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Hampton,
Virginia
Vibrant seaside Hampton lures visitors with its family-friendly
offerings, appealing to all ages and interests.
An ideal way to explore Hampton is to purchase a Sea to
Stars Ticket, which includes admission to the Virginia Air &
Space Center’s exhibits and 3-D Digital IMAX®, Hampton
History Museum, historic Hampton Carousel and a cruise
aboard the Miss Hampton II.
On November 1, 2011, President Obama proclaimed Fort
Monroe a national monument after nearly 180 years of a fed-
eral military presence at the moat encircled stone fortification.
Fort Monroe is also the arrival site of the first Africans in Eng-
lish North America in 1619.
The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe showcases 19 th and
20 th century artifacts, as well as the cell where Confederate
President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned.
In downtown Hampton, discover harbor tours, charter fishing
vessels, and the Virginia Air & Space Center. The center
boasts over 100 hands-on exhibits, including suspended air-
craft and flight simulators.
At the Hampton History Museum, visitors learn how Captain
John Smith, Blackbeard the pirate, Booker T. Washington,
and America’s first astronauts, The Mercury Seven, have all
played parts in creating a distinctive Hampton timeline dis-
played in 10 galleries.
The tour aboard the Miss Hampton II winds visitors down the
Hampton River to Fort Wool, where the vessel docks and
passengers explore the island before continuing to Naval
Station Norfolk.
Hampton University Museum is the oldest African American
museum in the U.S. and contains more than 9,000 works of
art. The museum and university celebrate their 150 th anniver-
sary in 2018.
Hampton’s location on the Chesapeake Bay makes it the
perfect place to take advantage of beautiful bayfront
beaches, including Buckroe, Outlook, Grandview, and more.
At VisitHampton.com you'll find destination information that
unlocks the treasures of this maritime trove. For a free Hamp-
ton visitor guide, call 800-800-2202.