If you've spent any time in Virginia Beach, you couldn't miss all the fighter jets constantly…read morebuzzing by overhead. If you'd like to see them a little closer up and still buzzing, this is the spot for you. When I came by today, there were six or seven FA/18's doing touch and go's. It was very cool. Nothing political here by me.

This is an amazing place to watch military Jets take off and land. You're across the highway so I'm…read morenice set of binoculars would be awesome, but not really needed. If you stay there long enough the Jets will fly directly overhead. It's also a lot of fun to tune into the tower frequency and listen to the Jets on their approach and departure from the airport. I use the LIVE ATC app for that.

Neptune's Park is a must-visit if you're in Virginia Beach. That giant bronze statue of King…read moreNeptune? It's basically the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben of the Oceanfront; towering, iconic, and perfect for photos. I got an amazing pic there with my little brother that I'll always treasure. The park itself is a chill, grassy space right off the boardwalk, often buzzing with live music and people just soaking up the vibe. It's the perfect spot to relax after a stroll or while waiting for the next show to start, there's also beach access not too far from the park if you want to feel the sand in-between your toes, soak up the sun, or hop in the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounding the park is a whole world of things to do; plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop within walking distance. Whether you're in the mood for seafood, a cocktail, or something sweet, it's all right there. Great views, good energy, and that unforgettable Neptune statue this spot is a Coastal Virgina staple for tourists and locals alike.

I went to Neptune Park to participate in the SOLD OUT She Crab Soup competition…read more It was a great experience. The restaurants really came out for this competition. There was even the Food Network doing a special! The only downfall was that the space was crowded! I definitely believe they should move it to a larger park either in VB or Norfolk. The winner was Tempt! 100000/10 recommend.

This is a fitting place for this memorial with SEAL Team IV based right down the road in Dam Neck…read more Those guys are real super heroes. It is very nice and well constructed. Bravo, to whoever designed it. Anyone that knows or follows me know that I am all in for military stuff and this is no exception. Easily 5 stars for me. It was dedicated in July 2017 and was funded by nearly 1000 contributors whose names are inscribed on a Donor Stone next to it. The monument's centerpiece is a statue named, Naked Warrior. It is the same statue that you will find at the Navy SEAL Museum and the two other major SEAL heritage sites. The sculpture is flanked by 2 Navy SEAL flags, one on each side. It over looks the ocean and boardwalk and is located in a small plaza. There are inscribed granite slabs. One of the slabs is engraved with gold Medals of Honor for every SEAL who earned one, and gold stars for every SEAL killed in the line of duty. There is also a gold paw print for every SEAL war dog killed in the line of duty. Other slabs have concise words and 100 photographs illustrating the entire history of SEALs and their forerunners. Around the base of the statue is what is known as a Living Beach that is composed of sand from over 80 places around the world significant to SEAL history. The sand is replenished periodically. Behind the monument is a couple of benches for people to sit on. There is metered street parking and a few commercial lots within walking distance that you can park at. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price. There are a few other attractions in the area, and it would be best to add them to your visit here. You could see the Neptune sculpture, and Law Enforcement Memorial to start.

Pretty cool to see one of the three Navy Seal monument. Major respect to all that served.read more

There is metered street parking and a few commercial lots within walking distance that you can park…read moreat to visit here. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price depending on what is going on and the season. The 9 foot statue of the Norwegian Lady is a bronze replica of a wooden figurehead that washed ashore after the fatal wreck of the Norwegian ship, "Dictator", in 1891 after a heavy storm. The figure head stood at the oceanfront as a memorial for sixty years before being gifted to Virginia Beach by Norway in 1962, to commemorate the tragic loss. The statue is placed on a granite pedestal that has two bronze plaques on them and overlooks the Boardwalk and the ocean. One of the statue's plaques is wishing sailors a "safe return home". It is a nice little plaza area that has benches in a u-shape on each side of the statue. There is also granite panels with a description of what happened in 1891 and another which talks about the "Sister Cities", Oslo, Norway and Virginia Beach. The Naval Aviation Monument is right behind the monument along the street and it would be best and most efficient to add that to your itinerary when your visit here.

As many times as I've seen this lady standing guard in what seems like the most awkward place, I…read morefinally took the time to find out why!!! It's definitely worth the time to stop and actually read why she is there! You'll learn about the shipwreck, a twin sister, a sister city and an unlikely bond between two cities.

