Chesapeake, Virginia is a new city formed in 1963 after two areas merged. It has experienced growth in industry and now has a population of over 200,000. The Chesapeake Arboretum, Dismal Swamp Canal, and Northwest River Park offer outdoor activities for visitors, while Fun Forest is a popular playground for kids.
Chesapeake, Virginia is one of the newest cities in the country. Although the area has been inhabited for over 300 years, Chesapeake only became a reality in 1963, after South Norfolk and Norfolk County merged and adopted a new name. Chesapeake was home to a rural community until about a decade ago, when a sudden growth in the industry began attracting young entrepreneurs to the area. Chesapeake now has a population of over 200,000. The median income for a Chesapeake household is now over $50,000 US Dollars (USD), rivaling cities like New York and Washington.
The Chesapeake Arboretum is a popular attraction in the city. Open free to visitors, the 47-acre park is home to a hardwood forest and a number of ancient rose gardens. A farmhouse doubles as a visitor center, offering local hiking maps and local information. Nearby is the Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest man-made canal in the United States. Once a major trading route, the canal is now popular with visitors, who can take a quick ride in one of the many pleasure boats docked in the Chesapeake. The swamp channel is shared with northeastern North Carolina and is considered a historic landmark due to its connection to the Civil War Underground Railroad.
In addition to boating, Chesapeake is also popular with hikers, who come to the area to stay at the Northwest River Park campsites while they explore the area. Bird watching is a popular activity in the area, as it is taking up the trails behind the campground. Northwest River Park also offers boat rentals, summer programs, and horseback riding. People in need of a little more luxury can skip the hotels and book a spot at Bonny Blue, a luxury yacht that offers rooms and stunning canal views.
Kids can find their own little outdoor paradise in Chesapeake by visiting Fun Forest, a giant outdoor playground nestled in the city forest. The award-winning playground goes beyond the basics with a buried dinosaur replica that kids can help dig up, a series of rickety bridges and underground tunnels, plus a host of logic puzzles and science experiments. Fun Forest is located right inside one of Chesapeake’s largest parks and is a treat for the whole family.
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