Coliseum Central - Hampton, VA

Hampton Roads and the neighborhood of Coliseum Central experienced both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, as well as provided the first point of contact for Dutch ships coming from Africa in the early and mid-17th century. Home to the famous Hampton Coliseum, the neighborhood attracts many visitors to the arena. The building of the arena in the 1970s caused a boom in retail and commerce in and around the neighborhood. Folks can see comedy shows, musical artists and even opera. There are not any museums in the neighborhood so many venture south to Downtown Hampton just a short drive away to see places such as the Virginia Air and Space Center and the Hampton History Museum. The neighborhood hosts Restaurant Week every March and other events such as the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival and the Spring Fishing Classic held in spring attract residents and tourists by the thousands every year.

Monsoon Eclectic Modern Indian situated in the heart of Coliseum Center on Allainby Way features unique Indian cuisine. The restaurant provides lunch and dinner options as well as catering for business and large parties. Vegetarian and seafood dishes provide options other than meat, and a kids' menu makes the restaurant a great family-friendly option. Classics such as tandoori chicken and lamb kabobs with yogurt sauce are said to be the best around. The bar in Monsoon also features very unique specialty beers such as Taj Mahal lager. Traditional Indian beverages such as Indian spiced tea with rose syrup make a night out here fun. Island Flavours located on Executive Drive East provides a family-friendly atmosphere that appeals to many residents. The family-run establishment serves authentic Caribbean flare such as curried goat and baked talapia with fresh rice and beans. The menu also features a section for kids making this a great place to come for a family dinner. Park Lane Tavern provides a European atmosphere for its patrons. The bar acts as the most popular night spot to hang out with friends and grab drinks among the locals. The bar carries 24 beers on tap as well as bottled beers from all around the world and features signature cocktails on their menu. As far as nightclubs go, most residents and visitors have to venture a few miles outside of the center of the neighborhood to places such as The Alley, a night and dance club in Newport News to the west of Coliseum Central.

Coliseum Central sits on a peninsula yet can be very accessible from surrounding neighborhoods. Interstate 64 runs east and west through the southern part of the neighborhood then turns north and south and proves to be the main access highway in and out of the neighborhood. Route 258 provides another main roadway running west and east, making travel in and around the neighborhood quick and easy. These two main roadways also provide ample bus service to the residents here. Uber car services can be accessed and used in Coliseum Central and in surrounding areas of the peninsula. A ride from the center of the neighborhood to downtown Hampton Roads only a few miles away costs between $7 and $10 for the UberX service and a few dollars more for the SUV service. Local city buses as well as larger charter buses run through the neighborhood and can take patrons all the way to New York City and beyond. Tickets for those trips depend on the destination, and regular city bus fare costs around $3 per ticket. Trains also run through the neighborhood on the Amtrak service, and tickets start at $2.50 per person. Limo and private car services as well as airport shuttles are available in the Coliseum Central neighborhood for added convenience, and costs vary depending on the service. Hailing a taxi can be quite easy in the neighborhood and fares start at $7 for a ride and increase by $2 for each additional mile for the lowest cab service. For a quick trip around the downtown area or to the neighboring town, this proves to be the most cost-effective option for residents and visitors. Bikers should be on the lookout when riding through the neighborhood as there aren't any designated bike lanes in the streets. Coliseum Central features many shops and activity areas, so walking is easy and more common in the downtown area as well as safe and cost-free.

Bluebird Gap Farm, situated on 60 acres on the southwest end of Coliseum Central, features a clean and safe playground for children as well as over 150 domestic and wild animals with feed buckets placed all around. For 50 cents, children can get a cup of feed to feed the many ducks and geese and other animals such as peacocks and whitetail deer roaming the park. The park features a large picnic area with charcoal grills and a pavilion large enough to fit 100 people comfortably. The park houses the Hampton's Mater Gardeners' Display Garden and Arboretum, providing great scenery for a stroll. Nature and walking trails wind through the park and farm and admission costs nothing. No dogs or other pets are allowed in the park.

The cost of living in Coliseum Central runs slightly higher than many of the surrounding areas, mainly because of its close proximity to tourist attractions and the beach on the Atlantic ocean. This could also be the reason so many residents love living here. A typical one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood costs an average of $901 per month. Many restaurants and bars can be found in and around the center of the neighborhood making it very easy and convenient to grab a beer or cocktail with friends. A domestic beer at a local pub or bar can start at $3 per can and specialty and craft beers start at $7 a pint. The price of gas in Coliseum Central runs about 15 percent lower than the national average. This makes it convenient for those who choose to drive in and around the neighborhood as most residents do because it provides the easiest way to get around.

Even though Coliseum Central has seen a rapid rise in retail since the building of the Hampton Coliseum, the area still lacks an abundance of specialty shops and boutiques, and instead houses many larger chain retailers. However, there remain a few hidden gems just outside the neighborhood such as Boutique She-She located on South King Street in Downtown Hampton. Customers enjoy a pleasant shopping experience after being greeted by the knowledgeable and friendly staff. Women shop here for the latest fashions and unique one-of-a-kind accessories. The quirky boutique carries fair-trade handmade accessories and some home decor pieces. The farmer's market in Coliseum Central in the Peninsula Town Center stays open from May through October. Residents and visitors can walk through the multitude of vendors selling goods and handmade products such as soaps and jams as well as honey and vegetables and fruits from area farms. Live entertainment can be enjoyed during opening and closing weekend of the market every year. The main grocery stores that residents use in the neighborhood are Food Lion and Farm Fresh, directly in the center of Coliseum Central.