Alliance and Serenity and step back into history as you sail the York River past the battlefield where our country won its independence. Lend a hand at setting sail, look for dolphins and osprey, or relax with a beverage from our ship’s galley.

For families, try the Pirate Adventure Cruise. Kids will join the pirate crew and help raise the sails, steer the schooner, tie a knot and fire

A10 COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 10

12/16/14 9:21 AM

SPECIAL SECTION

DISTINCTLY NORFOLK.

Whether you are here for the day or an overnight stay, discover sensational shopping, rich history, year-round festivals, and dynamic dining with delicious coastal cuisine caught fresh from the Chesapeake Bay. With so much to see and do, the possibilities are endless.

1-800-368-3097

Plan your getaway at visitnorfolktoday.com.

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 11

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A11

12/15/14 4:10 PM

SPECIAL SECTION the cannon. Both ships also available for private charters and special events. Sailing April to November. Advance reservations recommended. For schedule and tickets, visit www.sailyorktown.com. 888-316-6422.

SUFFOLK

Small town charm and big city amenities converge in Suffolk, Virginia.

Our historic downtown blends unique boutiques and shoppes with award-winning restaurants. Anchored by the Suffolk Visitor Center, Main Street is lined with historic homes and churches. Suffolk boasts yearround family-friendly events. Discover the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge—112,000 acres of untouched wilderness. You’ll love our swamp safaris, canoe excursions, ghost walks and lantern tours. Kayak or fish in 8,000 acres of lakes and rivers. Golf one of our five championship golf courses. Take the plunge and skydive! Explore Riddick’s Folly House Museum where Union Army officers left behind penciled graffiti that is still legible today. Our 1885 passenger station is now Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. Visit the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, a professional performing arts theater. 757.514.4130. VisitSuffolkVa.com.

VICTORY ROVER

NAVAL BASE CRUISES ABOARD THE VICTORY ROVER Your front row seat to the Naval Fleet Two Hour Narrated Cruises depart daily from Nauticus, home of the Battleship Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk. The Captain provides a fascinating commentary as passengers cruise the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River. See one of the world’s busiest sea ports including the world’s largest naval base, home of the Atlantic Fleet: Destroyers, Cruisers, Aircraft Carriers and more. Up to 150 guests enjoy Portsmouth Regional Attractions Visitors Guide.qxp_Layout 1 11/5/14 1:40 PM Page Submarines, 1

Some Come For The History.

Others Come Just For The Fun Of It.

Come stroll the walkway along our waterfront. Wend your way to our lightship and naval shipyard museums.

Continue wandering and you’ll discover our huge Children’s Museum and our famous tree-lined streets shading homes more than 250 years old. Close by, too, are the most intriguing of shops and a truly sumptuous selection of chef-owned restaurants. And what a delight it is to discover so many of the charms of this historic seaport are all within one very walkable square mile.

A12 COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 12

12/15/14 4:10 PM

SPECIAL SECTION comfortable seating, air conditioned enclosed deck, shaded upper deck, and snack bar. Call 757-627-7406 or www.navalbasecruises.com.

Cruising March - December.

Good times await.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Whether you’re exploring our history, birdwatching in the Great Dismal Swamp, creeping through the historic Cedar Hill Cemetery on a guided lantern tour, or joining in on many of our annual festivals, there’s much to do in Suffolk. Get the good times rolling with a click on VisitSuffolkVA.com or give us a call at 866-733-7835. Then picture yourself in Suffolk experiencing our legendary Southern hospitality.

Experience Three Beaches in One Virginia Beach Vacation In Virginia Beach, visitors can “Live the Life” year-round. Enjoy summer’s lazy days lounging on three distinct beaches, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay. Stroll the iconic three-mile boardwalk at the Resort area, kayak with dolphins on Chick’s Beach or ride the waves in Sandbridge. Sample fresh coastal cuisine, enjoy a variety of year-round festivals and discover new area attractions, as well as vibrant downtown district–all in one vacation! Explore the great outdoors at pristine state parks by bike, foot or tram, or learn about the area’s maritime history at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.

To begin planning your Virginia Beach vacation today, go to www.visitvirginiabeach.com or call 1-800-VA-BEACH.

Job No: Title: Agency: Contact:

THIS IS THE LIFE Three beaches. One vacation.

