Having seen the memorial to Confederate soldiers at the former Princess Anne County Courthouse,…read moreseeing this memorial puts things in a bit more perspective. Hampton Roads was an important military site during the Civil War (or the "War of Northern Aggression" if you prefer) and its capture was critical to the success of the North. The marker reads: Near here Major-General John E. Wool, on May 10, 1862, Landed with 6000 Union troops. President Lincoln, Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, and Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, watched the movement from a ship in Hampton Roads. As the Confederate troops had withdrawn, Wool marched to Norfolk, which was surrendered to him by Mayor W.W. Lamb that afternoon. Much more detail on the operation, including the unprecedented inclusion of Lincoln in the attack, is detailed here: http://articles.dailypress.com/2012-05-05/features/dp-nws-surrender-of-norfolk-20120505_1_gosport-navy-yard-lincoln-fort-monroe

This is a fitting place for this memorial with SEAL Team IV based right down the road in Dam Neck…read more Those guys are real super heroes. It is very nice and well constructed. Bravo, to whoever designed it. Anyone that knows or follows me know that I am all in for military stuff and this is no exception. Easily 5 stars for me. It was dedicated in July 2017 and was funded by nearly 1000 contributors whose names are inscribed on a Donor Stone next to it. The monument's centerpiece is a statue named, Naked Warrior. It is the same statue that you will find at the Navy SEAL Museum and the two other major SEAL heritage sites. The sculpture is flanked by 2 Navy SEAL flags, one on each side. It over looks the ocean and boardwalk and is located in a small plaza. There are inscribed granite slabs. One of the slabs is engraved with gold Medals of Honor for every SEAL who earned one, and gold stars for every SEAL killed in the line of duty. There is also a gold paw print for every SEAL war dog killed in the line of duty. Other slabs have concise words and 100 photographs illustrating the entire history of SEALs and their forerunners. Around the base of the statue is what is known as a Living Beach that is composed of sand from over 80 places around the world significant to SEAL history. The sand is replenished periodically. Behind the monument is a couple of benches for people to sit on. There is metered street parking and a few commercial lots within walking distance that you can park at. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price. There are a few other attractions in the area, and it would be best to add them to your visit here. You could see the Neptune sculpture, and Law Enforcement Memorial to start.

The public monument stands tall on the Boardwalk, faces the Atlantic Ocean at 38th street and…read morecannot be missed. The monument pays tribute to the Navy Seals featuring the Naked Warrior. Standing firm in his life like presence to show that the seals were life like just like an ordinary man/men but was a man/men who did super human things for his country. There are a plethora of photos along with verbiage etched in the memorial that paint the picture of the history and detail the significance of not only the placement of the monument but its important part in the fabric of history. . It was interesting to learn that there is a time capsule that was placed securely within the monument that has a tentative opening date of sometime in 2067. I happened to take this monument in on Memorial Day and someone had placed a dozen roses on the monument in remembrance of the fallen. Thank you to those of the past, the present and the future for your service!

This is an interesting area. You better stay on the designated area as they repeated to us so many…read moretime. It is small with some great information on the history of the Colonist first stop. It is well maintained and I love the walk way up to the beach/Overlook. You absolutely cannot go on the beach. That is restricted area but the overlook is super nice to look out on to the water. I can just imagine the first time the colonist showing up. We always go over to this after we go look at the really cool lighthouse. That is the star of the show for me.

This is a charming site to visit right on Joint Base Fort Story…read more Visitors can access the area using Gate 8 off of Rt 60/ Shore Drive. Those with CAC or valid DoD issued ID can proceed to drive straight. Don't do what we did initially! We didn't know so we initially parked where all the civilian visitors go. The nice MA3 let us know that we can just drive onto base and proceed with our own car. Thank goodness for her! Civilians with non-DoD ID should peruse the visitor parking behind the gate guard booths. They have shuttles that bus in and out civilians parked at the visitor parking to the site back and forth. We skipped visiting any of the lighthouses because of having dogs and temperature being too hot to leave them in the car. There were also bees and wasps everywhere. I couldn't stay for too long due to bee allergies but felt thankful my car was parked close. Otherwise the sites were kept beautifully and thoughtfully designed. The area near the sites have MWR recreational facilities as well as NEX mini mart and gas station as well. I particularly liked the view from the small lookout spot and the rose bushes that got my grumpy beagle smiling. The St Theresa's chapel looked lovely from the outside although inaccessible for anyone to take a peek inside. The lookout spot is also accessible for those with mobility differences. The ramp is made of flat wooden slats at a gentle curve. It only has 1 corner to turn, and the top has benches to sit on and a nice breeze to enjoy. It may be wise to skip on days right after rain as I can definitely imagine the area becoming very slippery and wet. Most of the other sites has grass paths and some concrete slabs. If you are clumsy like me, watch your steps! Although dogs can walk around with you, the asphalt pavement has glass shards and other plant fragments that cause get lodged into the paw. Just something to keep in mind. One of mine had to be carried after visiting the chapel because a small splinter got stuck. He's very dramatic too when such a thing happens. He limped and hobbled and made the most blood curdling shrieks when picked up to see what happened!! As I mentioned earlier on, there were several bees and wasps everywhere. It's definitely a must to bring the epinephrine shots just in case or leave as needed. Although we most likely won't be returning again for sightseeing, I still enjoyed the gorgeous ocean view, other statues and historical explainer panels. I hope everyone else visiting the area feels the same as well.

