I've been to YMCAs across the U.S. and Canada and this is tied with only one for as my favorite…read moreYMCA! Besides the location and staff, the best part about it for me is the dry sauna and the stationary bicycles facing the windows. I'm also super stoked that it became 24 hours starting this month/April...at least the main workout area is. The only cons I've experienced so far are: 1. The showers were only cold water at the time I tried them - but, in all fairness, it was end of a Sunday and lots of kids there. 2. There is only one Hip Abduction & Adduction Machine/Dual Inner/Outer Thigh Machine and someone is always using it. Despite being at the gym for hours, I've never seen it open so I have to use my thigh bands at home. There really needs to be two of them. Many of the machines around it go unused so they could easily be swapped out for a 2nd Dual thigh machine. Otherwise, this place is great and I feel safe when I'm there. Since it is such a nice YMCA, I can see why it gets so busy at certain times. I adjust my workout time when I can to avoid the crowds, but I understand that not everyone can do that.

Well, we aren't members of the YMCA, we did do the kids swim lessons there for about two months. I…read morereally appreciated. The fact of I had swim lessons for kids. I work with them individually well also in a group to be able to get them to swim safely. The changing rooms were very nice and quite clean and private, which was really great as well. Everyone was super nice and super welcoming and we really had a great time taking some lessons there. I would join the YMCA if I didn't already belong to another gym though, because it looks like it has a heck of a lot of stuff. Even a climbing wall! And lots of classes and activities too! Might have to look into that sometime soon!

I was excited when I saw a new small business, Kidcreate Art Studio was opening in the spring '21…read morein Newport News. I signed my granddaughter up for every activity in her age group. Each class is very affordable! The studio is in a strip mall on Warwick Blvd near Yates Elementary. It is a bright space with a variety of art supplies available to purchase for children, and a bright, colorful creating space with tables and stools. Some little kids fall off the stools but there are chairs available if desired. Ms Karen is the owner and she is delightful. She is very friendly and accommodating, but not overly so. The studio offers classes for children as young as 18 months, and as there is a wide variety of personalities and abilities, some children take awhile to get comfortable and some take to the structure right away. However there is no judgement or pressure for any child who may be having a melt down, and some do, or children who want to put project elements on upside down, or children who would rather sit on the floor or visit the caged birds that live at the studio. Some projects are very difficult for the younger children, but the age range for the classes my granddaughter attends is 18 months to 6 years, so there is quite a bit of adult involvement with the much younger children. The somewhat older children can attend on their own and parents can come back for them. Most projects have messy elements, and one of their "rules" is to have fun and get messy. Child height hand washing sinks are located close by, thankfully! I found a couple of projects too messy for my liking, but then, I'm about 60 years older than the kids the projects are designed for! As with any new business there are learning curves for the instructors who are likely getting all the elements together for a project they have never taught before. However the instructors generally are very hands off and let the children do what they feel comfortable doing while providing everything for a finished project. I look forward to supporting this business for several years to come, as long as my granddaughter is enjoying it.

Kidcreate studio is a wonderful place for kids to explore and learn arts and crafts. Our twins have…read morebeen going there for various functions and classes for several years and they love it! The staff is always friendly, helpful and responsive and we could not recommend this studio more highly!

have never had a better experience than this one right here they give the kids a chance to express…read morethemselves and gives them a chance to be independent

This is a solid place. If you are looking for a place to camp, you must check this place out. I…read morehave been here twice and would go back again in a heartbeat. Not a great place, but definitely center of the fairway. The first time we came, our Pack stayed in the upper area. This past weekend, we stayed in the main field. We had plenty of room, the staff were extremely accomodating/nice and the facilities were great. The location on the river was nice. The entire Pack had a great time. We didn't really know where to get water and they basically said - go to that field and it was the end of our interactions with the check in. The kids did the climbing wall, which was kinda ok as well as the low ropes which was definitely lame and you shouldn't waste your money. They were nice and it was interesting, but not worth the money. Basically, it was a teambuilding exercise. The Scouts had the usual incredible time, but that comes any time you put a bunch of young kids on a field and camp out. We had fun, have been before and will probably come again in a couple years. If you are looking for a place for your Cub Scouts to camp, come here. Just don't waste your money on the "extra" activities.

Very nice facility for competitive swimming. It's a shame…read moreit's in Hampton, because it will be run down in a few years like everything else. Sad, but certainly true.

Quiet time of day before the swim teams arrive to practice…read more Great facility for lap swimming and hydrotherapy! I love the lane configurations for North/South amd East/West lap swims! The dive area is set up for those who know how to dive. I even saw some classes posted if you want to learn to dive.

