My friend and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon here taking in the beautiful nature along the boardwalk and stopping along the way to visit very nice shops and also enjoyed some homemade ice cream. Highly recommend stopping in the town of Duck to explore this great scenic boardwalk! Only a 30 minute drive from our house in Nags Head. We were blessed to see a beautiful great blue heron and also see a snake slithering through the water in the sound! Lots of fish, too!

This Boardwalk is great addition to Duck. The access to shopping and a nature walk is wonderful. It got 4 stars because the town needs a better maintenance schedule for this venue. They need a volunteer group to clean up and repair every spring.

If you're looking for a peaceful escape from the noise of the city, the Downtown Park Boardwalk is a hidden gem worth exploring. Surrounded by trees and the calming sound of birds and flowing water, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature. The boardwalk is well-maintained and easy to walk, making it accessible for all ages. Whether you're taking a quiet morning stroll or just need a break in the middle of a hectic day, this place offers a refreshing breath of fresh air. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the simple beauty of nature and a relaxing getaway close to home.

Such a fun place to visit. So many different shops you'll definitely find what you want. The wildlife on the boardwalk was very enjoyable.

We love the boardwalk! Great for a stroll but then also has so many different shopping places and restaurants! Definitely recommend. Public restrooms off the boardwalk by the Town Hall and also a public parking lot by the park.

There's a lot of cool shops and places to eat. Nice atmosphere and right on the sound.

Nice boardwalk for a wide variety of local food & wares vendors for visitors to stroll&shop - in early May we found plenty of available parking and bathrooms. Photos taken at mid-day, imagine the sunsets at this location!

It was stunning! We loved it and the history. Impressed with the county taking over the dilapidated structure and fully renovating it to its original design. Absolutely magnificent. No photos allowed inside or we'd have hundreds!

This is a house with a fascinating history. The self guiding tour was very well done and efficiently run by some dedicated volunteers. The architecture and furnishings are interesting, but it is the story of the couple who built the mansion and the privileged lives they led are what made this such a worthwhile experience. The history of the house in the years afterwards is also a compelling tale. Thankfully, after years of neglect, this community found the resources to restore this amazing property.

Incredibly beautiful views of the bay & relaxed ambiance. Remarkable level of cleanliness. Cleanest bathrooms you’ll ever find. Been going to Whalehead Club for decades every OBX trip. Amazing bbq eats & awesome book store in walking distance. Cheers to 35 years of the OBX! Can’t wait for the 36th!

What an amazing place that we still have with us. Unit sat for decades abandoned and going into ruins till it was brought back by the local preservation authority The interior has so many amazing and incredible details showing no cost was soared to build this hunt club. Unfortunately they don’t allow interior pictures to be taken. Well worth paying for the tour and seeing the home and surrounding grounds.

We went for a wedding and it was a gorgeous venue. They set everything up on the property and had plenty of room so we weren’t getting in the car between the ceremony and reception. Signage could be a little clearer for events but we had a wonderful time.

Amazingly restored 1920's mansion that sits close to the Currituck Sound and worth a visit if in the area. Connected to other historic areas by pathways and boardwalks, the entire area is worth a visit.

Toured this Historical Building on a weekday afternoon. It wasn’t too busy. The grounds are beautiful and the home was restored to mimic the original home. There are guides to help direct you to the self guided audio tour throughout the home. Very beautiful interior and fascinating that the dining room was disassembled from the families original home in Rhode Island and assembled in the Whalehead. If you’re curious about the history behind this home and grounds from the 1920s, I highly recommend. Just absolutely ornate detailing with the wood fixtures. I would recommend leaving kids under 14 at home as there is no touching, video, photos, and loud voices within the home and tour. Plan to spend about an hour reading the information and just taking in the details. There is a 5-7$ fee for entering the home. You should check it out if you’re in Corolla.

Absolutely beautiful lighthouse! The climb up wasn’t bad for me or my 4 year old. Your child does have to be 4years and older to climb the lighthouse and you cannot carry your kid up or down. I believe it was $12 to climb the lighthouse. It was a fun and exciting experience! Highly recommend!!

We really enjoyed our visit to this lighthouse. It is held by a local restoration group, so there is a fee to go up the lighthouse, but the grounds and outside of the structure are free to visit and interesting and attractive. We enjoyed the well stocked shop that fills one of the old houses even though the power went out and we could only pay with cash.

I love lighthouses. This one is cool because it is nestled in amongst other stuff. Alot of times they are isolated way out by themselves. Not this one. Cool historic town and green space on both sides. Some interesting buildings on the property. I was with pooch so I just glanced.

We didn’t pick the nicest day, a nor Easter was expected to come in the day we went. Turned out to be a decent day. The lighthouse is beautiful and so stately. It is $13 per person to climb, 220 steps. It was not that strenuous for this 60 year old, the landings between floors gave you time to let the burning in your thighs subside 🤣 before moving on. The view from the top, I am sure, is amazing on a sunny day. It was a sisters day and we had a fantastic time in Duck and Corolla.

Amazing grounds. Well maintained. My daughter and I climbed the 220 step lighthouse. At each landing there are fun facts about the history of the lighthouse. The woman accepting the money for the climbs really does enjoy her "job".

Went this past Sunday with my husband and a friend of ours because we’d never been before. Came early in the morning driving from Chesapeake and got there a little after they opened for the day and wasn’t as busy yet. Very beautiful historical lighthouse ❤️ The lady we met who we paid to enter the lighthouse was really friendly and knowledgeable. As a heads up, you do have to sign a waiver before you can climb up, it’s a safety thing considering how old the lighthouse is. Please be aware that on hot/humid days it can get REALLY hot inside on your way up (they can’t really open the windows for preservation reasons). Pace yourself, bring some water to sip on, and take breaks on the levels with fans. The views at the top are worth it!! You can see the Atlantic side and the sound. Plus the cool ocean breeze feels nice after the long climb up :) Be careful going down and wait on the landings to let others pass. All in all glad we stopped to check it out, need to go see the other lighthouses next trip!

We walked 200’ straight up a spiral staircase of this lighthouse. What an absolute amazing experience. There are landings as you climb the lighthouse tower. So you can take your time walking up to the top. The view from the top of the lighthouse is breathtaking. 360 degrees view and You can lookout as far as the eye can see. This lighthouse was built in the 1800’s it cost $13.00 per person to tour the lighthouse. The homes on the property were residential homes for the workers and their families.

This is a must stop if in the area and looking for something to do, and it's free! I was killing time in town and wandered upon it. They had a wide range of exhibits of local history. Thought it was quite well done. Was able to take my time and check it all out. Lots was pretty interesting and very informative. Some of the wood carvings and making were amazing. They even had a current surfing exhibit going on. They had a duck decoys through the years, which was neat. There is also a little gift store. Lady working the front desk was super nice and helpful.

Excellent little museum with an immersive exhibition of local history. It has free admission and a waterfront park across the street. The big glass windows make for a nice backdrop and the outdoor ballroom area is well lit with good acoustics. Makes for a good wedding venue up to 200 guests.

Interesting NC state museum focused on the Albemarle region, including history and links to modern life. Really well done exhibits. Free admission, with donation boxes.

My husband and I really enjoyed visiting the Museum of the Albemarle. The best thing about the museum are the people that work there. We had multiple museum employees greet us and share information and wisdom with us. We liked how the information was shared. You can scan a QR code to open a webpage that takes you on a tour thru the museum. It shares much of the same material you can read and some anecdotes and info not on the displays. This museum is free to visit.

The Museum of the Albemarle, a hidden gem in Elizabeth City that goes above and beyond what one might anticipate for a town of its size, is tucked away along the shoreline. The size and caliber of the displays immediately establish that this is not a little local collection but rather a well designed area that reflects the richness and complexity of the history of northeastern North Carolina. Despite my short time today, I was amazed by the depth of the exhibits, which cover centuries of local history, from colonial colonization and Indigenous cultures to maritime heritage and contemporary municipal development. The museum's layout is expansive, with high ceilings and spacious galleries that invite deeper exploration. It's the kind of place where you could easily spend several hours and still feel like there's more to uncover.

This museum was well worth the long drive and visit. It took us about 3 hours to see everything and there was a section that was closed off. In addition to the regular sections of the museum they had special exhibit on the contributions of women and one called High on the Hog which was about the history of slaughtering and processing pigs. It was really interesting. Aside from those there was a section on the history of Native Americans as well as the history of the area. The museum is fully accessible and has benches throughout. I was able to easily navigate it with my scooter. One thing that was disappointing was the first floor bathroom. There was a handicap sign on the outside but no handicap stall inside. Then when I looked a little further I found a door that said “nursing room”, when I looked inside there was a handicap toilet set up. It was strange. The staff here are really nice and helpful. The gift shop was really nice, I spent way too much in there. I was also able to buy gifts from the local area. Take the time to enjoy this gem of a museum!

Visited the Northeastern North Carolina Surfing Exhibit today at MOA. Admission is Free. The exhibit was awesome! There is a wall outside the exhibit where visitors can bring a sticker from their favorite surf shop, attach the sticker to the wall and get a photo on a surfboard in front of the wall. Inside the exhibit we saw so many local surf boards shaped from locally owned surf shops and shapers on Hatteras Island and Nags Head areas. Displays of vintage boards and accomplishments of local surfers are also included in the exhibit. There is so much history of NE North Carolina at MOA. We enjoyed the rest of our time visiting the history exhibits. Great time for friends and family!

