Bergey's Dairy Farm is really the cream of the crop when it comes to attractions in Chesapeake. This inviting dairy farm offers some of the freshest milk, cheese, butter and ice cream–and you might even be put to work when you visit! This benchmark of a farm was established by Titus Bergey in 1931 and has been maintaining its impressive tradition of producing quality products that are appreciated by visitors and locals alike.
A single tree offers a great place to relax and commune with nature. But at the Chesapeake Arboretum, there are so many trees that your senses will be overwhelmed–but in a good way! This 47-acre garden features a staggering number of trees and also does an admirable job of championing the importance of environmental awareness through various exhibits and attractions. The Chesapeake Arboretum originally opened its doors in 1996 and has been welcoming hundreds of visitors on a regular basis ever since.
History and astronomy come together in a dazzling way at the Chesapeake Planetarium. From an historic standpoint, the facility is significant because it is the first planetarium built by a public school system in the state of Virginia. But this attraction also offers visitors a chance to gaze into the night sky and be amazed at the intricate patterns and formations that make up the constellations everyone has heard about. The staff is highly knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have. Also, there are various lectures and special presentations on the schedule. And of course, the opportunity to see the stars up close is always available thanks to the high powered telescopes and other impressive equipment that is available here.
The Chesapeake Veteran's Memorial is an impressively designed memorial that commemorates the service and ultimate sacrifice of our nation's men and women who are serving or have served in in all of the branches of the military. The memorial can be found on the municipal center grounds and features a marble structure that features the names of over 1,800 soldiers who have paid for our freedom with their lives.
No matter how old your kids are, there is an adventure awaiting them at Chesapeake's Fun Forest. This award-winning children's playground attraction sits on three acres of City Park and offers a little something for everyone. The older children's area features a dragon, a three-way underground telephone and a shaky bridge. There's a science and learning area that teaches math and science with such fun exhibits as whisper dishes, mirrors and a planet walk. The toddlers will enjoy the chance to steer a plane, a truck or a swing. Plus, there's a stunning aquatic area and even a Fossil Dig that features a dinosaur buried under sand, and if the kids find actual fossils, they are theirs to keep.
Go on an adventure filled with some of Chesapeake's most stunning natural beauty when you visit the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Dismal Swamp is located in southeastern Virginia and northeastern Carolina and has been recognized as a mysterious natural attraction where several people have easily lost their way. Originally established in 1974, this refuge is made up of 112,684 acres of forested wetlands. The 31,000-acre Drummond Lake is found at the center of the swamp.
Let the good times roll for your family when you take them to the Greenbrier Family Skating Center. This is a state-of-the-art roller skating attraction that features a large skating floor, impressive lighting, an arcade room, a full-service snack bar and an excellent staff of pros whose goal is to provide you and your family with fun, safe environment in which to enjoy the music, the motion and the fun of roller skating.
When you take the family to Gum Tree Farm, they will experience a unique adventure that involves plenty of wildlife and a good amount of learning, too! The farm produces purebred and commercial sheep and is also the home of several chickens, horses, ducks, donkeys, cows, goats and rabbits, among many others. The farm also produces fiber and exhibits samples of fiber plants. Workers on the farm frequently demonstrate the process of dyeing wool which the kids will surely enjoy. Also, the abundant wildlife in the surrounding area of the farm is protected from hunters, so don't be surprised to see hawks, quail, rabbits, deer and gray foxes during your visit.
A fun, satisfying outdoor experience awaits the whole family when you plan a trip to the Northwest River Park and Campground. Located on the banks of the Northwest River, this 763-acre park perfectly combines the area's natural beauty with a variety of recreational activities. There are excellent camping facilities, nature trails, picnic shelters, fishing, swimming, play areas, and even a new “Dude Ranch” mini golf course attraction. The park features 70 campsites and two cabins that are available from April 1st to November 30th.
See one of our nation's only surviving original Gothic buildings when you visit Historic St. Luke's Church in nearby Smithfield. This architectural attraction is something truly remarkable to behold, as it is the oldest Church of England foundation in America. Commonly referred to as “Old Brick,” it dates back to 1632. In 1953, the non-profit group St. Luke's Restoration was founded and played a vital road in the church’s maintenance and upkeep. The site is a National Landmark, on the Virginia Landmarks Register and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lovers of the outdoors in Chesapeake know that the place to enjoy the natural beauty of the area is the Western Branch Park and Sports Park. This hub of outdoor activity and fun attracts various teams, groups and families out to enjoy its many amenities. This 80-acre site is the home of an impressive variety of sports attractions that include multipurpose softball fields with lights, lighted tennis courts and basketball courts. If you feel like you would rather commune with nature than play a sport, enjoy the spectacle of thousands of wildflowers that adorn a winding nature trail that is perfect for walking and running.