If you know me, you know I’m pretty passionate about life in Hampton Roads! If you’re contemplating a move to the area, if you’ve got orders to PCS here, or if you just want to learn a little more about where you’re already living, you’re in the right place!
It’s tough to get to know a new area. It’s exciting to be in the midst of so much discovery, but it’s also a little strange as you try to figure out where the best place is to buy groceries, who your new dentist will be, and where all the good parks are. Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of 6 things to absolutely love about living in Hampton Roads, so you’ll have a head start.
The Historic Triangle – Explore Hampton Roads
There are very few places in the country with history like we have here! We’re uniquely situated in the middle of the Historic Triangle – meaning the intersection of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown – where the U.S.A. was born! If you are a history buff then there is no shortage of things to do in Hampton Roads, VA!
It’s where Captain John Smith met Pocahontas. It’s where General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown. Speaking of George Washington, it’s also where he was born – as well as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and a number of our other Founding Fathers.
Colonial Williamsburg
First thing in the morning you can walk down Duke of Gloucester Street and take in the farmer’s market Saturdays from spring to fall. Next, grab a quick bite at the Cheese Shop and make sure you order their famous house dressing; or opt for a more formal meal at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern or The Fat Canary. Later, catch a play or live music at the Kimball Theater, take a ghost tour in Williamsburg, or enjoy a pint at The Green Leafe.
Jamestown
You can tour the museum with its rotating exhibits or go tour the colonial village. Docents guide you through authentic remakes of sailing ships at the dock; explore life as an English settler or as one of the Native Americans in the 1600s. Finish off your day at Billsburg Brewery with culinary creations by the Hungry Pug Food Truck and then hop the ferry to Surry.
Yorktown
Eat lunch in an original 1720’s building at the Carrot Tree (Virginia Ham sandwiches and Carrot Cake are a MUST). Wander the Yorktown Battlefields by foot or rent a bike or segue. Looking to relax? The York River has a waterfront area where you can cool off with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, grab a burger and a brew at the Yorktown Pub, and a public beach where you can listen to live music, learn to Shag dance, or play some bacci ball while catching a suntan.
Hampton Roads = Beaches galore!
No matter what type of beach vibe you prefer, Hampton Roads has it all! From small local hidden gems to big sandy expanses you can find what you are looking for.
Hampton
Buckroe Beach and Grandview Beach in Hampton have a more traditional beach vibe and is a favorite local hotspot. On Fort Monroe, a former military base now decommissioned, you will find public beachfront, Oozlefinch Brewery, and most notably Paradise Ocean Club. POC has become a peninsula hotspot; the former Officer’s Club offers a private beach, bar, swimming pool, cabana rentals, and food. Local water enthusiasts pull up and anchor out on their watercraft and wade in for food and libations!
South Side
Virginia Beach has its traditional beach-town Boardwalk, sundries shops, carnival games and rides, and hosts ECSC, sand sculpture contests, and sports tournaments on the beach! For a more laid back atmosphere, Ocean View offers miles of public access to the beaches and waterfront homes.
Not to mention, many neighborhoods have their own beaches as well, like Merry Point and Riverside in Newport News – so a walk on the beach may only be a few blocks from your new neighborhood!
We LOVE Jet Noise!
Hampton Roads is a major military hub. Langley Air Force Base, Norfolk Naval Station, Oceana, Fort Eustis, Little Creek, Camp Perry and more are all located nearby. Let’s just say we know how to celebrate the 4th of July!
Jets fly overhead all the time, and we call it “the sound of freedom”. We’re proud of our rich military history and of the men and women who serve our country and call this area home.
If you are looking for things to do in Hampton Roads, VA and you share the love of jets, then you should head off Mercury Boulevard in Hampton to see retired aircraft at Air Power Park. For those who want a little more, the next stop should be the Virginia Air & Space Museum, located in downtown Hampton, VA complete with an IMAX theater!
Occasionally in the summer there are air shows at Langley or at Oceana. It’s a great way to spend some time with friends and family exploring our area!
Things to do in Hampton Roads, VA? It’s a sportsman’s paradise
Between the Warwick, the James, the York Rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay the extreme biodiversity in Hampton Roads is unparalleled. Fresh and saltwater fishing, big game and waterfowl hunting, camping, hiking, and water sports are popular pastimes here.
Whether you want to catch a largemouth bass, wrangle a blue marlin, hunt for migrating Tundra swans from a homemade duck blind, dig for clams, or set your own crab pots, this is a place where you can definitely live off the land (or at least bring home dinner).
From Williamsburg to Pungo to the Eastern Shore, opportunities for sportsmen abound.
Top Notch Education
If education is your priority, then look no farther. Virginia Beach, York County, and James City County Public Schools are among the best in the state; we’ve also got some of the best private schools nearby, from Norfolk Academy to Cape Henry Collegiate and Walsingham Academy.
As far as higher education, there are many good choices.
Peninsula
Christopher Newport University has a top notch programs, some of the best student accommodations around, and a gorgeous campus. Hampton University right in downtown Hampton, VA offers a variety of majors and even has an Equestrian program.
South Side
Norfolk State is in downtown and boasts a diverse student body, vibrant energy, and a range of undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from. And Old Dominion in Norfolk is a Division II University with a competitive sports program (Go Monarchs!). This college offers the flexibility to earn anything from job-specific certificates through doctorate degrees. Eastern Virginia Medical School is incredibly well respected, and Regent University is another excellent option (and even boasts a law school).
Whether you’re an educator yourself, an aspiring student, or a family with children’s futures to consider, Hampton Roads will give you plenty of options for the best life possible.
Big Time Employers in Hampton Roads
So this isn’t necessarily a fun thing to do in Hampton Roads, but you have to fuel your passion and there’s a lot of opportunity here, too. We have many big time employers; the Newport News Shipyard, NASA Langley Research Center, the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Sentara, Bon Secours, and the military, for starters. They are all situated throughout the peninsula and south side and that means that there are always well-paying jobs available. Furthermore, making a decent wage means you have more time to enjoy the things you like to do!
Pilots, scientists, engineers and medical professionals have many opportunities here for personal and professional advancement.
Hampton Roads is a unique area, full of opportunities for education, employment, and enjoyment. It’s a great place to live!
To schedule a showing or to start your search for your new home, give me a call at 240-381-5596. You’ll love it here!
Coastal Towne Realty
