WAVY.com

Photo Courtesy - Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

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:

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.

Summer Camps Information

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:

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.

Click here for more details.

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.

Click here for more details.

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:

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:

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.

— —

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.


Latest Posts: