Of all the nearby bases - I've visited JEB Little Creek the least in my 17 years as a contractor…read morewith the Navy. We all know it's where all the cool shit goes down but unless you have reason to venture on - it's not a place I frequent. It's easy to find your way around compared to NOB bc it's nowhere near as large. And their pass-ID office is one of the best bc you can easily get in and out as a walk-in last minute.

This is a little hidden gem for beach lovers that have access to military bases. The parking here…read moreis excellent and very close to the beach. You can virtually park right in the sand if you'd like, and walk directly ahead to your spot. The beach is small and quaint and it's also great for families with small children seeing that the beach is very small. During the pandemic the beach was stringed off into sections for families and it was wonderful that it was done so everyone was within a safe distance from each other. The actual beach itself is not very full of waves, and always tends to have a very large sandbar, and a very slow drop off. You can normally walk very far into the ocean and it only be waist deep which I personally really like. The only downside to this beach is that not everyone has access to it. You must have a military issued ID card that the front gate will scan prior to entrance.

One stop shop, almost…read more.. I visited this place because I needed to reserve a city park shelter in Chesapeake. To be exact, Northwest River Park. Well out of the several parks located in Chesapeake, this park is the only one that does the reservation on their own. Bummer... Well while I am here, I checked the place out. I didn't take pictures because I felt like I was going to get in trouble or something. The set up reminded me of a museum in which one needed to be still and to keep your hands to yourself. Well that's the feeling I got. Nevertheless, there are several magazine and other publications inside. I am unsure if the city publishes them, but it was publications I had never heard of. It's pretty small inside, but it's an office so the space is equable, I loved the set up. I cannot remember the employee present on that Saturday afternoon, but she was super kind and guided me along the way... gave me the phone number/contact to reach out to the park for booking. However, all other parks in the city, one must book through this office. The office is located in the Greenbrier section of the city. I used my GPS and it wasn't hard to locate at all. If you are in the area, check it out to learn more about the City of Chesapeake. Have fun and enjoy life :)

This is a wonderful family park for, walking ,exercising,bike riding,hiking or just over fun time…read morewith family and friends This park is very clean and people are within covidc19 rules and regulations what an wonderful place to walk your dog in the morning or anytime during the day.

A nice memorial paying tribute to WWI service members The…read moreVictory Arch in Newport News, Virginia, is a historic monument that pays tribute to the brave service members who fought in World War I and beyond. Built in 1919, the original wooden structure welcomed soldiers returning from war, offering a grand and heartfelt homecoming. In 1962, it was replaced with the current permanent stone arch to preserve its significance as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance for generations to come. It is not in the best area of town. Parking is available on the nearby lots or on the street. There are several plaques around the one-block site. The engraved inscriptions and plaques on the arch honor the sacrifices of military personnel.The arch stands prominently on 25th Street. It stands about 3 stories tall and has a clean, timeless design that seems to blend very well with its surroundings, creating a respectful and relaxing atmosphere. The site is located in the heart of downtown Newport News. The Victory Arch is surrounded by notable attractions. It's just a short walk from Victory Landing Park, where you can enjoy waterfront views and open spaces. Visiting the Victory Arch is not only a historical experience but also an opportunity to connect with the city's deep military heritage dating back to WWI.

I feel a little weird reviewing an arch... but nobody has yet, and well, this is a very beautiful…read moretribute to our American heroes that served in WWI. It was first erected in 1919 and then rebuilt in 1962. The eternity flame has been lit since the 70's, and according to their Wiki page there was actually some controversy surrounding it and a gas shortage at one point. Almost half a million Americans returned through the ports of the city, so what a wonderful way to honor their valor. It is definitely worth a visit to pay your respects, and the nearby park is a nice place to reflect on the undeniable fact that freedom isn't free.

We had an incredible time exploring the battlefield and driving from location to location. My…read morehusband is a veteran so we got free admission which pleasantly surprised us that I also qualified as his wife. The staff was so nice and explained everything. We took the map and went to each site, read the plaques and paid our respect to those lost. The weather was perfect and everything was clearly labeled and well taken care of. We had a great time learning all about the battle and touring the grounds.

We stopped at this attraction as part of the free trolley tour that circles Yorktown. My husband…read moreloves military historic and we were both bummed that the museum on site was closed for the government shutdown. We did however make the best of walking around the site and taking in all of the history we could on the grounds. We also observed a ceremony that was going on when we arrived at the Victory Monument and viewed various artillery pieces on the grounds. The town of Yorktown has lots of historic buildings and things to see and do. We enjoyed walking around and taking the trolley around this beautiful village.

This confusing setup has a bunch of national park land adjoined to a privately owned historical…read moresite. Focusing only on the national park site, I found a visitor center with an introductory movie. While I was perusing the exhibitions right outside the theater, they managed to close it and lock it without letting me know the movie was starting. Which is a little irksome, but may have worked out for the best as I got to the outdoor site and managed to get a run of it and take some pictures just as a weather front was heading in. Some people had traveled from Michigan to tour the area, which I think was a good decision for them as you don't get this kind of history up there. The national park site has some ruins and signage after crossing a boardwalk over the swamp. While not huge in scope; I spent maybe an hour on the site in total, it gives you a feel for the challenges that settlers would have faced. The signage provides compelling information for visitors of all ages, and the views of the waterfront and nearby ferry are majestic as well. You'll get a sense of historical nuance with a lot of players in the area, and an aesthetic experience as well. There is a wildlife drive and this place does have a parkway running to Yorktown, albeit currently not fully open due to major construction. I did not have time for everything the area has to offer on this passing visit, but there is a lot regardless of how much time you have.

