30+ Things to Do Near Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg

Hampton Roads is a highly sought-after area to live for service members and civilians alike. If your next duty station is Joint Base Langley-Eustis, you’ll be in the heart of this well-loved region with its beautiful beaches, fantastic restaurants, and endless fun attractions.

Hampton Roads is home to multiple military installations, most of which are concentrated south of Hampton Roads (the body of water for which the region is named). JB Langley-Eustis is located north of Hampton Roads in Newport News and Hampton, giving service members stationed here access to a whole different range of activities, including tourist destinations in Williamsburg, VA.

If you’re looking for something fun to do off-base, keep reading for some top recommendations in Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg! Plus, if you want to skip town for a long weekend, we have some great recommendations for day trips and weekend getaways.

5 Military-Friendly Activities Near Joint Base Langley-Eustis

Kicking off with military-friendly activities, these are restaurants or attractions that offer discounts for active-duty and retired service members or are Veteran-owned and operated.

While many of the other restaurants and activities in this guide are also military-friendly, these are a few top picks.

Step Back in Time at Colonial Williamsburg

At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, you’re under an hour from Williamsburg and all it has to offer, including iconic Colonial Williamsburg.

Not only can service members and their families take advantage of discounted tickets at Colonial Williamsburg, but they also get exclusive access to the Liberty Lounge, a quiet place to cool off and grab a complimentary beverage right in the heart of the historic area.

Play the Afternoon Away at Tilt Studio Newport News

If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity on the next rainy day, look no further than Tilt Studio Newport News!

This massive indoor fun center has mini golf, bumper cars, an arcade, and more. Plus, they offer 10% off for members of the U.S. military. Just don’t forget to bring your ID!

Grab a Drink at 1700 Brewing

1700 Brewing is a 100% veteran-owned and operated nanobrewery in Newport News, Virginia. With a great variety of specialty beers in regular rotation, there’s bound to be something for everyone at this brewery.

There are also regular weekly activities like music bingo and trivia, perfect for a fun night out with friends or that special someone.

Take a Thrill Ride at Busch Gardens

With more than 30 rides ranging from kid-friendly to thrilling, Busch Gardens is full of fun and excitement for everyone.

Service members can get discounted tickets and memberships to the theme park, as well as complimentary tickets for themselves and up to three dependents once each calendar year.

Embrace Your Creativity at Starving Artists Studio

Starving Artist Studio offers a variety of workshops and classes, from paint-your-own pottery to resin artwork, and more. All skill levels are welcome!

Owned and operated by a former military spouse, this art studio also welcomes walk-ins and offers a military discount every Friday.

10 Restaurants Near JB Langley-Eustis You Won’t Want to Miss

There are plenty of good eats in Newport News, Hampton, and the surrounding area that you won’t want to miss. Check out our recommendations or leave your own in the comments!

Circa 1918 Kitchen and Bar - Casual, friendly dining atmosphere with delicious, inventive menu options. Perfect for a date night, but you’ll want to make a reservation!

The Deadrise Fish House - Named for a type of traditional Chesapeake Bay fishing boat, this fantastic seafood restaurant is right on the water. Enjoy dinner with a view!

Sabor Latino Cuban & Peruvian Cuisine - Top-rated Cuban and Peruvian food in a welcoming, low-key environment.

Big Boo BBQ - Enjoy traditional barbecue with all the fixings at this family-friendly spot in Newport News.

185 Restaurant - One of the best options around for brunch or lunch any day of the week!

Restaurants for the Whole (Furry) Family

Dog-lovers stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis will also find some great restaurant options with outdoor seating where their furry family members can join them for a meal.

Las Reinas Cocina - This vibrant Tex-Mex restaurant is known to offer a pet-exclusive Yappy Hour. Bring your furry friend for a pup cup!

Bull Island Brewing Company - Enjoy yummy food, great drinks, and an outdoor patio right on the water with your four-legged friend.

Marker 20 - Bring your dog with you to enjoy dinner on the deck at this local favorite for more than 20 years.

Brickhouse Tavern - In addition to delicious eats, this restaurant has a dog-friendly patio with heaters for cooler days and fans for hotter ones.

Olde Towne Pizza & Pasta - This family-run Italian restaurant in Williamsburg has a great outdoor patio where dogs are more than welcome!