I'm giving five stars, because the fact of the matter is the individuals that volunteered here or work here. Actually cared, and we're glad to be there. That's huge for me, because if you're gonna have a place like this, be enthusiastic about it, be glad you're there, which everybody was. Not to mention the information that they had about different things were also plentiful. The hangers could be a little more interactive where you could get up closer to the planes maybe in look into some of them, but they were still very cool. I did disagree with the $350 price tag to get a quick flight in one of the planes, which to me fuel costs are not that high. I mean, who in the world can afford that amount of money? They gotta change that or not. Because that's just outrageous and screams we cater to a certain sect of folk...I mean we the little people are helping keeping this place going to, by buying regular tickets and merchandise, I wanted to go so bad, but oh well... Anyway, It's a pretty big area and we spent three hours there total. It's definitely worth going, and I am a critic as you can see from the things that I review. So again, it's definitely worth going✌🏼

My son and I went to the mseum not knowing what to expect. My son loves military planes, their engines and overall operations. We were so impressed with the quality of the planes and thoroughly enjoyed the staff that were available in the hangers for questions and answers. The free tour to an operations tower and 2 more hangers was amazing! It is a mere $17 for adults but there is also military discount, children and senior rates. The museum operates on donations and grants, so the price is a bargain. The gift shop is small but packed with some great memorabilia. We can't wait to go back, hopefully for the upcoming airshow. Its a must see for the whole family!

We went to the museum for an after hours special event and got to see both of the WWII hangars with the aircraft. It was amazing. There were volunteers there to tell us about the planes. They are all pristine and fully restored. You literally walk amongst these planes around, under and can see them up close! Very cool place!

We drove to VA Beach to check this Museum off our "adventure" list. So glad we did, the staff was great! The gentleman that greeted us was very knowledgeable and gave us a backstory of some of the planes and history. They have quite a few planes there and upstairs is a cool collection of items. We definitely enjoyed our time there and the gift shop has alot of cool things as well!

This was a FANTASTIC museum with very knowable and passionate staff who answered all our questions and gave us the run down about the different aircraft. Both the Army and Navy hangers were stellar; perfectly maintained. Our tour of the watchtower and WWI hanger was also wonderful, we learned so much about the war and the origins of flight from our guide! Can’t wait to come back to see more of their figures projects!

The museum is always a good time and the staff there is friendly and really eager to tell stories and share information! We were lucky enough to catch the tail end of one of the guided tours and Tim was an excellent guide who brought us through a section of the museum I hadn't seen before. You could tell he had a passion for what he did, and the final piece of the tour really made the whole experience worth it.

We LOVED this experience!!! We went at 9:30 on a Wednesday morning. My brother & dad love this kind of stuff, but my mom & I were pleasantly surprised by how much WE enjoyed it! At 10:30 we did a guided tour with Flash - and that made it all worth it!!! He is amazing, so excited to teach, and knew everything about it all!!! He made our experience so great! I will be back to bring my husband! If you have the opportunity, go!

Nicely organized, friendly staff, and interesting exhibits. My son enjoyed the touch tanks and submarine control room, but it didn’t take long to get through the entire aquarium (about 2 hours moving pretty slowly). Could use something inside that’s more interactive like the seals at the entrance. Penguins would be a great addition. Not sure if the $35+/ticket is justified for another trip if in the area. Not disappointed in our trip, but not sure I would visit again. The gift shop prices are also insane. $70 for a long sleeve shirt tops all prices for gift shops I’ve been in before, and we’ve been to 10+ aquariums. Left without buying anything from the gift shop for the first time.

Very nice staff. Pet the sting rays was cool. Got a little taken back when they started playing, be prepared to get wet should they start to play again when you are near. Didn't eat at the cafe but seemed to have plenty to choose from. Boat ride wasn't available on a Monday I was there. Due to it was after Labor Day. Bathrooms are clean. 10/10

Nice Aquarium we came from up north. Love the seal right outside before you get it very unique touch. I was very surprised to see reptiles but the surprise was pleasant. We did go on a Saturday which was crowded but organized. Only negative was the parking meters had to go to multiple before we found one that actually worked so that definitely needs to be fixed it was a bit of a hassle. Make sure you take the walk on the scenic nature route the the south building where the otter and jelly fish are. Be warned the walk is about 13 minutes from one building to the other then you have to walk the same way back. They also have zip lining you can pay to do in that area a bit pricey but looked fun. Overall it is worth it if you take the scenic walk as well. They did have a theater but they said it was not ready and it was well into the afternoon so that was disappointing. But overall I recommend and it’s worth price ended up spending 2.5 hours which is way more than we planned but fun

We were in Virginia Beach for a family vacation with the whole family, 10 people ages 12 to 80, and saw the good reviews of this aquarium so we thought it would be a nice place to spend the afternoon on a day with a good chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Overall, it was very disappointing. We have been to a lot of aquariums and this one was by far the least interesting and impressive, and one of the more expensive and crowded. There was not a lot of actual aquarium stuff and it only took about 2-2.5 hours to go through the entire thing, which at $35/person was not worth the cost. Many of the exhibits were closed or missing their animals and we all left disappointed. I wouldn’t recommend it.

I’m a big fan of aquariums and this by far is one of the best ones. We arrived around noon, there was no line to go in. I love how they have everything in separate sections, place was clean, staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We went with 3 little ones and they enjoy every minute of it, being able to touch and play with stingrays was the highlight for sure. Great place for families. I’d definitely recommend. We enjoyed it so much.

After seeing how my baby watched the fish tanks at petco, we decided to take her to the aquarium. She loved it! The animals were all well cared for, staff were friendly, and plenty of parking. We will definitely be coming back to make a full day out of it when she’s older to take advantage of the trails and restaurants outside.

Beautiful place to visit if you vacationing in VA Beach to experience marine life! The best part was patting the sting rays. The hike to South building was also very pleasant. Will definitely do this again! If you have kids be prepared to go to the water park after 😂

This is one of my favorite beaches in the USA. It's beautiful, clean, pet friendly and a very free, kind and non-judgemental atmosphere. They even have workout equipment on the beach.

I highly recommend taking this walk. So many things to see and do.

Virginia Beach Boardwalk is one of the best going around. It is completely paved and runs for a couple of miles. There is a separate lane on the boardwalk for bicycles and carts. People in the beach condos overlooking the ocean can hit the boardwalk and go biking or walking. The Neptune statue is a huge attraction

Beautiful beach, safe

I haven't been here in over 25 years. I forgot how big a beautiful this attraction is. The beach water was nice

Just came back from VA Beach, refreshed & recharged ! Although I had a GREAT time it was early June, so it rained for a good portion of our trip. And VA Beach does NOT have a "boardwalk" in the true, classic definition that other beach towns such as Ocean City MD, Rehoboth Beach DE, Myrtle Beach SC, Atlantic City NJ, Coney Island NYC etc, etc VA Beach has more of a 3-mile "promenade" which is PAVED rather that the historic WOOD PLANKS of the traditional beach BOARDwalk. Virginia Beach also loses points for its oceanside's lack of businesses and activities on oceanfront property, with only exception are the hotels and resorts and a few restaurants here and there. All the same shopping, dining, beach activities etc Hotels pretty much take up the vast majority (90%+) of prime oceanfront lots Instead of the countless shops, restaurants, amusement thrill parks, etc found in places like Ocean City and Rehoboth. VA Beach has insane # of mobile venders who only stay for seasonal timeframe. Not a lot of shops, just hotels and restaurants on the "boardwalk" that's not even a boardwalk but concrete path ... But to each its own and it was peaceful...

Love this place! What a boardwalk! I just can't believe they built the ocean so close to the shops.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Must-Visit Historic Gem with Stunning Coastal Views Visiting the Cape Henry Lighthouse was a memorable and enriching experience. Located within the secure perimeter of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, it’s important to note that access requires a valid photo ID for everyone over the age of 16. The process is very organized — after a quick ID check at the gate, a shuttle transports visitors from the front entrance directly to the lighthouse area. The lighthouse itself is a beautiful and well-preserved piece of American history. We learned a lot about its significance — it was the first federal construction project authorized by the U.S. government in 1792 and offers incredible insight into early coastal navigation and maritime heritage. The staff and volunteers were friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share fascinating facts about the area and its historical context. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse rewarded us with absolutely breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the perfect spot for photos, reflection, or just enjoying the scenery. Highly recommend this experience for history lovers, families, and anyone looking to soak in panoramic coastal views while learning about early American history. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the climb, and don’t forget your ID

Worth the extra effort to get on the military base. Climb to the top of the lighthouse is not nearly as daunting as it sounds if heights aren't an issue for you, the view is worth it! See where the Jamestown colony landed. Interpretive signs are helpful.

Cape Henry Lighthouse is such a cool piece of history and a great little adventure right in Virginia Beach. It’s located on Fort Story Navy Base, so you do need to show your ID at the gate and let them know you’re there to visit the lighthouse. After that, you pay a small entry fee and you’re good to go. The walk up is relatively easy not a mountain by any means, just a climb up the lighthouse stairs. When I went with my students, all but one made it to the top, so it’s definitely doable for most people. The view from the top is beautiful, looking out over the ocean and the surrounding coastline. Plus, it’s amazing to stand in a place that’s tied to where America truly began, right next to the First Landing site. A nice bit of local history, a short but fun climb, and a great view definitely worth visiting if you’re in Virginia Beach.

Located on a military base. You must enter at gate 8 and they will escort you to where you need to go. You will exchange your ID for a base pass. There are rules to abide, like where the boundaries are and what you can pictures of. Then you will shuttled back to the lighthouse area. If you pay for the lighthouse there are a bunch of stairs to get to the lighthouse in addition to the lighthouse stairs. You can only climb the older lighthouse (brick), not the newer one (black & white iron). The overview of the Chesapeake Bay & monuments provided some history. Walking in the boundaries could be hot during summer months since there is little to no shade.

This place is pretty neat! We love history, so we were excited to explore this site, which was touched by Washington and Hamilton. It's worth it to walk all the way up the lighthouse, for a great 360° view. It's also worth it to take the civilian walk to the shoreline area. One item of note is, this is located on an active navy base. You have to go through a checkpoint and a briefing. What you take with you to that briefing is ALL you can take with you to the lighthouse. That briefing clears you to take the shuttle that will take you to the lighthouse area. If you go through the briefing, then remember you need something else in your vehicle (which you leave at that parking lot), you have to go through the briefing again. So make sure you bring everything you need, the first time, to help you and your family avoid the hassle of going through the briefing multiple times. We did not know this when we were there, as it was our first time, and NO ONE, not even the military people at the checkpoint, prepared us for that. All they said was, "Park there, walk into that building, get briefed, then you wait for the shuttle." THAT was all they said. We left our backpack, waistpacks, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, everything, in the vehicle, and went to the lighthouse without anything except what we carried into the briefing building. Not the most informative crew at the vehicle entrance checkpoint. So now you know. Other than that, it was a good day trip!

