"It's a little hidden gem." - Richard Anderson
The Hampton Roads region of Coastal Virginia is filled with gems, some hidden and some not so hidden - and no, I'm not referring to diamonds and rubies, I'm referring to the places scattered all across the 757 that draw visitors every year for their beauty and possibility of adventure. So, here are the five hidden gems of Hampton Roads...
1. The Historic Triangle
The Historic Triangle is by far the oldest hidden gem in Coastal Virginia. The Triangle consists of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, Virginia, and encompasses rich history that is crucial to the foundation of our country as it is the birthplace of English-speaking America. What makes this hidden gem so great is that scattered all across the Triangle are beautiful gardens and exciting adventures for all ages, such as Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.
2. First Landing State Park
The second hidden gem of the 757 is First Landing State Park, this park is tucked away in Sandbridge, Virginia and offers the chance to explore a unique habitat that includes lagoons, large cypress trees and rare plants located on the 19-mile hiking trails that wind through the park. While not as well-known as The Historic Triangle for history, First Landing State Park has some of its own rich history such as being the place 100 English settlers landed and established the first elective government in English America before pushing up the James River to establish Jamestown.
3. Virginia Beach Boardwalk
The third and not hidden at all hidden gem is The Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The Boardwalk provides pristine natural wonders, freshly caught seafood, just-picked local ingredients, a vibrant downtown district and three distinct beach experiences. The Boardwalk sits right on the meeting spot of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and provides appeal as one of the top ranking beach destinations in the country.
4. Fort Monroe
The fourth hidden gem in coastal Virginia is the famous Fort Monroe. Named in honor of President James Monroe, Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort ever built in the United States and quite possibly one of the most beautiful. From the Casemate Museum located at 20 Bernard Rd. to the brand new urban vibe Oozlefinch Brewery, to wonderful Paradise Ocean Club that hosts special musical guests in the summer, Fort Monroe has it all.
5. The Mariners Museum and Park
The fifth and final hidden gem in Coastal Virginia is The Mariners Museum and Park. This park is the largest privately owned and maintained park in the country. It is 550 acres of beautifully wooded property that provides a quiet and serene place for visitors to picnic, walk, or run. A staple to this already beautiful park is the Lion's Bridge. The Lion's Bridge sits on the James River providing breathtaking scenery.