Pet-Friendly Places Near Joint Base Langley-Eustis

Dog-lovers will find plenty of great places to take their pets around Newport News and Hampton, Virginia. From dog parks to nature preserves perfect for trail walks, there’s a little bit of everything.

Fido Field Dog Park

Location: 105 City Farm Rd, Newport News, VA 23602

Fido Field Dog Park features a 1-acre fenced area for off-leash play, water fountains, and covered benches. Before visiting, make sure your dog is registered!

Ridgway Bark Park

Location: 85 E. Mercury Blvd., Hampton, VA 23669

Ridgway Bark Park features separate play areas for large and small dogs, water fountains, and plenty of seating areas for dog parents. Dogs must be registered before visiting the park.

Sandy Bottom Nature Park

Location: 1255 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666

Enjoy 12 miles of walking trails with your dog at Sandy Bottom Nature Park!

Back Creek Park

Location: 5338-G George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23692

Back Creek Park’s Bark Park is a large fenced-in area for off-leash play with separate spaces for large and small dogs.

Williamsburg Botanical Garden

Location: 5537 Centerville Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188

The Williamsburg Botanical Garden welcomes leashed dogs. Explore 20 distinct garden areas while walking the nearly 3-mile trail, or explore the longer trails of Freedom Park just outside the garden.

5 Date Ideas Near JB Langley-Eustis (For Couples or BFFs)

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon with your girls, going for a guys' night out, or planning a romantic date with your special someone, the area around JB Langley-Eustis has you covered with plenty of great options.

Explore Hampton Arts

Together, the Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center and the American Theatre make up Hampton Arts. Explore the permanent and temporary arts exhibits at the Taylor Center, or sign up for one of nearly 20 different types of quarterly art classes.

At the American Theatre, you can see live performances and classic movie showings, or take an acting or dance class.

Laugh it up at Cozzy’s Comedy Club

Grab dinner and see a comedy show at Cozzy’s Comedy Club. This club features a broad range of comedians, from stand-ups to comedy museums, drag performers, and more.

Crack a Cold One at Oozle Finch Beers

Oozlefinch Beers and Blending is a unique craft brewery near historic Fort Monroe that is committed to creating inventive brews. Oozlefinch hosts events like trivia and welcomes food trucks on a rotating basis - check their website for upcoming events!

There’s also plenty of outdoor seating, so it’s a great place to bring your dog, too.

Get Coffee with a Side of Kitty Cuddles

Cups and Claws in Newport News offers a one-of-a-kind experience for the Virginia Peninsula. Grab a coffee and interact with some sweet cats looking for their furr-ever homes. You might even find your next four-legged family member while you’re there!

Test Your Skills at Escape Room Virginia Peninsula

Do you like solving puzzles and cracking codes? You’ve got to check out Escape Room Virginia Peninsula! With four different unique escape room experiences, you’ll have plenty of chances to test your skills.

5 Places Kids Will Love Near Joint Base Langley-Eustis

Looking for fun that the whole family can enjoy? Look no further! We’ve got a range of recommendations that your kids will love. Best of all, most of these options are indoors, so they’re great for all seasons!

Mariner’s Museum

The Mariner’s Museum and Park explores maritime history with exhibits on ships and exploration. It’s also home to the USS Monitor Center, which explores the history of USS Monitor and the Civil War Battle of Hampton Roads.

The museum has a lot to offer for child visitors, from an interactive scavenger hunt to shipbuilding programs, a learning garden, and a playground.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? No, but it’s only $1 to attend

Hours: Museum is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Park is open daily, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Funplex Trampoline Park

Bounce around with the whole family and explore 15 different indoor activities at Funplex Trampoline Park! From more adventurous options like a climbing wall and ropes course to a small playground, ball pit, and light-up slides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you need a break from jumping, there’s also an arcade.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours:

• Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Virginia Air and Space Center

Learn about aviation and space exploration at the Virginia Air and Space Center. The exhibits feature interactive learning zones your kids will love. If you want to bring the learning home with you, the center offers a range of STEM activities you can do at home with instructional videos and supply lists.

If your kids really love their visit, you might even consider enrolling them in Camp NASA at Virginia Air and Space Center, offered during summer, winter, and spring school breaks.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Yes

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Virginia Living Museum

The Virginia Living Museum is home to 1100+ native species that represent every region of Virginia. More than just a museum, this is a blend of zoo, aquarium, science center, and planetarium aimed at educating about and inspiring conservation.

