Downtown Hampton is the home of exciting area attractions including the Virginia Air and Space Center featuring the Riverside IMAX Theatre and the 1920’s Hampton Carousel, one of less than 200 antique carousels still operating in the United States. History buffs can tour the Hampton History Museum and Hampton University Museum or visit historic St. John’s Church, the oldest English-speaking parish in America. Whether you’re here to stay, or just visiting, Downtown Hampton has it all – from the Sea to the Stars!
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Historic Hampton Carousel With the popularity of antique carousels at its peak, Hampton's restored 1920 merry-go-round has drawn thousands of visitors to the city's downtown waterfront. One of only 200 antique carousels still in the United States, the Hampton Carousel is a rare and beautiful example of American folk art. Its prancing steeds and stately chariots were painstakingly carved from fine-grained hardwood and painted by German, Italian and Russian immigrant artisans. |
Admission Prices for Exhibits Only: Located in Hampton, Virginia, the birthplace of America’s space program, the Virginia Air & Space Center features dozens of hands-on air and space exhibits, a premiere interactive aviation gallery that spans 100 years of flight, more than 30 historic aircraft, unique space flight artifacts and more! Your imagination will soar as you launch a rocket, pilot a space shuttle, become an air traffic controller, fly an airplane, and climb aboard a WWII bomber! Come face to face with the Apollo 12 Command Module that went to the moon, a Mars meteorite, a DC-9 passenger jet, a replica 1903 Wright Flyer and more! |
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Start your day at the Hampton Visitor Center, located inside the new Hampton History Museum. Here you will see an orientation video and find a wealth of information about the area, including maps, brochures and Hampton gift ideas. |
Founded in 1868, the museum is the oldest African American museum in the U.S. and one of the oldest museums in Virginia. The museum features a collection of 1,200 artifacts and works of art, including traditional African, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islander. A changing gallery showcases new and established artists.
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The museum’s ten permanent galleries share Hampton’s history from its early occupation by the Kecoughtan Tribe through the 20th century. A changing gallery is located on the second floor. Visit the gift shop and take apiesc of Hampton History home with you. |
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Set sail on the double-decked tour boat and get a taste of Hampton’s seafaring culture as you take to the water to see Blackbeard’s Point, Old Point Comfort, Fort Wool, and the awesome fleet of the world’s largest Navy installation, Norfolk Naval Base. Purchase Tickets at the office located inside the Cousteau Society National Headquarters. Charters Welcome. Tour time is approximately two and a half hours.
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Go where the fish are with Captain Howard Wainwright aboard his 65' head boat the Ocean Eagle departing from the Hampton Public Piers at 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. daily. Experience an exciting five-hour fishing trip to the Lower Chesapeake Bay for $25 per person. Bait, tackle and rods are included and snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Remember rockfish season starts on October 14th and private parties and charters are also available. |
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IMAX® (short for "image maximum") is the world's largest motion picture format, offering viewers an unparalleled sense of realism and motion. In our unique, technologically advanced theater, images of awesome power are projected onto a five-story screen and enhanced by 16,000 watts of digital sound. We have a variety of IMAX® films focusing on a wide range of topics. 3D IMAX |
We provide Rods, tackle, several types of bait and dockside parking. Departing Times are 8 am until Noon and 1 pm until 5 pm. Available for private fishing charters and cruises.
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Virginia Air & Space Center 
Hampton Visitors Center 
Hampton University Museum 
Hampton History Museum
St. Johns Church
Miss Hampton II
Hampton Roads Charter: The Ocean Eagle
Riverside IMAX Theatre
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