6 Reasons We Love Bluebird Gap Farm

We LOVE Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton for so many reasons, but here are our top six!

01. The animals! Beyond the typical farm animals, Bluebird Gap Farm has peacocks, a turkey, and deer. We love getting up close and personal with the animals. During normal, non social distancing times, you can even buy feed for them.

02. Plenty of places to sit! Besides the picnic tables and benches there are gazebos and a pergola. I love bringing a picnic lunch and finding a spot to enjoy it.

03. The gardens! The master gardeners have built beautiful gardens to walk through. There are edible gardens, a forest floor display, and lots of flowers and paths to walk.We sat in a garden in the back for 30 minutes and had a totally uninterrupted snack.

04. The playground! Closed right now for social distancing, Bluebird Gap Farm has a wonderful playground. There is a toddler one as well as a big one plus swings.

05. The photo ops! Located all around the farm are tons of places to take photos.

06. It's free!! Maybe the best part, but we love that this park is free and open to the public!

**Right now all of their indoor exhibits are closed.

Places to See Animals in Hampton Roads

We are lucky enough in Hampton Roads to have lots of places to see animals. Here is a round up of a few places to check out. 

• The Virginia Zoo: See animals from North America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Take a train ride and check out the Virginia Zoo Live stage to get up close and personal with animals. Tickets are $17.95 for adults and $14.95 for ages 2-11. Train tickets are $3.00 each. 

• VA Aquarium: Check out animals from land and sea at the Virginia Aquarium. Head there on a Wednesday for educational programing and crafts. Be advised, only one of the two buildings is currently open. Admission is $24.95 for adults and $19.99 for children 3-11. 

• Bluebird Gap Farm: One of our favorites! Located in Hampton, Bluebird Gap Farm has farm animals, but it also has a playground and garden. Pack a lunch and spend the whole day. Admission is free. 

• Bergey's Breadbasket: Grab an ice cream at Bergey's, then head to the petting zoo in the back. You'll see kittens, sheep, pigs, cows, rabbits, reptiles, goats, and more. Play in the sandpit and let the kids shoot hoops or ride pedal cars. Fee: $3 per person. For an extra fee you can feed a calf.

•  Mount Pleasant: Next to Bergey's is Mount Pleasant Farm. Stop in to let the kids play on the wooden train and tractor or climb on the huge tires. Stroll through the back and see horses, goats, sheep, and more. Check out the store for some of their local produce, or time your visit during a U-Pick time. Admission is free. 

• Virginia Living Museum: A gem located in Newport News, The Virginia Living Museum has all types of plants and animals from all of the regions of Virginia. An additional bonus is that they have a dinosaur exhibit. 

• Nauticus: Check out underwater animals at Norfolk's Nauticus. Nauticus is a maritime discovery center that allows visitors to do everything from exploring the inside of a ship, to walking on a real battleship. Nauticus has sharks, hermit crabs, eels, and an exhibit built around the Chesapeake Bay.   Admission is $15.95 for adults and $11.50 for children ages 4-12. 

• Hunt Club Farm: Hunt Club Farm is Virginia Beach's only petting farm. More than just a petting farm, children can ride ponies, play on the TreeWalk Adventure, and feed birds at the BirdWalk Aviary. Admission is $15 per person ages 2 and up. 

• B&L Farm Market: I love stopping at the B&L Farm Market because they are one of the only places around where I have found tomato jam. The boys love to stop because they like to see the goats, chickens, and pigs on the property. It's a win for us both! Visit these animals for free.

• Rudee Flipper: During the warm months, check out the Rudee Flipper for dolphin watching, but during the winter, book a tour to see the migration of whales happening right along our coast. This was one of the coolest trips we have ever taken! Trips range for $25-35, but there is a discount code on our page! 

• Historic Greenbrier Farms: Pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, and more can all be found at Historic Greenbrier Farms. Visit the farm on a morning and explore, then let the kids get out their energy on their free bounce houses. Stroll through the garden shop and snag fresh produce from the farm stand. Admission is free. 

• Hickory Ridge Farm: Everybody loves a free play area, and Hickory Ridge always has one. Sit in the shade while the kids play, then walk them over to visit their farm animals. Visit the farm store and pick some produce or a grab bag for a variety of options. 

• Dock Dogs: If you love pets, check out local chain Care A Lot's Dock Dogs. Full of dogs in a jumping competition, there are also adoptable pets galore. In addition to the competition visitors can watch a show of dog tricks and a pet costume contest. Admission is free. 

