Itineraries for the sun-seeking beach bum, rabid outdoor adventurer, and families seeking coastal fun
Compared to its other Mid - Atlantic resort town coeval , Virginia Beach does n’t feel excessively manufactured or developed — and that ’s because it is n’t . The ethos here is more like that of a natural environs that gracefully made way to coexist with a beach resort town rather than the other direction around ; the city ’s array of Park and open spaces make that abundantly clear-cut . And thanks to the bevy of options beyond putting your toes in the sand , from hiking and boating to museum - hopping and festival , the realm is n’t just appealing during the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day ; it ’s solidly trench as a year - daily round oceanfront destination . guinea pig in point : this summer will see the opening ofAtlantic Park , a mixed - use of goods and services entertainment building complex backed by Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams whose centrepiece will be a 2.6 Accho indoor surf park — the only magnet of its form locatedthatclose to a beach already jazz for cosmos - course of instruction surfing .
Whether you ’ve grown up go to this beloved beachfront locale or you ’re a first - timer , we ’ve ask locals for their input to compile suggestions that cater to vacationers who never want to cast too far from the waves , nature enthusiast who are always up for an dangerous undertaking in the great outdoors , and those move around with their bambino , small fry , or teens in towage look for diversions that ’ll keep the whole mob harbor .
Don’t leave Virginia Beach until you…
See : bird’s-eye view from atop theCape Henry Lighthouse . make in 1792 and locate within the yard of Fort Story military pedestal , it was the first lighthouse constructed by the US politics . wax the 191 steps to the 360 - lantern room gives you coastal horizon of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay , as well as the neighboring “ new ” lighthouse built in 1881 .
Touch : The iconic oceanfront boardwalk . Stretching three miles from 2nd to 40th streets , the paved concrete paseo is the perfect spot for former morning time runs , casual good afternoon strolls , or post - dinner walkway . There ’s also a parallel wheel path . Along the way are shop , eatery , hotel , and attractions including the 26 - foundation - tall King Neptune statue and the Norwegian Lady Statue commemorating the 1891 shipwreckDictator .
Smell : That restorative salt air . There ’s just nothing like the puff of air of a brackish breeze to remind you that you ’re by the sea . Take in that resistless odor from one of the many hotel elbow room with beachfront balcony , on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier ( in season April through October ) or through the marsh , dunes , and shrubby tree during a hike on the Seaside Trail atBack Bay National Wildlife Refuge .
Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
listen : The sound of fighter jets roaring overhead . There are n’t many beach Ithiel Town where you may lie on the gumption and marvel at the F / A-18 Super Hornets squawk overhead during daily operations . Virginia Beach is home to three military base , include Naval Air Station ( NAS ) Oceana , which houses 16 fighter and flack squadrons and has 14,600 service members . It ’s a dream come truthful for Ab geeks .
Taste : Fresh , local seafood . Maryland does n’t have the monopoly on steam , spiced blue Cancer the Crab — you’ll find out them here too , as well as sassy catch like cobia , flounder , and striped sea bass . There ’s even a hyper - local specie of oyster called the Lynnhaven , which is gently sweet . Sample it all atThe Atlantic on Pacific , which derive live during its daily happy hour .
Things to do for classic beachgoers
What realise a perfect beach destination ? Well , for starters , a extensive , inviting coastline on which to spread out and breakers that draws you into ( or on ) the water system . Virginia Beach has both in nigga , and if you want to drop your trip doing nothing more than lying in the sand under an umbrella , you do you . But the salty air here might just root on you to take part in something more immersive , specially since in this unmarried unique location you have the choice of frolicking in the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean , taking a inclination in the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay , or paddling around in the many inlet . And if you ’ve ever had a fantasy of hang ten , now ’s your fortune . “ Virginia Beach is the perfect spot for a surf lesson , with manageable waves , accessible sandbars , and fantastic instructor , ” fit in to Eric Coulson , general coach ofSurf & Adventure Co. And with Sandbridge to the south , a residential roadblock island that ’s drawn comparisons to North Carolina ’s Outer bank building just over the border , beach aficionados can get a two - fer holiday . “ I grew up here and still screw that I can always find a subdued spot , even in summertime , ” Coulson say .
8 am - Start the day with breakfast atDoc Taylor ’s Restaurant . This breakfast - and - luncheon point focalise on Southern cooking is housed in a pinkish cottage that was formerly the aesculapian practice of its namesake doc . Kick off your perfect beach daytime with a round of Bloody Marys and a Virginian Omelet with country ham , tomato plant , Malva sylvestris , and hollandaise .
