Visit Hampton VA

As the weather warms up, take time to slow down and enjoy it in Hampton, Virginia. Spend time relaxing at the beach, rent a canoe at Sandy Bottom Nature Park, and enjoy a delicious meal outdoors. Even when summer ends you will always have the memories that were created during your time in Hampton.

Enjoy a long weekend with these 10 outdoor activities:

1. Visit the animals at Bluebird Gap Farm 

Goats, cows, and turtles, oh my! The animals at Bluebird Gap Farm are patiently waiting to greet you. With a large variety of animals, and beautiful landscaping, Bluebird Gap Farm is perfect for a family outing and spending time outdoors while the weather is still nice.

 

2. Rent a boat at Sandy Bottom Nature Park   

Rent a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or jon boat from Sandy Bottom Nature Park to paddle around their lakes. Just $4 and hour to rent, this is a great activity if you are looking for fun on a budget! After you paddle, and hopefully stay dry, go for a hike on their 11 different trail systems. The trails include soft surfaces, wild life, water views, and beautiful scenery.

3. Walk around Air Power Park

Free to all visitors, history buffs can walk around vintage aircraft and experimental space launch vehicles from the 1950s and 60s. Each aircraft is also accompanied by historical markers to explain the history and importance of each plane and space vehicle. If you are looking to stay cool, make sure to visit Air Power Park’s air conditioned museum open daily from 9 am – 4:30 pm.

4. Set Sail on Miss Hampton II 

Miss Hampton II Harbor cruises take you on a 3 hour ride to Norfolk Naval Base and back. Pass by locations only accessible by water, and learn fun and interesting facts about Hampton and the Naval Base. Cruises set sail Tuesday-Saturday at 11:00 am and Sundays at 2pm. For Labor Day, they will have special hours on Monday, with a cruise leaving the dock at 11:00 am! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! 

5. Paddle along the Chesapeake Bay 

Hampton Water Sports, located at Buckroe Beach has Paddle Boards, kayaks, and Jet Ski’s for you to rent. With 4 square miles to paddle and ride, it is a safe and fun activity for the whole family. Reservations are recommended!

6. Explore Historical Fort Monroe 

As the largest stone fort in America, visitors can walk around and explore Fort Monroe‘s 63 acres at their leisure. Learn about the fort’s history from its completion in 1834 to 2011 when it became an official National Monument. After your exploration you can soak up the sun and cool off in the water at Outlook Beach! 

7. Spend the day at the beach 

Beach lovers can spend Labor Day weekend soaking up the sun on Hampton’s public beaches. Cool off in the Chesapeake Bay, build a sand castle, or throw a football around with friends. Beaches at Buckroe, Fort Monroe, Salt Ponds and Grandview are ready to welcome you for a day of fun in the sun!

8. Watch the sunset or sunrise 

Whether you are at Buckroe Beach, Downtown Hampton, or Sandy Bottom Nature Park, take time to watch the sunset light up the night sky. Surrounded by water, Hampton is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. Early risers can watch a beautiful view of the sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay at Buckroe Beach and Fort Monroe.

 

9. Hit the Links

The Hamptons Golf Course and Woodlands Golf Course are both open for the public to “hit the links”. Maintained by the city, these two courses are perfect for any golf lover. Grab your golf clubs, and spend a quiet day among these fun courses. 

10. Dine Outdoors 

With many outdoor dining options, there is a restaurant for everyone to enjoy. After a long day of soaking up the sun, exploring the trails at Sandy Bottom, or playing a round of golf, refuel with a delicious meal.

Discover everything Hampton has to offer as you create lasting memories over Labor Day weekend. As summer winds down, take time to relax and enjoy the outdoors with those you love most.

Following the Civil War, many African Americans in Hampton received their education in concert with religious studies through the programs of the American Missionary Association, a philanthropic society dedicated to teaching people of color. But while the presence of the association brought new religious ideas to their communities, Hampton’s African American population soon broke away. Forming their own congregations, they were able to worship more inclusively. The churches were also the source of moral and social advancement, initiating and sustaining temperance organizations, fraternal groups, a YMCA, and a host of social gatherings.