A Little Bit Further: 

• North Carolina Museum of Life and Science:  My oldest has said he would like to visit this museum "100 times!" Check out all of the plants and animals living in North Carolina, along with so many cool and interactive science exhibits. This museum also has one of the coolest hidden in the forest playgrounds. 

• The Robins Nature Center is located in Richmond about 90 miles from the center of Hampton Roads. A small but mighty center allows visitors to see aquatic animals from the James River system. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children. 

• Maymont: The Barry Robins Nature Center is located on the Maymont property. Also on the 100 acre estate is both a wildlife farm and a petting zoo. Admission is free, but they ask you to make a donation. 

• Science Museum of Virginia: The Science Museum of Virginia is an all around cool museum, but the third floor is dedicated to animal exhibits. Check out reptiles, fish, and rodents there. On the second floor don't miss the bee exhibit, which goes outside and supports real bees in Richmond. When you arrive, check the board and see what shows are happening that day, and try to catch a Rat Basketball Game. Admission is $16.00 for adults, $13.50 for kids 6-12, and $10.00 for ages 3-5. 

• OBX Aquarium:  If you're vacationing in the OBX, check out their aquarium and see exhibits about the seven rivers tied to the Albemarle.  Wander through wetlands, learn about sea turtles, and be amazed by jellyfish.  Learn about the U.S.S. Monitor and the sharks that live in the Atlantic ocean. Use your Virginia Zoo membership for half off. Admission is $12.95 per person, and $10.95 for kids 3-12. 

Bluebird Gap Farm: Updates!

We stopped by one of our favorites, Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton, and were so excited to see that they are working on new updates! Besides the usual animals, playground, and gardens, the city of Hampton has added in a pathway which leads around to a beautiful duck pond, more structures for all kinds of birds, and is currently building aviaries for what looks like three birds. One is a red-tailed hawk, but the other two don't have signage yet. There is also a new section with three emus. 

Also new is the rock play garden inside the Adventure Woods section. I am so excited to come back as it gets warmer to see what else is coming! More details about Bluebird Gap Farm here. 

Bluebird Gap Farm

I lived in the Tidewater area most of my life before I learned of Bluebird Gap Farm. It's a little farm in Hampton near the Bass Pro Shop. They have farm animals that you can feed and pet (Warning! Some may nibble!), picnic tables, gardens, a playground, and a little snack stand.

The best part.... it's completely FREE! They have special events pretty often, and on Tuesdays during the summer they have a free story time for little ones. There are sometimes magic shows, dancers, and other entertainers also. This is a spot we will definitely be returning to as R gets older.

Hampton Holiday Wonder Walk

Visit Hampton nightly from December 19th-25th, 5 - 8 pm for a completely free holiday experience. There's a trail that is part of the Waterwalk Path, which connects Hampton's Air Power Park and Bluebird Gap Farm. 

Head to the Hampton Coliseum parking lot and turn right, walking toward the water. When you reach the neighborhood, keep going back into it.  You'll pass through lighted and themed sections, including one where members of the Hampton community have decorated trees. There are also stations for a toss game, coloring, and making a craft. Hot chocolate and a few snacks are available for purchase. Santa's mailbox is on site for letter drop off. This is a great addition to your holiday plans!  

If you're spending the day in Hampton, there is lots to do for kids. Checkout Air Power Park or Bluebird Gap Farm. You can also checkout the carousel, Air and Space Science Center, Hampton History Museum or grab a coffee at Firehouse Coffee 1881. There are even more options on our index! 

Fall Family Festivals in Hampton Roads

With Rosh Hashanah this week, fall is officially here! During fall in Hampton Roads there is so much to do, eat, see, and so many places to play. Enjoy! 