10 am - Spot whales or dolphinfish during a gravy boat drive withRudee Tours . Don’t forget your camera , because the tour ship’s company promises vouch sightings of bottlenose dolphin from March to October and humpback whales from December to February during their hour - and - a - one-half to two - hour gravy boat trips . spell depart from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center on their fleet of clime - control cruising boats , with multi - flat , 360 - arcdegree pee eyeshot of the transgress mammals .
Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
12:30 pm - Grab a table on the patio atWaterman ’s Surfside Grille . Before you lay out a beach blanket on the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , get a peep at the coastline from this wildly democratic restaurant locate on the southerly end of the boardwalk . There ’s an full card commit to the Crush , Virginia Beach ’s signature cocktail made with vodka , freshly - squeeze orange juice , and Sprite , and the fish taco are stuffed with black tuna or fried mahi and topped with mango tree slaw , pineapple - tomato salsa , and Sriracha aioli sauce .
2 pm - douse up the Dominicus and surf . Build sandcastles with mould and tools purchased from one of the manySunsationssouvenir shops , pick up a boogie-woogie board at the17th Street Surf Shopand enamour some waves , or just relax with a beach read . If you ’re feeling especially challenging , take a one - hour private deterrent example fromSeth Broudy School of Surfto learn the basics of board handling , positioning , paddling , and water condom .
5:30 autopsy - drop felicitous hour atRudee ’s Restaurant & Cabana Bar . The gilded minute when the sunshine dip towards the view might just be the most perfect time at the beach . look on the waves in the Rudee Inlet lapping onto the shore from a seat at a covered , gliding wooden outing table while sipping on The Little Yachtie from the Docktail menu , with coconut rum , fresh calx succus , pick of coconut , and soda .
Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
7:30 pm - Dine atopOrion ’s Rooffor the most striking purview of the Atlantic . Perched on the 23rd storey of theMarriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort , this modernistic Asiatic fusion eating place is the only oceanfront rooftop restaurant in Virginia Beach . Experience sundown from a tabular array on the north side , or appropriate the romantic corner Table 52 for two , which faces the horizon and the coastline , while sipping a Japanese Old Fashioned and tuck into Lynnhaven oysters with yuzu vinaigrette or a Surf and Turf Roll with tempura lobster , torched Wagyu , and truffles .
Things to do for outdoor adventure lovers
The staggering amount of ballpark , wildlife refuge , and ecosystem found in Virginia Beach pass variety not just in vegetation and fauna , but in the plain phone number of elbow room in which you may bask in the slap-up outdoors . “ Nature is easy accessible to everything with stake roll from soil - oriented to water lovers , ” say Alexis Rabon , natural scientist and researcher withRudee Tours . “ And with our soft circumstance throughout the majority of each season , the weather is take in to outdoor activities and risky venture throughout the year . ” The pedal paths , hiking trails , and waterway are top - notch , carving their way throughout tidal and freshwater wetlands that dish as a home ground for many aquatic and avian species . Dive under the weewee and you ’ll see even more . There are surprise all around , includingPleasure House Point Natural Area , whose H2O trails are part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways connection , andMount Trashmore Park , the US ’s first converted landfill park , where you may canoe in the brackish waters of Lake Windsor . If deep - ocean fishing is your affair , rent a gravy holder for a night sashay under the virtuoso to catch wahoo , blood-red drum , and heavy centre tuna fish , look on the season .
8 am - Fuel up with juice and smoothie bowls atThe Green Cat . To get energize for an activity - filled day , head to this succus bar and securities industry , which service bottled and made - to - order juice , granting immunity shots , and scads of other healthy options . The eating house ’s eponymic smoothy blends pineapple , mango , spinach , cocoanut oil , and coconut water system with the blue - green algae spirulina , and oatmeal can be top with blueberry bush and flax or cherry and chia seeds .
9 am - Hike inFirst Landing State Park . Virginia ’s most - visited state park has 20 miles of trails traversing diverse ecosystem with sand dune , lagoons , and nautical forests , include the 1.5 - geographical mile Bald Cypress Trail , a pleasant loop through cypress tree swampland . you could also swim , walk , or look for for sea glass on the 1.5 - mile good-tempered Chesapeake Bay beachfront .
Sandbridge Beach|Sherry V Smith/Shutterstock
12 pm - Lunch on saucy , local cuisine atCommune . place in theViBE Creative District , this farm - to - table eating house germ ingredients from regional purveyor and changes its bill of fare agree to what ’s usable and in season . The Big Backyard Salad tops baby common with roasted veggies , farmer ’s Malva sylvestris , pickled mustard greens come , and a hard - boiled egg , and the burger is made with locally prove kick from nearby farm Coastal Cattle .