SUFT14 7098 Good times await Ethicom Linda Andrus 757-626-3867 x301 Linda@Ethi.com Client: Suffolk Tourism Contact: Theresa Earles 757-514-4132 tEarles@city.suffolk.va.us

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 13

Pub:

Coastal VA Visitor Guide Annual 2015 Target: General Tourism Contact: Lori Conti 757-339-66351 LConti@vgnet.com Size: Proof:

1/4 Page 3.625” x 4.75” #2 Dec 3, 2014

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A13

12/15/14 4:10 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

KNOW KNOWBEFORE BEFOREYOU YOUGO. GO P We Keep Virginia Moving!

Use the FREE 511 APP and 511virginia.org to navigate the region.

Whether you commute or vacation in Hampton Roads, let the VDOT tools assist you.

• • • •

Check Lane Closures Check Traffic Conditions Check Cameras Plan Alternate Routes

BE SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN WORK ZONES.

Improvement projects continue throughout Hampton Roads. Check 511 for current work zones that may affect your travel. Slow down and drive safely.

A14 COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS 13578.1 PARBRI Vista Graphics_2-pg Spread_4c.indd All Pages CVA15 PAGESH.indd 14

12/15/14 4:10 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

511 VIRGINIA. O. PLUG INTO VDOT 511

o

VDOT offers real-time traffic information.

Anywhere you need it, anywhere you are.

511VIRGINIA.ORG FOR TRAFFIC STATUS DOWNLOAD THE 511 APP DIAL 511 TO CHECK TRAFFIC CONDITIONS TUNE TO 1680 AM FOR TRAFFIC UPDATES

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 15

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A15

10/31/14 11:23 AM 12/15/14 4:10 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

Set Sail for a bygone era aboard The Yorktown Schooners

Serenity & Alliance

VIRGINIA SPORTS HALL O F FA M E

Whether it is with a large school group or a family visit, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is home to many memorable exhibits and full of interactive fun. A basketball court, sports complex, racing simulators and a radio announcing booth await you! The Museum also hosts many special events, birthday parties, galas and weddings. For more information, visit the Museum’s website at www.vshfm.com or follow them on Facebook or Twitter (@VSHFM).

THE VIRGINIA ZOO

Pirate Adventure Cruises May to September Adults $35, Kids $20 Sailing from Riverwalk Landing

Daily Sightseeing Cruises

April through October Morning & Afternoon Sails Adults $35, Kids $20 Sunset Cruise no child discount

Journey to mysterious places inhabited by exotic animals from around the world–without leaving Hampton Roads! Discover lions, bears, elephants, gibbons, giraffes, colorful birds and more! Watch the red panda climb through the trees just above your head.

Pet the animals in the ZooFarm. Enjoy a stroll or ride the Zoo train among the themed gardens and beautiful landscaping.

The Virginia Zoo provides education and entertainment for people of all ages, and the Zoo is home to more than 400 animals on 53 beautifully landscaped acres. Exhibits encourage the animals’ natural behavior, provide information about their habitats, what they eat and their worldwide conservation status.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS

call 888.316.6422 or visit www.sailyorktown.com

Visiting the Virginia Zoo is a fantastic thing to do with family and friends, and it’s a terrific value! Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for children (ages 2-11) and $10 for seniors (62+). Children under two get in FREE! The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except major winter holidays. For more information, visit www.virginiazoo.org.

HISTORIC YORKTOWN Travel back in time, then savor the present at this year-round destination for history, shopping, outdoor recreation, fine dining and special events. Relive the pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War. Visit historic homes, museums, and battlefields by foot or enjoy a guided Segway tour through town. Set sail on Yorktown’s Schooners Alliance and Serenity. Shop in specialty stores, enjoy a wine tasting, play on the riverfront, and dine in one-of-a-kind restaurants. Come for a day, a weekend or longer.

757-890-3300 or www.visityorktown.org.

