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Virginia Beach Insider's Walks |
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First Landing/Seashore State Park The Chesapeake Native American tribe who lived in nearby areas came here to fish, hunt deer and gather shellfish. Within the park are several flat, well marked trails ranging from easy 1-mile strolls to more difficult 6-mile hikes. Some of the main trails are suitable for bike riding. The park is so expansive you often pass only a person or two even when the parking lot is full! A visitor center offers information and wheelchair accessible restrooms. Insider's Tips: Open year round this park offers winter wonderland walks when it snows and nature's colorful palette in Autumn. After a hike in the park, cross the street to the ocean side of the park. Tour or pass the visitor's center and follow the boardwalk. Stretch out on the sand and enjoy the sites and sounds of the beach. Bring your own water. Take only pictures. The smaller trails off the main trail are highly recommened. Dogs love these trails! Use the map to get to the look out with benches- perfect for relaxing and taking in the panoramic view. Come back often, with seasonal changes this park looks totally different each time you visit.
Location From I-64, take Northampton Blvd./U.S. 13 North (Exit 282). Go through eight lights, then turn right at the Shore Drive/U.S. 60 exit (last exit before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel). Take a right on Shore Drive and go four and a half miles to the park entrance. To reach the Chesapeake Bay Center, park office, camping or cabins, turn left off U.S. Rt. 60 at the stoplight and check in at the contact station. For the Trail Center, picnic area and trails, turn right instead. Click here for a Mapquest map. |
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First Landing/Seashore State Park Cape Henry Lighthouses The site of the English settlers first landing on shore is now home to the First Landing Memorial Site on the Fort Story military base. There's lots to see with the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse, the new lighthouse, beaches, and First Landing Cross. The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is the third oldest lighthouse in the United States and the oldest on the Chesapeake Bay. It's construction was completed in 1792. First Landing Cross is the large stone cross constructed in 1607 by the English who eventually established the first settlement in Jamestown. Your walk of the Memorial Site is an easy walk that may take a little over an hour. A suggested path is from the parking area past the stone Revolutionary War monument, past the statue of Admiral de Grasse, right onto the boardwalk. Here you'll see great views of the beach, the bay, Navy ships, and the 17.6 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Walk back to the parking area. From here, you can go right to see the quaint St. Theresa Chapel and go to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Go through the visitors' center to access the Old Cape Henry House and climb to a magnificent expansive view of the ocean and the surrounding park and city. Insider's Tips: Bring your driver's license or identification which may be requested as you enter the Fort Story base. Walk on the trails and boardwalk but stay off the protected dunes and any other areas marked off limits with signs. Walk to the top of the lighthouse and look for the dolphins that play in the bay. Pack a picnic and lunch on the grassy areas with views. Bring pets on a leash. Visit in the afteroon and dine at restaraunt on the Chesapeake Bay like The Lynnhaven Fish House where the real catch of the day is the brilliant fuscia orange sky on the bay at sunset. Location From I-64 in Norfolk take Exit 282 for Route 13 North - Northampton Blvd. Then take the exit for Route 60 - Shore Drive and turn right. Or, if coming from the north on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, take the first exit for Route 60 - Shore Drive and turn left. After crossing into Seashore/First Landing State Park turn left into the west gate of Fort Story.
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Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge This hidden treasure is 8,000 of natural barrier island coastline home to a variety of habitats. Here you can see the beach, woodlands, dunes, farm fields and marshes. Back Bay has scenic trails in varying lengths, look out points, a visitor center, and group educational programs. The Back Bay Refuge is near Virginia Beach, south of Sandbridge. Outdoor facilities are open daily dawn to dusk. Insider's Tips: Check the website for park closings as it closes for two weeks in October for maintenance. During Fall, especially December, you can see the large flocks of over 10,00 migrating ducks and snowgeese. Bring your dogs for a walk on the beach and trails.
Drop a kayak in the water at the boat launch and tour the back bay. When you leave Back Bay, bring children by Little Island playground at Sandbridge. It's on the right about 1/4 mile after the Back Bay exit. Location Directions from I-64: |
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Norfolk Botanical Gardens Walking these amazing gardens in green open spaces is a tranforming experience. There are 12 miles of walking trails among over 30 unique gardens, forest, orchards, and waterways. It's a jouney in serenity just to be at the gardens any day of the year. A great place for all ages to walk, there's lots of open spaces, paved stroller ready walkways, and trams for those who prefer not to walk. There's even wheelchairs to borrow. You can explore the whole park on foot and walk for hours or just have a stroll through your favorite garden. There's even a shuttle to get you to the garden of your choice. The Garden is open every day of every year. 9 am - 5 pm from mid October to March and Adults $6, Seniors, Military & Students $5, Youth 6-16 $5, Under 5 free with paying adult. Group rates available. Boat rides $3/ $2 for youth 6-16. Insider's Tips: There's lots to see in the gardens all year but a favorite time of the year is April and May. Enjoy a leisurely walk of the gardens. Pack a picnic and lunch on the grass. Allow for extra time and bring snacks and water. Once you settle in this garden oasis, you'll want to stay all day. Complete your day with a cup of tea and dessert at the Azaela Garden Cafe which overlooks the exquisite japanese gardens. Bring a camera and get close ups of the vivid colored flowers. At Halloween, an area of the garden may be transformed into a spook walk. At Christmas, the gardens are decorated with large electric light structures. Many people enjoy these holiday traditions at thr park. If you like natural spaces, be sure to visit the gardens at other times when nature abounds. Location Get A Detailed Map
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© 2005 Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia |
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