Hampton is a charming city in Virginia with seaside activities and pirate reenactors galore. The area, including almost 10 other surrounding cities, is known to locals as Hampton Roads. This network of Virginia cities ensures there are always things to do accessible from the Hampton area.
If you find yourself in Hampton, there’s a few attractions that need to make it onto your bucket list. Beaches, parks, and peninsulas are just the start.
The best activities to do near Hampton include:
Head to Buckroe Beach and Park for 8 acres of family-friendly sand
Get a scenic view of the Chesapeake Bay
See Old Point Comfort Light, a landmark lighthouse from early 1800s
Visit Air Power Park, a park featuring jets, missiles, and rockets
One of the best reasons to visit Hampton is its abundant opportunities to explore underwater life and outer space advancements. For history buffs, museums dedicated to the colonies can be explored too.
Popular things to do near Hampton include:
Learning the history of Hampton’s iconic fortress at Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe
Visiting the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse
Spending some time on the water at the Elizabeth River
Taking a cruise on Miss Hampton II
Seeing Emancipation Oak, a large tree with ties to Civil War era
One of the best things about traveling to Hampton Roads is that you can see many of its attractions without taking too much time. See below for all of the attractions you can visit today.
Exciting activities happening near Hampton today include:
Go on a jog through Mariners’ Museum & Park
The Hampton History Museum chronicles the founding stories of this historic city
When the sun goes down, the Hampton Roads area lights up. Whether it’s planning a dinner or a big night out on the town, the nightlife in Hampton has enough excitement to keep you out till dawn.
Nighttime attractions near Hampton include:
End your day with a waterfront dinner at The Deadrise
Eat food and creative cocktails at Venture Kitchen and Bar
Visit bartenders at Oozlefinch Craft Brewery
Grab sushi at Musasi Japanese Restaurant
Eat American food at a Euro-inspired hangout called Park Lane Tavern
Hampton Roads was designed to be the perfect place to raise a family. As a result, a lot of the best things to do are not only affordable, but also kid-friendly.
Family-friendly attractions near Hampton include:
Take the kids to Water Country USA, a waterpark with tube rides, water slides, and a wave pool
Visit Bluebird Gap Farm, an educational barn with farm animals
See the marine animals at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Go on a ride around Hampton Carousel Park
Learn about Hampton’s wildlife at The Virginia Zoo
This city is designed to thrive, even in the rain. That’s why there are so many things to do in Hampton when the weather hits — there are movie theatres, exhibits, and craft breweries.
Indoor attractions near Hampton include:
Get a glimpse of endangered species at Virginia Living Museum
Explore the 150 exhibits at Nauticus
Head to Virginia Air and Space Center, which partners with NASA to create its exhibits
Get dinner and a show at Cinema Cafe
Drink quality craft beer from Amer Ox Public House
Whether you like fishing, boating, kayaking, or camping, Hampton Roads makes it easy to explore the great outdoors. It boasts gorgeous parks, beaches, piers, and bodies of water ripe for adventure.
Outdoor activities near Hampton include:
Explore Sandy Bottom Nature Park, with 12 miles of natural trails, wetlands, and woodlands