The staff here are amazing, passionate, and knowledgeable about the facility as well as the greater lighthouse ecosystem around the country! A truly memorable and enjoyable experience of our summer! Please note, the lighthouse is located on an active military site so please check requirements before hand and it will be an worthwhile visit!

A must go if you're in the area. This is a truly magnificent structure that you can climb all the way to the top. The history on this lighthouse and how long ago it was built is very surprising. A park guide will explain the history. There's even a bucket that simulates the oil that had to be carried up to the light each day and you can pick that up and carry it.

Truly one of the best BG's in the country, I make every effort to visit in every one of my biannual trips to VA. From the diversity of habitats to the heart-filling colorful butterfly garden with a vast diversity of butterflies and other pollinators to the peaceful Japanese tea garden to the amazing exhibits and holiday light displays, it is top notch. Add to this the opp to be there this year during fall migration and was delighted to find many visiting songbirds including Palm Warblers and a Clay-colored Sparrow. And all of this is BEFORE the expansion that opens next Spring. My heartfelt thanks to those who have made this BG a reality. It is truly one of my happiest places and I tell every BG I visit all about it.

Had the best time looking at the lights. All the different themes were beautiful with the sound effects and music. It wasn't crowded, so we could just take our time. They did have food trucks set up but I didnt get anything. Will definitely go back :)

We had a 6 hour connection at the airport in Norfolk, VA and a really kind gentleman at the information desk recommmened this beautiful botanical garden which was just across the road from the Airport. We literally walked from the airport to garden. It was so beautiful with a rose garden voted #1 in the U.S., a Japanese bonsai garden, a butterfly sanctuary and a kids Adventure Garden. The best part is that there is a free guided trolley tour that takes you around the property every hour on the hour, and gives all the details of the garden. The staff is warm and friendly and are fully dedicated to taking care of the plants. If you love plants it's a MUST do!

Spent a lovely morning there with my mother. We got coffee at the food truck behind the visitor center and did a tram tour. The team tour was a great way to see a majority of the garden, plus get the history of the garden and some plants. We didn't have a ton of time to spend so we checked out the Japanese Garden and Sub tropical gardens afterward.

Phenomenal place to visit and explore whether you’re a resident of Virginia or just passing through. Would definitely recommend checking it out!! Bear in mind it’s of course much more vibrant and colorful in the spring/summertime. Not to mention they’re dog friendly on Sunday’s!

Beautiful garden. Easy to walk around. The tram is a nice addition to take a tour, or hop on/off while walking around. The rose garden is large. Butterfly area was a bit of a letdown. Would also have liked a better food option than just the coffee truck.

Beautiful Botanical Garden. We spent 5 hours in hot summer day and not even saw all parts of garden. Butterfly garden was interesting. Dogs allowed sundays, but not sure if you can go everywhere. Sure to come next time to revisit such a magnificent place

The BB Wisconsin was AMAZING!!! The 90 minute tour was well worth the ticket. Seeing the captains quarters and battle sections, a battle reenactment from Desert Storm, and walking were some of the bravest men ever to have lived was inspiring and humbling. The museum inside was incredible. Interactive lessons on sailing and games for kids. Would absolutely come back again.

This was a great adventure with the family. From the Nauticus interaction museum, the battle ship Wisconsin and the victory boat tour. Unfortunately we arrived on a Sunday and had to really run through everything to be able to experience it... but even then it was fun. USS Wisconsin was a blast to explore and see the history. The victory cruise was fun but the youngest, 7, lost interest pretty quickly. The interaction exhibits in Nauticus kept the kids and adults entertained the remainder of the time. Highly recommend and of these three experiences!

It was interesting to see. Couldn't go high in the tower or go inside the actual big gun turrets. Can't go to the engine room either. Basically you can't go to where you want to go. I went there when it was 100 degrees. I could only go there when it was hot. Anyways they have a nice little naval museum in the air conditioning.

Beautiful tour and an amazing place! We got to see battleships aircraft carriers and much more!! Dolphins all throughout the whole tour as well! It was super cool. Then there's a museum as well and you can go out and tour the Wisconsin! A very pleasant experience touring the battleship!!

First for reference let me start with I've been to all 4 of the Iowa class battleships after visiting the Wisconsin the other day. After seeing the Wisconsin, I've been left speechless for the way this great ship is being treated and exhibited. It's not even Halloween yet, and you can barely navigate her deck for the sheer massive amount of gaudy looking christmas decorations already being set up. I'm sure she will look amazing at night when it's all turned on. But let us eat our turkey, or at least have our candy before you start shoving that holiday down our throats. 1) the people in charge of maintaining this vesssel, should be ashamed of themselves for the utter lack of respect and care that shows in numerous locations. The neglect for a piece of history is abhorant. NONE of the other ships that I have visited have shown any signs like the photos I'm including. The decks are in terrible condition, not being cleaned and showing obvious signs of standing water that has dried. There are clogged drains allowing standing water to accumulate and soak in other locations. And the paint is peeling across most of the command structure. 2) the "tour" is terrible. Lack of proper signage indicating a flow through the vessel. It's pretty much a "roam wherever you want" type experience. While that can be appreciated by some, a more organized route through the vessel would be the best way to show how the crews lived and operated such a massive warship. The New Jersey had in my opinion the most accessible, and clearly marked path of all of these great ships. 3) blocking off the command structure from the public with standard tickets is downright rude. Making people pay extra to see both the command decks and the engine room is ridiculous. I've been on the bridge of all 3 of her sister ships, and in the engine room of the New Jersey, without paying extra for this privledge. While I understand those areas are part of a "guided tour" the other vessels also have upgrades for guided tours of various aspects of the vessel for an extra charge, but you're still allowed to visit these other areas. You just don't get the extra history lesson by not doing the tour. The Wisconsin is labled as the "last battleship" but if she is not taken better care of, she will be the first completed Iowa class to be scrapped. If the people in charge have no desire to take care of this vessel, give her to another state to watch over her in her retirement. Or let her join the others who have been immortilized as reefs to protect our waters and drive tourism for recreational divers. Norfolk: to be the historical first naval shipyard "city" for the U.S., as well as the largest naval station in the world. To be charged with the honor of caring one of the great battleships that protected our freedom for her 50 years of service is an honor that is not being fulfilled. Nauticus..........You can do better, and should.

This was fantastic. I loved the educational exhibits and the museum. I learned so much about the ship and it's significance. We did the self walk through and it was fun exploring all the areas of the ship, but gave a true reverence of how it must've been to serve on the ship. I truly earned respect for those that served. They truly sacrificed for our freedom and for that I'm greatful and honored to be free and walk among their experience. Thank you Nauticus for a wonderful experience and preserving our history.

We went with kids so the review is only about the 3rd floor. It was really pro-science and hands-on stuff for the kids, so if you're into that, it's great! I personally am not, so I was not well entertained. The under the sea themed playground type room was fun for the kids too.

This was a very nice museum. The battleship is huge and is really a self-contained city. They have done an excellent job of capturing the history and the voice of the battleship. We particularly loved the video montage throughout the tour of previous service members telling their stories. Appointed docents were helpful at guiding us as well. It was very rainy today so we didnt get to tour above decks but its a good reason to return. Would love to see their big holiday winterfest light display.

Wow..a new perspective and respect for the Navy and those who choose that journey. Alot of walking and stepping through the doors to different rooms and sections. Very steep stairs that have railings to get to the different levels. Fascinating!

The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) museum in Norfolk, Virginia, is an absolute must-visit for anyone with even the slightest interest in naval history. This incredible battleship — one of the largest and last ever built by the U.S. Navy — has been beautifully preserved and transformed into an interactive, immersive museum experience that truly brings history to life. What makes the USS Wisconsin so special is just how much of the ship is open to explore. From the massive main deck and towering gun turrets to the inner corridors, crew quarters, and command areas, you can wander through and really get a sense of what life was like for the sailors who served aboard. The attention to detail is amazing — it feels like stepping back in time. You can easily spend an entire day navigating the decks, admiring the engineering, and soaking in the stories that made this ship such an important part of American naval power. The museum staff and volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, always ready to share fascinating facts or personal stories connected to the ship’s long service — from World War II to Operation Desert Storm. The exhibits and displays add depth to the experience, highlighting the Wisconsin’s evolution through decades of service and innovation. Overall, the USS Wisconsin BB-64 museum is a true gem — equal parts awe-inspiring, educational, and humbling. Whether you’re a history buff, a veteran, or just looking for an unforgettable experience, this legendary battleship is well worth the visit.

Its amazing! So cool to walk the deck of this awesome piece of our history. The below deck is no disappointment, you truly get a sense of what these heros went through.

Wisconsin did not disappoint. The gubment shut down had the nsval museum shuttered but the ship was well worth the $20 if that was the only thing you hot to see. Very informative when we tagged along with a tour guide. I could have spent hours in there.

Staying overnight on the Battleship Wisconsin was a once in a lifetime experience! My husband is a major military history hobbyist, and this was the perfect birthday gift for him. The overnight manager, Tammie, was incredibly patient with all my questions and responded quickly, making the process easy. For the night’s stay and tour, we had the fantastic Greg! He made this already special experience truly one for the books. Greg not only answered the dozens of questions my husband had, but also offered the detailed insight of a true professional. I would highly recommend this experience as a gift for yourself or for anyone with a love of history.

Great tour. Definitely take a guided tour and learn about the behind the scenes or areas that are not open to the public. Very worth your while and expense, which is nominal.

Took a day trip down to Cape Charles, we drove from Eastern Shore Maryland. Easy drive, and very worth it. This place is adorable, clean, family friendly. Bathrooms and free parking. We will definitely be making this trip more often. The bay is clean and shallow perfect for all ages.

Great beach especially if it have younger children because there are pockets of water in front of the ocean deep enough for kids to play in and not worry about the waves knocking them down. And of course the ocean for older kids and adults and nice quaint town!!