I came here after going to a sports card show in Norfolk. It wasn't a planned visit but I was just…read morelooking for something interesting to look at since I had a lot of free time and the weather was nice on Saturday. I thought it would be a lot larger but the spot is quite small but it is very nice to walk around. There are also lots of nice areas adjacent to the garden and terrace as well. I parked in front of the garden went around it and then found the USS Wisconsin and the Naval museum just past the garden. I went around and finished checking out the other side of the garden after. The parking was free for 2 hrs in front of the garden and it seemed like parking in general was plentiful and open this weekend. It looked like college dormitories around the garden and some other residential areas around the middle of downtown Norfolk. There were many nice plants in the garden, the terrace was nice but not open as far as I could tell, and the koi pond was nice if someone would clean out the pond scum from the fish pond. There were small bridges over the water and multiple water fountains in the koi pond. There were a few benches to sit on if you wanted to just relax or meditate in the garden. Overall, it was a nice garden but it is not something to go downtown to see, but it is a nice additional thing to see if you are going to the USS Wisconsin and the Naval museum or if you staying in downtown area. Lots of people were exercising (walking and jogging) so it is a nice scene to pass by if you are doing that.

Great spot to walk around. There's ice cream inside too! Very yummy. Beautiful day to explore.read more

Honor those that sacrifice for other's…read more For all those that gave the ultimate price protecting their fellow mam. I and many others salute you and you have our eternal thanks.

This is one of the few law enforcement memorials that I have seen around the country. It is very…read morewell done and is in a small plaza area off of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, near 35th street. There is metered street parking and a few commercial lots within walking distance that you can park at to visit here. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price depending on what is going on and the season. The center piece of the memorial is a sculpture that was designed by Paul DiPasquale, the artist who also created the world famous King Neptune Statue, just down the boardwalk. It was dedicated in 2012 and is in great shape. The statue depicts 3 officer representing the Virginia Beach Police Department, the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office and the state and federal agencies, extending their hands down to help others, while their arms are interlocked at the center. Individual plaques provide details of each fallen officer's line-of-duty death. You will find the names of fallen officers are inscribed on the granite base of the memorial and Individual plaques on granite slabs, providing details of each fallen officer's line-of-duty death. Additionally, there is a granite wall with law enforcement pictures engraved on it and another wall acknowledging donors. This memorial is illuminated at night and sadly, has to have camera coverage to protect against potential vandals. It is meant to be a peaceful place to pay respects and reflect. It is a tad off of the boardwalk but over still is able to overlook the water. It is a very fitting tribute to the heroes in blue that paid the ultimate sacrifice. It would be a wonderful thing if there are no more names added to this memorial. This will probably not be a very long stop, so I recommend making this part of a larger itinerary. You could start with coupling it with a visit to the boardwalk, the nearby King Neptune sculpture and the Navy SEAL memorial.

Hampton Carousel is hands down the best carousel experience I have ever had, and that goes the same…read morefor my parents who were with me. The gentlemen running it were incredibly nice and gave us an unforgettable tour of this classic piece of Americana. My parents and I had planned to make the Hampton Carousel a focal point of our recent visit to the area since my mother is a member of the National Carousel Association, and we were so glad we did. This was a gorgeous Sunday and despite that the area was relatively empty. We had very few other folks come by the carousel while we were there and so the two gentlemen running it gave us the grand tour, including of the central support pillar, the electronics adapted to assist the century-old organ, and the other historical artifacts lining the walls. They did so out of the kindness of their hearts and a genuine affection for the carousel and its history, which you just don't see in terms of commitment at most venues anymore. The price for all of this? $1 a ride. What a deal! The carousel ride itself was enjoyable, and it's very cool that they have so many tracks of the hit songs from each year the carousel has been open. You never know what you'll hear next! The pavilion containing the carousel is beautiful and sturdy, which is particularly important when it comes to protecting the carousel for the next century or so. This was a fun experience, and you can't beat the $1 ride price. Genuinely great fun for everyone, make sure you stop by if you're in the area! Overall: 5.0 stars ----- Pros: - Amazing staff who go out of their way to make your experience a special one. - $1 carousel rides? The price is right! - Beautiful pavilion in great shape. - Fun decor with a ton of history behind it. Cons: - None, even their hours are great. Make sure you stop by!

Love this. My sister came from Florida to go here. The family had a great time and that day we…read morewent it was free.

