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When you’re looking for a place to vacation, one place that should be at the top of your list is Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Located on the state of Virginia’s southeastern coast at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is famous as a resort and vacation city that is known around the world as a place to relax and rejuvenate. As the largest city in Virginia, Virginia Beach is the home of long, secluded beaches that envelope the pristine coast of the Atlantic Ocean as well as acres of natural ecosystems.
Whether you’re a fan of cute boutique shops, sizzling nightlife, or a setting that’s more peaceful and serene, you’ll find a never-ending list of top things to do in Virginia Beach.
These Virginia Beach attractions, such as an amusement park, are just some of the countless family-friendly activities you can enjoy.
Natural East Coast Beauty
The eastern coast of the U.S. along the Atlantic Ocean runs for a distance of 2000 miles from Maine to Florida. This beautiful coastal area varies from cold and rugged northern areas to tranquil southern beaches with warm breezes and magnificent tropical sunsets. Cities like Virginia Beach that are located along the ocean offer a unique beauty all their own that cannot be found in the inland territory.
The Atlantic Coast has, for thousands of years, been the beginning and end of global travel routes as well as a place to find food for hundreds of local populations. However, cities along the Atlantic Coast are often heavily populated all year round, as well as being busy tourist attractions like a botanical garden, simply because of the power of an ocean to calm and heal the human soul.
The Oceanfront
In the city of Virginia Beach, the oceanfront is the place where everything is happening. No matter what time of year you visit, the oceanfront offers you a spectacular view that reflects its many moods.
Warm summer nights bring tranquil, mirror-like scenes that draw out all the worry and strife from any lucky observer, while cool, windy days remind those who are nearby that the ocean is king. In Virginia Beach, it is the oceanfront that defines all of the activities taking place on land, for locals and tourists alike.
The hotels, the shops, the restaurants, the bars, and the many tourist attractions all sing to the beat of the ocean waves. Don’t forget the fun things, outdoor activities, and water activities you can enjoy whether on a boat, kayak, or jetski on the Sandbridge Beach or at the Ocean Breeze Waterpark.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is the perfect place to use as your headquarters for a Virginia Beach vacation. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a 28-foot-wide boardwalk area that is about three miles long, running right along the coast.
If you’re on the Boardwalk, you’ll never need to go far to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a great place to eat, a relaxing beach to take a swim or some fun entertainment. The Boardwalk restaurants offer you everything from a snack to a full, elegant meal or some local brews or spirits at a distillery, like the ones you will find on the menu at Catch 31, where you can enjoy live music at Neptune’s Park and the King Neptune statue.
Due to its popularity, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk offers a variety of great places to stay, from fancy hotels, like the Coastal Hotel and Suites, which may be a bit pricey, to condos, cottages, cabins, and beach houses that are for rent. Feeling sluggish? You can use the boardwalk for your daily exercise routine, whether it’s jogging, a brisk walk, cycling, or rollerblading. You can enjoy a healing ocean breeze as you breathe in the salty air and clear out your mind.
There are playgrounds all over so you can let your children get some of their energy out before going to Virginia Beach attractions for the day. During the summer months, there’s a variety of outdoor entertainment, and during the Christmas holiday season, the Boardwalk is lit up with stunning and colorful lights.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
In the southeastern area of Virginia Beach is the natural wonder known as Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Most of the Refuge is located on the Currituck Banks Peninsula, but it also includes barrier islands that are home to beautiful freshwater marshlands.
The Refuge, which was established in 1938 to protect waterfowl during their migrations, is the place to be if you want to see wildlife in their natural habitats. Bring your camera, because you’ll see sea turtles, river otters, white-tailed deer, or even a bobcat in this diverse coastal environment. Enjoy hiking trails to explore local wildlife all year long.
Hundreds of species of colorful birds, large and small, also inhabit the over 9,000 acres of Refuge that is their home. Herons, Canadian geese, swans, ducks, and migrating songbirds will provide you with a welcoming orchestra of sound as you enjoy the hiking trails looking for crafty amphibians and reptiles. You’re in for an unforgettable experience that will connect you with nature when you visit the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Chic’s Beach
Located in the sheltering Chesapeake Bay, Chic’s Beach is a nice place to take the kids for a swim. The waves are relatively small and the beach itself is sandy without rocks to cut their feet. Chic’s Beach is a local hangout, so it’s not a huge tourist destination that attracts huge crowds.
The family can enjoy a quiet time and may even see playful dolphins frolicking around. Pets are allowed on a schedule, and dogs have a great time splashing around in the water. There are sometimes not many places to park, but you can always hire an Uber or Lyft driver or simply take a taxi.
If you’re looking for a simple, quiet beach where you can relax that is not surrounded by big hotels and other crowded city buildings, you’d enjoy putting a visit to Chic’s Beach on your Virginia Beach itinerary. Enjoy some whale watching when you’re beachfront.
