very budget virginia vacation

[jmkst58]

We are staying at my SIL place in Newport News over Labor Day weekend- just to visit her for a very short trip. we'll get there late friday night and leave for home probably around noon on monday. so we will really only have saturday and sunday in Newport News.

What's the most '~free-ish ~budget' fun that we can have in Newport News in 2 days?

#1- I really do need to spend as close to $0 as possible.
but
#2- I think we're going to be concentrating on mostly beaches and beach activities anyway. My daughters are wild about the sand and ocean.

#3- I know nothing at all whatsoever. I saw that Va beach will be about 27 miles away-is that our only choice for beach?

#4- we do like to window shop- even if we won't be buying anything!

We just got back from a very expensive Disney week- so I'm really leaning towards pretty much just concentrating on visiting with family and the beach!

sound about right?

 

[2disneyboys]

This is my neck of the woods and there is lots to do free or at least really cheap!

the Virginia Beach ocean front is the "tourist" area and other than parking and any shopping you do, the beach itself is free and there is lots of street entertainment in the area.Virginia Beach Oceanfront is actually on the Atlantic Ocean side of things. Norfolk and other local cities also have "beaches" but they are beaches on the Chesapeake Bay which feeds directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

There are also lots of parks w/ hiking & biking trails in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Chesapeake area (all cities right next to each other and "east" of Newport News)
Parts of Williamsburg & York town (North/West of Newport News) has tons of sight seeing oppuruntiies and activites..some free & some really cheap.

The thing is the cities Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown, Suffolk, Williamsburg (and lots of others) are all within a 15-45 min ride of each other (depending on where you are and where you are going) so don't limit your research to just Newport News. I live in Norfolk and can be in any of the aforementioned cities within 20 mins (40 for Williamburg)

Enjoy your time, this is a nice time of year to be here (although it can be pretty hot sometimes!)

 

[HamTown]

Those 27 miles are a LONG 27 miles with Labor Day weekend traffic, just to let you know.

In addition to the beach, you can visit Colonial Williamsburg. You only need a ticket if you go inside the main attractions.

There is a beach in Newport News just beside the James River Bridge (Huntington Beach?) that is quite popular and has a swimming net to keep out the jellys.

If you are a member of a science and/or children's museum at home, check the list of reciprocal museums. I highly recommend the Virginia Living Museum in NN and the Childrens Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth. Both are fantastic.

 

[ebtbmom]

I second the Portsmouth children's museum. My son loved that place when he was younger, it's not free, but not terribly expensive.

 

[Swimalie]

One thing that is close to free is seeing the Cape Henry and Old Cape Henry Lighthouses. http://www.apva.org/CapeHenryLighthouse/ They are on a military base so you have to show id and get the car checked but it is worth it. Tickets are no more than $8 each and you can climb the Cape Henry Lighthouse. It has a great view, too.

 

[omghidanielle]

We are doing the same the week of Sept 19
thank you for making this thread, because I'm dead broke! haha

 

[hereyago]

Hi
I live here in Newport News. As for beaches around here: Huntington Park has a playground and access to the beach-a pp mentioned near Jamestown Bridge.


Hampton has Buckroe beach.

Disclaimer: I hardly ever go to any beaches around here, I just rather be in clear waters like Hawaii or Bahamas, but .......

There is also Yorktown beach, no waves like Va beach though. and not very big. But very close to the Yorktown battlefields.

Window shopping, our local mall is Patrick Henry mall, just a basic 1 level mall. Also there is the new Peninsula Town Center with different little stores in it.

We also have as someone else mentioned the Va. living museum, we have a Mariner's museum literally just down the road from each other. Our local SPCA has a petting zoo, goats, a friendly llama, deer. it's like 1.00 for kids 2.00 for adults. and literally across the street from the LIving Museum.

Newport News park has a few nice playgrounds cook out areas, but obviously labor day weekend is popular.

Va. beach: has the "real" beach. Any life guard beach pay attention to the flags that are flying out there and learn about rip currents if you don't know all ready. not trying to scare you but people tend to not think about their surroundings on vacation.

Have a great time while you are here!!!!!!!!!!!!


I third the Childrens museum in Portsmouth. I used to go to Norfolk park at Waterside and take the ferry over to Portsmouth.

Another window shop idea is in Williamsburg: Prime outlets.

 

[hereyago]

Those 27 miles are a LONG 27 miles with Labor Day weekend traffic, just to let you know.

Nothing like being stuck near the HRBT or M&M on a hot day.

 

[nancycg56]

The Yorktown beach is small and fun and there are some really cute shops to walk around and window shop. It used to be free to drive around the Yorktown battlefield but not sure if it still is.

 

[GatorMama]

Someone mentioned Yorktown Beach... we LOVE it! It's small and it's calm, but that's why we like it. It will probably be crowded that weekend, so you'll want to get there early to set up chairs (that will be the case with ANY beach).

The same person also mentioned the Mariner's Museum. If you're interested in hiking, they have a 5 mile trail there that's a great hike. DH and I managed it with a gigantic Chicco Cortina stroller and a 6 month old in 2.5 hours. We'd have been twice as fast without the stroller on the uneven terrain.

Newport News Park also has paddle boats you can rent if just walking and the playground aren't enough excitement.

Shopping at the Williamsburg Prime Outlet is FABULOUS.

For food, Gus' pizza in Stoney Run (there's also a location in Kiln Creek) is delish and the large pizza is HUGE. Enough for us to have dinner and leftovers for lunch. And on Monday's a cheese is only 9.99, plus 1.79 for extra toppings. Superb garlic knots too.

