HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — After many of Virginia’s businesses, services and entertainment venues shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, some are working on opening back up.
Virginia entered Phase 3 of reopening Wednesday, July 1.
Phase 3 means:
- Restaurants can offer dine-in at full capacity
- Zoos, museums can open at 50%
- Outdoor entertainment such as water parks and amusement parks limited to 1,000 people
- Gym and fitness centers can go up to 75% of capacity
- Pools at 75% capacity
- Hair salons — physical distancing will still be required
- Overnight summer camps will still be closed
- Some businesses can open, like concert venues the will have 50% capacity , etc.
So, if you’re feeling stir crazy and want to get out of the house for a bit, here are some options in Hampton Roads.
This list will be updated as more venues open.
Chesapeake
Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Museum
The museum opened its doors to the public on Saturday, June 20. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday — except the second Sunday of the month when it is open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Click here for more information.
Hampton
Air Power Park
The park located on W. Mercury Boulevard is now open to the public. Outdoor displays of restored aircraft and spacecraft open daily from sunrise to sunset. Indoor display hours run Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Capacity is 25 people and surfaces are disinfected frequently. Visitors must wear masks and are encouraged to use the hand sanitizer available at the door.
More information can be found online.
Hampton Carousel
The restored carousel is closed to the public due to not being able to thoroughly disinfect it without damaging the finish on the wood surfaces.
Hampton Coliseum
The box office is open to the public on select days for customers to receive ticket refunds for canceled or postponed performances previously scheduled at the Coliseum and The American Theatre.
Refunds will be processed by the method of payment used for purchase. Customers must bring their tickets and the same card used for purchase if it was not a cash transaction. Customers without face coverings will be denied entry, and other parts of the facility are still closed to the public.
Hampton History Museum
The museum is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday and Wednesday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors must wear masks.
For more information visit hamptonhistorymuseum.org.
Hampton Libraries
Hampton’s libraries reopened July 1, with some new policies, procedures, and hours. The library will continue curbside service Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. only.
Patrons will need to call the library when they’re notified of their holds if they wish to schedule curbside service.
Visit their website at hampton.gov for more information.
Hampton Parks
A number of parks are open to the public, including Sandy Bottom Nature Park and individual campsites; the Hamptons and Woodlands golf courses and facilities; Hampton tennis courts; and training for the Workforce One program at the Y.H. Thomas Center.
City athletic fields are available for team practice drills only (competitions remain canceled). Beaches are open, the BMX track at Gosnold’s Hope Park and Woodlands skate park are open to the public, and fishing is allowed at Armistead Pointe and Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Virginia Air & Space Center
The Center opened to the public July 1.
- Exhibits and IMAX are open:
- Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
- Masks are required for all visitors.
- The Center has social distance markers on the floor, sanitization stations, and plexiglass dividers.
- The Cosmic Cafe will have a limited menu; boxed lunches will not be available for groups.
- Volunteer docents will not be available; there will be no docent-led tours until further notice.
- The MaxFlight Simulator will be closed until further notice.
Summer Camps Information
- Class sizes will change to 10 or fewer campers.
- Lunch options will no be available for campers and those who have already purchased lunch will receive a refund.
- Campers will have individual supply kits which will not be shared with any other campers.
- Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be available in every classroom and used between activities and upon re-entering the classrooms from other areas of the Center.
- There will be strict procedures for entering and exiting the building, including no contact doors and designated staff entryways.
Click here for more information.
Newport News
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
The Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center is now open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., located at 2410 Wickham Avenue in Newport News.
For more information click here.
Mariners’ Museum
The Mariners’ Museum outdoor park trails and the Noland Trail reopened on Monday, June 15.
Galleries and in-gallery programs will not open until Virginia moves into Phase 3 of Forward Virginia.
Click here for more information.
Virginia Living Museum
The museum opened its outdoor trail and gardens to VLM members on June 2. And on Saturday, June 6 at 9 a.m., the indoor facility opened to the public.
Click here for more information.
Norfolk
Chrysler Museum
The Chrysler Museum of Art reopened to the public with new guidelines for social distancing guidelines on Saturday, June 20.
Click here for more information on the guidelines for visitors.