There are even dolphin tours and kayak tours to book too. If you’re really adventurous, try some paddleboarding. These charters go out at different times and days, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re interested in these excursions. A fishing pier allows you to try your hand at fishing too.
False Cape State Park
If you want a place to camp that is free of the noise and exhaust fumes of automobiles, you’ll love False Cape State Park. This natural wilderness is not accessible by car or truck, so you’ll need to get there by bicycle, boat, or by taking the Terra-Gator, which is the park’s own beach transporter. Reservations are needed for camping rentals at this state park, but it’s worth making them because you will truly be in a place where you can connect with nature.
You can find your ideal campsite somewhere in the 4,300 acres of wild land that makes up the park, or you can camp right on the beach itself. This enormous park is so diverse that you’ll find marshes filled with life as well as pine forests, sand dunes, isolated beaches, and bays with calm waters.
Make friends with the dolphins or get acquainted with a bald eagle as you enjoy a magnificent sunrise or sunset.
First Landing State Park
No matter what type of camping appeals to you, you’ll find a wide variety of choices at First Landing State Park. Rent a cabin or a yurt, or just park your RV or pitch a tent for an experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
However, don’t be alarmed if you hear the roar of a jet engine or the clang of a jeep because First Landing State Park is adjacent to a military training center. Even so, you’ll still love the peaceful beach with its lapping waves and the freshwater cypress swamps with their huge variety of wildlife.
Cabin rentals include heat, running water, and electricity with an additional charge for pets. Boating is easy with the many available boat ramps, or you can enjoy fishing, swimming, bicycling, or hiking on the twenty miles of trails.
Culture, Science & Museums
Virginia Beach is a place that is full of history. Some of the first settlers to colonize America landed there during the early 1600s. Among them was Captain Adam Thoroughgood, who traveled as an indentured servant from England to the Atlantic Coast of America.
Captain Thoroughgood established Princess Anne County, which later became Virginia Beach. The Thoroughgood House is a popular place for tourists to visit and was built by Argall Thoroughgood, who was the great-grandson of Adam Thoroughgood. This beautiful old home is surrounded by a well-tended English garden that encourages visitors to experience the gentle tranquility of an earlier time.
Military Aviation Museum
Knowledgeable and experienced tour guides lead visitors through the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, and these tours are included in the price of entrance. Younger kids get in for free, and discounts are available for seniors and military personnel. The historic military airplanes in this remarkable museum are restored to their original prime condition and cover the World War I and World War II period. If you like, you can actually see a de Havilland Mosquito bomber take off and fly, even though it’s made of wood.
You’ll be able to walk through the hangars where historic planes in flying conditions are waiting to teach you about the amazing air battles that took place during those wars. After the visit to this museum, you’ll come away with a new respect for those who fought with great courage and who risked their lives for our freedom.
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
You and your family will enjoy a trip to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) at Virginia Beach, and admission is absolutely free. However, you must reserve your tickets online in advance, and you can do this on their official website. This beautiful museum is not far from the oceanfront and offers a diverse selection of exhibits, from paintings and sculptures to video and other media.
The Space Exhibit is popular with the kids, and some of the exhibits are interactive and display both sound and movement. You can anticipate a visit of about one to two hours, and you can make a day of it if the weather is bad by visiting the museum and then treating yourself to lunch at the nearby Murphy’s restaurant on Pacific Avenue, which offers American and Irish pub-style food and beverages.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
If you’re intrigued by marine life, a visit to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is essential. Get close to real sea life at the touch pools that feature horseshoe crabs and stingrays, or have a chat with a real live Komodo dragon. There’s also a nature trail and, if you’re the adventurous type, there’s a zip line area and a course in ropes.
A ticket gives you access to the cafe and gift shops and you can purchase tickets in advance on the center’s website. The Aquarium and Marine Science Center also offer boat tours for an extra fee, during which you’ll see happy dolphins at play, or maybe even a whale. B
eautiful water birds also abound, so bring your camera and create memories that will last for years to come.
Nightlife in Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach oceanfront comes alive at night like no other place in the world. If you love seafood, you’ve come to the right city, because the seafood served in Virginia Beach comes fresh out of the Atlantic Ocean.
Many of the best seafood restaurants, like the 21st Street Seafood Raw Bar on Pacific Avenue offer both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the view while you dine on fresh Oysters Rockefeller, crab soup, or any other ocean delicacies. But great dining is not the only attraction after hours on Virginia Beach, because you’ll also find gazebos and free outdoor stages where live music is played.
If you prefer an indoor setting with great sound, you’ll enjoy Elevation 27, which is an acoustically enhanced club that is designed to deliver musical sound quality as good as that of a recording studio.
Breweries and Pubs
If you’re a fan of craft beers, you’ll be glad to hear that Virginia Beach is home to many fine breweries and pubs. Try some unique craft beer in the Tasting Room of the Commonwealth Brewing Company on Pleasure House Road when you’re done visiting Chic’s Beach because it’s right there within that small community, housed in an old fire station.
