Friday Five: Historic Houses to Visit this Summer

One of my favorite things to do in Hampton Roads is visit the many different historic houses that our area has to offer. From colonial times to the Civil War to 20th century glamour, this area has seen so many great events of US history. It's such a wonder to be able to step back and experience a taste of them by walking in the footsteps of families who lived here in the past.

So for this Friday Five, here are some of our favorite historic houses to visit in #HRVA. There are so many to choose from though -- this list is in no way exhaustive! If your favorite isn't on the list, please mention it in the comments. Happy weekend!

1. Moses Myers House (Norfolk): The Moses Myers House is neat because of its urban location in Downtown Norfolk -- so often you feel like you get an idea of how rural people lived back in the 18th century but you don't hear much about city life. The house is gorgeous, with a spooky history that captures the imagination.

2. Bacon's Castle (Surry): Bacon's castle is one of the only examples of Jacobean Architecture in America, and one of the oldest structures, to boot, dating all the way back to 1665! Younger kids might not like the tour, which can be a little long, but older ones will enjoy peeking into the carefully kept rooms. Everyone will enjoy the gardens and grounds.

3. The Hermitage Museum and Gardens (Norfolk): The summer home of a wealthy family, the Hermitage is a beautiful Arts-and-Crafts mansion on the Lafayette River. Besides that, it has 12 acres of gardens to explore, and a pretty impressive art collection. A nice place to spend a summer day with plenty of chances to -- check out the events calendar here.

4. Adam Thoroughgood House (Virginia Beach): Built sometime around 1720, the Thoroughgood House is one of the oldest surviving houses in the area. Furnished as it would have been when the Thoroughgoods lived there, kids will enjoy this look at colonial life.

5. Riddick's Folly (Suffolk): When Mills Riddick built this Greek Revival house in the 1830s, the community was a little taken aback by its over-the-top grandeur. Today, though, it stands as a beautiful example of antebellum life.

PS: I wrote about a fun family day at the Old Coast Guard Station in Virginia Beach coming up this weekend over at Fun and Free Hampton Roads. Check it out!