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go to Children's Activities
American Rover Tall Ship Cruise / Waterside Drive / Downtown Norfolk /
757-627-7245 / Take a harbor cruise on the largest three-masted topsail schooner
under the U.S. flag. The American Rover departs from
the Waterside Marina for 2 and 3 hour cruises under full sail! $
Busch
Gardens - acclaimed as America's
loveliest theme park, is a beauty that also
houses a few beasts within her gates. Nationally ranked as two of the top 10 rollercoasters
in the US are the Loch Ness Monster
and Alpengeist.
Watch out for the Big Bad Wolf,
but don't forget the Garden's newest thrill ride, Curse
of DarKastle! Shows and rides of all kinds
fill the park's European-themed villages, including a great kids place, Land of
the Dragons. Open from mid-March to the end
of October. Route 60 East /
800-343-7946 www.buschgardens.com
Nauticus, The National Maritime
Center / Waterside Drive / Norfolk / 757-664-1000 / On
the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, Nauticus has over 150 exhibits centered around
it’s maritime theme. An entertaining, yet educational facility, interactive
with virtual adventures, including a Living Seas film and an AEGIS
Command Center. Moored along side Nauticus and part of the center tour is the
World War II battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin. $
The
Spirit of Norfolk / Waterside Drive / Norfolk / 757-625-1436 / Have
lunch or dinner on the bay as you cruise the harbor of Hampton Roads. $
Virginia Air & Space Center / NASA Langley Tour
/ Hampton / 757-727-0900 / Once the home of the Mercury program that was the
precursor to America's Apollo missions to the moon, Hampton has proudly put together
a center to feature those exploits and much more. The Apollo 12 Command Module
is housed here as well as a moon rock. As the official visitor center for NASA
Langley Research Center, motor tours of NASA are available during the summer months,
when you can see the giant NASA wind tunnels and Lunar Landing Research Center.
$
Water Country USA is
the largest water park on the east coast. It's a wet and wild 50's beach
party for the whole family. A great respite from those hot summer days, the park
has something for everyone, from lazy raft rides to lots of spiraling water slides
and just for the little ones, play lagoons! Cowabunga, dude! Seasonally open
from mid-May through early September. Route 199 / 800-343-7946 www.watercountryusa.com.
$
Bergey's Dairy Farm / Chesapeake - Mount Pleasant
Road / 757-482-4711/ A working dairy farm, in operation since 1931. The little
shop on premises serves Bergey's own ice cream and dairy products. Call for information
about special events weekends that feature hayrides and pony rides and hands-on
tours. Yes, they let you even milk a cow!
Children's
Museum / Portsmouth / 757-393-5258 / With over 90 interactive exhibits,
including a rock-climbing wall and full-size fire engine, this is the largest
museum of its kind in the state. Designed for children of all ages, the museum
also houses a 64-seat planetarium and the fabulous Arthur J. Lancaster, Jr. collection
of antique toys and model trains...not to be missed! $
The
Hampton Carousel / Hampton / 757-727-6347 / This 1920 vintage carousel
has been restored and given a new home at the downtown waterfront. Adjacent to
the Virginia Air & Space Museum, these little hand-carved ponies used to parade
at the old Buckroe Amusement Park. For fifty-cents, you can ride into the past!
$
Virginia Living Museum / Newport News
/ 757-595-1900 / Open year-round with displays of aquatic life, birds and
furry creatures, all native to Virginia and housed in natural habitats. $
Virginia Zoological Park / Norfolk / 757-441-2706
/ This regional zoo is located on Granby Street in Norfolk. If you and your
children want a close-up look at wildlife, this fifty-three acre site houses more
than 320 animals and birds. $
$ Denotes fee or admission required.
Reserve Early...while your preferred
accommodations are still available.
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