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Gardens & Wildlife
go to Museums
Dismal Swamp Canal / Chesapeake - South Mills,
NC / 919- 771-8333 / The oldest hand-dug, continuously
operating canal in the U.S.
The Great Dismal Swamp National
Wildlife Refuge / Chesapeake / Suffolk
/ 757-986-3705 / Over 100,000 acres of refuge,
more than half of this lies in the city of Chesapeake.
Lake Drummond, one of only 2 natural lakes in Virginia
straddles the city lines of Suffolk and Chesapeake.
The first structure ever named for George Washington
was surveyed, constructed and named by the man himself,
the 4 1/2 mile George Washington Ditch.
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
/ Norfolk / Adjacent to the Norfolk Airport / 757-441-5830
/ More than 20 themed gardens are part of the
155 acre grounds that encompasses one of the largest
collections of azaleas, roses and rhododendrons on
the East Coast. There are boat and trackless train
tours available as well as a cafe and gift shop on
premises. During the Holiday season, the gardens
are decked out in a wonderful drive-through light
display. $
Williamsburg Winery
/ Williamsburg / 757-229-0999 / Acres and acres
of vineyards surround this award- winning winery,
one of the largest in Virginia. Just 3 miles from
Colonial Williamsburg, this winery carries on an
early Virginia tradition of producing wines. Guided
tours and tastings run year round except from mid-January
to mid-February. $
Museums
The Chrysler Museum
/ Ghent, Norfolk / 757-664-6283 / The Chrysler
Museum is a feast for the eyes, with a world class
collection of classical to modern painting, art glass
and sculpture. The superb collection at this museum
ranks it as one of the top 20 art museums in the
country. $
The Hermitage Foundation Museum
/ Norfolk / 757-423-2052 / Formerly a private
estate in Norfolk, this museum houses a diverse collection
of Persian, Asian, European and American fine art
objects. $
The Mariners’ Museum
/ Newport News / 757- 596-2222 / $
One of America’s premier museums covering maritime
history. From the noted Crabtree collection of miniature
ships to the painted and gold-leafed mastheads from
ships during the days of sail, their dynamic collection
spans the ages of sea-going vessels from the dawn
of history to the present day. The newest edition
to the collection include artifacts and the recovered
gun terret of the U.S.S. Monitor, America’s
first complete ironclad and a survivor of the infamous
Civil War naval battle between it and the Confederate
Merrimac.The museum is surrounded by acres of beautiful
parkland bordering on the James River, and is great
for picnics, long strolls and family outtings.
Reserve Early...while
your preferred accommodations are still available.
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