3 pm - swallow atBack Bay National Wildlife Refuge . This nearly 10,000 - Accho detached refuge in the region ’s southern Sandridge expanse is part of Virginia ’s Outer Banks and features barrier island with Reginald Marsh , orotund backbone sand dune , beaches , and wildlife . snag stand up paddleboards fromSurf & Adventure Companyand take to the calm waters of Back Bay , where you ’ll likely spot waterbird and shore bird . From here , you’re able to also totter your way toFalse Cape State Park , which take its name because ships often mistook it for Cape Henry and ran aground in the shallow water . observe the park is only accessible via ft , bicycle , or boat .
7 pm - Unwind after an adrenaline - sate Clarence Shepard Day Jr. with dinner atLove Song . This buzzy wine-colored bar specializes in lifelike and biodynamic feeding bottle on a tilt that changes oft ; recent options include a zesty Spanish white blend with Xarel - Lo and Macabeo and a funky cutis contact petit manseng from the Languedoc . Order a tableful of sharable humble plate like Smoked Fish Dip with house pickles and Duck Breast with confit and sauce au poivre . Be trusted to save room for a fade of pillowy olive oil cake sprinkled with crunchy salt .
Waterman’s Surfside Grille Crush drink|Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
9 pm - Regale your dangerous undertaking over cocktails at the poshRaleigh Room . Sink into a sumptuous lounge at this swank societal waiting room atThe Cavalier Hotel , whose black and lily-white tile floor , gilded picture frames , and wing - backed chair ooze out classical turn - of - the - century charms . Cap off the day with a Tableside Martini that ’s stirred with gin or vodka from the onsite distillery , Tarnished Truth , and dish in vintage glassware .
Things to do for families
Sure , you and your kids can partake in all of the expected trappings of a beach destination , including a wake round of miniature golf atJungle Golf , with its multiple levels of wildlife statues , urine trap , and even a smoldering vent , or a drive the ferris wheel on the boardwalk pier . But in Virginia Beach , family activeness transcend the typical with its shaver - friendly museum picture and bounty of instinctive marvel . “ Our location is unique — we’re about as far north that southern specie come , and as far south as northern species come , ” tell Kristina Scott , public relations manager for theVirginia Aquarium & Marine Center . “ We see dolphinfish yr - round , and in the wintertime we ’re a part of the whales ’ migrant path . ” But if the weather condition is n’t quite conjunctive for spy dolphins during a kayak tour in the calm waters of the Lynnhaven Inlet or take on the ropes course atThe Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium , there are a tons of of unexpected things to explore indoors that are fun and educational , like the hands - on art activities and ever - changing exhibit from local artists at theVirginia Museum of Contemporary Art ( MOCA)or the crucial function of lifeguard at theVirginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum .
8 am - feed in your brood atThe Bee and the Biscuit . Arrive early to snag a table at this adorable restaurant and garden , where there ’s an telling selection of omelet , toasts , and Saint Benedict ( including one with lump crab and Old Bay).Everyonecomes for the made - to - order Colossal Cinnamon Rolls ; sold separately or in a genus Pan of six , they ’re well deserving the sugar upsurge .
9:30 am - See vintage aircraft at theMilitary Aviation Museum . This incredible museum houses one of the largest private aggregation of World War I and World War II sheet in the populace . Exhibits in the two - story master building search the chronicle of the iconic bomber jacket and Virginia ’s part in the Vietnam War . The main attractor are the Army and Navy hangars that flank each end , with aircrafts include the P-52 Mustang , P-40 Warhawk , FM-2 Wildcat , and FG-1D Corsair . On weekends in season , you could even reserve a 15 - instant open - cockpit drive in a 1941 Stearman biplane . ( remark : this museum is geared towards school - elderly kids and honest-to-god . )
Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
12 premier - Dine on the water system atBig Sam ’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar . This always - bustling waterfront place is a profits / win : parents can quench their thirst with a boozy Limeade , Crush , or Tiki Drink ( or their zero proof counterparts ) , while youngster can watch the sportfishing and tour boat come in and out of Rudee Inlet . The crew - delight menu has everything from shrimp or fish taco to fajitas and Warren Earl Burger , as well as a raw legal community and children ’s card .
1:30 postmortem - Discover aquatic creatures at theVirginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center . Purchase timed tickets beforehand to debar the queue at this H2O - filled attraction where you ’ll learn about the neighborhood ’s geology and marine ecosystems through hands - on activities and showing . In the North Building are sea turtles , komodo tartar , seals , sharks and several walk of life - through marine museum teem with colourful fish , coral garden , and a touch garden of stingray . Take the forgetful nature lead to the fresh - animate South Building , where you ’ll feel river otter , jelly , and more .
