College Prowler Take
Hampton is part of a larger area known as Hampton Roads, which consists of several cities that all run together: Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Chesapeake. This area is made up of primarily suburban sprawl from Norfolk, which is home of the largest naval base in the world, placing Hampton in the middle of a major military area. Being right next to the water, it has the Norfolk Naval Base to the right, Langley Air Force base to the left, and a little higher, we have Guanaco. You are sure to meet one of our nation’s finest in the area, and even on campus. Still, there is not a lot for a college student to do or be attracted to in the immediate area. Across the little bridge, we have Downtown Hampton, and there is a little shopping area—mostly utilized by the locals.
The area is split into two sides, “this side of the water” which is Hampton and Newport News and “the other side of the water” which is mainly Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. “This side” has a lot of cheaper stores which do attract the many college students, however, across the long tunnels to “the other side of the water,” there are many up scale malls where many of the students would prefer to go for shopping, dining, and hanging out with friends, but prove to be rather costly, as well as being a good distance to drive to. Hampton, VA, though, is very small and becomes repetitious.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
What is there to think of this...
What is there to think of this local atmosphere? There’s nothing at all to do—ever! |
Anonymous says:  |
What is local in Hampton or...
What is local in Hampton or Newport News? Both are boring as ever. Virginia Beach is like the only real place to go for any excitement, and that’s a drive in itself. If you go there too much, it gets boring, too. |
Anonymous says:  |
Hampton itself is a nice place as...
Hampton itself is a nice place as far as scenery, but as far as things to do, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’d have to give it a 2. I like the locals because they are funny, but the only real hangout place is Wal-Mart because it’s open 24 hours—how sweet. |
Anonymous says:  |
Hampton bores me to death. Like, I...
Hampton bores me to death. Like, I think I’ve seen everything in Hampton and in Norfolk, for the most part. I only go to Norfolk when my big sister picks me up because I don’t have a car. I like going to Virginia Beach a lot to get away from here. |
Anonymous says:  |
I’m not really into the party...
I’m not really into the party scene or the nightlife like most people are. I don’t have to be moving all the time, so I’m quite content with the slowness of Hampton. |
Facts
Points of Interest
- Alice May’s
- Buckroe Beach
- Bush Gardens
- Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Fort Monroe
- Fort Wool
- Grandview Nature Preserve
- Hampton Coliseum
- Hampton History Museum
- Harrison Opera House
- Jamestown Settlement
- Jillian’s by the Waterside
- Langley Airforce base
- Langley Speedway
- Nauticus
- Peninsula Fine Arts Museum
- Roger Brown’s
- Salt Ponds Marina
- The American Theater
- The Norva
- Virginia Air and Space Museum
- Virginia Living Museum
- Virginia Stage Company in Wells Theater
- Virginia Symphony
- Virginia Zoo
- Water Country USA
- Yorktown Victory Center
Distances
- Richmond - VA - 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Washington - D.C. - 3 hours
Shopping Centers
- Coliseum Central Retail District
- Coliseum Mall
- Lynnhaven Mall
- Macarthur Mall
- Patrick Henry Mall
- Shops at Williamsburg
Major Sports Teams
- Hampton Roads Piranhas - women's soccer
- NASCAR at Langley Speedway - racing
- Norfolk Tides - minor league
Movie Theaters
AMC Hampton Towne Center 24
Hampton Roads Parkway
Hampton
(757) 896-2330
AMC Lynnhaven 18
1001 Lynnhaven Mall Loop
Virginia Beach
(757) 896-2330
Cinemark Military Circle Mall
880 North Military Hwy.
Norfolk
(757) 461-8200
IMAX – Virginia Air & Space Center
600 Settlers Landing Rd.
Hampton
(757) 727-0800
YRC – Riverdale Coliseum 12
1044 Van Schilling Dr.
Hampton
(757) 825-3999
Did You Know?
Fun Facts about Hampton:
• Virginia is for lovers.
• Hampton is known for Bay Days, a popular carnival held in early September.
• Hampton University is one of the main attractions for Hampton, Virginia.
• The Hampton Coliseum is the main arena for concerts
and circuses.
• Hampton University is known as “your home by the sea.”
• Hampton was established in 1610 and is the oldest American English-speaking city.
• Hampton is the home to NASA Langley research center.
• Hampton hosts the Hampton Cup Regatta, Hampton Bay Days, and the Hampton Jazz Festival.
• Hampton Roads is the name of the body of water where the Chesapeake Bay and the Elizabeth, James, and Nansemond Rivers meet.
Famous People from Virginia:
Warren Beatty
Thomas Jefferson
Henry Clay
James Madison
Clipse Alonzo Mourning
Missy Elliot
Zachery Taylor
Ella Fitzgerald
Michael Vick
Patrick Henry
George Washington
Alan Iverson
Pharrell Williams
Woodrow Wilson
Local Slang:
Carry – Attempting to embarrass someone.
Jumpoff – Something or somewhere that is fun or exciting.
Shortie – A girl.
Wack – Something that is not cool.
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