I saw my Yelp bestie review her childhood Y. What a cool idea! I had to come here and give props to…read moremy first ever gym. I learned to swim here and came to a couple of summer camps here too. I don't remember the individual staff members, but it was cool to think about the place I learned to swim, tread water and dive, valuable life skills and great memories. Later in life, my aunt used to let me come here on her membership to work out with her when I was visiting. Pretty neat! Great family vibes and a great place for kids. The Y has gotten crazy expensive everywhere. I think it's great if you have a family, but if you don't, it's hard to justify the cost.

Love it love it!! Service is always amazing all the staff is…read moresuper friendly and make you feel comfortable. My son is on the child watch during my workout and he loves it, the staff there is very friendly and sweet to the kids, they play with them and take them to a little outside park they have. On the gym area machines are always kept clean and in great condition, definitely recommend!

Truly an outstanding facility. The employees are the best. This is a great place for children to…read morehave extremely fun outdoor activities, including horseback riding. These folks have been in business since 1960.

5-Star Review My daughter had a trail ride at Triple R Ranch…read moreand it was absolutely fantastic! Her guide, Ava, was wonderful--patient, encouraging, and great at making her feel comfortable the whole time. You can tell Ava really knows how to connect with kids and help them enjoy the experience. The ranch itself is beautiful and well-run. If you're looking for riding lessons or a memorable trail ride, this is the place! Highly recommend Triple R Ranch.

The camp is a drive for us, but well worth it! Our daughter was so excited, but as a mom, I was…read moreworried she would get homesick... The camp counselors welcome them in like a cheering squad, and get them settled into their cabins first, so they can meet all their bunk mates. The itinerary for the week is very busy, they are up early, with a healthy breakfast to get them going, and they are out to the beach or the pool for their morning, then to lunch and some down time before they start the afternoon activities. Each meal they are allowed to sing and chant and stand on their seats just like in the movies, and they are allowed to BE KIDS... Then they are off to the afternoon activities which are land or dry stuff, archery, arts & crafts, skate boarding, hockey, and then off to dinner. Every night the counselors went through each cabin and got reports and sent us emails and pictures daily. We were able to email them daily and they would print the emails out and have them at their table daily for lunch. When we picked them up for the closing ceremonies, our little girl had made so many friends, and she didn't seem to miss us at all... she had a blast! Every kid gets an award at the end. It helps build friendships, fun, and lets them be kids. We will let our kids go back every chance they get!

I dropped my daughter off here last week and the camp staff seamed awesome. My daughter was…read moreassigned her cabin and the girls on staff in her cabin were very pleasant. We were given a rundown on the activities for her for the week and took a quick tour of the camp. All in all, very nice. When we picked her up she was so happy. She had the best time! She told us about swimming and boating and time at the beach. They have a skate park inside and they played basketball and just did a lot of outdoor activities. The one thing we were warned about when we picked her up was ticks. They said they have plenty of ticks since it is in the woods. After this experience I would not hesitate to send my daughter back to camp her and would love to send my son. I think he would have a blast! I wish I went to a camp like this when I was a kid... I didn't even get to go to camp.

I went to this camp for 2 years and the hole time I was there I had a blast they have grate…read morecounselors, cabins and pools. They have an open dock a boat . The activities consist of water skiing, swimming knee boarding, archery and more. I do recommend this camp

Cute little building that does, on a smaller scale, what the Visual Arts Center does in Richmond…read more They have supplies and classes. I know a lot of ladies who live in Mathews and have a great time taking one or two classes here. It's a great way to meet folks in Mathews. It's led to my mom's year or so long obsession with making "toothbrush rugs" which are not made OF toothbrushes, but with a needle-thing that looks kinda like a toothbrush. Great little place, I would totally recommend it. How awesomely fun would it be to come to Mathews for a summer and take a class here in between visiting the shops/restaurants and going to the beach?!

From the owner: The Bay School offers art classes and workshops for adults and children. Classes are offered in…read morePainting, Drawing, Basket making, Mosaics, Jewelry Making, Rug hooking, Pottery and much more! The Art Speaks Gallery is a bright, airy space showcasing local and regional contemporary art and craft.

My boyfriend and I had the BEST time at this Japanese Ramen Date Night at Untamed Chef! The class…read morewas interactive, organized, and easy to follow. We made pork gyoza with ponzu, fresh ramen noodles, jammy eggs, and green tea cookies, and everything tasted amazing. The chefs created a relaxed atmosphere while still teaching real technique, and our ramen bowls honestly turned out restaurant quality. It was a creative, memorable date night and we will definitely be back!!

I did not have the opportunity to experience the business, but I will warn you that if you book and…read morecannot make it for any reason (illness, surgery) you will not be able to re-book. The owner was very nice and offered us the bottle of wine that came with the experience, but it was an absolute waste of our money. Yes, I understand that the ingredients were already bought and ready for use. We did not ask for a refund, but to change to another date.