Tucked away by the entrance of Hampton University is this piece of history. Being an alum of an…read moreHBCU, this one is very special to myself. For those who aren't familiar (and I wasn't until recently), this oak tree is where President Abraham Lincoln stood to give the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. And this was a place where newly freed slaves were taught at the Butler School which was built right by the oak tree, which was the beginning of Hampton University as we know it. Tip: There is a small parking lot (Lot 2) where you can park near the tree for free. There is a fence that covers the oak, but behind it is an opening where you can take some pictures up and close. Believe me, it's a sight to see.

If it was not for the Yelp Adventure Bingo challenge I would have never known about this slice of…read morehistory! I'm so glad this was on the bingo board as a place to visit. The location is very convenient there is a parking lot so you could see it. I love to seeing other people visiting the same location while I was there. It's a quick visit, so perfect if you are passing through. The tree is amazing along with the history.

More than just the marker, there is a touching statue here of Grace Sherwood. Having visited the…read moreVirginia Beach area many times and spending some time here, it never occurred to me to think about where the name of "Witchduck Road" came from. And now that I know the sad tale of it, I share it with you. The marker reads: "The witchcraft case of Grace Sherwood is one of the best known in Virginia. She was accused of bewitching a neighbor's crop in 1698. Allegations grew over time until the Princess Anne County government and her accusers decided she would be tested by ducking, since water was considered pure and would not permit a witch to sink into its depths. Sherwood's accusers on 10 July 1706 tied her hands to her feet and dropped her into the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River near what is now known as Witch Duck Point. Sherwood floated, a sign of guilt. She was imprisoned, but was eventually released. Sherwood lived the rest of her life quietly and died by 1740." There is also a small plaque at the foot of the statue that reads: "I am pleased to join the Mayor of Virginia Beach in extending best wishes as you work to promote justice in the 1706 "witch ducking" case of Grace Sherwood. With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice. We can also celebrate the fact woman's equality is that a constitutionally protected today, and woman have the freedom to pursue their hopes and dreams. The historical records that survive indicate that Ms. Sherwood, a midwife and widowed mother of three, survived her "Trial by Water" in 1706. Those records also indicate that one of my predecessors, Governor Alexander Spotswood, eventually helped her reclaim her property. The record also indicates Ms. Sherwood led an otherwise quiet and law-abiding life until she died at the age of 80. Today, July 10, 2006, as the 70th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am pleased to officially restore the good name of Grace Sherwood. Sincerely, Timothy M. Kane" The marker and statue (with a small bench) are at the corner of Independence and Witchduck Road in front of the hospital.

Just the most interesting history for our area. My husband and I love the history of our hometown…read more My husband found this statue and stopped one day. What a wonderful easter egg to find. For me it is such a sweet statue. It is a sad story but we learn from history and make sure we don't make the same mistakes. If your in the area make sure you stop by and take a look. History is always cool

The Witch of Pungo statue, located at the corner of Independence Boulevard & N Witchduck Road, was…read morea project conceived and fund raised by the late Belinda Nash. An expert on Grace Sherwood, Belinda would dress in costume and present informative historic programs on the only woman condemned as a witch in Virginia and dunked in water. Although Belinda wasn't a native of the area, I came to believe that she felt she was Grace Sherwood reincarnated. It was Belinda's goal to have the vestry of the Lynnhaven Parish Church, that originally condemned Grace, pardon her on the 300th Anniversary of the dunking. When it didn't appear that would happen, she appealed to then Governor Tim Kaine. On July 10, 2006, the 300th Anniversary, Governor Kaine issued an informal pardon of Grace Sherwood, the local legend known as the Witch of Pungo. A plaque on the statue is inscribed with the pardon verbiage. The statue embodies elements that first caught the attention of her suspicious neighbors, including her love of animals. To visit the statue, one must turn off Independence Boulevard onto N Witchduck Road. Then enter the parking lot at Sentara Independence, on whose property the statue is located. Across N Witchduck Road is Old Donation Episcopal, the Lynnhaven Parish Church. On her grounds is a small monument in the midst of an herb garden, in memory of Grace Sherwood. Winding behind the adjacent neighborhood is the Lynnhaven River, in which Grace was dunked but lived to see a longer life. A re-enactment of the dunking happens annually. Following the dunking Grace was imprisoned. Later in life court records prove that she was free. No record can be found as to how she was released. There are missing older court records. The Witch of Pungo Statue stands in a continuing watch over the area in which Grace Sherwood was dunked and imprisoned. She is a tribute to a time that should be remembered throughout the ages.