A16 COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 16

12/15/14 4:11 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

SAILING HARBOR CRUISES

2 Hour Harbor Tours & Sunset Cruises Depart from Norfolk's Waterside.

“We Always Set Our Sails”

(757) 627-7245

Group Rates and Private Parties Available.

www.americanrover.com D OW N TOW N N O R F O L K

NAVAL BASE CRUISES “Your Front Row Seat To The Naval Fleet”

#1 on TripAdvisor

(757) 627-7406

www.navalbasecruises.com

2 Hour Narrated Cruises Depart Depart from Nauticus, home of the Battleship Wisconsin.

Explore-Live-Enlighten at Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. Association for Research and Enlightenment

Coastal

T

he Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance welcomes you to one of America’s most scenic and historic travel destinations. The Coastal Virginia region is comprised of the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield/Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Yorktown, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. All are accessible by major interstate highway systems, the Chesapeake Bay BridgeTunnel, and two major airports in Norfolk and Newport News both served by low fare airlines. Coastal Virginia makes a perfect vacation destination for those seeking clean beaches, outdoor recreation, fascinating history, fine arts culture, thrilling events and festivals, exciting theme parks, abundant shopping, world-class fishing and coastal cuisine.

We offer an experience for every kind of traveler. Beach lovers revel on the Virginia Beach oceanfront. History buffs are inspired by the past in Williamsburg, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News and Smithfield/Isle of Wight.

Chesapeake and Suffolk are both entry points to the vast nature of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Virginia’s Eastern Shore offers pristine coastal plains perfect for bird watching as well as NASA rocket launches. In addition, museums and the arts abound throughout the region and it is home to the world renowned Virginia Arts Festival. You’ll also have a chance to “salute” our military. We are the home to the world’s largest naval base!

This just touches on what you can see and do in Coastal Virginia. We hope you get a chance to experience it all. We are glad you are here to “Sea Our History”!

With its rich history as the birthplace of America and a strong nautical heritage, Coastal Virginia boasts an abundance of culturally diverse and nationally acclaimed museums and historical attractions. Within one hour’s drive is more history, excitement and family fun than can be found at any other destination. Add to this world-class shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation, and you will see why millions return each year.

Index Convention & Visitors Bureaus Hampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Newport News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A11 Portsmouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A12 Suffolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13 Virginia Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13 Historic Yorktown . . . . . . . . . . . A16

Tools for Wellness, Spiritual Growth, and Personal Empowerment for more than 100 years!

Metaphysical Library • Bookstore and Gift Shop • Holistic Health Center & Spa Cayce/Miller Café • Free Daily Lecture, Tour, and Film • ESP Testing • Meditation Garden Stone Labyrinth • Conferences • Weekend Workshops

215 67th St. and Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-428-3588 • 800-333-4499 • Spa: 757-457-7202 EdgarCayce.org • EdgarCayce.org/spa

10% OFF

your total purchase at the A.R.E. Bookstore Valid through 5/31/16

$10 OFF

1-hour massage at the Spa Valid through 5/31/16

Ask for your FREE BOOK at the Visitor Center desk!

A2

Events

Festevents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

HARBOR TOURS/CRUSIES American and Victory Rover . . A2 Schooner Alliance & Serenity A16 Spirit of Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8

HEALTH Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment . A2

Historic sites

Jamestown/Yorktown . . . . . . . . A4

Restaurants Nawab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6

SHOPPING Coliseum Central . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 MacArthur Center . . . . . . . . . . . A9

MuseumS/ZOO The Mariner’s Museum . . . . . . . A7 Military Aviation Museum . . . . . A4 Nauticus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10 Norfoik Southern Museum . . . . A8 Virginia Living Museum . . . . . . . A7 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame . . A12 Virginia Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10

Transportation

Virginia Department of Transportation . . . . . . . . . A14 & A15

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 2

12/15/14 5:23 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

Virginia g

ATTRACTIONS Our area’s major attractions listings are presented on the pages that follow in alphabetical order.

AMERICAN ROVER Norfolk Harbor Sailing Cruises

Set Sail aboard this 125 passenger Sailing Schooner.

Offering Daytime and Sunset harbor cruises on the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River and the Port of Virginia. Help hoist the sails, take a turn at the helm, or just relax and enjoy the Captain’s tour. Seating is available on the shaded upper deck, our airconditioned below deck area has ship store, bar and rest rooms. Private charters and special event cruises available. Departing Waterside Marina in Downtown Norfolk.

Call 757-627-7245 or visit www.AmericanRover.com. Sailing April through October.