A first for me, I didn't know this house existed. I found out about the holiday decor/open house…read morevia an IG story that VBhistory museums posted. Apparently they have been doing these holiday open houses for a couple years or so now. Admission is free but suggested donations range from $3-$5 (there's a sign outside the house and the info is on their website). The holiday open house showcased the house decorated with 18th century decor with flowers, cotton, fruit and oyster shells designed by the garden club. The original house structure contained one room on the first floor and a loft upstairs, but after ownership had transferred across three families -Whitehurst, Bratten and Buffington it has undergone expansions. The house has been occupied up until 1986 and is considered one of of the 50 historically significant structures in Virginia Beach. It was built soon after the first lighthouse was erected in Cape Henry. Daniel Whitehurst was a commissioner and allowed for the VB courthouse to be built near his home. During the holiday open house they had refreshments consisting of mints, various cookies and nuts, with the accompaniment of coffee and cider. The house boasts four fireplaces where on the left, Bob Clark was doing what he does well, playing sweet sounds from the dulcimer. For those not familiar with the dulcimer, it's essentially an open stringed portable piano. The sounds that originate from it are very clean, calming and relaxing. Upstairs are three rooms, one which holds an old singer and a quilt, another with historic maps of the area and the last room has a bed and a bassinet. In an attic? Or small partitioned area was a violinist gliding her bow in a frenzy of holiday cheer. It was neat to see the house, however the kitchen had been updated and renovated in a 1950s style, which truly lives up to a "house over time."

While walking on the West Neck Natural Creek Area with my dog. I thought I could check out the…read moreWhitehurst Buffington House within the area. It was a nice stroll through the trees on the horse trail. I imagined how it was like before cars when one would ride a horse carriage. This place takes me back in time. Unfortunately, they would not allow dogs and I wasn't surprised. I got a peek at the nice house.

This marker is located along Chesapeake Avenue and has a pretty spectacular view of the Hampton…read moreRoads harbor. If you're lucky, there's an aircraft carrier or two across the way to look at! On the front, "As British Gen. Sidney Beckwith dispersed the local militia on 25 June 1813, Adm. Sir George Cockburn feigned an attack with barges at the mouth of the Hampton River. Hampton's water battery was abandoned and the British occupied the town. Their initial march in the town became known as the Sack of Hampton. There were reports that "at little Hampton, every horror was committed with impunity--rape, murder, pillage." These outrages became a rallying cry for the defense of the Chesapeake. By the end of June, the British left to raid elsewhere." On the reverse, "Impressment of Americans into British service and the violation of American ships were among the causes of America's War of 1812 with the British, which lasted until 1815. Beginning in 1813, Virginians suffered from a British naval blockade of the Chesapeake Bay and from British troops plundering the countryside by the Bay, and along the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers. The Virginia militia deflected a British attempt to take Norfolk in 1813 and engaged British forces throughout the war. By the end of the war, more than 2000 enslaved African Americans in Virginia had gained their freedom aboard British ships." There is street parking on the side streets but signs limiting it on Chesapeake Avenue. [Review 18106 overall - 1382 in Virginia - 1628 of 2022.]

Great museum. A lot has changed. Some additional history included now. You have to visit visitor…read morecenter to get entry into museum

Fort Monroe is small, but packs in a lot. From a museum (Casemate), a beach club, public beach…read moreaccess, beautiful properties and stunning landmarks. Make sure to manage your speed and park in designated areas. The beaches never seem to be super crowded. They are generally clean as well. I have noticed boats anchor aching. Not sure how I feel about that, safety wise. There is one area that has lifeguards. The casemate museum is really great. It offers a lot of good education for the area. I highly recommend stopping and spending time inside.

This is the worst toll in VA. Avoid it at all cost. They will scam you even if you have an EZ pass…read more If there is an issue with your EZ pass or you incur a charge for some reason , They won't contact you until they send your account to collections. This toll road is also unnecessary, you don't save enough time to justify the hassle.

Awesome pedestrian path across the bridge. About 2.5 mile round trip. Great way to grab some…read moreelevation during a walk, run or bike There's also a very nice park with restrooms a fishing pier with a bait shop and snack bar and a large boat launch check out the Facebook page and the City Page for different events they have there. Parking is free and plentiful the pathway is advertised to be open from sunrise to sunset but I've never been yelled at for being there early in the morning. Also worth noting the fishing pier does not require a fishing license if you want to use it.

Of all the nearby bases - I've visited JEB Little Creek the least in my 17 years as a contractor…read morewith the Navy. We all know it's where all the cool shit goes down but unless you have reason to venture on - it's not a place I frequent. It's easy to find your way around compared to NOB bc it's nowhere near as large. And their pass-ID office is one of the best bc you can easily get in and out as a walk-in last minute.

This is a little hidden gem for beach lovers that have access to military bases. The parking here…read moreis excellent and very close to the beach. You can virtually park right in the sand if you'd like, and walk directly ahead to your spot. The beach is small and quaint and it's also great for families with small children seeing that the beach is very small. During the pandemic the beach was stringed off into sections for families and it was wonderful that it was done so everyone was within a safe distance from each other. The actual beach itself is not very full of waves, and always tends to have a very large sandbar, and a very slow drop off. You can normally walk very far into the ocean and it only be waist deep which I personally really like. The only downside to this beach is that not everyone has access to it. You must have a military issued ID card that the front gate will scan prior to entrance.