As someone who’s been to many beaches in their life all over the US and internationally, Cape Charles beach front is very nice! Restrooms are a plus.

Excellent spot to see the sun go down on the eastern shore. Wasn't too busy either. Ill be back.

I think this has become my new favorite beach!! I don't have a dog, but noticed how super dog friendly this area is. The waves were shallow and the beach experience is awesome! Super cute retro nostalgic down town, walkable distance from the beach. Huge fishing ramp - great for wheelchair users.

Clean laid back beaches. Lots of room to spread out and at low tide you can walk 100s of yard out into the crystal clear water. There is a fishing pier you can fish and crab from as well. The shanty dock bar is a short walk away and there were ice cream trucks along the street.

Quiet, water was clean Took 3 grandsons ages 6, 8, 11. They had a great time. Cute little town. Several eateries.

I love going to this beach. The new playground for kids is great. The beach is usually clean. Life guards on duty during busy weekends and holidays. Beach closed at sunset, and police presence is noticeable. Bathrooms close soon after.the beach closes. Family friendly.

I’ve always enjoyed coming out to Buckroe Beach in Hampton. The sand is clean, the water is calm, and it’s a great spot to relax without all the heavy crowds you sometimes find at Virginia Beach. There’s plenty of space for families, walkers, and people just wanting to catch the sunset. As someone who runs a local business (Military Veterans Moving People of Hampton), I really appreciate having a place like this nearby — it’s where I can clear my head after long moving days and reconnect with the community I serve. It’s nice to see so many other Hampton locals making this beach part of their daily routine too. If you’re in Hampton, I definitely recommend checking out Buckroe Beach. Whether you’re just taking a quick walk, bringing the kids, or just sitting back and listening to the waves, it’s one of those simple treasures that makes this area feel like home. 🌊☀️

Such a great little beach. Never crowded. Great for power walking, watching the sunrise and baby/toddler adventures. They have a new playground that's huge and accessible from morning to sunset. Bathrooms available and separate bike path. There are 2 piers,and I opted for the one closer to the playground which is open during the day and locked by a gate by 5 PM daily. During the summer they have a farmers market across at the park.

One of the nicest and cleanest beaches in the area. Beautiful sunrises can be captured here. It can really get crowded on the weekends though. Overall, I great place to relax and enjoy the bay.

Pretty good beach. Lots of parking space and lots of place on the beach to accommodate everyone even on a busy day. Nice kids playground and beach Frontwalk. Lifeguards are there pretty much whole day. Beach showers and clean restrooms available. Open dawn to dusk.

Pretty beach with plenty of lifeguards during the summer season. Dogs allowed during the off season. Playground is brand new. Shelters available for rent. Boardwalk is an easy walk from end to end. Light poles with numbers help keep track of where you are if you have friends meeting you. Beach volleyball area. Summer season large bathrooms open and multiple rinse off stations are located throughout. Single occupant bathrooms open all year which are nice for families. Staff is always on site. Loads of parking but can get packed in summer season. Lots of green space for picnics and activities. Large, accessible pier over the water with picnic tables plenty big for many families to have their own space. Sad they don't do events there anymore since it has the concert shelter. Also a bummer they haven't opened the food truck spots again. There's no food at the beach. Restaurants nearby. And there's nowhere right there for buying beach things. Have to go to the shopping centers bit further away for a family dollar or dollar general to get last minute beach things.

Absolutely beautiful area. We live an hour and a half away in the Richmond area and had no idea this place was here. So much nicer than going all the way to Virginia beach. Calmer Waters due to the bay and beautiful beach. We will be back

My family visited many Space and science museums. This museum displays many airplanes, space capsules, engines, and interactive exhibits. Some exhibits were video games, some physics, some reading, there is an elevator that teaches three floors. The museum had a couple groups there today and it looks like they have labs to teach hands-on activities. There is an airplane that you go inside. There is an affordable option to watch movies about space and exploration. I highly recommend everyone to visit. BTW there are places to eat within walking distance.

Apollo 12 is a must-see for space fans, but the scope, pricing, and maintenance of this museum leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps it is simply the off-season, or poor timing, or I'm not the target audience, but as great as it is to see Apollo 12 and other sorts of interesting aerospace history like the YF-16 and the F-18 HARV, there are a few (mostly maintenance) issues with this museum. Coming from the larger DC museums, it can hardly be described as a "large" location. This is a smaller location outfitted for field trips and group activities rather than museum-goers, and is largely kid-focused (not always a bad thing). There are a few pieces of unique history here that people should not miss, but equally a lot of video-game distractions that anyone could play anywhere for free, likely with more functional controls. The admission price is not unbelievable, but I would not call it a "bargain", even with the "free IMAX" inclusion. The concession prices and quality are quite poor. At least one bathroom faucet was broken loose in its mountings, and the other one did not function. The IMAX theater is quite well maintained and reasonable, the projectors work as they should, and the 3D calibration is very good, overall a reasonable experience, but quite obviously a padding technique to keep you in the building longer. I personally cannot get enough of space/aerospace history, so I find it hard not to recommend this location, but for the average visitor, it might be mildly underwhelming. Maybe it is a better value with a membership for the local visitors who want to bring their kids in to a fun locale for the weekend, or teachers who want a science camp.

The Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton is such a fun and memorable place! I first went when I was a little girl, and I remember being completely fascinated by all the planes, rockets, and hands-on exhibits. Years later, I went back as an adult while I was teaching 5th grade, and I took my students on a field trip we had an absolute blast. It was amazing to see them light up with the same curiosity and excitement I had as a kid. The museum does an awesome job making learning fun, and there’s something for everyone, no matter your age. Highly recommend! 🚀✈️.

This was mine and my son’s first time experiencing this space center! We were absolutely blown away by how everything was set up and laid out. It was so cool walking around all the different air crafts and learning about how they were made and what they were like in service! My son couldn’t believe that some of them can go over 1000mph and the museum volunteers were so helpful and informing with any questions that we had. We could definitely stand in front of the space shuttle all day long it’s so awe inspiring and beautiful! It was definitely extremely heavy seeing the enola gay in person, knowing that something so awesome can do so much evil is almost incomprehensible

Went as a chaperone for one of my kiddos' field trips. The staff was friendly, particularly the gentleman named Scott who explained the difference between a Harrier jet and a Kestrel. He also told us a story about a jet (probably an F2H Banshee) that lost an engine that had to be helped out of North Korea before ejecting to safety. I highly recommend because, there is lots of information, things to do and even a play place and a cockpit for people to feel like real pilots and a simulator to boot. Not to mention a giant IMAX screen with 3D movie capabilities!

We went for a private event. Very nicely done. Got to visit the exhibits in the museum with no rush.

Very nice museum. Lots of interactions for all ages. You can get a solid two hours in here

Busch Gardens is great. I think parking and food are a bit pricey but it's a theme park, so that is kind of expected. I like all the coasters, but Alpinegiest and Verbolten are my favorites. Pantheon can be unreliable, so expect it not to be running all day. It's about a 2.5 mile circle, with moderate hills, so make sure to have comfortable shoes. There are a few animal exhibits and a couple shows; some seasonal, some run throughout the year, such as Celtic Fyre, which has won some awards. Wait times vary, sometimes they can be up to a hour on busy days, but on an average weekday during the summer, wait times can be less than 10 minutes. Especially when Water Country is in full swing. They do have all day dining options that allow you to get food every 90 minutes. If you time it, it's worth it. There are also a small, Sesame Street themed children's area.

I had a great time yesterday at Busch Gardens. I was there from 1pm until 10pm. Christmastown is absolutely gorgeous! I was disappointed that the top roller-coasters were closed. The lines for other rides were very long and I wished that I had a skip the line pass. It was sunny and 65 degrees. I only got to see the Festhaus show and it was good. Next year I hope to go to Christmastown a few times so I can see all of the entertainment.

Went with our kids and Grandkids today, October 18th 2025 for the first time in our Grandkids life's !!! They have been there three (3) times over the summer with our kids, their parents. Busch Gardens goes back to my childhood !! My father was in Broadcast Television as the president of the CBS Affiliate TV Station in Roanoke, VA !! I was there on the first day of its opening, and my sister and I rode the "Loch Ness Monster" in the first two (2) hours of opening !! It is truly the Most beautiful park in the Country. Has the best rides, nicest staff through the years, and a Must Go to Theme Park !!! So now the tradition moves on to the Grandkids and they truly, truly, truly love it and had a great time today !! They were talking about it as they went to bed. Telling their funnest moments and what they are going to do the next day !! They love The kids areas. The Dragon tree house, "Grouch's Worm ride" and "The Big Bad Wolf": "The Wolf's Revenge !!" And the "Loch Ness Monster". Our Kids Love "Pantheon", "Griffon", "Tempesto", and the all time Fav of our kids and My wife and I is "Apollo's Chariot" !! A Great time is always had here !! Get Season passes, and if you can the Skip the Line with "Quick Queue". If not do the food, it's worth it. You need to go and enjoy all the NEW rides for 2025. Now it's Howl-O-Scream, our Kids are there and I know are having a great time. I also see where it's open at Christmas now too. Excellent !!

It was my first time at Christmas town at Bush Garden. My friend invited me. We had so much fun to hot chocolate to matching Christmas earrings. She took me around to all her favorites. She really maded my day. I definitely will be back again soon.

This park is beautiful. It’s one of my favorite parks to go to and there are so many reasons why. First of all, Fridays are surprisingly much slower days so I’d recommend going on a Friday and the park is pretty big so wear some comfy shoes. The park is very convenient when it comes to loose articles and it has lots of shade so waiting in queues won’t feel like hell. This park has a European theme to it and they did it very well. The theme and atmosphere of the park is seriously underrated and the rollercoasters there refuse to miss. I’ve gone a number of times and it just seems to get better every time. There’s so much to do at the park and you never get bored. The food is great too but it is gonna still be pretty expensive (but that should be expected at most corporate theme parks). This park in Williamsburg is a must do when you’re in the area as it offers something for babies, kids, teens, adults, and even grandmas. Even if you don’t like rides all that much there’s still a lot of things to do there like catching a show or trying some new foods that are unique in every section of the park. Overall, this park has infinite possibilities with a beautiful atmosphere and an even better ride lineup that has something for everyone from thrill seekers to first timers. 9/10

What a beautiful park! So many big coasters to ride! I loved feeding the lorikeets! And we paid to feed “Poppy” the highland cow. We loved it!! This park is beautiful and well kept. It’s a lot of walking so be prepared. I wish we would have planned two days at this park. We had a coaster pass so that was helpful. Bummed the biggest coaster here was not running.