E D GA R C AYC E

Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E.– Association for Research and Enlightenment Our global non-profit organization was founded in 1931 to help people transform and improve their lives. Come explore the fascinating work of documented psychic Edgar Cayce, the “father of holistic medicine.” Free daily film, tour, and lecture on topics including dreams, intuition, holistic health, and more. Our campus includes a metaphysical Library, Bookstore & Gift Shop, meditation garden, stone labyrinth, reflexology walk, and Cayce/Miller Café. We also offer ESP testing, astrology charts, psychic fairs, and conferences with world-renowned presenters.

The newly renovated Health Center & Spa has treatment rooms overlooking the ocean offering holistic services including the Cayce/Reilly® massage, facial, or hydrotherapy sessions. www.EdgarCayce.org.

FESTEVENTS

Town Point Park, located along the Elizabeth River on the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, is the premier venue in Hampton Roads for festivals, concerts, Tall Ship visits and celebrations. Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. is the official event marketing and production agency for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, America’s vibrant, heritage port city. Since 1982, Norfolk Festevents has garnered international acclaim for its outstanding quality programming transforming Norfolk into one of the most fun and livable waterfront communities in the world.

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 3

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A3

12/15/14 4:08 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

H A M P T O N This is Hampton

Preserving history, the Military Aviation Museum features a major collection of military aircraft from the middle of the last century. Open Daily 9am to 5pm.

1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23457 www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org | (757) 721-PROP

Make Room for the Memories.

An adventure of historic proportion is waiting for you— at two living-history museums that explore America’s beginnings. Board replicas of colonial ships. Grind corn in a Powhatan Indian village. Try on English armor inside a palisaded fort. Then, join Continental Army soldiers at their encampment for a firsthand look at the Revolution’s end.

Don’t forget your camera.

Because the history here is life size. And your memories will be even bigger!

Save 20% with a combination ticket to both museums.

A4

Hampton, the 400-year old city located in the heart of Coastal Virginia, is multifaceted; rich in Civil War history, African American heritage, water recreation, and abundant shopping and dining opportunities. The Hampton History Museum is a great place to begin your explorations. The museum introduces Hampton’s 400-year history in its galleries, interpreting the city’s role in pivotal American decisions and milestones. The Hampton Visitor Center shares this location so you can gather great information on the sites you wish to explore and purchase money-saving admission tickets. The Sea to Stars Ticket, for example, combines admission to the Virginia Air & Space Center, an IMAX film, a ride on the Hampton Carousel, a cruise aboard the Miss Hampton II and admission to the Hampton History Museum for one low price. Buy adult tickets for $39 and youth tickets for $25. The Virginia Air & Space Center features more than 100 flight simulators and hands-on exhibits of air and space innovations. The Riverside 3D IMAX Theater presents digital feature films and documentaries on a five-story screen. Next door, the Hampton Carousel spins visitors on hand-carved horses and chariots built in 1920 by European artisans. Fort Monroe visitors are encouraged to cross the moat encircling the stone fort to explore the Casemate Museum and many historic landmarks and to climb the fort walls to enjoy the spectacular view of the harbor. See the cell where Jefferson Davis was held at the conclusion of the Civil War. A tour aboard the Miss Hampton II reveals Fort Monroe’s companion fortification, Fort Wool, located across the channel at Hampton Roads’ entrance. The Miss Hampton II harbor tour boat and the Ocean Eagle fishing boat are located nearby along the Hampton waterfront.

Hampton University Museum, founded in 1868, has a collection of more than 9,000 works of contemporary art and artifacts spanning African, African-American, Pan-American and Native-American cultures. You can explore the campus with one of several Smartphone tours available at VisitHampton.com or learn about the campus’ and city’s remarkable past through interpretive historic markers located on the campus and throughout Hampton. You are also sure to adore the unique dining and shopping in Downtown Hampton, Phoebus and in Coliseum Central. There’s no shortage of fun and adventure.

After all, This is Hampton! For visitor information call 800-800-2202, 757-727-1102 or come to VisitHampton.com.

JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, YORKTOWN VICTORY CENTER

Living-History Museums Chronicle Nation’s Beginnings A hands-on history experience awaits visitors at two Williamsburg area museums that explore the nation’s beginnings. At Jamestown Settlement, gallery exhibits chronicle 1600s Virginia in the context of its Powhatan Indian, English and African cultures, complementing historical interpretation at outdoor re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, the three ships that brought America’s first permanent English colonists in 1607, and colonial fort. The story of the American Revolution, from the beginnings of colonial unrest to the formation of the new nation, unfolds at the Yorktown Victory Center through indoor exhibits and outdoor re-creations of a Continental Army encampment and Revolution-period farm. The museums are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas and New Year’s days. For more information call (888) 593-4682 or visit www.historyisfun.org.

