If you don't mind driving half an hour or so to Newport News, don't miss the Mariners' Museum. It has one of the best ship model collections in the world.

There's also a good hobby shop, Denbigh Hobbies, in Newport News. The owner, Dan DePiero, is an old friend of mine. Ships aren't exactly his specialty, he carries a good assortment of kits and modeling supplies.

You also might want to check out Ft. Monroe, in Hampton. Tidewater Virginia is a fascinating place. The downside is that you find yourself driving around a lot in order to see it. And Tidewater drivers are insane.

Have a good trip!

Thanks for the tips!!

On the southside (South of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on I-64) about the only hobby shop that doesn't do mainly RC is Hobbytown USA on Virginia Beach Blvd (between the VB Blvd.-Independence and VB Blvd.-Rosemont intersections).  They have an OK ship selection, but have pretty solid stocks on everything else (paint, glue, tools, airplanes, trains, cars, and RC).

Groot

Thanks, We will be staying in the Virginia Beach area  visiting family so this sounds like a good sside trip

If you aren't familiar, ask your family on good time to attempt the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT).  It gets downright arduous during rush hours.

Groot

The Mariner's Museum is fantastic, only teeny issue is it's more than you can take in in a one day trip!

If you like aircraft at all check out the Fighter Factory. They have a beautiful collection of restored and reproductions of aircraft of which many are flyable.

Fighter Factory Website.

Gosh I need to get out there. Many many years ago I spent a summer in NN. Moms college roommate was married to a guy who was a boomer skipper and we liked him and their family a lot. He was my godfather.

It was a pretty small town then.