Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake is a city of 252,583 people in Chesapeake city, Virginia, founded in 1963.
Why visit Chesapeake
Townapedia lists 41 museums and landmarks, 76 parks and trails, 242 places to eat, 15 places to stay and 9 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Great Bridge Bridge, High Rise Bridge, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal and Berkley.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 92°F; January lows average 34°F.
Weather in Chesapeake
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Chesapeake
Chesapeake is an independent city in Virginia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 249,422, making it the second-most populous city in Virginia, the tenth largest in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 92nd-most populous city in the United States.
From the Wikipedia article Chesapeake, Virginia (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do9
Great Bridge Bridge
Bridge · 4.5 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Norfolk–Portsmouth Bridge–Tunnel
Bridge · 10.8 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Regent University
School · 10.3 mi
Christian private research institution in Virginia, US
Veterans Bridge
Bridge · 4.0 mi
Bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia, United States of America
Edinburgh 9 Cinema Cafe
Cinema and theater · 4.4 mi
1864 Edinburgh Lane, Chesapeake
Museums and landmarks41
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 11.1 mi
Canal in Chesapeake, Virginia
Berkley
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 10.6 mi
Unincorporated community in Virginia
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 11.0 mi
Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Centreville-Fentress Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 6.9 mi
Historic district in Virginia, United States
Commodore Theatre
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 10.7 mi
Movie theater in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Confederate Monument
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 10.8 mi
Portsmouth, Virginia
Cornland School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
One-room schoolhouse located in Chesapeake, Virginia
Cradock Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.5 mi
Historic district in Virginia, United States
Dismal Swamp Canal
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 9.5 mi
Canal in Virginia, United States of America
Downtown Portsmouth Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 10.8 mi
Historic district in Portsmouth, Virginia
Fort Nelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 11.2 mi
Historic Daughters of the American Revolution clubhouse located at Portsmouth, Virginia
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Oaklette Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 10.9 mi
Historic district in Virginia, United States
29 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds76
Chesapeake City Park
Park · 6.4 mi
This 90-acre site has 60 acres of open space with the remainder rows of reforested pine trees. Chesapeake City Park is the premier place...
900 City Park Drive, Chesapeake
sunrise-sunset
Deep Creek Lock Park
Park · 5.1 mi
25 acres of waterfront woods with a canoe launch, volleyball courts, picnic shelters & a play area.
300 Luray Street, Chesapeake
Ballahack Boat Ramp
Park · 6.8 mi
3700 Dismal Swamp Trail, Chesapeake
Mo-Su,PH sunrise-sunset
Deep Creek Park
Park · 3.5 mi
437 George Washington Highway, Chesapeake
Mo-Su sunrise-sunset
Etheridge Lakes Park
Park · 6.1 mi
Contains pavilions, benches, picnic tables and plenty of grassy room. Also has a playground and hidden paths in the woods.
1000 Fentress Loop, Chesapeake
64 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes242
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 7.3 mi
1746 Sentinel Drive, Chesapeake
Mo-Fr 04:30-21:00; Sa-Su 05:30-20:30
Bubba's 33
Restaurant · Pizza, Burger, Bar And Grill · 7.3 mi
1725 Debaun Avenue, Chesapeake
11:00-22:00
Buckets Bar and Grill
Restaurant · Bar And Grill · 4.6 mi
228 North Battlefield Boulevard, Chesapeake
Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
Chanello's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 4.2 mi
307 Johnstown Road, Chesapeake
Mo-Th 11:00-13:00, Fr-Su 11:00-14:00
Court House Cafe
Restaurant · Regional · 4.1 mi
350 Battlefield Boulevard South, Chesapeake
Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:30
Geisha Japanese
Restaurant · Japanese · 7.3 mi
741 Eden Way, Chesapeake
Su-Th 11:30-13:45,17:00-21:15; Fr 11:30-13:45,17:00-21:45; Sa 17:00-21:45
Great Bridge Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 4.6 mi
224 North Battlefield Boulevard, Chesapeake
Tu-Th,Su 11:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:00
RoJo Coffee Co.
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.2 mi
388 Battlefield Boulevard South, Chesapeake
Mo-Su 07:00-14:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.1 mi
201 Carmichael Way, Chesapeake
Mo-Fr 04:30-20:30; Sa-Su 05:30-20:30
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.2 mi
249 Hanbury Road, Chesapeake
Mo-Fr 04:00-20:30; Sa-Su 05:00-20:30
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.8 mi
2621 Moses Grandy Trail, Chesapeake
Mo-Fr 04:30-20:30; Sa-Su 05:00-20:30
230 more on the map.
History
In 1963, the new independent city of Chesapeake was created when the former independent city of South Norfolk consolidated with Norfolk County. The consolidation was approved, and the new name selected by the voters of each community by referendum and authorized by the Virginia General Assembly.
Formed in 1691 in the Virginia Colony, Norfolk County had originally included essentially all the area which became the towns and later cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and South Norfolk. Its area was reduced after 1871 as these cities added territory through annexations. Becoming an independent city was a method for the former county to stabilize borders with neighbors, as cities could not annex territory from each other.
The relatively small city of South Norfolk had become an incorporated town within Norfolk County in 1919 and became an independent city in 1922. Its residents wanted to make a change to put their jurisdiction on a more equal footing in other aspects with the much larger cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. In addition, by the late 1950s, although immune from annexation by the bigger cities, South Norfolk was close to losing all the county land adjoining it to the city of Norfolk in another annexation suit.
