Potomac News Online |

Valley

– Fredericksburg/Northern

Virginia

Chesapeake

Bay

State Route 31 South at the Colonial Parkway

Williamsburg

first permanent English colony, Jamestown Settlement, is where it all

began. Gallery exhibits that open in 2004 use period artifacts with reproductions,

dioramas and graphics to tell the story of Jamestown. Visitors can board

of the three ships that made the journey from England to Virginia in 1607

and explore life-size re-creations of the colonists’ fort and a Powhatan

village. Costumed historical interpreters describe and demonstrate daily

Box 1776

Williamsburg

Williamsburg, in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the world’s largest living

history museum-the restored 18th-century capital city of Britain’s largest,

wealthiest, and most populous outpost of empire in the New World. Here

we interpret the origins of the idea of America, conceived decades before

the American Revolution. The Colonial Williamsburg story, “Becoming

Americans,” tells how diverse peoples, having different and sometimes

conflicting ambitions, evolved into a society that valued liberty and

equality. Americans cherish these values as a birthright, even when their

Williamsburg’s 301-acre Historic Area stand hundreds of restored, reconstructed,

and historically furnished buildings. Costumed interpreters tell the stories

of the men and women of the 18th-century city-black, white, and native

American, slave, indentured, and free-and the challenges they faced. In

this historic place, we help the future learn from the past.

Telephone: (800) 229-1000

E-mail: [email protected]

One Busch Gardens Blvd

Williamsburg

the “World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park,” for twelve consecutive

years, Busch Gardens features more than 50 rides, including the world’s

tallest, most twisted inverted roller coaster, Alpengeist, which reaches

a height of 195 feet and a speed of 67 mph. Children and adults alike

will enjoy the park’s animals, including the American Bald Eagle in the

park’s one-acre habitat for the rare and beautiful birds. Other attractions

include ten main-stage shows, award-winning cuisine and world-class shops.

Regular admission (ages 6 & over) $46.95; Child admission (ages 3

to 6) $39.95; Children 2 and under Free; Parking $8 to $10; Preferred

Parking $13. Tour buses are eligible for free parking.

Telephone: (800) 343-7946

Water Country

USA

176 Water Country Parkway

State Route 199

Williamsburg

The mid-Atlantic’s largest water play park features water rides, slides

and entertainment all set in a 1950’s-60’s surf theme. Check out the new

interactive river adventure or jump on a high-speed toboggan race. Whatever

your speed, there’s plenty to do, both in water and out. There are several

restaurants, a gift shop, locker rental, bathhouse facilities and free

use of life vests and inner tubes.

Telephone: (800) 343-7946; (800)880-8861

Mariner’s Museum

100 Museum Drive

Newport News

60,000 square feet hold more than 500 years of seafaring adventure at

this museum. See the conservation of artifacts from the USS Monitor, the

famous Civil War ironclad, and enjoy over 75 small craft from 36 countries

in the International Small Craft Center. There is a 550-acre park with

a five-mile walking trail and boat rentals on a 167 acre lake. Admission

is $7 for adults; $5 for children; free for children under age 6. Hours:

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. , closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

596-2222; (800) 581-7245

Air & Space Center

Settlers Landing Road

Hampton

the, “Adventures in Flight Gallery,” visitors here can “wing

walk,” on a recreated Jenny, see a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer,

explore a DC-9, take off and land on a US Navy carrier, ride in a World

War II bomber, become an air traffic controller, build an airplane, sit

inside the cockpit of a FA-22, and test their flying skills with a variety

of simulators. An AirTran Airways DC-9, at the Commercial and Civil Aviation

area, is complete with interactive exhibits, including a B-24 motion simulator

that allows visitors to feel what it was like to be a World War II bomber.

Hours:9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Telephone: (800) 296-0800; (757) 727-0900

University Museum

The Huntington Building

Hampton

The oldest African American museum in the United States and is also one

of the oldest museums in the state. Over 9,000 objects including traditional

African, American, Indian, Asian & Pacific Island art are housed here.

Features include an African collection of approximately 3,500 objects,

including one of the finest collections of Kuba art in the world and an

(757) 727-5308

Wisconsin/Hampton Roads Naval Museum

One Waterside Drive

Suite 248

Norfolk

Come aboard the U.S. Navy’s Iowa-class battleship, USS Wisconsin. See

what it was like being a sailor by taking a peek into the interior quarters

of the ship’s officers, stand on the teak decks beneath 16-inch guns and

make your way to the Tomahawk & Harpoon missile launchers. The Hampton

Roads Naval Museum offers over 225 years of local Navy history presented

in more than 50 exhibits. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Telephone: (757) 322-2989

Beach

Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center

2100 Parks Ave.

Virginia Beach

Explore the 3-mile stretch along the city’s oceanfront boardwalk. Free

access to the city’s well maintained beaches, with lifeguards on duty

rental umbrellas and sling back chairs, attracts sun lovers galore. Strolling

the boardwalk finds alfresco dining and free entertainment. You can roller-blade

or cycle on the cycling path on the boardwalk as rental bikes and skates

are plentiful. There are also miles of bike trails throughout the resort

area.

Several festivals and events take place in Virginia Beach throughout the

year with free music almost every weekend from early May until late September.

Major sporting events include the Bud Light Beach Volleyball Tournament

and the East Coast Surfing Championships. There is the Virginia Beach

Fishing Pier at 15th Street and for deep-sea lovers you can jump aboard

a charter boat. Landlubbers can enjoy the daily dolphin-watching excursions

sponsored by the Virginia Marine Science Museum. In winter, boat trips

offer whale-watching.

Telephone: 1-800-822-3224; 1-757-437-4919

E-mail: [email protected]

Route 1020 & Colonial Parkway

Yorktown

This museum of the American Revolution chronicles our nation’s struggle

for independence from beginning to end. Living-history programs and thematic

exhibits illustrate the colonist’s experience during the Revolutionary

era. A timeline and indoor exhibition galleries outline the events from

the beginnings of unrest to the creation of the Constitution and Bill

of Rights. There is an outdoor re-creation of a Continental Army encampment

with historical interpreters depicting daily life. Yorktown Battlefield

is the site of the final major battle of the American Revolution where

British General Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington.

Hours:9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Suffolk

Hiking, biking, photography, wildlife observation, fishing and boating

are all available at this refuge, which was established to protect and

manage the swamp’s unique ecosystem. From time to time, some of the areas

of the refuge may be closed to public use; however, there are several

unpaved roads that provide hiking and biking opportunities. Washington

Ditch Road a favorite of cyclists.

Island

Virginia’s Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore island situated between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic

ocean is best-known for its oyster beds and clam shoals. A serene fishing

village, the island is a haven of wildlife and plantlife protected by

a national wildlife refuge. The island is located along the Atlantic flyway

traveled by hundreds of migrating birds yearly, and as a result is a favorite

spot for birders and hikers. A free trolley tours the island, passing

Islands

Virginia’s Eastern Shore

Shaped by storm tossed seas and gentle breezes, this barrier island is

a tale of constant movement and change. Bands of wild ponies freely roam

the island, and if you’re looking for other human life, best go elsewhere.

Surf rescues by the US Life-Saving Service and dashed dreams of a summer

beach resort are but a few of the man vs. nature stories told here. The

park offers programs for first-time visitors, highlighting the natural

and recreational features of the island. In the summer months activities

such as Assateague’s junior ranger program are open to youths. Barrier

Island Welcome Center is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10, 7-day

757-336-6577

Virginia Department of Tourism, City of Virginia Beach, Busch Gardens