Virginia Beach
Old Coast Guard Station
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Virginia Beach
Adam Thoroughgood House
Adam Thoroughgood (1604–1640) arrived in Virginia in 1622 as an indentured servant. He became a community leader, a member of the House of Burgesses at Jamestown, and was granted a land parcel of 5,350 acres in 1635. One of the oldest homes in Virginia, this medieval English-style cottage sits on 4.5 acres of lawn and garden overlooking the Lynnhaven River.
The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
An eco-friendly zip line and aerial adventure experience located in the majestic trees of the Aquarium, above the scenic Owls Creek. With 15 Trails, 21 exhilarating zip lines, 6 difficulty levels and almost 200 challenge bridges, this is the largest forest climbing park in the nation. Centered in the core of the park is the main platform with 15 separate trails heading off and up into the tree tops.
Cape Henry Lighthouse
The first lighthouse structure authorized, fully completed and lighted by the federal government. It is an octagonal stone structure and the first of three lighthouses to be built by John McComb, Jr. The tower was completed in October, 1792, and it was lighted in that same month. Today, the old Cape Henry Lighthouse silently guards the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay.
Ferry Plantation House
The Ferry Plantation dates back to 1642 when the "ferry" service was started by Adam Thoroughgood to connect plantations by waterway. The House that is visited today replaced the Walke Manor house that was built in 1740 and later destroyed by fire. Rebuilt in 1830, it is a ten room, central passage plan Federal farm house facing the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River. Near this site was the famous trial of Virginia's only convicted witch, Grace Sherwood. Grace was tried by water in 1706.
First Landing State Park
Originally built by the Civilian Corps in the 1930s, First Landing State Park is located near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay close to the spot where Captain John Smith landed along his way to establishing the first permanent English Settlement at Jamestown. With beaches along the Bay, First Landing is Virginia's most popular state park. The park preserves and interprets a unique part of the Chesapeake.
Francis Land House
A 200 year old plantation home that features period rooms furnished with antiques and reproductions that are representative of the Gentry class lifestyle of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The site features herb, formal and vegetable gardens.
Lynnhaven House
Located on 5.5 acres of land which includes gardens of herbs, vegetables, flax, cotton, peanuts and tobacco as well as a small woods. Based on dendrochronology testing, the wood for the house was cut in the fall of 1724 and the house was probably constructed in 1725. The house was restored in the 1970's and is 80-85% original. Within its walls and on its grounds, household skills and various crafts are still practiced, and docents dressed in 18th century attire provide 45-60 minute tours of the furnished home.
Military Aviation Museum
The Museum is home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world. Each has been beautifully restored to its prior military condition using original parts whenever possible. Most of the planes are airworthy and flown at the museum during flight demonstrations and at air shows throughout the year.
NAS Oceana
Naval Air Station Oceana was commissioned August 17, 1943 when the area now known as Oceana was a swampy wasteland. Today it is a complex with more than seven miles of runways and the latest equipment to serve military air traffic. Oceana is home to 19 fighter/attack squadrons flying the Navy's most advanced aircraft and is considered a "Master Jet Base."
Old Coast Guard Station
Housed in a 1903 former Life-Saving Station, the museum tells the story of the men who served in the US Life-Saving Service and the US Coast Guard. The museum galleries provide an insight into the early days of shipwrecks along the Virginia coast and the efforts of the life-savers at the stations. The interactive tower camera enables visitors to view vessels entering the port of Hampton Roads as well as scan the boardwalk and beach.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Explore more than 800,000 gallons of aquariums and take a journey of water through Virginia. In the indoor Coastal River Room birds and turtles roam free, marvel at a 50,000 gallon aquarium with the largest collection of Chesapeake Bay fish in the world and touch gentle stingrays, horseshoe crabs and other marine life. The aquarium also has more than 300 interactive exhibits, 1/2-acre aviary and "larger than life" movies. Seasonal boat trips for dolphin watching, whale watching and ocean collections are also available.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers numerous recreational, historical and cultural opportunities. With 38 miles of shoreline, Virginia Beach is a "Beach Lovers' Beach," with 28 miles of public beach area and popular three-mile Boardwalk!
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
Regularly changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from internationally acclaimed artists as well as artists of national and regional renown.
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