|
 |
| You just might have the beach all to yourself! |
Visit the old and new Cape Henry lighthouses, view old military vehicles, chase crabs, and enjoy having a beach practically to yourself. And it's free!
To get there, from the resort strip, go north along Atlantic Avenue and you’ll hit this World War I era Army base, now part of Fort Eustis. Drive by old army buildings until you come to the First Landing Cross (site of where the Jamestown colonist made their “first landing” in America), and the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse which was commissioned by George Washington (if you want to go inside the lighthouse, you’ll need to come during the day).
The Lighthouse cost a whopping $17,500 by the time it was completed in 1791, and was made with stones cut from the same quarry used to build the White House. You can climb steep spiral staircase in the 75 foot tower and look out the windows for a superb view of Cape Henry.
One of our favorite things to do is take the kids to Chicks Crab House on Rudee Inlet for dinner, then pop over to Fort Story to let the kids run along the beach for awhile. It’s generally deserted, especially in the early evening...which makes it a perfect time for chasing the countless little ghost crabs that make holes in the sand. Sand-colored and almost transparent, they scuttle sideways to disappear from sight into their holes when you try to catch them.
In the summer, you’re likely to see dolphins frolicking off the coast.
Since this is an Army base, you’ll have to show your driver’s license and current car registration. You can get on the base for free (tours of the Lighthouse have a charge). Hours are 5:30 am to 9 pm daily. During times of heightened security alerts, the base may be closed.
Fort Story address: Shore Drive and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. Fort Story phone number: 757-422-7755.
Old Cape Henry Lighthouse hours and admission: 10 am to 5 pm daily from the middle of March through October (10 am to 4 pm the rest of the year). Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan 1. Admission: $4 for adults, $3 kids 3-12, free 2 and under.Old Cape Henry Lighthouse phone number: 757-422-9421.
Return from Fort Story to Virginia Beach VA
Go to Main Page - Virginia Beach Family Vacation Getaway
Go to Site Index
