COASTAL VIRGINIA VIRGINIA BEACH WATERFRONT DID YOU KNOW? The accomplishments of Pharrell Williams reach as LOVEWORK high as “a room without a roof”: musician, producer, Smithfield entrepreneur and more. And Virginia Beach residents know that Williams treasures the city where he was born and raised, and that he supports what he values – as highlighted by the Something in the Water festival. The multiday beachfront experience welcomes internationally acclaimed recording artists, providing epic entertainment while benefiting Virginia Beach. EMANCIPATION OAK Hampton LOVEWORK Ham it up at the LOVEwork in Smithfield, where the popular country ham has been cured, treated, smoked and processed for centuries. The Smithfield brand also produces bacon, so using two strips of the delicious pork product as inspiration for the “V” was a no-brainer for designer Meagan Pugh. Your bacon- themed photo op will certainly make you hungry, so turn your focus to the official COASTAL ham shop, informative museum and several restaurants serving local products. VIRGINIA BUCKET LIST You won’t want to blow off the opportunity to take awhale-watching tour in Virginia Beach. These massive majestic mammals come to the Virginia shores in the winter months, when northern waters get too cold. Catch the acrobatic humpback whales in their natural habitat to see them blowing, breaching, rolling over, fluking and slapping the water. You might also spot bottlenose dolphins; harbor seals; harbor porpoises; fin, right and minke whales; and a variety of NOTABLE NEIGHBORHOOD seabirds and waterfowl. You can bask in Phoebus entertainment and food, but don’t pass up the historical highlights of Hampton’s early beach resort and “liberty - spot” for World War II soldiers. Tour Fort Monroe, HIDDEN GEM INSTAGRAM WORTHY located where the first Africans arrived in 1619, The Mikelaites family Picture-worthy scenes at Lake Drummond in the Great and which sheltered freedom seekers during has welcomed guests Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge inspire your the Civil War. Visit Hampton University, an to their pastoral land soul and your camera. Here, untarnished stretches HBCU founded in 1868. See the Emancipation since 1987, when of forest habitats and marshes support a diversity Oak, where the Black community gathered in parents Joseph and of mammals, birds and butterflies. Picturesque bald 1863 to hear the first Southern reading of the Helene – “Jolene” – cypress trees rise from the water on wide rippled Emancipation Proclamation. Then pair your new- operated a nursery bases, like pleated skirts, often with knobby “knees” found knowledge with a pint from 1865 Brewing, and garden center. jutting up beside them. Their quirky appearance a new history-themed brewery. Siblings Sandy, Brian summons thoughts of enchanted forests and of and Cindy have prehistoric swamps! since converted the property to Jolene ICONIC Family Winery and ASK A LOCAL Three Virginia locations that played major roles vineyard. Choose from “I love Coastal Virginia so in early American history lie within easy driving their vibrant whites, The COASTAL VIRGINIA region begins just east much because of the distance. Dubbed the Historic Triangle, Jamestown, ruby rosé or robust of Richmond, meanders along Chesapeake Bay variety: ‘7 Cities’ is not just Yorktown and Williamsburg showcase the first English reds, and then choose tributaries and ends along the beautiful coast of a name! ... What I like most the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring historic icons, classic settlement, the end of the Revolutionary War and where to sip and is that each city has its own theme parks and beautiful shorelines, it’s the ideal the founding of a new nation. Each destination offers savor: on The Veranda, destination for a classic family getaway, satisfying identity and vibe. Beyond dynamic learning opportunities for all ages. Chat with in The Pines beside history buffs, thrill seekers and beach loungers alike! that, we have the beach, historical interpreters, watch historically accurate the placid lake, in The bay, rural, city … a little bit of something for demonstrations, taste true-to-the-times food and Greenhouse or in the ALI ZAMAN ALI everyone!”—Jarrell Williams, Nomarama explore re-created living-history communities and comfortable tasting room. SMITHFIELD LOVEWORK: ELLY CONDIT / JARRELL WILLIAMS HEADSHOT: NOMARAMA / EMANCIPATION OAK: BILL CRABTREE JR. CRABTREE BILL OAK: EMANCIPATION / NOMARAMA HEADSHOT: WILLIAMS JARRELL / CONDIT ELLY LOVEWORK: SMITHFIELD interactive museums. 