I don't live in NN anymore, but last summer they did free outdoor movies on Saturday nights at Stoney Run. Or maybe it was the Community Center?

I also agree with the poster that said the Virginia Living Museum is great. I think it was $13 each but it was worth every single penny. We hated the traveling exhibit they had when we went, but the rest of it was just amazing.

Saturday mornings there is a farmer's market in Williamsburg and another in Smithfield.

 

[GatorMama]

The Yorktown beach is small and fun and there are some really cute shops to walk around and window shop. It used to be free to drive around the Yorktown battlefield but not sure if it still is.

Free. I think they suggest a donation. If you want a tour, you must pay.

 

[Swimalie]

Free. I think they suggest a donation. If you want a tour, you must pay.

We had to pay a few weeks ago. Well, it was included in our package but there was a fee. You get a sticker to wear to show you paid. They were looking for all stickers.

Someone mentioned Yorktown Beach... we LOVE it! It's small and it's calm, but that's why we like it. It will probably be crowded that weekend, so you'll want to get there early to set up chairs (that will be the case with ANY beach).
.

When we were there a few weeks ago the waters will filled with jellyfish. We're talking 50 or more that we saw from the dock. Plus one lonely crab swimming along.

 

[3mickeymom]

We visited recently and did not purchase a ticket since we were attending a football game at William and Mary and didin't have a lot of time. We were able to walk down the streets and view the buildings as well as see any demonstrations that were going on outside. We were not able to tour any of the buildings without a pass but we were allowed to enter the general store(we asked first) where they sell many of the items that they make in the buildings. There is a little mall of shops and reataurants where we had coffe and a snack. It is a lovely area.

 

[jmkst58]

wow- this is the 1st time I've had to come back and check everyone's responses that they really surpassed my expectations. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

I will prepare myself for traffic and crowded beaches and take notes with me on all your suggestions. I'M SO EXCITED TO GO NOW. Thank you!

 

[hereyago]

For food, Gus' pizza in Stoney Run (there's also a location in Kiln Creek) is delish and the large pizza is HUGE. Enough for us to have dinner and leftovers for lunch. And on Monday's a cheese is only 9.99, plus 1.79 for extra toppings. Superb garlic knots too.

I might try Gus's, I usually go to Dino's pizza in Denbigh.

 

[katlas&kids]

VA beach: if you go there, go early & plan to pay for parking. the HRBT is a bear & is usually backed up on our side real early all Labor Day weekend. I think I'd rather do Buckroe as it has a good "park type" area that anyone that doesn't want to get sandy can stay & then the beach is on the other side of the sea wall. They may charge to park but there 'cause of the weekend, but are parking places set up now.

Peninsula Town Center does have a lot of cute shops and is built like a small town. It took Colisuem Mall's place. There is a fountain with an area for the kids to run through and get wet. You can also sit in Barnes & Nobles & just relax!

Depending on age of the kids, there is bluebird gap farm, in Hampton, & a skate board park.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/top-20-places-go-hampton-roads - describes some things, all are NOT free

http://attractions.uptake.com/virginia/hampton/family/85106757.html = lists things for kids.

I pulled those from Google , just use the city you want to see. If you can't tell...I am in Hampton! Hope you have a great time with family!

 

[hereyago]

Depending on age of the kids, there is bluebird gap farm

It's still there? I hadn't taken DD in years, I grew up going there.

 

[Tistal]

It's still there? I hadn't taken DD in years, I grew up going there.

It sure is.

Also, ladies and gents from this area, when is the HRBT not backed up? Go MM if you can (Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel respectively) the back up there usually isn't as bad (if any I've seen a crazy back up at the HRBT and no back up at MM)

My suggestion for anywhere you go on the weekend is try to leave early and beat the traffic. All of the PPs have given great suggestions on free/cheap things to do.

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/state_park.shtml That's a link to all the state parks. The orange, blue and pink areas should be within reasonable driving distance.

The farmer's market is usually fun (http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/agricul/farmers-market.shtml). I don't know if that is something your family is interested in or not, but it's a good place to talk to locals and enjoy fresh produce. Parking is free (at least at the Greenbrier one; I've never gone to the other one).

There's not a lot that's free around here (except what's already been mentioned). If you end up at the oceanfront, you might want to pick up one of the sun guides (there are boxes full of them all around). There might be a few good coupons in it.

 

[hereyago]

It sure is.

Also, ladies and gents from this area, when is the HRBT not backed up?

.

Just like on 64 on this side, always a accident near Ft. Eustis exit on mondays and fridays, like clock work, wow what a shocker

Dang, talking about "the other side" makes me want Doumar's ice cream really bad.

 

[HeidiGW]

but since you are staying at your SIL, you might want to think about Busch Gardens passes...you will get into a monthly automatic deduction plan with "EZ Pay"...but you can get started for as little as $8-9 bucks per person depending on the plan. if you get a two-park pass, it is the last weekend for Water Country. Most passes will get you free parking (summer sizzler types, which you wouldn't get don't include it.) AND, i think for BG only children five and under are free, some Sesame Street anniversary promo...not sure if it is still going on.
If you go a couple times to BG the passes have more than paid for themselves. And, there are all sorts of tricks to save money there...feel free to message me.

Def. pick up the coupon booklets, you can save about 10 percent in MANY places.

LOTS to do around here...

Also, Huntington Park is near the James River Bridge....