Paint Work Ahead

The kids will love learning about the history and tradition of lightships and their nautical significance when you visit the Lightship Portsmouth Museum. Lightships were originally known as “floating lighthouses” that guide ships into harbors our out to sea. Their legacy is kept alive thanks to the preservation of Lightship Portsmouth, a vessel that now serves as a museum to tell its story and of similar types of watercraft through exciting exhibits and attractions.

Fans of biking have to travel a bit, but the experience of the the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail in nearby King George is well worth the travel time. This is a 32 mile loop trail located near King George and is suitable for all kinds of skill levels. While you may see the occasional walker or runner, the recreation trail is primarily used for road biking and is accessible year-round.

The John Cary Weston House is a structure that figures significantly into the area's history. Upon first glance, you will be struck by its Richardson Romanesque Revival architecture which is adorned by a granite ashlar with brownstone trim. The building has served many purposes, some of which were a Presbyterian church and a Christian Science center. Tours are available during regular business hours.

The Lake Smith Reservoir in nearby Norfolk offers outdoor lovers an excellent chance to make a big splash! Lake Smith is an impressively large body of water that takes up nearly 193 acres, but offers safe aquatic fun as it is only five feet deep all the way around. In addition to fishing and sunbathing, anglers can enjoy catching some highly desirable largemouth bass.