Area Attractions:
Nature
 

 
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay Refuge contains over 8,000
acres, situated on and around a thin
strip of coastline typical of barrier 
islands found along the Atlantic and 
Gulf coasts.  The majority of refuge
marshlands are on islands contained
within the water of Back Bay.  The 
refuge provides habitat for a wide 
assortment of wildlife, including snow
geese, loggerhead turtles, piping 
plovers and more.  757-721-2412

 

 

Little Island State Park
This park's location and fishing pier make it
especially attractive for anglers.  Swim-
mers will also like this park because it is
life guarded during summer months.  After
a swim or battling the fish, enjoy the play-
ground, tennis courts and other facilities.
Special features include: game courts, fish-
ing, swim, windsurfing, surfing, jet skiiing,
kayaking and canoeing.  757-426-7200
 

First Landing State Park
First Landing is a registered national
landmark open to hikers, bikers, bird-
watchers and campers.  Its 2,888-acre
landscape is home to more than 600
species of trees and plants, semi trop-
ical forest and gian sand dunes.  
Special features include: camping, 
hiking, biking, fishing, swim, wind-
surfing, surfing, jet skiiing, water ski-
ing, kayaking canoeing.  757-721-2412

 


 

Norfolk Botanical Gardens
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens offers a free
shuttle which tours the gardens and stops
every half hour.  Also free with garden
admission is a 25 minute tram tour.  A boat
tour is also offered and takes you on a 
floating journey on the waterways of the 
garden.  Garden amenities include: free
parking, 12 miles of walking paths, wheel-
chair accessibility, picnic area, exhibits.
757-441-5830


Virginia Zoo
Spring has sprung at the Virginia Zoo!
Our visitors, the Canadian geese, 
have hatched, and you may have 
heard that we had a baby zebra, but
what about our Indian Walkingsticks?
Our Rock Hyraxes?  And other new 
arrivals, Australian walkingsticks, 
helmeted guineafowl, Grant's Zebra,
blue duiker, Rock Hyrax and the red
flanked duiker.  757-441-2374