You can also take part in the many special events that are offered there, like the Jazz Brunch that takes place on the second Sunday of every month. You may also enjoy the Lynnhaven Pub, which has a great selection of beer on tap or by the bottle, as well as a tasty menu of pub-type food, barbecue, and seafood, too.
The hole-in-the-wall atmosphere is intimate and inviting and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the great selection of craft beers.
Music and Entertainment
Live music and entertainment are a part of everyday life in Virginia Beach and high on the list of things to do in Virginia Beach. You’ll be able to enjoy free concerts all summer long as you walk along the oceanfront at venues like Live On Atlantic, where live music is played from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM every night.
If you want a more intimate setting, you can check out the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts on Market Street, within the Town Center area. This impressive-looking building is a major cultural center for the city of Virginia Beach and houses a variety of musical and art events, some of which are free.
The Ynot Italian restaurant within the building offers the Ynot Wednesdays, which are an outdoor concert series given on the outdoor plaza from June 1 to August 31 each Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Those who attend the concerts can buy great food from the Ynot restaurant as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.
ViBe Creative District
The ViBe Creative District is a district in Virginia Beach that was declared officially by ordinance in 2015 to be an “arts and cultural district and technology zone.” The purpose of the district was to become a center of activity that supports local artists as well as creative and technical businesses so that they would stimulate economic development and improve the quality of life in the area.
The ViBe Creative District is located in the oceanfront area near 18th Street and displays many different kinds of artwork, including painting, culinary arts, leather, and woodworking. Murals on the walls in the area are colorful and are designed to be decorative and thought-provoking additions to the scene. But that’s just the beginning as you can also find great neighborhood restaurants and markets like The Pink Dinghy on 19th Street, which serves a variety of small dishes in addition to natural wines and cocktails.
Shopping
If you’re going to make the trip to Virginia Beach, you could buy something special to remind you of your trip in the years to come. When you check out the oceanfront shopping scene, you’ll see that it is fun and easy to do, but you’ll find great deals if you go inland, too.
You’d probably be wise to plan a whole day or so simply for shopping, and you can enjoy a great lunch at one of the shopping area restaurants, like the Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill on Atlantic Avenue. This highly-rated restaurant offers healthy American food in a beautiful setting and is both vegan and gluten-free friendly. It is reasonably priced and offers wine and beer.
The Shops at Hilltop Oceanfront
The Shops at Hilltop in Virginia Beach is just a few minutes away from the oceanfront and is populated with many well-known top things to visit like Chico’s and Talbots. Boutiques also abound, and you can give yourself some real self-care with cruelty-free and clean products from the Glow Apothecary.
If you visit them, you can look forward to finding great natural beauty products, but you’ll also be greeted with a cup of herbal tea and can take advantage of a free makeup consultation. You’ll leave the place glowing as you proceed to your next destination, which might be a search for some of the latest fashions, jewelry, or beautiful accents for your home.
The Town Center
If you love designer fashions from stores like Ann Taylor Loft or Free People, you’ll love shopping at the Town Center in Virginia Beach. Located in the Central Business District, the Town Center area is alive with high-end retailers as well as fun places like the Cheesecake Factory, the TWIST Martini Bar, and the Macaron Tart bakery.
You’ll need to wear your best walking shoes because there’s just so much to see and do, and when your feet finally wear out from your adventures, you can end the day with a great meal and a glass of fine wine at one of the great restaurants in the area, like Bravo! Cucina Italiana on Central Park Avenue. Reasonably priced, this decorative restaurant offers you authentic Italian cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.
Lynnhaven Mall
When the weather is bad and you’re looking for some bargains, it’s time to pay a visit to Lynnhaven Mall. You’ll enjoy the indoor air-conditioned luxury as you browse through the many stores that include everything from Victoria’s Secret, JCPenney, and American Eagle to Starbucks and Cinnabon for a quick treat. You can also visit the recently renovated Food Court if you want a quick lunch or dinner.
If you’re with a spouse or friend who doesn’t want to shop, they can rest in the AMC movie theater and watch the latest blockbuster film. If you’re tired of clothes (as if that were possible) and you simply want to visit a nice bookstore, there’s also a Barnes & Noble Booksellers where you can check out the latest titles.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Virginia Beach
No matter what kind of taste you have in vacation spots, you’ll find something to love in the city of Virginia Beach. The natural beauty of the Atlantic coast has made this city a resort town that appeals to everyone. You can go shopping at the best retail stores, or you can leave the urban world behind and simply go fishing in the salty ocean or freshwater marsh.
Even on the days when the weather isn’t so great, you can still find places of interest, fine dining, and great music in this diverse resort. The list of things to do in Virginia Beach is almost endless, and no matter what kind of itinerary you choose, you can’t go wrong with Virginia Beach for your next vacation.
When it comes to getaways for couples, singles, or families alike, book a Virginia Beach vacation and plan a long list of things to do in Virginia Beach. Also, make it a longer trip and visit nearby Norfolk or Williamsburg too, for even more lifelong memories.
