Virginia Beach Off The Beaten Path

I had read that there was a butterfly trail here, we parked, found the trail and started wondering down it. Telling the boys to be quiet as I didnt want the butterflies startled, we walked along silently with our eyes glued trying to see a butterfly. We had been walking for about 20 minutes and had not seen one!!!!! We then decided to head back to the car.

As we reached the gardens around the Visitors Centre, our son said 'oh look' and yes you've guessed it, we at last saw some butterflies.
Such lovely colours, you may want to click on the photo to see it better.

This refuge is also a huge area for migratory birds before they fly south.
There have apparently been over 260 different species of birds here.
There are lookout points and hides to see these birds.

Here in the picture is another beautiful butterfly.

I must add that when reading the web site of this place, one thing that I just cant agree with considering this place is a refuge for wildlife is that that have designated areas for hunting and killing white tailed deer!!!! The two just dont seem to go together.

I visited first landing state park on 3/10/2007 and loved it...Hiked a little of the Nature trail thru bald cypress lagoons...this is all i have done for now will update later when explore more of it but read reviews and it seems to be nice...Has camping sites and also Cabin rentals also beach access and nature programs and tours

Virginia Beach has 2 beautiful lighthouses, on the Ft. Story base, free, and easily accessible. You will need to get permission from the lighthouse keeper to step into the newer, functioning lighthouse, but it is worth the effort. Just stand in the center and look straight up. The geometric pattern created by the staircase is a work of art.

VA Beach may not be quite as exciting in winter, and you definitely won't be able to sit on the beach and relax (well, maybe with a heavy jacket you could...), but it's still worth coming in winter. Besides the very obvious plus that there are no crowds, you can still visit historic areas as well as take whale-watching tours. It's a different beach experience

We took a drive down Rt 5. We got on Rt 5 outside of Richmond and followed it along the James River. There are many plantations open to the public and many that are not.

There are also alot of roadside markers letting you know the history that happened in this area including Civil War trail information.

Very nice drive even if you don't stop at any of the plantations.

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Portsmouth has been a ship building town from its founding in 1752. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard (which is here and not in Norfolk at all) was begun here in 1767, and it's repair record extends from nuclear powered submarines to the Confederate ironclad Merrimac. The first drydock built here in 1831 in still in use. Container ships regularly vist the docks between Pinner and Love Points.

The Naval Shipyard Museum is in Portsmouth. But the shipyard is called the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Which is confusing, at least to me. The name was chosen because at the time, there was already a Portsmouth Navy Yard in New Hampshire.

"The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum offers a unique perspective on U.S. history, from Colonial to Civil War times and beyond. You’ll find beautiful ship models, uniforms, military artifacts and exhibits portraying life in 18th, 19th and 20th century Portsmouth."

The Lightship PORTSMOUTH (the red ship in the picture) and the Naval Shipyard Museum are together in the same admisssion price.

Winter Hours for both Museums:
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; open on Mondays that fall on a holiday.

Summer Hours for both Museums:
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day;
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission:
The $3 admission fee covers both the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Lightship Museum.