Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

One of my favorite things about Anne is how she loves mechanical things (wheels, horns, engines) just as much as she adores princesses, dolls, and pink. I wasn't prepared for how much exactly she would, but in the two years that we've lived in the Hampton Roads area, we have amassed quite the list of places to go to see planes, trains, and automobiles of all types. I thought I would share our master list, in case you, too, have a little vehicle-lover at home. The list isn't exhaustive, but it will definitely give you enough to keep you running around town through the end of the summer!

Where's your favorite local place to go to see planes, trains, and automobiles? Let us know in the comments.

PLANES

Norfolk Botanical Gardens Airport Overlook (Norfolk): Watch planes take off and land at Norfolk International Airport and listen to the chatter from the traffic controller towers.

Virginia Air and Space Center (Hampton): One of our all-time faves! Learn about the history of aviation and space exploration and see some seriously cool aviation-related exhibits.

Air Power Park (Hampton): Roam around the park and take a good look at the planes and jets (and space capsules) scattered around. Then visit the small museum and the playground for more fun.

Military Aviation Museum (Virginia Beach): Planes and...dinosaurs? We don't know how they mix, really, but the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo is another cool place to see jets and some fearsome reptile replicas, to boot.


TRAINS

Norfolk Southern Museum (Norfolk): This often overlooked museum recounts the history of one of the area's biggest employers; it also offers a look at a 900 lb. railroad coupler and the chance to sit in a locomotive simulator!

Pokey Smokey II at Portsmouth City Park: This miniature train in Portsmouth's City Park is a local landmark -- and has been for years. Runs daily through Labor Day; on the weekends until June 16th.

Virginia Zoo (Norfolk): The small train takes visitors on a 3/4-mile journey that winds around the zoo. Children under 2 ride free. Remember to buy your tokens a the ticket booth when you come in!

Lancaster Train and Toy Collection, Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth): Around a thousand miniature trains clack around this tiny village. Best feature: the crawl spaces underneath and the up-bubbles that offer a conductor's-eye view.

Dale's Train Station (Norfolk): With 6,000 square feet of model trains for sale, this is the perfect place to pick up a present for the train aficionado. Don't miss: the awesome multi-level train layout.

Railroad Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth): See artifacts from the history of railroads in the US, including restored Engine 1134. The museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum (Suffolk): SSSRM offers a collection of items from local railroads plus the chance to peek inside a real caboose! Open Wednesday through Sunday.

The Tide (Norfolk): Ride Norfolk's light rail system to see the sights! A convenient way to get around downtown but a fun ride in itself, too.


AUTOMOBILES

Motor World (Virginia Beach): Motor World features 11 go-kart tracks, including the Family Track, for kids. Mini-golf, paintball, and amusement park rides are also available.

American Indoor Karting (Virginia Beach): This is the place for indoor go-karting, including junior karting for the bigger kids. There's also an arcade, for when you're all vroomed out.

Langley Speedway (Hampton): Go on down to Langley Speedway for short-track racing every Saturday night. This is the oldest consecutive running track in the US, featuring NASCAR Winston Cup series races.

Virginia War Museum, Huntington Park (Newport News): Huntington Park is home to the Virginia War Museum, the yard of which showcases some impressive wartime vehicles (tanks, trucks).

US Army Transportation Museum (Fort Eustis): There's a ton to see here, including planes, helicopters, tugboats, and landing crafts. Open Tuesday through Sunday; admission is free!