Busch Gardens is a beautiful theme park, however you will walk. If you have directional challenges, be ready to ask the park workers which I had to do numerous times 😂. The great thing is that every attendant knew the park like the back of their hands. Our party ate at Trappers (which is my go to when I visit BG@W). The Rhine River cruise in my opinion is always delightful. I would give 4 stars, except for the fact, 1. the wait time for rides is long (which we knew would be the case), but the ride times are extremely short compared to the wait. There was a point, when one of the rides was over, the look on people's faces seemed to say, "This is it?" BG@W only takes certain payment, so if you use a digital wallet, you'll need to know your pin number. Kiosks are available to convert cash to a Visa prepaid credit card. Like any other theme park, souvenirs, food, etc. are pricey, so make sure to plan accordingly. Overall, BG@W is a beautiful, clean, scenic fun family spot, with helpful, courteous attendants.

First time visiting & I will definitely be back! My son - who’s 7- and myself had an absolute amazing time. The park was so clean. The staff were so friendly. The food was delicious. The rides were fun & the wait times were extremely short. We loved every second!

We had a ball!!! I purchased a 8 person cabana which I got on a discount rate for $301 on a Saturday. They are usually $499-800 depending on day and time purchased. I purchased our tickets off of tripster.com which they were $45 for a Saturday. With the cabana you get free water bottles, and depending group size of cabana a meal voucher for 30% off meals from select restaurants. I paid roughly $22 for meals with the voucher for what everyone wanted to eat. Also, I wished I would’ve purchased the wristbands because we had to wait 15-30 minutes for rides when people with the wristbands were constantly getting on and off , the price per wristband for unlimited rides and advantage of skipping the lines was an additional $34. I’m glad I did purchase the cabana because there were no empty beach chairs to put our towels. The cabana purchase also came with a locker. I was so happy my 3 yr old nephew was able to enjoy majority of the rides with us. He couldn’t rides 3 rides which was fine because we got on the rides that fit 4-5 people with his height range. He had a blast l, put a huge smile on their faces! We will be returning next summer!

This is a world-class water park. Great variety of slides and amenities. Capacity is geared towards selling quick queue tickets. On busy days they are worth it for the big slides. There are two limitations you should be aware of. Firstly, this park is not suitable for single riders. There are no single rider lines, and you have to ask other groups to join their rafts. Not recommended for introverts. Secondly the park is not accessible with public transportation or by foot. You need a car. Uber drop offs have to queue with the regular line into the park. This should be fixed. For families arriving by car, these two points would not be a problem.

Great water park for the price, I highly recommend getting a platinum membership for free parking as it is on the expensive side. There’s plenty of parking spaces, and it’s pretty much all pavement, but there are some gravel parking spaces if it gets too packed. They have a nice amount of water rides/slides and plenty of food options for kids and adults. The selection of rides is nice too, lots of different style water slides, my favorite one is Colossal Curl and the Cutback Water Coaster. I hadn’t been in almost a decade and went last week on Saturday August 2, 2025. If you need to change or shower, most of the restrooms have showers or a changing area. The crowds were definitely in full effect and they do have quick queue to bypass the line which is good for most rides, but I noticed the way they do their quick queue causes the line to be even longer than what it was since only one person or raft can go down at a time for bigger rides like Cutback Water Coaster. Weather was around 75-80 degrees with low humidity, but it did get cooler towards the end of the day. The water was warmed up for some of the slides but a couple were freezing lol. They stayed open until 11pm for an Aqua Glow Pool Party event, but I left at park close which was 8pm since it was too cool to be on water rides that late. I had a great day and look forward to going back again soon. Check out my YouTube channel Angelo Giles for a vlog and more!

T’was a fun day at Water Country USA! Despite a couple of unexpected thunderstorms that briefly interrupted our plans, the weather cleared up and we were able to enjoy several rides. The park had a great atmosphere, and once the skies opened up again, the fun continued. A memorable day with just a touch of adventure from Mother Nature! Water Country USA features a variety of attractions, including slides and rides, a giant wave pool, a lazy river, and designated play areas for children. Guests can experience thrill rides like Colossal Curl™, the park's first family thrill ride and the first of its kind in North America. Other popular attractions include corkscrew slides and river rafting with tunnels and falls.

Rides are good, lots of different areas with different things to do. Food is ok and expensive. I bought the all day pass for $30 a person, it’s worth it in a way. You can get an entrée dessert side and a drink every 90 minutes. But my kids were more thirsty than hungry. They have water fountains throughout the park. The downside is lack of seating.

I visited Water Country USA in Williamsburg and had a generally thrilling experience with a wide variety of waterslides, a massive wave pool, and a fun lazy river. The rides like Aquazoid Amped and Hubba Hubba Highway were exciting and scenic, but the park was extremely crowded when I visited, leading to long waits and some chaos in high-traffic areas. The staff and lifeguards seemed mostly attentive and safety-focused, though a few reviews mentioned less-than-ideal interactions and slow entry/billing procedures in peak times. Overall, it was fun and adrenaline-filled, but the crowds and logistics slightly dampened the day.

If you love history, good food, and ghost tours this is the place to be. You will enjoy being taken back in time when house drawn carriages and folks wearing colonial attire pass by and offer up a good day. The town and restaurants can be busy so plan ahead. Be sure to walk around there William and Mary campus to see this beautiful campus. Tips: make sure to visit the Visitor's Center for tickets, information, shows, and shuttles to Colonial Williamsburg. Buy tickets in advance in order to see inside the different homes, shops, and business. Buy ghost tour tickets before hand and be sure to wear good shoes. Be sure to visit the shops, restaurants, and colonial homes along the Duke of Glouchester Street. Paid parking kids can be finie nearby and within walking distance. The cobblestone walkways can be challenging so wear good shoes.

Had a great time here with the kids. We were able to easily buy tickets ahead of time, and were able to show the tickets from my phone to get into places. Everyone there was extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The tours of the buildings were interesting, educational, and fun. Lots of places with bathrooms, snacks, and drinks. Options for a full meal as well. We spent about 5 hours here.

Life changing trip! Went for a whole week in the end of September and already planning the next trip. Don’t skip the palace or the art museum! Stay curious, take your time and be sure to go around every corner and in every open shop. The actors are amazing, the stories are so interesting, asking questions is celebrated and there is so much to explore and experience. Also, the shuttle is so convenient!

Colonial Williamsburg: Governor’s Palace Tour, Historic District, and Storytelling Colonial Williamsburg is a remarkable destination that brings America’s colonial past to life, and my recent visit left me thoroughly impressed. The Governor’s Palace Tour was a highlight, offering an immersive glimpse into 18th-century opulence and power. The meticulously restored palace, with its grand interiors, lush gardens, and period furnishings, transports you to the era of Virginia’s royal governors. The costumed interpreters are exceptional, weaving historical facts with engaging stories about the palace’s role in colonial politics and society. Their knowledge and enthusiasm made the experience both educational and entertaining, though I’d recommend booking tickets in advance, as slots fill up quickly during peak seasons. The Historic District is a sprawling, living museum that feels like stepping into a time machine. Walking the cobblestone streets past restored homes, taverns, and tradespeople at work—blacksmiths, wigmakers, and printers—captures the essence of colonial life. The district is expansive, so comfortable shoes and a map (or the excellent Colonial Williamsburg app) are a must. Highlights included the Capitol and Raleigh Tavern, where I learned about the seeds of American independence. The area is vibrant with activity, from fife-and-drum performances to impromptu historical reenactments, making it engaging for all ages.What truly sets Colonial Williamsburg apart is the storytelling and learning opportunities. The interpreters don’t just recite facts; they share compelling narratives about the diverse people who shaped this era—enslaved individuals, artisans, gentry, and revolutionaries. Programs like the “Voices from the Past” series and interactions at sites like the Peyton Randolph House provided nuanced perspectives on the complexities of colonial society, including its darker aspects like slavery. These stories are thought-provoking and grounded in extensive historical research, making the experience deeply meaningful. Overall, Colonial Williamsburg is a terrific historic site that blends education, immersion, and entertainment seamlessly. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, the Governor’s Palace, Historic District, and rich storytelling make it a must-visit. I’d suggest allocating at least a full day to soak it all in, and don’t skip the evening programs for an extra dose of charm! Highly recommended for anyone looking to connect with America’s roots.

Came with a group tour off of a cruise ship. If you come with a pre arranged tour the day ticket is a sticker for your clothes. Mine didn't stay on and some of the exhibits they would not let you in unless you gave the ticket. I had to go to the onsite ticket office to get it replaced so I could go into the governors mansion etc. GET THE NAME OF THE TOUR COMPANY THAT BOUGHT YOUR TICKETS! It is not the cruise ship but who they contracted with. Also we were there off season, so the place was empty

Long overdue for this review. My wife and I stayed here on the last leg of our honeymoon and I will say this. From the time you enter until the time you leave, everyone here made us feel loved and made sure our stay was the best that it could have been. Coffee at the front desk went above and beyond and helped us out during our stay. The food was amazing in the restaurants that they have on site. It was honesty the perfect end to our honeymoon. We will be back in the future.

The largest outdoor living museum in the USA. A great place to visit whether it’s with the family or a significant other. Everything is very walkable and the aesthetic of the area is beautiful. I highly recommend staying at the Williamsburg Inn.

