Brighten Up Your Winter With These Hampton Roads Activities

Don’t let the grey skies get you down, get out and have some winter fun! There is a lot to do this time of year in our region, and our climate is relatively mild. We have compiled some unique activities for you this winter. 

Chesapeake

Enjoy Stargazing | Thursday evenings at 8:00pm in January, at the Chesapeake Planetarium, you can explore the clear winter night sky in the planetarium star theater. FREE, but reservations are necessary and may be made by calling the Chesapeake Public Schools between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM weekdays at 757-547-0153. Complete 2022 program schedule here.

Outer Banks, NC

Winter Beachcombing | Visiting North Carolina’s Outer Banks’ beaches in the winter is great because it never gets too cold. Average temperatures range from 50-60 degrees. You may not get in the water, but the weather is perfect for walking along the shore and searching for seashells, seaglass, scallops, moon snails, and a variety of other shells. Hint: try Carova Beach at the northernmost end of paved NC Highway 12. It is quiet and you may spot a wild horse or two. 

Newport News

Listen To Beautiful Music | Kishi Bashi meets The Virginia Symphony on March 3rd at 7:30pm at the Diamonstein Concert Hall at the Ferguson Center For The Arts. Violinist Kishi Bashi presents a multimedia presentation in honor of the 75th anniversary of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Kishi Bashi has local ties, having grown up in Norfolk. Purchase tickets here. 

Norfolk 

Glass After Dark | Warm up with hot glass and live music that come together for memorable evenings at the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Perry Glass Studio. Each month, you can enjoy the glass studio team taking the molten material to exciting places, creating glass art to live music performed by local musicians. The first winter performance takes place on January 20th at 8:oopm. Tickets are $12 for Museum members, and $15 for non-members.

Suffolk

Star Wars At The Center | The Suffolk Center For Cultural Arts is presenting Star Wars on the big screen on Friday, January 14th at 7:00pm. Admission is $2, and you can purchase tickets here. Additional showings include The Empire Strikes Back on February 11th, and Return of The Jedi on March 11th. 

Virginia Beach

Whale Watching | Prime months for local whale watching are January and February because the whales migrate south from the polar regions this time of year. We like to think that we are their home away from home for the season. There are many options to see these magnificent creatures first hand, don’t forget your camera. The Virginia Aquarium and Rudee Tours provide tours.

Nature Walks | Visit First Landing State Park, a local’s favorite, to hike through seven distinct ecosystems. The park includes 19 miles of interpretive trails through protected habitats. Even your four-legged friend can join in, they’ll love the surroundings as much as you will. For the more adventurous, there is Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the East Coast. This park has five miles of trails making your way to False Cape State Park. You can take part in Winter Waterfowl Walks guided by expert birders that are  scheduled throughout the winter. 

Williamsburg

Defy The Weather | Great Wolf Lodge is a ‘year-round family resort’. Your adventure here includes a massive, 84-degree indoor waterpark! It is remarkably fun to be floating down a lazy river while watching snow falling outside! There are additional kid-friendly activities throughout the lodge, as well as themed rooms, shopping, and family dining within the lodge. 

Are you new to Southeastern Virginia, Northeastern North Carolina, or Hampton Roads? Will you be PCSing to the area this year? Bookmark our blog for useful local information, and contact one of our Military Relocation Specialists if you have any real estate related needs or questions. We are here to help.