September: 

Beach Music Weekend- Sept. 10-12 

Taco Fest- Sept. 11 12-8 (kids under ten free) 

Hampton Roads Pride Fest- Sept. 12 12-4

A Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival - Sept. 11, 11-5

Growl Fest at the Virginia Zoo- Sept. 11 5-9 

Isle of Wight County Fair- Sept. 16-12

Mt. Pleasant Christian School Fall Fest- Sept. 17-19 9-5

Apple Extravaganza- Sept. 18, 10 am

The Great Food Truck Festival- Sept. 18, 11-6

Chubby's Pumpkin Festival: Sept. 22- Oct. 31 

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend- Sept. 24-26 

Epps Farm Supply Fall Fest- Sept. 25 8-3

Virginia State Fair- Sept 24-Oct. 3

Hunt Club Farm Harvest- Sept. 25-Oct. 31 10-6

Greek Fest (drive thru)- Sept. 30-Oct. 2 10:30-7

October: 

Virginia Beach KOA Fall Festival- Oct. 1-3

Chubby's Pumpkin Festival: Sept. 22- Oct. 31 

Virginia Children's Festival- Oct. 2 10-3

Great American Food Festival- Oct. 6 3-7

Suffolk Peanut Fest- Oct. 8-10 10am-11pm 

Bluebird Gap Farm Fall Festival-Oct. 17-18 10-5

MOCA Family Fest- Oct. 17 10:00

Neon Festival- Oct 21-22

Newport News Fall Greek Festival- Oct. 21-22 11-9

Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show- Oct 22-24 10-5

First Baptist of Suffolk's Fall Festival Trunk or Treat- Oct. 29 6-8 

City Center Fall Festival- Oct. 30 12-6

Ambassadors for Christ's Fall Fest- Oct. 30 6-9

November: 

Lynnhaven River Now Fall Festival- Nov. 6 

Oyster and South Festival at Greenbrier Farms- Nov. 20

Week Long Itinerary

I've gotten questions this summer about how we afford everything that we do. Although we have the discount page, and I've written posts about free places to take kids, I still get the question a lot. I've written up a sample itinerary of a week for the stay at home parents, now that bigger kiddos are back in school. 

Monday: Head to Cova for Mini Monday. With your purchase of an adult drink, your kiddo will get a free mini muffin, lemonade, and a craft. Let them play outside, then head to one of the many parks in and around Ocean View and let them play for free. If you still have time, checkout Pretlow Library. 

Tuesday: Start the day at the Hermitage Museum. Pack a snack and walk the grounds overlooking the water. Walk inside and view the museum with the bribe of the playground afterward. Once you can't stand the heat, head to the Barry Art Museum on ODU's campus. 

Wednesday: Grab a dollar, and head to the Mariner's Museum in Newport News. For just a dollar per person you can soak up the A.C., look at tons of boats, and play at their nature site. Take a walk on the Noland trail. 

Thursday: Checkout Hike It Baby! Now free, joining Hike It Baby lets you access hikes led by members all over Hampton Roads. 

Friday: Head to Hampton's Bluebird Gap Farm. See animals, walk through the gardens, then play on the playground. Bring a picnic lunch and eat at the tables. Walk, bike, or drive over to Air Power Park to checkout the planes and space ships.

Saturday: Weekends at Hickory Ridge Farm have barrel train rides and food trucks, but the play area is always free. Grab a quick snack from the farm stand and eat it on your way to the close by Historic Greenbrier Farms.  Swing on the tire swing, jump on the bounce houses, and let kids pet the animals.

Sunday: Take the family out to Pungo and hit the Jerassic Park. Grab the scavenger hunt and find those dinosaurs. 

Free Places to Visit In Hampton Roads Now

These eight spots are open during Covid with mitigation strategies in place. The best part is... they are free! Check them out today!  

Odu's Barry Art Museum is open and free. Challenge your kids to new experiences by taking them to an art museum. 

The Neon District is full of street art, and we planned out the perfect morning for you downtown. Selden's train display isn't there currently, but there is still plenty to do on this list! 

Head to the Virginia Tech Display Gardens on a nice day soon. Little kids will love walking over the bridge, climbing on the benches, and checking out the foliage. 

Dinosaur lovers rejoice! Jerrassic Park is completely free! Take the drive to Pungo and discover all the area has to offer after spending an hour here in the morning. 

Hampton's Bluebird Gap Farm is a local favorite, and for good reason. It's free, fun, and educational. 

The always free Chrysler Museum's programing for kids has moved online and the Wonder Studio is closed, but the museum is still open. Reservations are required and are free to make online. 

Check out Norfolk's Railroad District and the NFK Street Museum- Mural Walk. Trains pass often, which my train loving little guy loved. 

Reservations required to visit Air Power Park's inside museum, but the outside is still open and free. Make the reservations online ahead of time.

**Note, right now MOCA is free due to a sponsorship from PNC. Go check it out.

Looking for more? Don't forget to check our favorite nature spots in Hampton Roads. Most of them are free!