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 4

12/15/14 5:01 PM

HAM

SPECIAL SECTION

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU TAKE A BOAT RIDE TO AN ISLAND FORTRESS, COME FACE TO FACE WITH BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE,

RIDE A HUNDRED YEAR-OLD HORSE,

CATCH THE LATEST IMAX® MOVIE IN 3-D

AND SHOOT OFF INTO THE COSMOS ALL IN ONE PLACE? client publication size due

Coliseum Central Coastal Virginia magazine 3.5 x 4.75 Nov. 10, 2014

TICKET

Explore Hampton’s signature attractions $39 for adults with one combo ticket at one low price. $25 for kids ages 4-11

HAMPTON, VIRGINIA

For details call 800-800-2202 or VisitHampton.com

EXPLORERS WANTED! Discover historic sites and modern warships with this exclusive narrated tour of Hampton Roads Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.

stop by a few hundred of your favorite places Coliseum Central is the premier Hampton Roads destination for retail, dining, lodging and entertainment. Boasting over 1,900 acres and 600 businesses at the intersection of I-64 and Mercury Boulevard you’ll be sure to find anything you need in one convenient location.

MISS HAMPTON II HARBOR CRUISES

710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669 For reservations call: (757) 722-9102 misshamptoncruises.com

coliseumcentral.com

phone 757.826.6351

HAMCVB 11696 2015 Coastal VA Insert.indd 1 CVA15 PAGESH.indd 5

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A5

11/10/14 3:09 PM 12/15/14 4:08 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic military aircraft. These vintage WWI and WWII aircraft, such as our P-51 Mustang, de Havilland Mosquito, Curtiss P-40 and Spitfire, have been restored to their original flying condition. The aircraft are occasionally flown on local demonstrations flights and at regional air shows. Visit us at 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach or call (757)721-7767. www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org.

NAUTICUS

This maritime-themed science museum, on the downtown Norfolk waterfront, offers a fun and exciting educational experience for visitors of all ages. In addition to its largest artifact— The Battleship Wisconsin—unique features of this 120,000-square-foot facility includes hands-on exhibits, touch tanks, 3D movies, and more. Plus, walk the decks of history with a self-guided deck tour of the battleship Wisconsin—one of the largest and last battleships built by the U.S. Navy—and see the wardroom, and officers’ quarters, berthing units, chapel and other areas. Guided tours of additional ship areas are available for an additional fee.

While on site at Nauticus, be sure to check out Stewards of the Sea: Defending Freedom, Protecting the Environment, a 1,000-square-foot, highly interactive exhibit which highlights how the Navy protects marine life while fulfilling its mission. And don’t miss “Science on a Sphere”—a dynamic six-foot globe that displays 3-D animated images of our oceans and atmosphere.

Authentic Indian Fare With Unique Flair

• Full Bar • Catering Services • Chicken, Lamb, Seafood & Vegetarian • Lunch (Buffet) & Dinner Daily

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum, located on Nauticus’ second floor, examines more than two centuries of naval activity in and around the Hampton Roads harbor. Complementing the maritime experience is the Banana Pier Gift Shop, which features nautical gifts for all ages.

757-664-1000 or visit www.nauticus.org for hours and admission fees.

NEWPORT NEWS

Discover the Treasures of Newport News VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM • THE MARINERS’ MUSEUM Trendy restaurants, unique shopping opportunities and world-class attractions are just a few of the many reasons to visit Newport News.

Connect to nature at the Virginia Living Museum! View endangered red wolves.

Get close to a loggerhead turtle and jellyfish. See fish with no eyes and frogs that change colors. Touch live spider crabs and fossilized dinosaur tracks.

Experience a steamy cypress swamp and cool mountain cove. Explore the depths of the Chesapeake Bay. Touch famous Bay creatures. Travel the galaxies in the state-of-the-art planetarium theater. Stroll the outdoor boardwalk to view animals in naturalized habitats. Explore an extensive collection of native plants. Learn how to build, garden and live green. Enjoy role-playing as an animal keeper/ vet. Explore the Nature Playground. See Frogs! A Chorus of Colors, a new exhibition on display March 14 through Sept. 7. Visit www.thevlm.org or call 757-595-1900 for details.

