Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe (Hampton, VA)

One of our favorite hangouts this winter and early spring has been Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe. It all started when our friend Sam visited one day in February and saw a pod of migrating humpback whales swimming through the shipping channel! Well, after that we all had to go and try to spot them. And spot them we did, many times, even up close enough once or twice to hear the sound of their spray.

The whales moved on as spring approached but the boats are still there, in the channel that runs right by the beach, and that's almost as cool for little ones. From big container ships to small tug boats to teeny tiny sailboats, they're all there. Tons of boats go by every hour, close enough again for the kids to see the words on the side and imagine all the types of cargo on board.

As far as actual beach attributes go: Outlook Beach is clean. It's a small beach, really just a strip of sand, but that makes it more accessible for little legs. It is also bordered by a concrete boardwalk that's the perfect place to ride a bike or scooter. The breakwater rocks make sheltered little swimming or wading areas with the mildest of waves. Parking is ample (so far, summer may be a different story) and close by. And surrounding the beach is the awesome scenery of one of America's oldest and most historic forts.

Speaking of Fort Monroe, there are some really awesome events coming up, including concerts by the water, living history tours, and memorial day flag raising. Check them all out here.