Hampton Carousel, The 610 Settlers Landiing Road, Hampton, VA 23664, 757-727-6347, One of only 170 working antique wooden carousels in the United States, this fully restored 1920 carousel was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and the merry-go-round's 48 horses and two chariots were hand carved by Russian, German, and Italian immigrant artisans. 

Little England Chapel (circa 1879) 4100 Kecoughtan Road, Hampton, VA 23669, 757-723-6803, Virginia's only-known African American missionary chapel, the sanctuary of this chapel holds a permanent exhibit that helps visitors understand the religious lives of post-Civil War African Americans in Virginia. The display includes handwritten Sunday school lessons, photographs, a 12 minute video, and 19th century religious books. 

St. John's Church (circa 1610) 100 West Queens Way, Hampton, VA 23669, 757-722-2568, The oldest continuous English-speaking parish in the United States, this church has been at its present site on lovely Queens Way since 1728 and it is the only building standing today that survived the town's burning during the Civil War. more... 

African American Heritage Sites 710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23664, 757-727-1102, Explore Hampton's rich African American heritage at more than a dozen sites where you can see "Freedom's Fortress," also known as Fort Monroe, where runaway slaves were protected during the Civil War, or visit the Emancipation Oak where President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was first read to Hampton residents. 

Fort Wool 710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23644, 757-727-1102, 800-800-2202, Observers at Fort Wool watched the battle of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, formerly known as the USS Merrimack. It was burned when Union forces evacuated Norfolk. She survived because she burned to the waterline. The Confederate forces salvaged her, converted her to an ironclad and renamed her the Virginia. The battle is referred to as the Monitor - Merrimack Battle except to most of those of Southern heritage. more... 

Air Power Park 413 West Mercury Boulevard, Hampton, VA 23669, 757-727-1163, Aircraft from the country's various service branches can be found at this museum style park where visitors will learn the history of Hampton's space and aviation history by touring the outdoor air and spacecraft displays. 

Charles H. Taylor Arts Center 4205 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, VA 23669, 757-727-1490, Housed in a Neoclassical building built in 1925 and formerly the public library for 63 years, this arts center is home of the Hampton Arts Commission and the Hampton Arts Foundation. The Center showcases the best of local and regional contemporary artists with changing exhibitions in all media, on display. Many different art classes for children and adults are also available. more... 

Cousteau Society, The 710 Settlers Landing, Hampton, VA 23666, 757-722-9300, This waterfront gallery showcases the endeavors of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and includes world-renowned photography, artifacts, ship models, and film footage of Cousteau's adventures. A gift boutique is also on site. 

Fort Monroe Casemate Museum 20 Bernard Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23651, 757-727-3391, This active military installation was famed during the Civil War as the "Freedom Fort" by African Americans escaping from slavery. General Benjamin Butler, refusing to return runaway slaves, kept them as "Contrabands" of war, assuring their freedom. Fort Monroe's role in the Civil War is depicted at this museum which contains Confederate President Jefferson Davis' prison cell. more... 

Hampton History Museum 120 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton, VA 23666, 757-727-1610, An extensive collection of artifacts are on display at this museum where visitors can learn about exciting tales such as the arrival of Captain John Smith to Old Point Comfort in 1610, the demise of Blackbeard the Pirate, and the burning of Hampton in 1861. 

Hampton University Museum Huntington Building, Hampton, VA 23668, Located at the Hampton University Museum, 757-727-5308, A unique institution and a national treasure, this museum is the oldest African American museum in the United States and one of the oldest museums in the state of Virginia. The collections at this museum feature over 9,000 objects including African American fine arts, traditional African, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Island, and Asian art, as well as objects relating to the history of the University. more...

Bluebird Gap Farm 60 Pine Chapel Road, Hampton, VA 23666, 757-727-6739, Designed to resemble a working farm, this 60 acre site features barnyard animals, a children's playground, picnic areas, a petting zoo, a seasonal concession stand, and nature trails 

Grandview Nature Preserve Located on State Park Drive, 757-727-6347, This pristine 578 acre preserve and estuary on the Chesapeake Bay is ideal for wildlife observations, hiking, and bird watching. It includes two and a half miles of secluded bayfront beach, as well as salt marshes and tidal creeks.

Sandy Bottom Nature Park 1255 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666, 757-825-4657, 800-800-2202, This 456 acre recreational facility features two lakes, wetlands areas, trails for hiking and biking, fishing, non-motorized boating, picnic areas, a campground, tent cabins for rent, and a beautiful nature center. more... 

Virginia Air & Space Center 600 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23664, 757-727-0900, 800-296-0800, Official visitor center for the NASA Langley Research Center, this world-class facility features more than 100 hands-on exhibits that tell the story of air and space exploration, a premiere interactive aviation gallery that spans 100 years of flight, more than 30 historic aircraft, unique space flight artifacts, and an IMAX theater. more... 

Venture Inn Charters 766 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23664, 757-850-8960, Enjoy a variety of day and evening cruises year round with this tour company which offers cruises such as bay and harbor fishing, winter whale watching, nature cruises, and evening adventure cruises. more... 

St. George Brewing Co. 204 Challenger Way, Hampton, VA 23666, 757-865-7781, Hampton Roads only MicroBrewery. Tours provided Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Weekend by appointment.  more...