The Mariners’ Museum, America’s National Maritime Museum, is filled with fascinating stories, captured in the priceless artifacts that celebrate the spirit of the open sea. Explore small craft from around the world. Discover the USS Monitor Center, home to the Civil War ironclad’s iconic gun turret. View maritime art, handcrafted ship models and rare figureheads. Experience a 3D film in the Explorers Theater. Located in a 550-acre park, visitors can hike the 5-mile Noland Trail or rent a paddle boat. Explore the depths of the ocean floor in Extreme Deep: Mission into the Abyss, a new 2015 exhibition open from May 16 through Sept. 7. For information about upcoming and current exhibitions, exciting events, educational programs and hours of operation, visit www.MarinersMuseum.org or call 800-581-7245.

Let the travel counselors at the Newport News Visitor Center help plan your stay. Ask them about our money-saving Combination Ticket!

Call 888-493-7386, 757-886-7777, or visit www.newport-news.org.

NORFOLK nawabonline.com NORFOLK 888 N. Military Hwy (757) 455-8080 WILLIAMSBURG 204 Monticello Ave. (757) 565-3200

A6

VIRGINIA BEACH 756 First Colonial Rd. (757) 491-8600 NEWPORT NEWS 11712 Jefferson Ave. (757) 591-9200

VISIT NORFOLK

With 144 miles of shoreline, there’s so much to do while visiting Norfolk, Virginia. Take a tour of the Elizabeth River harbor on a majestic tall ship, sip on some of the best wines around at Mermaid Winery, Virginia’s very first urban winery, try delicious beers at local breweries or watch worldrenowned artists blow glass at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio.

Hungry? Norfolk has become well-known for its wide variety of cuisine and is home to more than 80 chef-owned restaurants in the downtown area, many featuring Virginia wine and Virginia-grown

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 6

12/15/14 5:25 PM

isit!

You OttLeivrinV g Museum

The Virginia

Newport News • I-64 exit 258-A 757-595-1900 • thevlm.org

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 7

12/15/14 5:01 PM

SPECIAL SECTION

Buy one cruise ticket, get one half off!

Mention VGUIDE when booking

produce and meat. Downtown isn’t the only place to find eclectic entrees. A host of restaurants dot the streets of Ghent, the historic Freemason district, Ocean View and other areas of the city.

If history is your thing, sign up for a boat or land tour of the world’s largest Naval Base, stop by the MacArthur Memorial, or walk the Cannonball Trail. You can jam out to some of the nation’s best music at the NorVA, named “Venue that Rocks” the hardest by Rolling Stone magazine. There are antique shops, coffee houses & galleries galore in the hip, historic Ghent district just a few minutes from downtown.

There is truly something for everyone here! For additional information, call 800-368-3097, or visit www.visitnorfolktoday.com.

NORFOLK SOUTHERN

Clothing, tools, locomotive and train parts, maps, and advertisements are among the more than 500 artifacts dating to the 1830s showcased in the Norfolk Southern Museum. Exhibits include a locomotive simulator; a 900-pound railroad coupler; photographs of workers past and present; and diagrams used to teach hand signals and lantern use to railroad trainees.

The history of Norfolk Southern belongs not only to the company, but to the communities it serves and to generations of workers. Norfolk Southern’s history has shaped its path as one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, with 20,000 route miles in 22 states.

PORTSMOUTH City of Portsmouth

One visit to Portsmouth and you’ll be hooked. Amble along our famous Seawall.

Go antiquing. Take in some art. Stroll through three centuries of historic neighborhoods.

Stand inside a giant soap bubble at the largest children’s museum in Virginia. And did we mention that Portsmouth is home to some of the most delightful restaurants in the region?

Many of Portsmouth’s attractions are clustered within easy walking distance, making it the perfect place to spend a day. And with its central location, it’s easy to get to – less than an hour from Colonial Williamsburg and minutes from Virginia Beach.

A8

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 8

12/16/14 9:21 AM

SPECIAL SECTION

CVA15 PAGESH.indd 9

COASTAL VIRGINIA ATTRACTIONS A9

12/15/14 4:09 PM