The city of Chesapeake, Virginia is located in the South Hampton Roads part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan region. The city of Chesapeake was formed after a political consolidation in the year 1963 of the former Norfolk County. The county had been existing ever since the year 1691, when it was referred to as South Norfolk City. As measured by land area, the city of Chesapeake is the 2nd largest city by land area within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The city is part of a diverse urban oasis, with many miles of protected wetlands, farmland and the Great Dismal Swamp. Chesapeake is located on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Chesapeake extends all the way from Hampton Roads harbor part, to its rural border together with the state of North Carolina and to the adjacent cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Chesapeake has miles of waterfront industrial, residential and commercial property.
When the City of South Norfolk and the county of Norfolk emerged during the year 1963, Chesapeake was formed. The history of the city dates back to the early 1600s when the area was first settled. In the year 1775, the historic Battle of Great Bridge occurred. This marked an early Revolutionary War victory for American troops over the forces of Lord Dunmore, the British Royal governor. Work started on the Great Dismal Swamp Canal during the year 1793. This canal opened up in 1805. It eventually experienced difficulties and is now a part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The Hampton Roads metro region has a lot to provide its residents and visitors and Chesapeake is at the center of the activity. Chesapeake is situated 40 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, 20 minutes from the ocean, and only 15 minutes from Norfolk. Amongst the major attractions within Chesapeake comprise the historic waterway connecting the Chesapeake Bay to North Carolina's sounds that is referred to as the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; Chesapeake City Park, a 75-acre site which houses the Chesapeake Skate Park and holds the Symphony Under The Stars and Chesapeake Jubilee every year.
The Chesapeake Arboretum is one more attraction consisting of 48-acres of trail systems, native plants and trees that meander through a mature hardwood forest. This arboretum is located in an 18th century farmhouse as well. The Chesapeake Planetarium was the first planetarium built by a public school system within Virginia State. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail comprises an 8.5 mile long multipurpose trail that accommodates walkers, joggers, bicyclists, horse owners and boat owners. Deep Creek Lock Park is a different terrific day trip with pedestrian bridges and foot trails to negotiate over heavily wooded parts.
Another location to take in is the Chesapeake Veterans' Memorial which commerates the sacrifice and service of the Chesapeake citizens who are serving in the military or who have served in whatever war in the past. The Great Bridge Lock Park is another 19-acre venue comprising a large play area, picnic shelters, a 2-lane boat ramp, a foot trail and extensive crabbing and fishing areas. A renovated contemporary art gallery which highlights both local and traveling exhibits called Portlock Galleries at SoNo is a different fantastic place to go to.