Attraction Guide: First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

First Landing State Park Guide

First Landing State Park: Where History Meets Nature Guide

First Landing State Park, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a beautiful and historically significant park offering a diverse range of outdoor activities. It marks the site where English colonists first landed in 1607 before establishing Jamestown. The park boasts over 20 miles of trails through protected salt marsh habitat, cypress swamps, and sandy beaches along the Chesapeake Bay. The park's name commemorates the arrival of the English colonists in 1607. After a long and arduous journey across the Atlantic, they made their first landfall here before continuing up the James River to establish the Jamestown settlement. The park preserves the natural landscape that these early settlers encountered, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The area was also inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years before the arrival of the colonists, and archaeological evidence of their presence can still be found within the park. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, and camping within the park. Explore the Bald Cypress Trail, a boardwalk that winds through a stunning cypress swamp. Relax on the beach and soak up the sun, or take a refreshing dip in the Chesapeake Bay. Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle through the park's waterways, observing the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area. The park also offers ranger-led programs and guided tours, providing opportunities to learn more about the park's history and ecology. While not specifically known for unique culinary traditions within the park itself, nearby Virginia Beach offers a wide variety of dining options, including fresh seafood and regional specialties like she-crab soup.