Hampton University’s historic main campus is in Hampton, Virginia, where the Hampton University Museum is also located. You can plan a guided or self-guided campus visit and add time for the museum, checking current arrangements before you set out.
- Campus: A 314-acre waterfront site.
- Guided tours: Available on weekdays from September through April, with limited availability in summer and during finals.
- Museum hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; closed on weekends and major holidays.
- Visitor parking: Check in at the main gate for a pass and directions to a parking lot.
Plan the purpose of your Hampton University visit
A guided tour combines an admissions presentation with a walking tour led by Student Recruitment Team ambassadors. Depending on the tour, campus highlights may include the Student Center, William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library, Dining Hall, Memorial Church, Legacy Park and the waterfront.
Most guided tours are offered on weekdays at set times from September through April. Summer and finals periods have limited availability, so use the university’s Visit Portal to check tour dates and reserve a place. Group visits are available from September through April; group sizes are capped at 15 in June and July.
If you prefer to explore independently, the university says you can pick up a campus map at the Office of Admission in the Multi-Purpose Use Facility. The campus map identifies Emancipation Oak, Legacy Park, Memorial Church, the museum and the library.
For a broader look at local collections, the museums in Hampton guide can help you plan other museum stops.
Campus access and visitor parking
Drivers should check in at the main gate near Tyler and E. Queen Streets, where University Police issue a visitor parking pass and direct visitors to a lot. Passes are valid for one day.
Visitor spaces and lots are designated for off-campus visitors from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The university gives the main-campus driving address as 100 Cemetery Road, Hampton, VA 23668, and specifies that the address is for driving directions only.
If you are planning a campus tour, use the Visit Portal to confirm current options before making the trip. For a self-guided visit, pick up the campus map at the Office of Admission.
Hampton University Museum
The Hampton University Museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays, and its hours may change.
At the security gate, museum visitors may be asked to show a license and directed to parking behind the historic Wigwam Building. The galleries are fully accessible; an accessibility entrance is on the left side of the building’s addition. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The university’s historic campus tour includes sites such as the Academy Building, Armstrong Lincoln Memorial, Booker T. Washington Monument, Emancipation Oak, Legacy Park, Mansion House and Wigwam Building. The Hampton University Archives is closed to visitors; people with select research requests are directed to contact the archives by email.
The City of Hampton gives the Hampton History Museum’s address as 120 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton, VA 23669, with free parking in the nearby city garage.
How do you get from Buckroe Motel to Hampton University?
Hampton University is about a 6-minute drive or a 39-minute walk from Buckroe Motel. The Hampton motel room is an option for a visit based in the city.
For a campus day, check tour availability first, then allow time for the walking portion and any museum visit. If you’re driving, check in at the main gate for parking instructions.
You can fit campus into a broader city route using this one-day Hampton itinerary.
Before you go: Hours, tour availability and visitor arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
The university’s visitor information is the source for campus tours, parking and museum details; the City of Hampton provides the history museum’s address and parking information.
FAQs
Can you visit Hampton University without a guided tour?
Yes. The university says self-guided visitors can pick up a campus map at the Office of Admission in the Multi-Purpose Use Facility.
Does the Hampton University Museum open on weekends?
No. The museum is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays.
Is the Hampton University Museum accessible?
The museum says its galleries are fully accessible and identifies an accessibility entrance on the left side of the building’s addition. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.