This was the first historical landmark that I visited during my time in Williamsburg. The mansion and the gardens are absolutely beautiful and well-maintained. I really enjoyed the speech from "George Washington" and walking through the fun maze in the garden. The mansion has a lot of artifacts from that time period and very few items are original. The tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable about history of this mansion and who previously lived here. They also have staff cooking traditional meals from that time period. They have clean restrooms on the premises and places to sit down. For those in wheelchairs, it might get a bit challenging moving around on the grounds as their is a lot of gravel (and broken sea shells) on the ground. Overall, I definitely recommend making this place a must visit. I do suggest buying your ticket in advance from the Lumber House Ticket Office or online in order to tour this mansion along with the other great landmarks as you can't buy tickets at the front door.

Breathtakingly beautiful. I loved every bit of this house. Gorgeous woodworking details. Interesting history. I wish I could have stayed longer. Make sure you explore the gardens surrounding the house and the maze in the back. My kids and I also loved the cellar underneath the house. Amazing! And worth the ticket to get in for sure.

Blown away! Walking through this palace is worth the entire ticket and more. It’s incredible and everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful, willing to answer all the questions we had. My favorite part was the musicians in the ballroom we stayed and listened for about four songs and could have stayed longer. What an absolute gem!

You need a ticket to take the escorted tour inside the Palace. This is the only way to see what’s inside. AnnMarie was our tour guide. She was knowledgeable, funny, and very nice. When we walked inside we sat in a room waiting for the tour to begin at noon. AnnMarie told us how it burned to the ground, and skeptics were not sure how to rebuild. But they found pictures of it outside and inside among papers in England and Thomas Jefferson’s papers in America. This is truly a beautiful building inside and out. After seeing the butler’s pantry, the parlor, the bedrooms & salon, and the dining room, we walked the grounds before moving on to the next historical landmark.

We spent a lovely afternoon exploring the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg. This was the perfect starting point for our day trip, as the Palace is centrally located within the historic district, making it easy to continue exploring nearby attractions, shops, and restaurants on foot. We purchased the "Single Day Admission Pass" online in advance for convenience, which cost $35 per adult. Children aged 6–10 were only $10, and children 6 and under were free—great pricing for families. The pass included access to the Governor’s Palace and gardens, the hedge maze, guided tours, live music at the first theater in the U.S., historic trades demonstrations, and the local art museum. A fantastic value for everything that’s included. Parking was easy to manage—$6 for about three hours. You can pay at the visitor center or simply scan the posted QR code with your phone, which was quick and convenient. That said, parking does fill up quickly, so we’d recommend arriving earlier in the day if you're planning a short trip. The authenticity of the experience really stood out. The tour guides and staff were dressed in 18th-century attire and stayed in character, making it feel like we had stepped back in time. The grounds were beautifully maintained, and the Palace itself was both grand and educational. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available for an added fee and would be a great enhancement to any visit. This location is ideal for families, history buffs, and anyone looking to enjoy a mix of culture, gardens, and colonial charm. We’re already looking forward to returning during the holiday season to see how the town transforms. Highly recommended for a memorable and immersive experience!

The tour of the palace is a part of the $35/per person ticket price. Honestly, by the end of the day I felt like that ticket price was actually a decent price for everything you get to see. The people giving the tour of the palace were all very knowledgeable and kind. I gave 4 stars simply because they take us in groups of 50 and sometimes it was difficult to ask questions when lots of people raised their hand and not every question was able to be answered. However, I do understand they have a lot of people to take through the palace so taking less people in the groups would make the line even longer outside. I bought my ticket in advance, the day before online, and it was super easy. I walked around and just showed the email with the two QR codes to the workers who asked to see it and they let us in. I loved how the workers were dressed to fit of the colonial times but they interacted with us like normal and gave thorough explanations and were happy to chat!

The modern Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia stands as a faithful reconstruction of the original 18th-century residence that once symbolized royal authority and later revolutionary leadership in colonial America. Originally completed in 1722, the Palace served as the official home for seven royal governors of Virginia and, briefly, for the first two governors of the Commonwealth—Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson—until it was destroyed by fire in 1781. From an architectural perspective, the current structure, completed in 1934 as part of the Colonial Williamsburg restoration project, exemplifies Georgian symmetry and refinement, modeled meticulously after surviving plans, inventories, and archaeological evidence. The façade features red brick in Flemish bond, limestone trim, and a grand central pediment, conveying both authority and elegance. Its interiors reflect the wealth and power of the colonial elite, with richly paneled rooms, ornate staircases, and period-accurate furnishings sourced or replicated from the 18th century. The gardens and grounds—laid out in formal, axial design—mirror the Enlightenment ideal of order imposed upon nature. From a historical standpoint, the Palace represents both the pinnacle and the decline of British colonial governance in Virginia. It was a stage for ceremony and diplomacy, hosting lavish balls and councils under the Crown, yet it also became a crucible for revolutionary sentiment. After the Revolution, it stood as a potent symbol of transformation—from monarchy to self-governance. Today, the Governor’s Palace operates as a museum and interpretive site, offering visitors a tangible experience of pre-Revolutionary life. It stands not merely as a reproduction, but as an enduring dialogue between past and present—a testament to America’s colonial craftsmanship, political evolution, and the enduring power of place in shaping historical memory.

Visiting Historic Jamestowne was such an incredible experience! Walking the grounds where America’s first permanent English settlement began truly felt like stepping back in time. The mix of history, archeology, and storytelling makes it both educational and inspiring. The exhibits and artifacts bring the past to life, and the staff/volunteers are so knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history. It’s amazing to see history being uncovered right before your eyes! Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, Historic Jamestowne is a must-see. We left with a whole new appreciation for the roots of our nation. 🇺🇸

We enjoyed everything about this area. The Powhatan village is interesting because it let's us see how they may have lived during this time. The ships are cool. One of the ship captains actually had a pair of prescription glasses made to look like what would have been worn during that period. The settlement area was great with live features like the blacksmith, cooking, setting and musket firing. Absolutely loved the museum! It's informative and well designed.

I give it a 4 star because you don't know that if you want to view old Jamestown (Jamestown Rediscovery, $15 per adult) you have to also purchase the park pass which is also $15 because you have to walk slightly through the park to get to it. They should just say $30 per adult and separate it in the system automatically (2 different entities are being paid). Now that's out of the way. Family had a great time, daughter enjoyed learning Halberds with Captain Brewster. The dig sites were neat to learn about. Ren was our archeological tour guide and seemed to have recited everything I read in the museum verbatim, she knows the timeline well, was friendly along with the rest of the staff, and had a good speaking voice for large outdoor crowds. The history of the place is awesome to learn about. We then went to the main museum and was awed by the size and the technology they put in this museum, better looking than the Smithsonian! Past the main museum is more historical replica outdoor buildings with staff dressed in the time period and showing people how different things were made during that time. There was also a musket rifle firing demo, which is loud. We also looked at the 2 ships at the end of the walk on the pier, which were also well maintained and fun to explore. We did not do the glass blowing house, but will go back and do it again.

This is an amazing place! This is a place in a place in a place. If you come here this gets a little pricey. Jamestown is broken into 3 pieces, there’s the more touristy Jamestown that’s not in the original spot, there’s the actual Jamestown where they are doing archaeological digs and have the original church and where you can see actual artifacts found from the digs, and then finally there is New Jamestown which is from the 1700s and is just ruins. Be prepared to do a lot of walking! It’s beautiful and educational but not for someone who can’t do a lot of walking. This will also take a lot of time, maybe 5 hours or more to do all 3 places. There’s parking at Jamestown museum and then at original Jamestown. All three places you have to pay. I didn’t mind paying for Jamestown museum ($20 a person) and the Original Jamestown ($15 a person). I was annoyed about paying for New Jamestown ($15 a person). You have to pay for new Jamestown and Original Jamestown together. $50 for all of it was a bit much. The only reason I’m ok with it because it helps fund the projects on the 2 sites.

Such a great experience! We saw many historic places as well as a lot of nature! There’s plenty to see so come early! Make sure you took your national parks card if you have one!

This was our first time to Historic Jamestowne. Since we are able, we went ahead and bought the lifetime NPS annual pass, which is valid for admission at all US National Parks. We actually visited two days in a row, the first time to go through the brick and mortar museum and the second day to tour the grounds. Please be aware that there are two sites, the "Old Towne" is owned by the state of Virginia, and the "New Towne" is owned by the National Park Service. Both require separate admission fees. The museum buildings and grounds are well maintained. The museum also has a nice 15-minute overview movie of the origins of the site, including artifact displays. What's interesting is that all of the Native American artifacts have been removed from the exhibits. The walking tour is self-guided. Guided tours are available for an extra cost. Our only mistake was going on one of the hottest days of late June, temps in the upper 90s. The museum has site maps available. However, there are enough placards throughout detailing people and events. Don't expect to see any buildings or recreations that's over at the "Old Towne." The only standing structure is what's left of the Ambler House. Otherwise, you'll only see the foundations for over a dozen structures. With a bit of imagination, one can visualize what it may have been like at the settlement over 400 years ago. We accomplished the walking portion in 30 minutes. If you have time, please take the driving tour on Island Drive. From the NPS Museum, simply take a right out of the parking lot. It's well worth it if you enjoy nature. There's also the 1608 Glasshouse that's available to tour. Check before you visit for times as they have live glass blowing demonstrations. Enjoy!

You just cannot put a value on our historic places. Everyone should see tour the Historic Triangle. We had a great time. We went off peak season so it was very peaceful without being extremely busy. A lot of this is outdoors so prepare accordingly. So worth it!!

I am so glad we choose Jamestown. We had an incredible day and learned so much. All the employees are very helpful and knowledgeable. So much to see and do, my kids loved the hands on exhibits and learning from those who were dressed in colonial times outfits. We spent a full day exploring here.

