Sophia and I have lived in the Peninsula since 2011, but rarely took trips to Fort Monroe to…read moreexplore its history. Shame on us since we've been to many museums for years. But, it's better late than never. And believe me, it's one you definitely want to check out. For admission, it's free. How it works is we're given a 15 min window for entering and plus, it gives you a chance to look around in the visitor center where the galley takes you to the history of Fort Monroe and how the Civil War changed everything. If you've been to museums in Virginia, just about everything is covered regarding the slave trade and wars between the North and South and against other countries. A lot to take in, but beneficial. After we were done scoping the visitor center, we entered the museum itself. A treasure trove of information to soak in regarding Fort Monroe itself. I just turned 45 years old and I can tell you I learned a ton from this visit alone. And there still is more to gain. It's wonderful to see that the staff put their heart and soul into keeping everything in place. You can do a self guided tour like we did or you can do a group tour. Also, the museum shops have goodies for you to buy. Believe me, you should not leave empty handed when you have the chance. A wonderful visit to a place where you'll leave with knowledge. And there's more on site at Fort Monroe. We''ll be back for some more tours when time persists :)

The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe is exceptionally well organized and free to visit. Be sure to…read moreswing by the Visitor Center to pick up a timed-entry ticket before heading across the bridge. They also offer guided walking tours throughout the day, though times vary. The fort itself is awe-inspiring- the largest bastion fort by area in the U.S., completed in 1834- and it's incredible to think it stood as a Union stronghold, designated "Freedom's Fortress," where escaping enslaved people found sanctuary during the Civil War. The massive interior arches are a testament to enduring design, and walking atop the fort offers an unforgettable connection to history.

Found by accident just driving by. Solid collection, if not extensively displayed. If you are into…read moremilitary history the shortcomings are irrelevant, so drop in. There is a small fee for admission, but it doesn't go to waste.

A self guided tour through out the history of the United States wars. They had so many different…read moreartifacts it was hard not to spend hours wondering through the building staring at different items they had placed on the walls. Some of my favorite items included creepy old gas masks, the war propaganda posters and the tank they had outside the building. If you are really into old guns this would be a great place to go because they have so many of them. It's really neat to see how everything has evolved through history including the clothes, grenades and even the silverware. I definitely recommend this to everyone in the surrounding area.

VLM is such a fun place to spend the day! They have fun interactive exhibits, a touch tank, animals…read moreand an amazing nature trail! Oh and can't forget dinosaurs! We spent a good portion of our day getting lost in some of Virginia's history, seeing native animals and plants, along with having some fun exploring the interactive areas. This is an amazing spot to check out as a family or even as adults if you have an adventurous gene. They also have a planetarium which was closed when we visited but has since been opened! Excited to return to check it out. They have great Groupon deals for tickets but even without it we found the tickets to be fairly priced for the experience.

This is a fantastic place for children to explore! I came here with my 4m daughter at the time…read morealong with friends and their children. They were mesmerized by every exhibit! Unfortunately at the time we went, a lot of exhibits were being switched out indoors and it was very cold so a lot of animals were not out. The otter is extremely friendly and my daughter loves going to see Nora! Well worth the membership if you and your family consider going more than once. We did eat at the cafe, and the food was not that good. It gave me a terrible stomachache.

The Outlander Exhibit was an experience that we will remember forever. What an amazing production…read morethat they have set up. Absolutely a must see for any fan! The museum is very beautiful, and we look forward to returning to see the rest of it!

What a real treat for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to host an exhibit on Outlander…read morecostumes. The exhibit mostly included costumes from Seasons 1-4, with a piece to from 5 and 6. Wow! The museum did a wonderful job presenting the exhibit--costumes, video clips from the showing the costumes being worn -- and lots of background information about how the designed planned and prepared them. This is a must-see exhibit for both Outlander fans and those who appreciate period clothing. The exhibit also includes a few pieces of clothing that are crested on sight for use by the living history interpreters at Yorktown.

I recently visited the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton for the first time. Since I…read morearrived with a group on a field trip, we were permitted to park our vans alongside the building, though the parking locations were not really clear. The museum was clean and well-maintained. The gift shop is conveniently located at the entrance, and the cafe near the IMAX theater offered a good selection of snacks and drinks. The interactive games and exhibits are excellent for young children, and I particularly enjoyed riding the carousel across the lot afterwards. While I found the experience enjoyable, I believe the museum is best suited for families with children rather than adult visitors alone. Overall, I highly recommend the museum for an educational family outing.

Visitors beware! This business charges full price for entry and half of the exhibits and…read moreinteractive displays do not work or operate. A Staff member said that their IT department is behind schedule and waiting on parts. We feel that they should let you know in advance that the exhibits are not working before you pay or at least give a discount to patrons while repairs are being completed. Of course this a typical City of Hampton issue.

Such an amazing and informative place. Most of the exhibits are outside which really makes it…read moreawesome because you experience the actual size of everything/display. The two ladies were sweet and full of information. Whether you're inside or out you see the care that goes into maintaining this place. Let's not forget ...It's FREE!!!! Nice spot

Interesting little outdoor, roadside museum in Hampton. It's free but they will accept donations…read more There's a small indoor museum as well. Outside there are several planes and a Mercury capsule showcase contributions to air travel and space exploration. I believe it was just recently renovated

An adorable museum run by a very knowledgeable docent. Our…read moretour gave us a vast history of Yorktown and the fishing that used to be so abundant there. When we got to explore the exhibits, we saw how detailed everything was. As someone who is interested in sustainability, the overfishing history was fascinating. It's hard to picture what the York River would be like with all of the fish it had many years ago.

A little gem! First you'll meet Mary and learn of the history of the area, how the bay was formed,…read morewild horses, and waterman restoration efforts of the bay today. We had the pleasure of meeting Bruce, the model boat maker. Bruce's interaction with our son shows his excitement for his craft. The museum is full of information and history, a must visit and we'll worth the nominal entry fee!