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Fun Things to do in Virginia Beach
Virginia
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city guide
Also known for its flourishing local dining scene, arts and entertainment, maritime history, and family-friendly attractions, Virginia Beach features its own unique districts that offer experiences for everyone to enjoy. It's no surprise the Oceanfront and 3-mile boardwalk is the center of the action in Virginia Beach.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Virginia Beach is from late May to early September, when you'll experience oceanfront culture in full swing. But fair warning: This is the peak season.
Fun city facts and activities
- Right where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, youll find Virginia Beach. This laid-back coastal city adds a cheeky measure of history, creativity and adventure to your traditional beach-side vacation. Over 500 square miles of surf-spots, family farms, hip hotels and sprawling state parks are here to be explored, with summer boardwalk festivals drawing the crowds.
Take a day off from the pristine beaches to kayak through nature reserves, explore the ViBe creative district or visit the site of the pilgrims' first landing. If your explorations leave you ravenous, take your pick from the best local restaurants and sit back with a locally-brewed craft beer as the sun sets.
Neighborhoods to explore
- Alanton/Baycliff
Asheville Park
Bay Colony
Christopher Farms
North End
Little Neck
Pungo
Restaurants
Food Specialties
- Oysters, brunch and Southern food are the holy trinity of the Virginia Beach food scene, and if youre lucky, youll find all three on one delicious plate. Making the most of what the sea and shore have to offer, the restaurants here pride themselves on using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients at every opportunity. This means daily menu changes, loaded specials boards and food so fresh it could hop off your plate.
One of the top things to do in Virginia Beach, of course, is to try the local seafood, and you can have it fished from the water beneath your table, sliced by a Tokyo-trained sashimi master or grilled fresh at a dockside bar. For hangover and homesickness cures alike, the Southern influence is strong, especially when combined with brunch cocktails. Be it in a reclaimed doctors office, a back-bay bolthole or within stumbling distance from your hotel, the restaurants of Virgina Beach certainly know how to turn on that Southern-charm and make grits like your granny.
Virginia Beach Offbeat activities
Free or cheap things to do
1. Take a surfing lesson at Virginia Beach Surf & Adventure Co.
2. Visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
3. Enjoy a night of comedy at the Funny Bone Comedy Club.
4. Take a tour of the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
5. Enjoy a relaxing morning of yoga at the Zen Den Yoga Studio.
6. Visit the Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment).
7. Take a ghost tour of historic Old Towne Portsmouth.
8. Take a kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tour with Coastal Expeditions.
9. Go bowling at Pungo Lanes.
10. Take a hot air balloon ride with Coastal Virginia Ballooning.
Fun things to do in with kids
Free or cheap things to do
1. Military Aviation Museum Pungo
Enjoy one of the largest collections of warbirds that can still operate in the Military Aviation Museum.
2. First Landing State Park Oceanfront
Explore the 2700-acre area of the First Landing State Park as you engage in the beauty of its scenic landscapes and beautiful trails.
3. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Inland
With over 700 species of different animals, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is perfect for families looking for a quick trip this weekend.
4. Red Wing Park Inland
Get transported to Japan on the scenic and marvellous trails and paths of the Red Wing Park.
5. Sandbridge Beach Sandbridge
A list of what to do in Virginia Beach with kids is never complete without featuring its amazing beaches like the Sandbridge Beach.
6. Mount Trashmore Park Town Center
Perfect for family activities in Virginia Beach, the Mount Trashmore Park is a great bonding experience for the whole tribe.
7. Motor World Thrill Park Inland
When searching for places to take kids in Virginia Beach, more often than not the Motor World Thrill Park will be an option.
8. False Cape State Park Sandbridge
If your family is looking for places that offer free kid-friendly things to do in Virginia Beach, then look no further than the False Cape State Park.
9. Ocean Breeze Waterpark Inland
Trying to find something fun for teens? The Ocean Breeze Waterpark might be your best find!
10. Grommet Island Park Oceanfront
How about things to do in Virginia Beach with toddlers? This cute park near the beach is something you should definitely consider.
City data and FAQ
What is Virginia Beach most known for?
Well Virginia Beach is the longest pleasure beach in the United States and boasts a 3-mile concrete boardwalk as well as many sights, attractions and other entertainment for all generations. So, naturally, the city is known for being a vacation destination for families and individuals alike. It is true that we have a booming tourist season, much like any prominent beach town, but this is one of the largest sources of revenue for our city and is vital to our economy.
Christopher Storey - Lives in Chesapeake, VA
Well Virginia Beach is one of the safest cities in the Country. It's among the top 10 if I remember correctly.
Georgia Wells Lived in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach is a semi popular tourist destination, with most of our tourists coming from Europe or Canada. There are 3 miles of concrete board walk, a state park at the beach, and the large coper(? I think) neptune statue. It is also well known for having oone of the largest air-naval bases, Oceana Naval base, as well as several others.
Olivia Reed Lives in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach is one of the playgrounds of the personnel of the United States Navy and its significant supporting business network. It boasts beautiful beaches and inland waterways, golf courses, restaurants and many family-friendly activities. It is also the home base of the Edgar Cayce Library, named for the remarkable psychic-seer who offered workable, physical, natural cures to many disease-afflicted people who were able to avail themselves of his astonishing ability.
Joan Henehan Lived in Virginia Beach, VA
Do you need a car to visit Virginia Beach?
If you are visiting the oceanfront ONLY- not really. There are hotels in walking distance of the ocean, along with places to eat. However the CITY of Virginia Beach is about 20 miles wide. Depends on where you are going.
Curtis Childress Lives in Virginia (1944 Present)