From the History section of Chesapeake, Virginia on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay15
WoodSpring Suites Chesapeake-Norfolk Greenbrier
Motel and hotel · 7.2 mi
1708 Sentinel Drive, Chesapeake
Chesapeake Campground
Campground · 3.3 mi
693 George Washington Hwy S, Chesapeake
Studios 4 Less
Motel and hotel · 6.7 mi
1433 Battlefield Boulevard North, Chesapeake
Churches and places of worship91
Monumental Methodist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 10.8 mi
Trinity Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 10.7 mi
Shopping39
Gas and EV charging39
Schools, colleges and libraries58
Healthcare28
Atlantic Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Clinic and pharmacy · 5.2 mi
115 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake
Atwood Family Medical Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 5.8 mi
108 Knells Ridge Boulevard, Chesapeake
Battlefield Medical Suites
Clinic and pharmacy · 5.9 mi
905 Battlefield Boulevard North, Chesapeake
Chesapeake Family Practice
Clinic and pharmacy · 5.3 mi
676 Kingsborough Square, Chesapeake
Chesapeake Medical Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 5.4 mi
110 Wimbledon Square, Chesapeake
Chesapeake Public Health Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 5.5 mi
748 Battlefield Boulevard North, Chesapeake
Map of Chesapeake
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 54°F | 34°F | 3.4 in |
| Feb | 57°F | 35°F | 2.7 in |
| Mar | 63°F | 41°F | 3.8 in |
| Apr | 74°F | 50°F | 3.5 in |
| May | 82°F | 59°F | 4.2 in |
| Jun | 89°F | 67°F | 4.6 in |
| Jul | 92°F | 73°F | 5.5 in |
| Aug | 90°F | 70°F | 5.8 in |
| Sep | 85°F | 65°F | 4.5 in |
| Oct | 76°F | 54°F | 4.1 in |
| Nov | 65°F | 44°F | 3.4 in |
| Dec | 58°F | 37°F | 3.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Fentress Naas (9 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Chesapeake city has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-23: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2020-04-02: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-09-11: Hurricane Florence (Hurricane)
- 2016-11-02: Hurricane Matthew (Hurricane)
- 2012-10-29: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 16 miles away.
- Portsmouth 13 mi north, about 21 min by car
- Moyock 14 mi southeast, about 23 min by car
- Virginia Beach 17 mi northeast, about 27 min by car
- Norfolk 17 mi north, about 28 min by car
- Suffolk 18 mi west, about 30 min by car
- Carrollton 22 mi northwest, about 35 min by car
- Benns Church 24 mi northwest, about 38 min by car
- Hampton 25 mi north, about 41 min by car
- Elizabeth City 27 mi south, about 43 min by car
- Newport News 30 mi northwest, about 48 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Chesapeake municipal center, Nyttend, Public domain
- 2017-07-13 14 12 35 View north along Virginia State Route 168 Business (Battlefield Boulevard) at Virginia State Route 165 (Cedar Road) in Chesapeake, Virginia, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Roadway view of Great Bridge during bridge lift - Chesapeake VA, Drew Stephens from Arlington, VA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 2017-07-13 14 38 51 View south along U.S. Route 17 Business (George Washington Highway) at Virginia State Route 165 (Moses Grandy Trail) in Chesapeake, Virginia, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fort Nelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter House 18SEP2014, Capt1922, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Corner of Fentress and Blue Ridge, Tere Rottink, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Quarters B and C, Mojo Hand, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8596805587), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Great Bridge, Bridge (080115-A-5177B-001), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, Public domain
- Former site of The Circle Restaurant in Portsmouth VA 18SEP2014, Capt1922, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8597917272) (2), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Seaboard Air Line Building, Capt1922, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8596812341), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Portsmouth Community Library 13SEP2014, Capt1922, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8596813145) (3), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sunray School (1922), James Shelton32, CC BY-SA 4.0
- East Berkley Avenue (Norfolk), Jmarian7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- A Light Named Portsmouth, William J. Grimes, Public domain
- PORTSMOUTH OLDE TOWNE HISTORIC DISTRICT, PORTSMOUTH, VA, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- St. Paul's Catholic Church, Porsmouth VA 12SEP2014, Capt1922, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Seneca east of St. Lawrence, Oaklette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Old Portlock School No. 5, James Shelton32, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8596809033), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cedar Grove Cemetery 13Sep2014, Capt1922, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Stewart Street, South Norfolk, Nyttend, Public domain
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8597911744), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Portsmouth, Virginia (8596809635), Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wallaceton, Chesapeake, Nyttend, Public domain
- Truxton, Portsmouth west of Dahlia, Nyttend, Public domain
- Great Dismal Swamp Canal, US Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified, Public domain
- ISS063-E-80959 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS017-E-10044 - View of Virginia, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS063-E-80958 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS026-E-21576 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- MXT275, Amandaschoep, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cornland School, James Shelton32, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Visiting Butterfly (7315905050), Peretz Partensky from San Francisco, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Physcia aipolia 25262252, Hippytiger, CC BY 4.0
- Physcia aipolia 25262204, Hippytiger, CC BY 4.0
- Physcia aipolia 25262231, Hippytiger, CC BY 4.0
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