Top Rated Parks to Visit in Portsmouth

"There’s a reason First Landing State Park is the most visited state park in Virginia. It’s an outdoor lovers paradise with 2,888-acres, 1.5 miles of Chesapeake Bay beaches, and 20 miles of hiking trails that weave through protected salt marsh habitat, freshwater ponds, beach, dunes, forest, and cypress swamp. There is certainly no shortage of fun activities for the entire family including fishing, boating, camping and cabin accommodations, nature and history programs, hiking trails, and picnic facilities."

"First Landing State Park is brimming with exciting and relaxing activities for the whole family. The nearly 3,000-acre park boasts 20 miles of trails to explore on foot. While traversing First Landing’s trails, you’ll come across cypress swamps, maritime forests, freshwater wetlands, dunes, shoreline on the bay and salt marshes."

"First Landing State Park is located on Cape Henry in North Virginia Beach. This 2,888 acre park offers a wide range of activities for visitors. You can go swimming, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, or enjoy a picnic when you visit First Landing."

"Distance/Time: Three miles of walking and biking paths scale the man-made mountains and lakes at the 165-acre Mount Trashmore Park. Shorter trails can be completed in 30 minutes, while longer walks may take over an hour.Admission: FreeWhat to expect: What was once somebody else’s trash, is now someone else’s park. The site of a former city landfill, Mount Trashmore repurposed the landscape by compacting layers of waste and clean soil into a 60-foot mountain with two lakes, a garden, skate park, children’s playground, and multi-use trails."

"You're not a true 757 resident if you don't know about Mount Trashmore. This 164-acre park features a hill 60 feet high and 800 feet long. It's an environmentalist's dream because it is a repurposed landfill built in 1974."

"The King Neptune Statue is situated at the entrance area of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and is something that is worth the title of one of the city’s tourist attractions in its own right. Standing at 34 feet in height and fashioned from aesthetically pleasing bronze, it rises out of the Atlantic and stares down over Neptune Park. The money used to construct the King Neptune Statue was raised at the Neptune Festival, an annual event that has been held since 1973 as one of America’s greatest festivals."

"You don't need a lot of time to check out the King Neptune Statue along the boardwalk, but it is still worth adding to your checklist. This bronze statue is 34 feet high and seems to rise right out of the Atlantic Ocean from the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 31st Street, where it overlooks Neptune Park. This statue honors the Neptune Festival held in September and volunteers from this festival raised the money to hire Paul DiPasquale to design and create this famous statue."

"On the boardwalk next to the Hilton Hotel, Neptune Park is home to a number of popular outdoor annual events including the Boardwalk Art Show and the Neptune Festival, which has sand-sculpting competitions, wine tastings, Symphony by the Sea concerts, volleyball tournaments, a sailboat regatta, and more. There's also a free summer concert series that lets musicians perform for the public during the weekends."

"The Naval Aviation Monument pays tribute to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation from the early 1900s through the present and acknowledges the connected and vital role of the Virginia Beach and greater Hampton Roads area. Next to the Norwegian Lady monument, the Naval Aviation Monument features bronze sculptures by renowned artist Mike Maiden and laser-etched granite storyboards of historic aviation events."

"Set on the Oceanfront, the Naval Aviation Monument is dedicated to the aviation of the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. The monument is made up of several beautiful bronze statues created by master sculptor Mike Maiden. There are also a number of other historical monuments here, including a statue of World War II pilot Eugene Ely, who was the first to land successfully on a shipboard."

"A compelling memorial to recognize and honor the rich naval aviation heritage that is an integral part of the city’s history and culture. 25th Street and oceanfront on the boardwalk"

"There’s so much natural beauty in the state of Virginia, and the 1,422-acre Stumpy Lake Natural Area is one of the best. The property consists of a 278-acre lake, 174-acre golf course, 970 plus acres of undeveloped, forested land surrounding the lake, and 1.65 miles of trails.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. Enjoy hiking, fishing, bird watching, nature observation, and photography in a beautiful, picturesque setting."

"Situated right at the Virginia Beach city limit, the Stumpy Lake Natural Area’s centerpiece is a 178-acre lake with an overlook. Explore the 1.65-mile soft mixed-use trial that goes through the dense forest."

"Poplar Hall Park Disc Golf Course is one of Norfolk’s several public parks. Friends and family can enjoy the park with a picnic and toss the frisbee, but if you’re ready to get competitive the frisbee course awaits."

"Located south of the resort area, Red Wing Metro Park is one of our favorite Virginia Beach parks to bring a picnic and spend a day relaxing. Red Wing features many gardens throughout the park, including the Reba S. McClanan Fragrance Garden, that make it a beautiful place to explore any time of year."

"398 General Booth BlvdVirginia Beach, VA 23451(757) 437-2038. Get transported to Japan on the scenic and marvellous trails and paths of the Red Wing Park."

"Open today 10:00am to 8:00pm"

"Regency Hilltop Shopping Center is filled with some amazing stores that cover the gamut from men’s and women’s clothing to electronics and great food options. Whether you’re into fine dining or casual, you can always find something to satisfy your craving. There’s also a Planet Fitness on-site, so you can always get a workout in after spending some time at the food court."

"40% off drinks in general; 25% off drinks and apps till 9 p.m. Red Dog is a sprawling space with walls painted the red of Budweiser and a bar shaped like a geometry lesson. The Colley Avenue bar is half sports pub, half catch-basin for seemingly every type of human — the sort of place where you might find two regulars, back and forth, reciting every single car made at the former Chevy plant near Boston."

"For a taste of how Norfolk would have looked in the days of old check out the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, now a home and art museum. The Sloane House here stands on the banks of the scenic Lafayette River and dates from the beginning of the 20th century. The house has over 40,000 period objects on show and the gardens here spread for 12 acres that include lush forests as well as wetlands."

"Situated on North Shore Road, this historic home showcases opulent art pieces that date back more than 4,000 years ago."

"Studios and exhibition space for… over 40 artists in this creative co-operative are now located within the new Virginia Beach Art Center. theartistsgallery.org"

"One of the biggest, most comprehensive maritime museums in the world. The on-site USS Monitor Center houses parts of the Civil War–era Monitor, one of the world's first ironclad warships, as well as a huge number of artifacts associated with it. There's also a life-sized replica of the real deal. Or perhaps you're more interested in speed than history? The America's Cup exhibit spotlights the sleek Oracle Team USA catamaran that won the 2013 international racing competition."

"A world history of seagoing vessels and the people who sailed them occupies the outstanding Mariners' Museum, inside a 550-acre park."