Hampton Roads Center - Hampton, VA

The oldest continuously-occupied English settlement in America, Hampton has a long history. It was first settled around the same time as Jamestown, and 1634 saw the establishment of the country’s first free public school. Hampton University was formed after the Civil War for freed slaves and Native Americans, and, in modern times, has become home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Virginia Air and Space Center.

One museum to visit should be the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe and the grounds as well. The fort housed prisoner Jefferson Davis, and inside the museum, you can walk inside his cell.

With more than 9,000 objects and the oldest African American museum in the United States, Hampton University Museum continues to be a favorite. It features a selection of African art, and works by African American artists and Native American art.

Both of these museums have free admission.

If you find yourself craving food from up north, head over to Union Brothers Detroit Style Pizza. This unique pizza place has one of the hottest pizza trends in the country, according to Zagat. A square pizza, Detroit-style comes from the steel pans used in automotive assembly lines. With a thick crust, the toppings go under the cheese and the sauce on top.

Since this neighborhood lacks any true bars for nightlife, locals head to Taphouse in downtown Hampton for great American food to go along with your pint. The place serves a large selection of craft beers alongside classic burger options, shrimp po' boys, meatloaf and crab-cake sandwiches. Since it stays open until 2 a.m., this friendly bar makes a great spot to hang out late at night.

For more late-night fun, check out Six Little Bar Bistro. Known for its cocktails and tapas, this hip establishment serves upscale bar food such as guacamole with jalapeños and roasted tomatoes, pear and leek quesadillas, and bacon-cheddar deviled eggs. Dive into the Southern standard chicken and waffles for a taste of home cooking. The bar also features an extensive cocktail and beer menu while remaining open until 2 a.m. every night.

Located just east of Interstate 64, Hampton Roads Center lies 6 miles northwest of the city center. On the southern tip of the peninsula, the city remains connected to the mainland by two sets of bridges and tunnels. Both the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel provide toll-free passage, and during rush hour, become frequently congested.

Hampton Roads Transit thoroughly services Hampton, and stops every hour for residents to enjoy an easy and dependable means to get around the city. Fares cost $1.75 for a one-way ride, but frequent riders may want to purchase a weekly or monthly fare for a slight discount.

The app-based company Uber, several taxi companies, such as Orange Cab Co. and All City Taxi, all serve the city.

With plenty of parking at the shops and restaurants, the downtown area also has two parking garages, making it convenient to spend time in the city.

The area has some bicycle-friendly roads, and even some dedicated lanes and trails, but because of constant heavy traffic, riding the trails in the parks would be safer. As the walkability score for Hampton remains low a car continues to be necessary.

Hampton runs several parks. Bluebird Gap Farm remains the family favorite of locals all around the area. The 60-acre farm with more than 150 animals also includes a covered picnic pavilion with tables and grills, nature trails, a playground and duck pond. Admission remains free.

Another popular park, Sandy Bottom Nature Park contains over 450 acres of reclaimed land, now home to wetlands, a nature center, two lakes with boat rental, campsites, fishing pier and a distance-marked set of trails.

The city operates two dog parks, Sandy Bottom Bark Park and Ridgway Bark Park. Ridgway features more than an acre of land for dogs to run freely and includes a separate area for small dogs. Set by a tidal waterway and freshwater pond, the park gives owners a chance to take in the scenic views while their pets get exercise. Both parks require an annual $10 registration fee.

In addition to the parks, the city of Hampton also operates free public beaches.

Outlook Beach sits just outside historic Fort Monroe, and from here visitors can watch the steady stream of cargo ships arriving to the Hampton Roads region.

For both beach and nature, head over to Grandview Nature Preserve. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, this 2.5 mile beach, which requires a 0.5 mile walk through wetlands, remains somewhat secluded, making it the perfect summer spot away from the crowds at Buckroe. If you sit very still, you can even see hermit crabs walking around.

Every May, downtown Hampton transforms itself into a pirate’s dream. The Blackbeard Festival takes place over two days and features time-period vendors, a children’s area, live swashbuckling music, sea battle re-enactments on the Hampton River, plenty of pirates roaming the area and even fireworks.

The cost of living in Hampton Roads Center comes at three percent less than the state average, but six percent higher than the national average. The median rent for a one-bedroom costs about $902 per month, and you can plan to spend around $5 for an ale at Tap House.

Gas in Hampton continues to be seven percent lower than the nation and three percent lower than the state average.

Just south of the neighborhood, where Route 258 crosses Interstate 64, sits a large shopping center, featuring the big box stores you’re used to, including Marshalls, Barnes and Noble, Michaels, Target and Macy’s, but the neighborhood also contains many unique smaller shops.

For those interested in the art of beer and wine making, pay a visit to HomeBrew USA. Right outside of the neighborhood, this store serves the entire East coast with ingredients and equipment to make your own beer. Headquartered in Hampton, this location also includes a store for locals to shop.

Head to Francesca's for the latest trends in women's clothing. Pick from their eclectic selection of blouses, skirts, and jackets to create the perfect outfit. For jewelry to compliment your new wardrobe travel a few shops down to Mole Hole. If you don't know what works best for a suggestion for this local jeweler's helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Grocery stores in the area include Farm Fresh, Food Lion and Wal-Mart. A farmers market runs on Saturday mornings May through October in downtown Hampton, featuring farmers and vendors selling a wide array of handcrafted items, in addition to having activities for the kids and live music.