The following churches are significant because they represent some of Hampton’s first African American sanctuaries. Learn more about these historic Hampton churches:

St. John’s Episcopal Church 

100 West Queens Way
Hampton, Va 23669

The Elizabeth City Parish was formed in 1610, the same year the first English – speaking settlement was established in Hampton. This parish would become that of St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1728. It helped other Episcopal parishes organize, including the first Black Episcopal congregation in Hampton, St. Cyprian Episcopal Church.

Little England Chapel 

4100 Kecoughtan Road
Hampton, Va 23669

Built in 1879, Little England Chapel is Virginia’s only known African American missionary chapel. Exhibits interpret the religious lives of post-Civil War African Americans in Virginia and include handwritten Sunday school lessons, photographs, a 12-minute video, and 19th-century religious books. Call ahead, (757) 660-8646, to tour this State and National Historic Landmark.

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church

1242 West Queen Street
Hampton, Va 23669

Formed in 1905, The St. Cyprian group was small at first, numbering just 10, and moved from location to location until a permanent sanctuary could be raised. For a short time the Black congregation met in the parish hall at St. John’s. In 1907, the first Cyprian’s Church was built on Lincoln Street and remained there until 1963, when it moved to a new church on the campus of Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The congregation now resides at 1242 West Queen St.

First Baptist Church 

229 North King Street
Hampton, Va 23669

First Baptist Church grew out of Hampton Baptist Church, the city’s oldest congregation. Before the Civil War, White and Black people shared the same worship space, with White parishioners utilizing the main sanctuary while Black parishioners worshiped from the balcony. In 1863, Black churchgoers separated from the parent body to establish their own place of worship. First Baptist found its permanent home in 1889 on North King Street.

Zion Baptist Church 

125 West County Street
Hampton, Va 23663

Established in 1863, the congregation held house-to-house prayer meetings and open-air assemblies. The Reverend William Thornton, who was formerly enslaved, was its first and only pastor for 39 years. Drawn by his powerful sermons, membership soon grew and a large structure was raised on County Road in 1869. Zion Baptist Church was instrumental in organizing several other churches in Hampton.

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

2521 N Armistead Ave
Hampton, VA 23666

Historic Bethel AME was organized in August 1864, at Camp Hamilton, New Tabb’s Field by Father Peter Sheppard. After many years of persistent labor, the first brick church was erected on Lincoln Street in 1887.  After 85 years of service, and numerous repairs and additions, the present sanctuary was completed in 1972 under the leadership of the late Reverend R. W. Wisner. In 2020, Bethel AME parish moved to its present location on Armistead Avenue.

Queen Street Baptist Church 

190 W Queen St
Hampton, VA 23669

First known as Second Baptist, Queen Street Church was established in 1865 by African Americans from Williamsburg. The group worshiped at various locations including the Hampton Court House and at Butler School near the site of Emancipation Oak. Eventually land was purchased and the church was raised “in town”before eventually moving to its present address on West Queens Way in 1893.

Memorial Church 

Hampton University Campus

Located on the campus of Hampton University, Memorial Church is an Italian-Romanesque structure that features an 150-foot tower and four-faced illuminated clock. Built in 1886, the elaborate building was designed by New York architect J.C. Cady. One of six National Historic Landmarks on campus, the chapel is still used for services when the campus is open.

Tour the chapel virtually with the Hampton University Virtual Tours!

Antioch Baptist Church 

1563 Old Buckroe Rd.
Hampton, Va 23664

Antioch Baptist Church was organized on September 1, 1895 when the Herbert Family donated land for a school, lodge, and church to be constructed in Buckroe. The church founders originated from Zion Baptist Church in Phoebus and Queen Street Baptist Church. Services were held in the lodge until plans were formulated for the church.