Virginia Beach Off The Beaten Path Tips by grandmaR Top 5 Page for this destination

Visit Portsmouth

Portsmouth has been a ship building town from its founding in 1752. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard (which is here and not in Norfolk at all) was begun here in 1767, and it's repair record extends from nuclear powered submarines to the Confederate ironclad Merrimac. The first drydock built here in 1831 in still in use. Container ships regularly vist the docks between Pinner and Love Points.

The Naval Shipyard Museum is in Portsmouth. But the shipyard is called the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Which is confusing, at least to me. The name was chosen because at the time, there was already a Portsmouth Navy Yard in New Hampshire.

"The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum offers a unique perspective on U.S. history, from Colonial to Civil War times and beyond. You’ll find beautiful ship models, uniforms, military artifacts and exhibits portraying life in 18th, 19th and 20th century Portsmouth."

The Lightship PORTSMOUTH (the red ship in the picture) and the Naval Shipyard Museum are together in the same admisssion price.

Winter Hours for both Museums:
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; open on Mondays that fall on a holiday.

Summer Hours for both Museums:
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day;
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission:
The $3 admission fee covers both the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Lightship Museum.

Phone: (757) 393-8591

Website: http://www.portsnavalmuseums.com/

"New" Cape Henry Lighthouse

This is the 1881 replacement for the old Cape Henry lighthouse. It is NOT open to the public.

It was was built to replace the older light only 357 feet away. The old lighthouse is open to the public and is maintained by the APVA.

The New lighthouse is a 164-foot octagonal tower made up of cast iron plated inner and outer walls, with a masonry lining, making it the tallest such lighthouse in the U.S. It has a first-order Fresnel lens and is painted in black and white alternating vertical stripes. In 1923 the lantern was converted to electricity. The 1,000 watt light was automated in 1984 and has an intensity of 80,000 candlepower. Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, its 20 second flashing light can be seen for only 15 miles out to sea because of the bright city lights.

From the south, take I 95-N to 58-E to I 64-W. Take Exit 282 (Northampton Blvd) and follow Rt. 13 for four (4) miles. take the last exit before the bay bridge tunnel and bear right onto Rt. 60 (Shore Drive) and travel about five (5) miles. Ft. Story is a left turn at the flashing red light. After passing the guard house, take the first left, then your first right. This gate may be closed, if it is continue approx. 3 miles to the first stop light and take a left. This will lead you to the main gate. Continue straight approx 2 miles and you will see the Cape Henry sign on the right. You must show a picture ID at the gate.

Phone: (757) 460-1688

Website: http://members.aol.com/valights/capehen1.htm

Old Cape Henry Light

Under construction