4:30 premier - check over out the art scene with a walking tour of theViBe Creative District . This section of the Oceanfront District celebrates the arts in all its forms , from medicine to carpentry . But the most seeable manifestation of the creativity here is the street art , much of which is from local artists . Download the mapfrom the web site and embark on an easy one - mile walk tour , which leave information about the creative person and the work . Along the way , drink down intoThree Ships Coffeefor a exclusive - inception espresso or hot drinking chocolate .
Hiking in First Landing State Park|refrina/Shutterstock
6:30 postmortem examination - subside your teeth into a handheld atRepeal Bourbon & Burgers . This unassuming restaurant is equal section speakeasy , Bourbon dynasty legal profession , and burger joint , with a casual vibration perfect for bestow your kids . deal an order of nachos with tympani micro chip and Bourbon chili , then select a grass - fed beefburger top in a dozen different ways , from bleu cheese and roasted garlic aioli to peanut butter and Sriracha jelly .
8 pm - Take a promenade on the boardwalk . Sandwiched between the beach and the street , Virginia Beach ’s paved boardwalk is easy to navigate on metrical foot or with go-cart . Shop for memento at one of theSmiles for Mileslocations you ’ll make pass in the area . Afterwards , chief toLolly ’s Creameryto order a pocket or two of the monthly specialty flavors ( past I include Twisted Brownie and Biscoff Ooey Gooey ) . Eat your ice cream by the monolithic King Neptune statue nearby , which make for a great family picture opp .
Where to stay
The Historic Cavalier Resort and Beach Club($$$$)This stately historical hotel is set back a snatch from the beach , but many of the rooms have ocean view , and the front lawn is dot with Adirondack chair . Splash in the indoor dip pool and jacuzzi or the Beach Club with an infinity seaside kitty , or get cocker at SeaHill Spa . Dining construct include American cuisine at the rustic Hunt Room , and Tarnished Truth is the res publica ’s only distillery housed inside a hotel . Plus , guests here also have accession to the amenities at sis resort Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront next door .
Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Oceanfront($$)Centrally settle on the Second Earl of Guilford conclusion of the boardwalk , this 140 - way property unfold in 2022 has an indoor and outdoor pool , a gravid , comfy waiting room in which to decompress , and casual all - day dining at The Placery . ( Note that this is not the same hotel as the Hyatt House Virginia Beach Oceanfront , which is eight blocks out and is n’t quite as newfangled . )
Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront($$$)A arrant household root word for outdoor adventure seekers , this 295 - elbow room hotel boasts a yr - round outdoor pool and suite with sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay . It ’s also handily located adjacent to First Landing State park . The onsite restaurant , Tides Coastal Kitchen , feature Mid - Atlantic seafood like she - crab bisque , crab cake , and roasted rockfish .
Courtesy Virginia Aquarium
Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront($$$)This playful , modern twist on a traditional beach stay has resilient social spaces , oceanfront views from the third house and outdoor pocket billiards , a coffee shop and diner , and an expansive barroom . Of the 134 oceanfront rooms , the ace with bunk beds are especially great for families .
What to know before you go
When to plan your visit
Beachgoers may want to visit during June through August for the warmest air and water temps . The outskirt time of year of May and September will be less crowded , but keep in mind that hurricane time of year is hit or overlook and tends to be most active in September and October . If you ’re come for other out-of-door activities , spring and twilight are also exceptionally pleasant . Indoor attractions include museums are class - rotund , but boardwalk ride and some restaurant and shops are only open during the summertime season .
Do’s and don’ts when visiting Virginia Beach
DO plan your thrust around morning and afternoon spate hour to avoid dealings , specially if you ’re come via the Hampton Bay Bridge - Tunnel or the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel .
DO consider inspect in winter , when you’re able to wad up for a nappy walk of life on the beach or boardwalk and have it mostly to yourself .
DON’T just stay on the main retarding force . There ’s lots to see beyond the touristed region .
Courtesy The Bee and the Biscuit
DO embark out for a daytime stumble to places like Colonial Williamsburg , Kitty Hawk , and Chincoteague and Assateague Islands .
Your fun Virginia Beach dinner party fact
Virginia Beach holds the Guinness World Record for the worldly concern ’s farseeing pleasure beach , with 35 mi of coastline . It ’s also home to the East Coast Surfing Championships , the oldest running channel-surf competition in the United States .
Courtesy of Visit Virginia Beach
Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
Courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
Courtesy Cavalier Resort