66 VIRGINIA.ORG 67 Experience an Inspired Weekend in HAMPTON Sea to Stars During the Civil War, it became MANY ATTRACTIONS. known as “Freedom’s Fortress” ONE LOW PRICE. following the controversial Hampton’s 410-year legacy as Contraband Decision, prompting the city “First from the Sea, thousands of enslaved people to First to the Stars” is captured seek sanctuary within its walls. in this combination ticket that Today visitors from around the mixes history, adventure, water world come to this National recreation and fun! Explore Monument and walk in the some of Hampton’s best footsteps of these courageous attractions at one low price. individuals. Hampton University Virginia Air & Space Museum Science Center HISTORY COMES TO LIFE. REACH FOR THE STARS. of fresh-caught seafood and Africans in America in 1619 Founded in 1868, the Hampton The visitor center for NASA delectable Southern dining. to the flourishing campus of University Museum is America’s Langley Research Center is a Whether in Downtown, Hampton University, one of the oldest African American world-class facility featuring Phoebus, Fort Monroe, Coliseum nation’s oldest Historically Black museum. Located on the more than 100 “hands-on” Central or a hidden hot spot, Colleges. historic Hampton University exhibits that tell America’s you’ll find a dish to savor. campus that dates to the same exciting story of air and space Miss Hampton II year, the museum features exploration. See the Apollo 400 Years Forward CAST OFF FOR ADVENTURE! more than 9,000 pieces of 12 Command module, a Mars EXPLORE BLACK HERITAGE. All aboard! Take a harbor cruise African American, traditional meteorite and even a three- Experience the historic and enjoy a unique and exciting African, Native American, Native billion-year-old moon rock. museums, sites, and nautical experience around the Hawaiian and Asian art. monuments that illustrate Hampton Roads harbor. See Drinks and Dining the perseverance of the water views of Fort Monroe and Fort Monroe BRING YOUR APPETITE. human spirit with The 400 Fort Wool, the world’s largest REMEMBER AND REFLECT. Ideally located on the edge Years Forward Heritage naval base, and the site of the It is the site where the first of the Chesapeake Bay and Tour, showcasing the rich Battle of the Ironclads during Africans brought to English Atlantic, it’s no surprise that Black heritage of Hampton, this popular April–October daily North America landed in 1619. Hampton is a haven for lovers from the landing of the first cruise. SPONSORED CONTENT 68 Untitled-2 1 11/23/20 4:38 PM VG MEETS ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS OF THE VIRGINIA GREEN PROGRAM g PROVIDES PRINTED MATERIAL IN BRAILLE D PROVIDES DESCRIPTIONS BY A TRAINED AUDIO DESCRIBER W PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE COASTAL q OFFERS ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION u PROVIDES A DEVICE USED FOR COMMUNICATION WITH AND BETWEEN HEARING IMPAIRED s PROVIDES ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS VIRGINIA b BUSES/GROUPS WELCOME c PET- FRIENDLY FACILITY $ ADMISSION REQUIRED I ADA- COMPLIANT Air Power Park Hampton University Museum NEW KENT CNU's Ferguson Center Endview Plantation 413 W. Mercury Blvd., 100 East Queen St., Hampton; New Kent Visitors & for the Arts 362 Yorktown Rd., Newport New Kent Hampton; 757-726-0650. 757-727-5308; hamptonu. Commerce Center Christopher Newport News; 757-887-1862; endview. Outdoor air and spacecraft edu/museum. Exceptional 7324 Vineyards Pkwy., University, 1 Avenue of the Arts, org. Built in 1769, Endview 60 64 display, picnic facilities. b collection of African, African New Kent; 804-966-8787; Newport News; 757-594-8752; Plantation is now a living American, American-Indian yesnewkent.com. Located fergusoncenter.org. Offering history museum. During Charles City Bluebird Gap Farm and Asian and Pacific islands on I-64 Exit 211 offers clean shows from classical to country the Peninsula Campaign, it 60 Pine Chapel Rd., Hampton; art. b restrooms, vending machines and Broadway to pop. $b served as headquarters for 757-825-4750; hampton.gov/ and exhibits on New Kent's Confederate generals McLaws Jamestown bbgf. A 60-acre farm/park/zoo Langley Speedway local history and attractions. CNU’s Fine Arts Center and Toombs. $b with farm animals and Virginia 3165 N. Armistead Ave., Come see why New Kent is a 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport 64 Williamsburg wildlife. b Hampton; 757-865-7223; great place to visit. News; 757-594-7000; cnu.edu/ The Founders' Trail Yorktown langley-speedway.com. fac. Includes galleries, studios 13560 Jefferson Ave., Newport 60 Buckroe Beach NASCAR Late Model Stock and community art spaces. News; 757-886-7777; 17 100 S. First St., Hampton; 757- Car racing and other exciting NEWPORT NEWS $bI newport-news.org. Self-guided Poquoson 850-5134; hampton.gov/parks. events. b Newport News Tourism driving tour of Newport News' Chesapeake Bay beach with 702 Town Center Dr., Newport Deer Park 17th- and 18th-century sites. playground, bandstand, beach Little England Chapel News; 757-926-1400; 11523 Jefferson Ave., Newport b Surry Newport News rentals, picnic shelters. b 4100 Kecoughtan Rd., newport-news.org. Consumer, News; 757-886-7912; Hampton; 757-660-8646. group tour and meeting newport-news.org. Azalea Harwood's Mill Park 17 Hampton Casemate Museum at Fort Virginia's only known planner services. b gardens, picnicking, hiking Oriana Rd., Newport News; 258 Smithfield 258 Monroe African-American missionary trails and “Boundless” 757-886-7912; newport-news. 664 564 Casemate 20, Bernard Rd., chapel.