September 2024- I visited the historic & original Jamestown , the colony was established there in…read more1607. Jamestown is remembered for its iconic historical figures like Pocohontas and Captain John Smith. In the Visitor Center, there is a small museum exhibit of Jamestown. The admission to explore all of Jamestown requires the purchase of two tickets since Jamestowne managed by two separate organizations, Preservation Virginia (Jamestown Rediscovery) and the National Park Service (Colonial National Historical Park). This can be very confusing when entering and getting admission inside Jamestowne. Entrance inside the visitor center & museum as well as the grounds are free for active military and their families, who get free passes to all the national parks. Standard fee is $15. An additional ticket of $15 is required to purchase by ALL (even with a free military entrance pass to all National Parks). It was worth it to me and a fair price to pay. Jamestowne was a fascinating visit to walk through the well maintained and reconstructed historical buildings & ancient ground of Jamestown. I like how they reconstructed Jamestown to show how it appeared during colonial times and showcased the ruins of the old church within its duplicated replica. I spent most of my time in the church, drinking in the views by the River, and walking through the grounds of Jamestowne. We ended our visit at Jamestown by going to the Archaearium, the archaeology museum, last. It covers the history of Jamestown 1607-1624. There was so much unknown information uncovered there about Pocahontas and the dark history of the colonists during times of famine. 1609 - 1610 was a dark and horrific time period of cold winter weather & starvation for the colonial settlers of Jamestowne. Many starved to death, some resorted to cannibalism of dead corpses or killing the living for food to survive. They reserved a room about this dark period and restrict the use of cameras & taking photography/ videos of that area in the museum out of respect for the remains of the dead in the room. Very macabre yet still fascinating. There were many areas we did not have time to explore due to time constraints and our travel agenda, yet we made the best of what little time we had there.

JEB Little Creek-Fort Story has one of the strongest MWR's in the region, and families who aren't…read moreusing what's available here are honestly leaving value on the table. The Outdoor Recreation program alone is a major asset. Between equipment rentals, camping gear, kayaks, paddleboards, grills, and seasonal offerings, it makes it possible to plan full weekends or spontaneous outings without needing to own everything yourself. It's practical, well-maintained, and priced in a way that actually supports families instead of excluding them. Commands can even check out items for zero cost for official events with a request submission. The gym and fitness facilities are equally solid. They're clean, well-equipped, and large enough to handle real demand without feeling chaotic. Whether you're lifting, doing cardio, attending group classes, or just trying to keep a routine while juggling family life, the facilities are reliable and accessible. It's one of those quality-of-life details that quietly makes a difference over time. What really ties it all together is how easy it is to see and access these offerings through MyNavyLife. Events, programs, seasonal activities, youth offerings, and special family events are all visible in one place, which makes planning far easier than hunting through multiple pages or flyers. There's a clear intention here to support not just service members, but entire families, and it shows in the range of amenities available. The MWR Library is honestly a very sweet location and has a single sailor Liberty Center for folks that are on their own and they have a lot of programs to make free time fun and not super expensive. Between Outdoor Rec, the gym, community events, and family-oriented spaces and places, JEBLCFS offers a level of support that is genuinely meaningful. It's not just "nice to have" we actively use these resources, and they've consistently made things better when we use them.

Allow to get processed at the entrance if proceeding to the lighthouse. They will check your car,…read moreand ask for paperwork (IDs and car insurance). Follow the rules, and you'll have a great time!

I love it here! I…read morelove the convenience of the location how it's near everything! The library is minutes from the mall minutes from a gas station minutes from a gym this is just perfect in my opinion. Very seldom do I use any other services other than the desk area to do independent work. Even though I do have a library membership in case I do decide to check out anything I just love being able to come and work in a neutral environment it's not super quiet in here especially if mothers or Guardians are with children but still it's nothing that's unbearable. The staff is super friendly always helpful. Every time I come in I'm greeted with a smile. The restrooms are always tidy! Upstairs and downstairs areas and handicap accessible. There are Stadium size rooms as well just an efficient building and location that holds a lot of events from graduations to seminars. But if you haven't been here definitely check them out. This past year, I've witnessed some graduates come and take their senior photos and evidently that's something that's allowed I've never seen anyone question them... I Love all the natural light that comes in as well petfect for pictures on a bright day. Have fun and enjoy life :)

What a beautiful building, with an AWESOME staff. My daughter and Mayor Oberndof's younger…read moredaughter Heidi graduated Kempsville H.S Class 1986..

A smaller outpost of the Chesapeake Public Library system, but they still have a speedy wifi, comfy…read moreseats and a well organized stack of stacks. I was surprised to find another Lee Child that I've not read before so that was awesome. I sat here for about an hour with my laptop and my new book. Quiet and peaceful and easy to work. [Review 10825 overall, 594 of 2019.]

Their meeting room is free to use for Chesapeake residents and non-profits, and is considerably…read morelarge! Reserve in advance. It's clean, in full working order, and there is a nice kitchen if you plan on serving refreshments during your function. Staff are friendly, but not everyone is on the same page when it comes to policies and procedures on how to handle the cleanup of the meeting space. No one told me that I would be heaving trash bags full of our own garbage into their dumpster, which is quite taller than me. Quite a humorous site for others, I imagine, but a pain in the butt for my short self. All in all, I was very pleased with the service and our experience.