Centrally located on the East Coast, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University serves the southeastern region of Virginia known as Hampton Roads. The area comprises seven cities: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.‌

Hampton Roads is the 33rd-largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the nation and the eighth largest metro area in the Southeast. It is located 200 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 100 miles south of Richmond, the capital of Virginia. The region’s estimated population is 1.7 million. 

Consistently earning high ranks in quality-of-life surveys, the region offers an affordable cost of living and abounds in cultural, educational, and economic opportunities. Nine colleges and universities provide ample educational resources. International trade, shipbuilding, healthcare, tourism, the military, and agriculture create a diverse economic base with a wide range of employment possibilities. 

Hampton Roads, also known as Coastal Virginia, boasts mild winters and pleasant autumn and spring seasons. Summers are warm yet tempered by breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, and neighboring waterways.

 

Attractions

Roller coaster at Busch Gardens

Amusement Parks

Splash around in the sun or take a thrilling roller-coaster ride for a family-friendly outing.

Family-friendly fun abounds in the region. 

Find your favorite roller coaster at Busch Gardens, where you might also see your favorite recording artist perform.

Make a splash at Water Country USA or Ocean Breeze Waterpark, or a race around the track at Go-Karts Plus

 

Cultural Arts

Arts lovers have no shortage of options in Hampton Roads, from galleries and museums to a variety of performance venues.

Whether your passion is music, comedy, live theater or visual arts, you'll find it thriving all around Hampton Roads. 

Only minutes from our campus are The Virginia SymphonyChrysler Museum for the Arts, and Virginia Stage Company, to name just a few options.

At the region's westernmost end, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts offers a diverse slate of concerts and performances all year long.

Nature and Wildlife

Wildlife and nature lovers have plenty to explore right around the corner.

See wild animals in roaming around replicas of their natural habitats at The Virginia Zoo

Spend the day hiking inside The Great Dismal Swamp or Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Don't miss the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum and the Virginia Living Museum for even nature-based fun.

 

Roller coaster at Busch Gardens

Amusement Parks

Splash around in the sun or take a thrilling roller-coaster ride for a family-friendly outing.

Musicians playing at a symphony

Cultural Arts

Arts lovers have no shortage of options in Hampton Roads, from galleries and museums to a variety of performance venues.

Family-friendly fun abounds in the region. 

Find your favorite roller coaster at Busch Gardens, where you might also see your favorite recording artist perform.

Make a splash at Water Country USA or Ocean Breeze Waterpark, or a race around the track at Go-Karts Plus

 

Tiger

Nature and Wildlife

Wildlife and nature lovers have plenty to explore right around the corner.

Roller coaster at Busch Gardens

Amusement Parks

Splash around in the sun or take a thrilling roller-coaster ride for a family-friendly outing.

Musicians playing at a symphony

Cultural Arts

Arts lovers have no shortage of options in Hampton Roads, from galleries and museums to a variety of performance venues.

Tiger

Nature and Wildlife

Wildlife and nature lovers have plenty to explore right around the corner.

Family-friendly fun abounds in the region. 

Find your favorite roller coaster at Busch Gardens, where you might also see your favorite recording artist perform.

Make a splash at Water Country USA or Ocean Breeze Waterpark, or a race around the track at Go-Karts Plus

 

Whether your passion is music, comedy, live theater or visual arts, you'll find it thriving all around Hampton Roads. 

Only minutes from our campus are The Virginia SymphonyChrysler Museum for the Arts, and Virginia Stage Company, to name just a few options.

At the region's westernmost end, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts offers a diverse slate of concerts and performances all year long.

See wild animals in roaming around replicas of their natural habitats at The Virginia Zoo

Spend the day hiking inside The Great Dismal Swamp or Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Don't miss the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum and the Virginia Living Museum for even nature-based fun.