The museum features the opportunity to encounter and interact with a variety of animals. They offer a special program for little learners aged 2 to 5. For older kids, there are school break camps. If you want a truly special experience the whole family can enjoy together, stay overnight at the museum during a family camp-in event!

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Yes

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Carousel Park and Hampton Carousel

Hampton, Virginia, is home to one of only 170 antique wooden merry-go-rounds in the United States. The Hampton Carousel was originally built in 1920 and is located in the city’s downtown waterfront.

It’s been completely restored, and a pavilion was built around it to protect it from the elements. Tickets to ride the carousel are available at the nearby Hampton History Museum, which you may also want to explore while you’re in the area!

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? No, but it’s only $1 to ride

Hours: April to December ONLY, Tuesday - Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Don’t Miss These Seasonal Activities Near JB Langley-Eustis!

While many of the activities and attractions we’ve turned a spotlight on so far are accessible all year-round, there are also some great seasonal activities in Virginia Beach.

From farmers’ markets to festivals and outdoor adventures, you won’t want to miss out!

Hampton Jazz and Music Festival

Celebrate music and community at the Hampton Jazz and Music Festival! This three-day, annual event held in June has brought the best of jazz, pop, blues, soul, and R&B to Hampton for 50 years.

Go Ape Zipline and Treetop Adventures

Go Ape Zipline and Treetop Adventures in Williamsburg, VA, is a massive adventure park where you can swing and climb through the trees.

They also offer axe-throwing and unique outdoor escape room activities. This outdoor adventure experience is open seasonally from spring to fall and offers a military discount through ID.me.

Coastal Festivals

Embrace coastal living at one of the local coastal festivals in the region. Each year in June, experience a pirate invasion of Hampton during the Blackbeard Pirate Festival!

Or, shop local with a twist at the Yorktown Market Days’ Maritime Festival, an annual themed farmers market.

Buckroe Beach Farmers Market

If you want to shop for even more local produce, baked treats, jarred goods, and crafts, you won’t want to miss the Buckroe Beach Farmer’s Market, open Saturday mornings from April to September.

Newport News Cultural Festivals and More

The city of Newport News also offers a variety of festivals and events throughout the year. Check out annual cultural festivals, like the annual Greek Festival, Juneteenth Festivities, the World Arts Festival, and more.

Check Out These Nearby Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

On your next long weekend or day off, you might want to plan a quick getaway. Hit the road to one of these nearby cities and explore all that the mid-Atlantic has to offer!

Richmond, VA

Drive time: 80 minutes

• Explore some of Richmond's fantastic museums, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, and the Poe Museum, just to name a few!
• Go on a shopping spree! Whether you're into high-end luxury shopping or want to explore and support local businesses, you can find it all in Richmond.
• Catch a show at the National, one of Richmond’s best concert venues!

Virginia’s Eastern Shore

Drive time: 1-2 hours

• Enjoy beautiful Chesapeake Bay beaches and explore miles of nature trails in historic Cape Charles.
• Explore the historic Court Green of Eastville, VA. This small town was originally founded in the 1630s. The historic buildings (including the Old Courthouse, Clerk’s Office, Debtors Prison, and exhibits in the 1899 Courthouse/ County Administration Building)are open to visitors weekdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the summer months (April to October).
• Visit Onancock, VA, “the Gem of the Eastern Shore”. This small coastal town is known for its award-winning restaurants and thriving local arts scene.

Virginia State Parks

Drive time: 30-80 minutes

• Machicomono State Park is the first state park celebrating and honoring the history and legacy of the Native Tribes of Virginia. For a truly unique experience, camp out overnight in one of three yurts available for rent.
• Enjoy the aquatics center, fishing and boating, and other outdoor adventures at Pocahontas State Park. The park is also home to an amphitheater that hosts live performances throughout the year.
• Step back in time with a visit to the oldest continually farmed plantation in the country at Chippokes State Park, open since 1619. You can also see antique farm equipment at the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum.

Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Things to Do Near JB Langley-Eustis!

If you’re headed to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, make sure you take time to get off base and enjoy the surrounding region. With great restaurants, beautiful nature parks and preserves, and a variety of fun attractions, Newport News and Hampton, Virginia, are both great cities to explore.

Plus, it’s just a quick drive to Williamsburg, VA, where you can take advantage of exciting tourist destinations like Busch Gardens or Colonial Williamsburg any time of year!