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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Park (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
134 Ingalls Rd, Fort Monroe, VA 23651, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Start Your Fort Monroe Adventure
Okay, so as we mentioned in the intro, Fort Monroe was once an active U.S. Army post—and not just any post. This place has been continuously occupied since the early 1800s, earning it the nickname “Freedom’s Fortress.” And as you drive through, you’ll notice something right away… all that red brick. Those sturdy buildings weren’t just for looks—they were built to last, and clearly, they have.

Now, take a glance to your right, that’s the Old Point Marina. Today it’s filled with sailboats and peaceful water views, but imagine this same shoreline buzzing with military activity—ships coming and going, soldiers preparing for deployment, and history unfolding in real time.

Fort Monroe has seen everything from the Civil War to coastal defense operations, and somehow, it still feels calm and almost tucked away from the modern world.

So go ahead, take it in… because this is just the beginning.
Place #2
Distance: 0.52mi , Attraction : Visitor Center (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
106 McNair Dr, Hampton, VA 23651, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
The Chamberlin: From Fortress Hotel to Coastal Icon
Get ready to turn left, but first on your right, take a look at the Chamberlin Hotel—and yes, this place has stories.

The original hotel here opened back in 1822, making it one of the earliest resort hotels in the country. It was a favorite getaway for wealthy travelers escaping the summer heat… and later, it became a hotspot for military officers stationed at Fort Monroe. Over the years, it hosted presidents, dignitaries, and probably more than a few dramatic conversations behind those walls.

The building you see today dates to the early 1900s, after earlier versions were destroyed by fire—so what you’re looking at is actually the third iteration. Not bad for a place that refuses to quit.

And here’s the twist: what was once a luxury hotel is now private residences. So yes… people actually live here. Imagine casually telling friends you live in a former presidential getaway inside a historic fortress.

  https://www.nps.gov/fomr/planyourvisit/visitorcenter.htm
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Start Your Fort Monroe Adventure
Map Pin Place 2 The Chamberlin: From Fortress Hotel to Coastal Icon
Map Pin Place 3 Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center: Your Welcome Stop
Map Pin Place 4 St. Mary Star of the Sea: A Church Inside the Fortress
Map Pin Place 5 Main Gate Bridge: Crossing Into the Fortress
Map Pin Place 6 Officers’ Quarters from a Growing Army
Map Pin Place 7 Casemate Museum, Jefferson Davis Cells & Lee’s Quarters: Stories of War and Leadership
Map Pin Place 8 Flagstaff Bastion: The Fort’s Front Line
Map Pin Place 9 Chapel of the Centurion: Faith at the Fort
Map Pin Place 10 Jefferson Davis Memorial Arch: A Controversial Tribute
Map Pin Place 11 Engineer Officers’ Quarters: Where the Fort Was Designed
Map Pin Place 12 Quarters No. 1: Commanding the Fort
Map Pin Place 13 Outlook Beach: A Perfect Pause by the Water
Map Pin Place 14 General Storehouse: Storage & Changing Times
Map Pin Place 15 North Gate Canal: The Fort’s Water Defense
Map Pin Place 16 Contraband Hospital Site: Care in a Time of War
Map Pin Place 17 Monroe Arsenal: Storing the Firepower
Map Pin Place 18 Building 80: Historic Living at the Fort
Map Pin Place 19 Toward the Batteries: Where Defense Met the Sea
Map Pin Place 20 Battery Church: From Firepower to Faith
Map Pin Place 21 Paradise Ocean Club: Fort Monroe Today
Map Pin Place 22 Outlook Beach: The Perfect Ending



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
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When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 0.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 22 stops, covering top attractions such as Start Your Fort Monroe Adventure, The Chamberlin: From Fortress Hotel to Coastal Icon, Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center: Your Welcome Stop, St. Mary Star of the Sea: A Church Inside the Fortress, Main Gate Bridge: Crossing Into the Fortress.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Start Your Fort Monroe Adventure (Address: 134 Ingalls Rd, Fort Monroe, VA 23651, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!