I really enjoyed Jamestown Settlement - it's an excellent museum with state-of-the-art exhibits and lots of film presentations to move the narrative along. There's a big building with ticketing, a restaurant and gift shop, then a long corridor of exhibits that take you through time and introduce certain historical characters. At the end of the building, you go outside to see a native village, a large European settlement, and three ships docked down on the water. It's all really well done with lots of folks around to explain anything you want. You can go inside the buildings and they're all kitted out as if someone were really living there, and you can go below deck on the ships. It's really fun for all ages. First, don't confuse this location with the National Parks Service site of Historic Jamestowne, which is the actual location of the original settlement. This is more the touristy museum recreation of it all. Second, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are sister sites and are set up very similarly. Jamestown is the bigger of the two and you can buy a discount ticket for both here. If you buy it online, you get a week's access to both for the same price. Third, when I visited, I mostly wanted to walk around outside, so I did a loop of all the outside parts, then worked my way backwards through the exhibits. I don't recommend that, but you aren't locked into one way of seeing everything. Bathrooms are at the ticketing area, at the end of the exhibit hallway, and at a restroom & snack stand nearer the boats.

Beautifully crafted and well-versed staff with a phenomenal experience of where everything started and how history effects are every day Lives. You don’t have to be a history buff to come here to explore. well worth taking in the past so we can help understand the future. Especially enjoyed the recreation of buildings Otterson tools must get firing and in-depth knowledge of characters and staff on premises. Cheers.

Had a good time at the museum. It was a nice walk out to the boats thru the villages. The people dressed and worked like they were from that time period it was really neat to see. The only thing I would have changed would have been someone giving out information about what building you were at as you walked by. For any information you would have to ask the person working nearby and it felt as if you were interrupting them from their work, although I'm sure that was not the case. The place was filled with lots of different things to look at and places to go into. We also went inside one of the ships. I saw a couple crew members climbing the mast to let the sail down. That was scary to watch and I thought that must have been scary to do on the open ocean a long time ago. I am thankful my son is into history and wanted to visit this place. We had a good time here. We also got some souvenirs in the gift shop. The gift shop was big and had lots of items to choose from.

My family had so much fun at Jamestown, my oldest and I could have stayed twice as long reading everything inside the indoor museum portion and questioning all of the reenactors but the younger ones got bogged down after a bit. They did however really enjoy all of the outdoors exhibits! It was a lot of fun for those aged 5-40!

We brought our kids (ages 13, 10, 8) to this place because of the living history component. It was great! Clean and easy to follow the paths. Plenty of activities and guides explaining them. The kids stayed entertained the whole time. The museum was AMAZING. I didn’t expect it to be so nice inside. Well done!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the history that is present here! This is a great place to expose children and history enthusiasts to some of the original history of our great nation. The only thing that I would have liked to see more of is perhaps more reenactment of daily life during the time period portrayed.

This was literally the worst stop on our entire trip in 2025, and we went to 50 different locations during our vacation. First off, parking was horrid! It did state on the website that you can park in the parking deck of the hospital. Once we found the entrance to the parking garage, we then had to walk down two blocks to the museum. Fortunately, we walked around the back to find where you go in to buy a ticket. We were told the first tour was canceled and we had to wait an hour for the next one. At that time, there were two people at the counter (please remember this detail). The staff at the counter informed us that we could walk a few blocks to visit the capital if we wanted, and then return for the tour. We chose to just wait around since my wife is still recovering from her chemo treatments, I am not in the greatest of health, and it was almost 95 degrees outside, and we just drove in from Williamsburg and didn't even check into our hotel yet. We were not sure if we could keep up the pace walking and be back in time for the next tour. We paid for the tour and walked around the grounds a little bit, taking some B-roll video and pictures, and just sat in the courtyard waiting for the tour. At first we were the only ones there. As it got closer to tour time, more and more people showed up. When the tour started, there were literally 21 people on our tour, and the tour guide (one of the people that was hanging at the counter, by the way) said they normally limit the tours to 15-18 people. Needless to say, we were cramped. As the tour went on, the guide was mostly focused on people not touching anything, staying on the carpets, and not leaning on the wally. It was so cramped we could hardly see anything or even hear the guide. It was a truly dreadful experience. We were there once; that was enough. Oh... we did obtain a stamped paper from the museum to use as parking validation. I presented it to the attendant at the parking garage, and he basically yelled at us and said we were supposed to go into the hospital to take care of the parking cost. Nice of the museum to mention that little bit of information, as I am sure that happens to everyone. We had a much better time walking around the old Hollywood Cemetery.

I was concerned they would be sympathetic to the Confederates, but I found the tour pretty straightforward. No Confederate flags or anything. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the slaves who escaped and sold out the Davises. I understand some won't feel comfortable here, but ultimately, they lost. So why not learn some more about why the U.S. is the way it is? (Or gloat, which is also fair.)

The place where Jefferson Davis, the only president of the confederation dwelt during the war of secession. The guide was excellent. And we could have a more intimate understanding of the life of the leader of the confederation.

An excellent tour that opened a window onto Jefferson Davis’s life. A great tour by Rob, who has deep knowledge of the period, and made the house come alive.

Omg this place is amazing! The site is ofcourse wondrous, but ANDY is such a pro. She was SUPER funny, but very professional, knowledgeable, accommodating. Dont come to Richmond without stopping in!

Great tour. Costs $15, $12 for students. The tour itself is about half an hour to 45 minutes, and the tours leave every 45 minutes. The building itself is pretty small.

Had a really fun time at this small museum. My husband and I wanted to kill some time in Richmond and came upon this & we were blown away. The museum is smack dab in downtown in between the hospitals. We parked at the hospital parking lot and it was a quick 3 minute walk. Andy was a delightful tour guide and she was very well versed on all things President Jefferson Davis. This tour took around an hour and I definitely recommend it.

This beautiful cemetery offers ample parking, with additional street parking available nearby. Enter through the cemetery gates, go down the hill, and the parking lot is to the right. The best view of the park can be found near Monroe’s mausoleum. The cherry blossoms here are stunning. The park is quiet, peaceful, and perfect for walking.

Peaceful walk… Hollywood Cemetery is a nice spot to walk. The cemetery is big and hilly, offering great views of the James River, downtown Richmond, and a calm environment for exploring its historic grounds. There are different sections to admire the monuments and gravestones, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Beautiful cemetery that has many historical figures and interesting items to see. It was peaceful and quiet. You can easily drive through and follow the blue line on the road as a self guided tour. There are parking areas on the drive or just pull off to road side if you see something interesting. The overview of the river Beautiful.

Absolutely breathtaking. Very peaceful to walk through and spend time admiring centuries of craftsmanship, masonry, and ancestry. Sits overlooking the James River rapids with beautiful trees across the property and the city skyline in the periphery. Lucked out and had 3 whitetail deer stroll alongside me plus a tattered Monarch land on the mausoleum of President Monroe. A beautifully preserved venue that is both humbling and unexpectedly inspiring. I’d consider this a must-see in the Richmond area! There is a lot to explore if you want to walk. Quite a few graded hills so wear comfortable clothes and bring water, a light snack.

This place is rich in history and beauty. An active cemetery and resting place of Soldiers, two presidents, and many loved ones with a few well knowns sprinkled throughout. Overlooks the James River,

Beautiful historic cemetery! The rolling terrain and narrow roadways presented a bit of a challenge, but it's worth it. The views of downtown Richmond and the James River are amazing. And we were able to pay respects to three presidents: Tyler, Monroe, and Davis. In a bit of historical irony, Jefferson Davis's statue faces the Grant family plot!

My husband does Way mlMarking which is an activity which is kind of tied into geocaching. It's locating interesting places. Cemeteries have lots of interesting historical places to waymark. So I've seen a lot of cemeteries. This is one of the top three cemeteries I've ever been to. It is absolutely beautiful. There are so many old trees and interesting structures and memorials. I love the fact there's no plastic flowers or decorations. We met the gentleman who gives the chores and spent time sharing the history of the cemetery with my husband and it really made the visit all that more interesting. We'll be going back soon and next time we plan on taking the tour. It's well worth the visit, even if you're not sure you're into cemeteries. It's just a beautiful place.

It was really nice, quiet garden to walk, hang out place. You can picnic or just lay down and take nap! I went here with my husband. We walk to the down to see Japanese garden and Italian garden. We saw a lot of squirrels and deers. It was amazing. I love nature and i like the way they take care of this place except bamboos. Please, take good care of those bamboos! Bamboos symbolize very good fortune. The park/garden was not dog friendly unfortunately. That is why I gave only 3 stars just because bamboos (one of my favorite plant) and I couldn’t bring my well behave dog. I would still recommend this place, family friendly, stuff were friendly. It is also nice date idea. It is a romantic place. Oh, there is a parking lot.

Free, lots of free parking. The mansion is closed under renovation/construction but still had a great time walking around the Japanese and Italian garden. Didn't manage to walk the entire park butvwhat we did was beautiful. Went end of October and still had lots of beautiful colorful flowers. I recommend taking water and snacks.

I’ve been to this place during the day with my kids, and it is absolutely fantastic. It has a huge green meadow, beautiful Japanese gardens, and plenty of deer to watch. Everything is incredibly scenic and peaceful — a perfect way to spend time with kids and family. They also have a great play area, some cool animals, and lots of photogenic spots. I definitely recommend visiting! During the fall, they host a “Glow Night,” which was really awesome and such a fun experience.

Me and a friend stopped here to stretch our legs. Beautiful property. The Italian and Japanese gardens were very pretty. It is hilly so it may be challenging for some. Especially since some of the paths are under construction.

Maymont is a beautiful Park located in Richmond. They have beautiful gardens to walk in. They have lots of animals to pet and feed. The fee is free to get in. They have the garden Glow going on right now. It takes about 90 minutes to walk through the whole thing. We love maymont and we come here about once a month. You can never appreciate the beauty of it enough.

We only went for the Garden Glow experience and arrived pretty late in the night. It was a bit chilly around halloween, but we bundled up and had a great time. The Japanese Garden is a must see experience, I wish we had more time here. We did the hike and unless you have limitations with walking I would suggest it over taking the tram. Overall, it was a great experience and worth the money we spent on it.

Maymont is a must see Richmond landmark and shouldn't be missed. It has beautiful and unique formal gardens, an animal farm, a historic home, a nature center and so much more. Years ago I attended a wedding at the Italian Gardens and it was a beautiful ceremony. The Italian Gardens are right behind the historic mansion. In front of the mansion is a grouping of the most amazing trees that my children loved having a picnic under. Maymont has benches set up under these trees. The fact that admission is free to all of the grounds and the farm area is amazing and quite the gift to Richmond. I hope people appreciate how unique and special this is. Highly recommend this special gem of a place.

