Added: 06/16/2007 |
Traveling In Chesapeake VirginiaChesapeake Virginia is near the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The city is also close to the Virginia/North Carolina border and is close to many other cities for side excursions. Some of the interesting cities located nearby are Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Currituck County in North Carolina. The Chesapeake Bay is also known for its many beaches on the coast and the famous tunnel that goes twenty three miles over to the Eastern Shore.
Some historical attractions include the Intracoastal Waterway, the Great Bridge Battle site, and the Dismal Swamp which was surveyed by George Washington in 1775. This swamp was nicknamed as “Washington's Ditch.”
To visit Chesapeake Virginia, there are several modes of transportation that can bring you to the city. The nearest airport is the Norfolk International Airport and the airport does have commercial services. There are currently five railroads in Chesapeake Virginia. You can hop on a train and ride to your next stop. Highways are plentiful throughout Chesapeake. Four highways and an interstate road connects Chesapeake with Norfolk. Newport News is connected by way of an interstate loop that goes around the city. Bridges are another interesting sight in Chesapeake Virginia. Most all are drawbridges and all the rivers that flow lead into the Chesapeake Bay or the Elizabethan river.
One of the more fascinating sights to see in Chesapeake Virginia is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The northbound side opened in 1964 and the southbound side opened in 1999. There is a twelve dollar toll to cross the bridge. It connects Chesapeake to the Eastern Shore by way of a twenty three mile long tunnel system. The tunnel is named after Lucius J. Kellam Jr. who was an Eastern Sore native that brought the idea from an idea into reality. He passed away in 1995. This tunnel was selected as one of the engineering wonders of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. A fun fact about the bridge is that if all the supporting columns were placed next to each other end to end, the columns could reach from Chesapeake to Richmond Virginia.
The Chesapeake Arboretum helps promote environmental awareness. It has a trail you can walk and see animals and plants along the way that are native to the area. Administration is located in an old farmhouse that was built in 1730 and has different designed gardens all around it.
Fun Forest is a playground for children of all ages. It boasts a three way underground telephone, a dragon, and a shaky bridge to cross. It also has a math and science learning center that teaches kids about each subject while they are playing in the different areas.
If you are looking for a place to have a picnic or go fishing, then Northwest River Park is your answer. They have camping spots, nature trails, and shelters for picnics. There is also fishing and miniature golfing. They have rentals for most equipment you may need – Fishing poles, bait, canoes, and fishing boats. If you own a horse, they have several equestrian trails to ride.
If you like lighthouses, head down to the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and Museum. There you will see a breathtaking view of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse was built in 1793. It was where the original colonists guided ships into the harbor using bonfires.
Chesapeake is home to some great musicians and other people. The Virginia Symphony has a theater here as does the Virginia Opera and Virginia Stage Company. Some famous people include David Wright, third basemen for the New York Mets. Ricky Rudd attended high school in Chesapeake Virginia. Chris Richardson, a finalist on American Idol, also lives in Chesapeake.
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