MacArthur Memorial
The MacArthur Memorial will reopen to the public on Wednesday, July 1 with restrictions in place to ensure the health and safety of staff and visitors. Guests may visit Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Memorial will be temporarily closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The MacArthur Memorial has implemented several important changes to operations in accordance with current health department guidelines. Visitors can also expect:
- The Memorial Building and Visitors Center will be limited to 25% capacity
- Visitors will follow a labeled one-way path through the galleries
- Interactive exhibits are temporarily closed
- The theater and the Jean MacArthur Research Center will remain closed to the public
- Guided tours and ceremonies will not be offered during this time
- MacArthur Memorial staff members will wear face masks
- Visitors ages 10 and up will be asked to wear a face mask indoors
- Hourly cleaning and sanitizing protocols for all public spaces
- Hand sanitizing stations available throughout the buildings
Click here for more information.
Nauticus
Nauticus reopened to the public on Friday, July 3 and the spacious, outdoor decks of the Battleship Wisconsin have taken center stage.
At nearly three football fields long, the Battleship Wisconsin offers ample space for visitors to socially distance. Each small group adventure is designed to accommodate an average of five to six guests.
Nauticus also has designed a new series of “small group” adventures for families. For the first time ever, guests will be able to take a sailboat cruise on the Elizabeth River, climb high atop the battleship for an awesome panoramic view, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the museum’s aquarium.
Click here for more information.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
The grounds at Norfolk Botanical Garden have been open to the public during the coronavirus pandemic, but on Friday, June 12, the garden reopened its facilities and resumed classes.
Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk opened to the public on June 25.
The zoo will be open to everyone from Thursday to Monday, with members-only days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. like normal, but reservations will be required for everyone.
Click here for more information about requirements on face-coverings and more.
Portsmouth
Commodore Theater
The Commodore reopened Friday, June 19 with the showing of Wonder Woman from 2017. They went with an older film because of the lack of new releases due to the pandemic.
More information at this link.
Virginia Beach
The Military Aviation Museum
The museum is open daily and reopened on June 5. From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., it is opened to seniors and those with compromised immune systems. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., it is open for all visitors.
Summer Carnival at VB Farmers Market
The Summer Carnival, hosted by Boardwalk Attractions, featured at the VB Farmers Market is now open. From July 9 to August 22, the carnival will be open Thursday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 3640 Dam Neck Roads in Virginia Beach.
Rides take between two and four tickets which run from $1.25 for a single, 25 for $25, and 50 for $45.
Top Golf
Top Golf announced it will be reopening the Virginia Beach location to the public beginning on Monday, July 13.
Guests are required to wear a facemask upon entry to the venue until they reach their bay, and while moving throughout the venue.
Once in their bay, guests are not required to wear a mask — this also includes while eating, drinking, or hitting. Masks are not required for children under the age of 10 or for those with underlying health conditions.
Virginia Aquarium
The Virginia Aquarium reopened on Friday, June 19.
The aquarium has added some safety measures to ensure visitors have a positive experience, including:
- Online ticket purchases are required instead of in-person purchases to eliminate touchpoints
- Limited capacity with timed tickets for members and general admission
- Guests 10 and older, staff, and volunteers are required to wear face-coverings
- One-way paths throughout the aquarium
- Social distancing signage
- Additional hand sanitizing stations
- Increased sanitization procedures for high-contact surfaces
- No reservations between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. each day to allow for additional cleaning
- Café, snack stand, and giant screen theater remain closed
- Special presentations, touch pools, tours, some interactive areas, and scheduled animal feedings will be closed
Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg reopened on June 14 at select locations with additional safety measures in place.
The following sites are operating at reduced capacity:
- The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
- Governor’s Palace
- Capitol
- Courthouse
- Weaver trade shop
- Carpenter’s Yard
- Peyton Randolph Yard
- Colonial Garden
- Magazine Yard
- Armoury Yard
- Brickyard
- George Wythe Yard
- Custis Square — including tours
Tickets will be discounted throughout the summer.
“Although things may be a little different, there’s still plenty for you and your family to discover together,” the foundation wrote on its website.
The Williamsburg Lodge is open and Colonial Williamsburg Hotels’ Summer Savings Package has been expanded to include two complimentary length-of-stay admission tickets. Booking and additional information is available at colonialwilliamsburghotels.com.
Additional sites will reopen based on public health guidance.
More information is available on the Colonial Williamsburg website.
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Again, this list will be updated as more businesses open. Let us know if we missed an open attraction by emailing Living Local at this link.
