Boo Williams Sportsplex – Free Activities
Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, Virginia, is an expansive venue prepared to host almost any type of athletic event. Created by former professional athlete and Hampton native Boo Williams, the Sportsplex features areas for volleyball, weightlifting, track, basketball, cheerleading, and even Special Olympics events.
Not only is Boo Williams Sportsplex an impressive facility, it’s located in a great town as well. Hampton is a popular city with lots to enjoy, including restaurants, museums, festivals, and kid-friendly activities. Among these options are a few free activities that those on a budget will particularly enjoy. Save money while visiting Hampton by enjoying some of the free destinations listed below.
Air Power Park
Eight minutes from Boo Williams Sportsplex is Air Power Park, a perfect destination for those interested in military aviation. This 15-acre park is filled with aircraft, including jets, missiles, rockets, and even space launch vehicles.
In addition to the Air Power Park’s outside area, there is an indoor part that includes 325 model aircraft, nautical vessels, and other machinery that represent various nations and branches of government. Kids will also live Air Power Park, as it contains a Children’s Room with a reading area, drawing station, an art wall, and more. Air Power Park is open seven days a week, so be sure to check it out while you’re visiting Boo Williams Sportsplex.
Bluebird Gap Farm
A quick drive from Boo Williams Sportsplex is Bluebird Gap Farm. This 60-acre park and petting zoo contains more than 150 animals, spanning both domestic and wild breeds. Animal lovers will enjoy seeing horses, pigs, goats, deer, llamas, alpacas, rabbits, and more.
After checking out these creatures, guests can walk along the trail, enjoy a picnic, or play on the playground. Bluebird Gap Farm is a serene escape only nine minutes from Boo Williams Sportsplex.
Peninsula Town Center
The Peninsula Town Center in Hampton is not just a shopping mall. It has established itself as an integral part of the community by hosting events all throughout the year. There is always a playground there for kids to enjoy, but their festivals and events are the real attraction. Peninsula Town Center hosts an event for every season, including trick or treating, a tree lighting ceremony, back to school giveaways, and a summer concert series. Peninsula Town Center is located only 10 minutes from Boo Williams Sportsplex, so be sure to swing by.
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Immerse yourself in nature at Sandy Bottom Nature Park, 10 minutes away from Boo Williams Sportsplex. This 456-acre park was once a landfill until it was reclaimed and turned into a beautiful greenspace for the community.
There are wonderful views of the man-made Sandy Bottom Lake, where you can rent kayaks and paddle boats for a small fee. On the other hand, there are plenty of free activities to enjoy at Sandy Bottom Nature Park as well. For example, guests can go fishing, get a new perspective at the observation tower, have a picnic, go on a hike, or stop by the nature center. Sandy Bottom Nature Park is a shady, beautiful area to slow down and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center
Local and regional art is always on display at Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center. This beautiful gallery rotates through seven new exhibits each year, allowing visitors to see plenty of amazing creations by Virginia artists. The staff at Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center are well versed in art education, so visitors can get the most out of their visit. Anyone interested in art should take the 12-minute drive from Boo Williams Sportsplex to visit Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center.
Little England Chapel
Little England Chapel, built in 1879, is one of Virginia’s only African-American missionary chapels. It was originally called Ocean Cottage Sunday School, and relics from its time as a Sunday school are still on display. Visitors to this National Historic Landmark can see handwritten Sunday school lessons, photographs, videos, and religious books from the 1800s.
Through its artifacts and historic location, Little England Chapel explores religion of African Americans in Virginia after the Civil War. Guests can visit the chapel for free any time of year. Little England Chapel is located 13 minutes from Boo Williams Sportsplex.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Not only is St. John’s Episcopal Church a free place to visit in Hampton, it’s one of the most historic churches in the country. St. John’s was founded in 1610 by English settlers from Jamestown, making it the oldest parish in the entire country. The congregation has been involved in the community for centuries, and all are welcome to the church. While the building itself is not the original from 1610, it’s still historic, as it was built in 1728. The church is 13 minutes from Boo Williams Sportsplex, so those interested in historic churches should definitely stop by.
Fort Monroe National Monument and Casemate Museum
Fort Monroe is a decommissioned military base from the Civil War, and it’s the largest fort, by square footage, ever built in the United States. Its ideal location on the Chesapeake Bay made it the perfect place to keep track of any boats navigating the waterways. Today it’s an open, public space for walking, biking, and picnicking, where people can enjoy the same outstanding waterfront views.
Also in Fort Monroe is the Casemate Museum, a great place for those interested in military history. This small yet informative museum showcases the significance of this national park through its well-kept exhibits. You can visit the Fort Monroe National Monument and Casemate Museum by taking a 20-minute trip from Boo Williams Sportsplex.
Hampton was one of the earliest settled areas in the United States, so it’s obviously rich with history. This city has so much to offer in terms of free activities and even more to experience if your budget is expanded just a little bit. Once your visit to Boo Williams Sportsplex is complete, be sure to check out a few of these fantastic and free destinations.