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Eco Tourism

Our natural resources challenge soft adventurers, whether you prefer paddling the Chesapeake Bay, bird watching at Grand View Nature Preserve or casting a line aboard the Ocean Eagle to catch the big one.

Attractions	Beach Fun	Cruises
Eco Tourism	History	Military
Museums	Theaters	Heritage Sites
Civil War Travel	Day Spas

5 Attractions Found

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

Check often for workshops and demonstrations. A must see for combined shopping and adventure.

1972 Power Plant Parkway
Hampton, VA
(757) 262-5200

Bass Pro Shops features in-store interactive sports such as fly-casting, rock climbing and a shooting arcade. Uniqure interior motifs such as waterfalls, 10,000 gallon aquarium and true-to-life wildlife exhibits are showcased throughout the store.

Hours: Closed Christmas

Highway Exit: I-664, exit 2 or I-64, exit 263A

Grandview Nature Preserve

The Preserve covers over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks, and Chesapeake Bay beachfront.

Entrance at the intersection of Beach Road and State Park Drive
Hampton, VA
(757) 850-5134

Ideal for observing wildlife, kayaking, hiking and fishing, this 578-acre preserve and estuary on the Chesapeake Bay includes a 2 1/2-mile stretch of tranquil bay-front beach. Year-round environmental programs.

Hours: Daily, sunrise-sunset.

Free admission.

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267 to Woodland Rd., take Beach Rd. to State Park Dr.

Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruises

This double-decked tour boat offers daily narrated cruises of the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay. Get a taste of Hampton's seafaring culture as you take to the water to see local fishing boats, mighty commercial cargo ships, Blackbeard's Point, Old Point Comfort, Fort Wool and the awesome gray fleet at the world's largest naval insallation, Norfolk Naval Base.

Downtown Hampton
710 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA
(757) 722-9102
(888) 757-2628
(757) 722-9113 fax

Daily Harbor Cruise Features:


Norfolk Naval Civil War Island of Fort Wool Chesapeake Bay Battle of Monitor & Merrimac	Blakbeard the Pirate America's oldest operating Lighthouse Fort Monroe and much more!

Cruises depart 10:00 AM daily. Additional 2:00 PM daily departure Memorial Day thru Labor Day.

Tour length: approximately 2 1/2 hours - 3 hours. Special tours, programs and all-day cruises available, including Intracostal Wateray excursions and James River Ghost Fleet tours. Private charters offered.

Purchase tickets at the Harbor Cruises office located in the Cousteau Society building.

Tours: April-October, Daily, 10:00am; Memorial Day-Labor Day, Daily, 10:00am & 2pm. closed Nov-Mar.

Admission: Adults, $22.00; Seniors & Military, $20.00; Children 7-12, $11.00; Children under 6, free. AAA, 15% Discount. Admission includes 10% tax; prices subject to change.

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

Sandy Bottom Nature Park

This 456-acre recreational facility is the ideal nature getaway.

1255 Big Bethel Road
Hampton, VA
(757) 825-4657
(757) 825-4658 fax
sbottom@hampton.gov

This 456-acre recreational facility features two lakes, wetlands areas, trails for hiking and biking, fishing, non-motorized boating, picnic areas, children's playground, a campground, tent cabins for rent, and a beautiful nature center and gift shop. Call for special nature programs or tours.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 am-6 pm, Fri-Sun 9 am-7:30 pm; closed Christmas Day.

Nature Center Hours: Fall & Winter: Tues-Sun, 9am-3:30pm; Spring & Summer: Tues-Thurs, 9am-4:30pm; Fri-Sun, 9am-6pm.

Free admission; fees for rental items.

The Cousteau Society

The waterfront gallery showcases the undersea endeavors of Jacques-Yves Cousteau using photography, artifacts, ship models and film footage to perpetuate the society's focus on underwater education.

Downtown Hampton
710 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA
(757) 722-9300
(800) 441-4395
(757) 722-8185 fax
cousteau@cousteausociety.org

Site is the U.S. headquarters for the Cousteau Society. The gallery displays world-renowned photography, models of Alcyone and Calypso, artifacts from past Cousteau expeditions and some of Jacques Cousteau's inventions. Gift shop available.

Hours: 10 am-4 pm Tues-Sat, Noon-3 pm, Closed on Sundays and all holidays

Free admission. Individual visitors may park free in the Hampton Marina Hotel parking garage. Group tours may disembark in front of the attraction; complimentary motorcoach parking is located nearby.

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

5 Attractions Found