City: Portsmouth, VA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 206 High St.
2. Naval Shipyard Museum
City: Portsmouth, VA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (757) 393-8591
Address: 2 High St.
Description: The Norfolk Naval Shipyard is the nation’s oldest and largest government yard. It has been burned three times by retreating armies, was the birthplace of the ironclad CSS Virginia (which most incorrectly call the Merrimack, its name before the South converted it to an ironclad), the first battleship Texas, and the first aircraft carrier Langley. It is also home to the nation’s first dry dock, still in use. All of that history is explored in this small riverfront museum. Inside are ship models, uniforms, military artifacts, and exhibits tracing the shipyard’s history and the history of the city the shipyard made possible. Admission is $3, $1 for children 2 to 17, but it also covers admission to the nearby Lightship Portsmouth.
3. Hill House
City: Portsmouth, VA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (757) 393-0241
Address: 221 North St.
Description: This four-story English basement home in historic Olde Towne was owned and occupied by the Hill family for a century and a half. It remains in its original condition, complete with the family’s belongings and portraits. The home is open on weekends, 1 to 5 p.m., Apr through Dec.
4. Lightship Portsmouth Museum
City: Portsmouth, VA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (757) 393-8393
Address: 420 High St.
Description: The Lightship Portsmouth was built in 1915 and served for 48 years warning mariners about shoals or other dangerous conditions off the coasts of Virginia, Delaware, and Massachusetts. It was retired in 1964 and moved to Portsmouth, where, following tradition, it took the name of its current location. It sits in a small cutout at the foot of High Street just off the Elizabeth River. In 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. You can wander through the inside and see how the crew of 15 spent months on station in all kinds of seas and weather. The admission also includes entrance to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum next door. Open Tues through Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 1 to 5 p.m. Closed on most major holidays.