If you live near Washington, D.C. and have already explored all the Smithsonian museums, and you're looking to venture a bit farther, this place is worth the trip. It’s not huge, but it offers a thoughtfully curated collection — and best of all, it’s open year-round and completely free. The surrounding scenery is also beautiful, making it a perfect getaway for those who want a peaceful break from the everyday hustle. The current Frida Kahlo exhibition didn’t quite meet my expectations, as it features more writing than artwork, but it’s still worth a visit. This is a museum where you can enjoy the playfulness of surrealism and discover the hidden modernity within ancient art.

There are a lot of great works of art! More Egyptian items than I have seen other places. That was very neat to see. The Faberge eggs were very interesting. I really enjoyed the section with the black walls and the lighting on the paintings. That really made them pop! We also enjoyed the giant paintings!

Wedding Venue: We had an amazing experience planning and hosting our wedding at the VMFA!!! Beth was awesome to work with through the planning process, and wedding weekend. She was kind, helpful, professional, responsive, and we had full confidence in her executing our event! She helped provide all the critical info up front, answered all our questions through the process, provided guidance, vendor suggestions (DJ was amazing), helped coordinate details for some of the other vendors, and overall was a calming presence that put us at ease. The wedding logistics were executed flawlessly, and it was such a nice feeling to be able to have full confidence in Beth and the staff, and truly be able to enjoy the day/evening. The venue itself (Amuse & Claiborne) was perfect, and our guests were raving about it - they enjoyed the different rooms to talk and dance, and enjoyed the patios. The food was incredible (especially the mac and cheese!), we loved having so many options as a part of the station dinner, and guests really liked having the food out all evening. The bar never had a line, everything was efficient, and guest enjoyed the selection. Most importantly, we and our guests noticed and appreciated how every staff member we interacted with was so nice, helpful, and were just a positive addition to our evening. Lastly, we loved all the different outdoor options for pictures, including a private first look in the front of the building. The grounds are so beautiful! Thank you to Beth and the entire VMFA staff for everything they did to make our wedding weekend perfect, smooth, and SO much fun - we are so grateful! We could not have picked a more perfect wedding venue! Note: Photo credit Michael & Laura Photography

I visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and absolutely loved it! The Frida Kahlo exhibition was incredible, so inspiring and beautifully curated. The museum itself is spacious and elegant, with a great atmosphere for art lovers. I really enjoyed spending time there, and I’d love to go back to explore more of their collections!

Beautifully curated art spanning every era — from contemporary pieces to works thousands of years old. One of the most impressive art museums I’ve ever experienced, with such depth and volume that you’ll find yourself returning again and again.

I had a fabulous time at the Frida exhibit back in October. It was amazing. I got to see pictures I've never seen before. I have seen a Frida exhibit before. This was My first time at the Virginia museum. It was amazing. It's a beautiful museum. The sculpture outside. I really enjoyed it. I didn't get a chance to see the rest of the museum because I spent most of my time looking at the Frida stuff and buying books and looking at all the stuff to buy.

This museum is both active and peaceful between the inside and the outside. It's a go-to for me. This is fantastic place with an incredible collection, whether you're into art or you're just checking it out for the first time.

The gardens are beautiful. I was very impressed by the size of the gardens as well as how well everything was labeled. There were also interesting art pieces displayed throughout. While I do not have children, there were lots of play areas and even a little water sections that would be perfect for children. Be prepared to walk a lot as there is a lot gardens to see. My only complaint would be that the butterfly conservatory was completely closed but it was the same price. I feel like that is a bug part of the experience so if it is not opened, they should adjust the admission price.

What a gem! Had the lovely opportunity to visit the gardens and discover they were hosting a concert the next day — so fun! Incredible section for children and families. Pond is a great spot for taking some Time to see what’s swimming around. Quite a bit of construction at the moment, which didn’t interfere with the enjoyment of the gardens.

We had our Elopement Ceremony at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on 5/5/25, and it was truly amazing! The entire setting was like a dream. The gardens were bursting with vibrant flowers in full bloom, creating the most beautiful and romantic backdrop for our vows. Everywhere we turned, there were gorgeous spots perfect for photos, which made capturing our special day so easy and memorable. The staff at Lewis Ginter were incredibly helpful, kind, and professional from start to finish. They answered all our questions promptly, helped us plan the details of our ceremony, and made sure everything went smoothly on the big day. We felt so well taken care of, and it allowed us to fully relax and enjoy the moment. I absolutely loved having our wedding here and can’t recommend this venue enough to anyone looking for a stunning, peaceful, and unforgettable place to say “I do.” Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden made our elopement everything we dreamed it would be!

August 2025 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is beautifully maintained, with a nice variety of flowers, plants, and walking paths. It’s a relaxing place to spend an hour or two, and there are plenty of benches and shaded spots to just sit and take in the scenery. The themed gardens and water features add a nice touch, and everything feels thoughtfully designed. KID FRIENDLY! The Children’s Garden is a hit — with a splash area, play spaces, and sand box. It’s a great stop if you’re in the Richmond area and want to enjoy some fresh air and nature.

The botanical garden in Richmond is a must-visit! It’s incredibly spacious—you can easily spend several hours exploring. There’s a beautiful variety of plants, including lots of dragonflies fluttering around and a stunning collection of roses. The grounds are peaceful and well-maintained, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. They also have a large café and a great gift shop with plenty of unique items. If you're visiting Richmond, this is definitely one of the top attractions to check out!

It was a lovely garden, with benches along the way to pause throughout the journey, and there was a treehouse for kids. The paths were quiet and the wind chimes added to a peaceful vibe. For people allergic to bees, the rose section was a bit overwhelming. We were a bit bothered by the noise of the construction taking place in one area of the garden when we visited (April) and I also didn’t like that the maps were only provided for members. However, the gift shop was larger than expected and full of a variety of beautiful items, and the beauty of the space brought joy to my day.

Took my mom here for her birthday as part of a Richmond trip. It rained for the first few minutes of our trip but once the rain stopped, the grounds were so pretty. I particularly enjoyed some of the shaded walking paths with streams and huge bonsai!

Had the most amazing time at the zoo and our added on Hippo experience. McKenna, the woman who lead our experience, was super knowledgeable, fun and kind. She has so many fun facts and was great addition to the experience of seeing and feeding Iris and Poppy. I highly recommend the zoo and the extra experiences. The other animals all were in exhibits that were closer than I was used to which was cool. They’re in the process of building expansions and larger/newer enclosures too so I’ll definitely be back to see that in the future. Thank you again McKenna for such an amazing experience and so much fun in the rain. And for the amazing photos you took of us so we could always remember this adventure!

I had the absolute BEST time at the Richmond Metro Zoo! I went on a Friday in the fall and it was perfect—not crowded at all, which made the whole experience so pleasant. I’ve been to a lot of zoos over the years, but this one truly stands out as my favorite. The variety of animals is incredible, with species from Asia, South America, and Africa. My favorite part was feeding the giraffes—what a special, unforgettable opportunity! The sky lift ride was another highlight, gliding right over zebras and rhinos. And feeding the birds? An absolute riot—I couldn’t stop laughing! Seeing a skunk, komodo dragon, tarantulas, Cappies and cheetahs was amazing! The animals were so unique (so many amazing monkeys!) and clearly well cared for, and the staff was friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Honestly, I had so much fun I didn’t want to leave. If you’re looking for a zoo experience that’s both exciting and memorable, Richmond Metro Zoo is the place to go. Highly recommend!

I went in with low expectations because of Tripadvisor/ reddit reviews but this zoo actually ended up being pretty good. We went on a weekday and it wasnt crowded. Some of the exhibits could be a bit bigger/better, especially for the small primates but many other exhibits were the same size/enrichment Ive seen at multiple AZA zoos. They had multiple babies, which was fun. Over half of the small primate enclosures had a baby. The 6 cheetah cubs were adorable, though a bit hard to see due to distance. The dog/cheetah combined enclosure was something new and i learned that dogs are routinely used as emotional support for cheetahs in zoos. The budgie area was super fun and we went in around 2pm after multiple people already had been. Feeding the giraffes was super fun too. The actual concession stand wasnt crazy overpriced, compared to other zoos Ive been too. My son also really liked the playground next to the food concessions by the petting zoo. It was a bit out of the way for me as we live in Newport News, but we'll likely come back once a year.

My friends and I did the Poppy experience and it was SO WORTH IT. McKenna was super knowledgeable, answered all our questions, and gave us a wonderful experience. Poppy and Iris were out and hungry. It was so much fun to get up close and personal with them. We walked around the rest of the zoo after leaving Hippo Haven and it was such a good time. The zoo has plenty of exhibits and activities for little kiddos to do. I recommend buying tickets in advance since the ticket line looked long when we got there and we were able to breeze through with on-line tickets. This zoo is super fun to go to and the keepers and staff are super friendly. I highly recommend the Metro Richmond Zoo.

We had an amazing time at the Galapagos tortoise experience. McKenzie provided lots of interesting facts and the tortoises were surprisingly friendly and expressive. Always love feeding the giraffes and visiting with the budgies! The new exhibit areas looked wonderful. My son and I had a great afternoon!

I took my Best Friend to feed and visit with Poppy and Iris! It was nice perfect. The guide was so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. We got to be up close to the adorable Pygmy Hippos in a safe way for both us ans them. They were so sweet! It was super easy to sign up for. 10/10 would recommend!

I really liked going there and I came away with more knowledge than I had. The animals on exhibit all appeared healthy and well kept. Workers were cleaning and tending habitats behind the scenes all over the place. I really liked how close you could be to some of the animals and even feed them. Hopefully the cheetahs can go to other facilities when they're old enough and help repopulate the species. That is the goal of conservation and zoological parks after all. Parking was ample, entry was really easy, it was a beautiful day so I expected it to be more crowded but it was not. I would give this facility 5 star, but I really think they need to update their signage because much was sun faded and some banners tattered. It's the details that people notice when you're taking care of animals. It would be a better impression.