6 Things To Do in Chesapeake this Summer

We love building homes in Chesapeake, Virginia because it's such an exciting place to live. We love the location of our communities Riverview at the Preserve and the Retreat at Greenbrier.

A summer spent in Chesapeake is surely one to remember. In a city surrounded by natural beauty and filled with cultural excitement, there is no shortage of things to do in Chesapeake during the summer months. Take the family on an adventure or treat yourself to a night of sophistication. No matter what you are looking to do, Chesapeake has something for you!

1. Explore Lake Drummond With a Kayak Tour

Lake Drummond and the Great Dismal Swamp Canal are two of the best waterways to visit in the Chesapeake area during the summer. Adventure Kayak Tours offers a trip through the swamp and over the spillway into majestic Lake Drummond. The Great Dismal Swamp is home to some intriguing wildlife, including over 200 species of birds and 96 species of butterflies. The tour includes a lunch stop at the spillway and is fun for the whole family.

2. Walk Among the Trees at the Chesapeake Arboretum

Spreading across 48 acres and located in the middle of Chesapeake, the Chesapeake Arboretum is the perfect place to take a shaded stroll on a hot summer afternoon. Walk along the three miles of trails and explore the many trees found throughout the arboretum. Step back in time as you tour the Caleb Williamson Farmhouse, the home of the Williamson family in the mid-1800s.

3. Stargaze at the Chesapeake Planetarium

If you find yourself in need of some relief from the sun, step into the Chesapeake Planetarium. On Thursdays at 8 p.m., the public is invited to explore our solar system and beyond from the comfort of the Sky Theater’s seats. These free programs are designed as an entertaining but educational activity for stargazers of all ages.  

4. See a Show at the Harrison Opera House

Take a night off and head over to neighboring Norfolk for an elegant evening at the opera. The recently renovated historic World War II USO theater includes modern amenities and contemporary refurbished décor. Walk into the three stories of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the grand lobby and choose from a selection of refreshments from the full bar. The superior acoustics of the main hall showcase the voices of the Virginia Opera Company.

5. Explore the Wonders of Science at the Children’s Museum of Virginia

Grab the kids and head up to Portsmouth for a day of scientific investigation at the Children’s Museum of Virginia. From banks to groceries to science experiments, the museum is filled with hands-on activities to teach children and adults about the systems working to run our world. One of the most popular exhibits lets kids create human-sized bubbles. You'll have so much fun that you’ll forget you’re learning!

6. Go Back in Time at the Virginia Civil War Trails

History buffs can follow rich stories of the Civil War through the Virginia Civil War trail. Visit Great Bridge, where the Confederacy took advantage of the strategic Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal crossing. Move along to the 50-building Village of Deep Creek, which was an important location on the Great Dismal Swamp Canal.


Try something new from the many options on offer in Chesapeake and the Tidewater region. Nature, science, art, and history all have a place. Try out a little bit of everything to keep your summer exciting!