Virginia Beach is among those areas that will certainly amaze you. With 35 remarkable miles of coast matched by the 3 miles of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, it is no surprise that Virginia coastline draws in numerous site visitors annually. Located on the Atlantic Ocean in south-east Virginia this coastline community supplies greater than simply enjoyable in the sunlight. Yes, the coastline is great, yet set that with an outstanding food scene, fascinating galleries, as well as outside experiences, as well as you will certainly see that there are a lot of points to do in Virginia Beach you simply might require a number of additional days.
Top Things to do in Virginia Beach
One of the important things that attracted us to Virginia Beach was the easygoing ambience as well as slow-moving rate that made it the ideal location for a relaxing holiday. Add on the excellent choice of outside tasks as well as option of dining establishments as well as you can recognize why this location is so prominent. To assist you intend your time in this cool East Coast city we assembled our 15 ideal points to do in Virginia Beach that you don’t intend to miss out on.
1. Go Hiking at First Landing State Park
Did you understand that Virginia was the very first recognized European negotiation in the United States? It was right below at First Landing State Park in 1607 that 100 English inhabitants landed. This 2,888-acre park not just has 1.25 miles of beachfront yet there are 19 miles of strolling tracks with shielded salt marsh environment. As one of the most seen park in all of Virginia, it is not to be missed out on.
First Landing State Park in VA Beach is stunning as well as an excellent outing for treking or cycling with the household. There are freshwater fish ponds as well as attractive swamps. There is an excellent site visitor facility below with galleries as well as expository facilities informing site visitors of the background of both the explorers as well as Native Americans. After you’ve had a great walk as well as discovered background, you can invest time on the coastline appreciating a stunning sundown at the dunes.
Read much more: A Historical Look at Virginia Beach – 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
2. Kayak in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a bird fan’s paradise. Kayaking with the bayous is a peaceful experience far from all the stress. We scheduled a directed excursion with Surf & Adventure where we introduced from the dock at their buy an hour-and-a-half paddle with meadows as well as networks.
It includes greater than 9000 acres of haven as well as is the ideal location to invest a mid-day if you intend to escape the hectic coastline as well as indulge in the peace of nature.
We detected hairless eagles as well as sea birds throughout our hour-long as well as stress-free journey with the National Wildlife Refuge while absorbing the sight. The excursion finished at the dining establishment Blue Pete’s, a neighborhood favored focusing on fish and shellfish recipes.
Surf as well as Adventure address: 577 Sandbridge Road Virginia Beach, VA 23456
3. Take a Flight in a War Plane at The Military Aviation Museum
When we went searching for the best experience on your Virginia Beach holiday, we didn’t anticipate to have among the best experiences we’ve had in our trips. Virginia Beach’s Military Aviation Museum not just supplies an excursion of lots of timeless airplanes from World War I as well as II yet they provide you the chance to fly in one! Visitors to the facility can fly with an authentic pilot in a World War II biplane.
We fulfilled Captain Rober ‘Boom’ Powell at the path as well as wore our trip fits for our 15-minute trip over the location where he revealed us the old paths left over from WWII. Biplanes cannot remove in high crosswinds. Back after that the paths were established crisscrossing each various other so the pilots might remove in any kind of instructions.
After all, battle doesn’t wait on wind. It was an adventure of a life time as Boom dove with the air as well as did maneuvers as the wind torn with my safety helmet. Yes, we in fact put on natural leather headgears much like the competitor pilots of World War II. This is most definitely among the very best points to do in Virginia Beach. Check out even more of the incredible background of Virginia Beach.
For even more details browse through the Military Aviation Museum 1341 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, VA 23457
4. Adventure Park
If you intend to seem like a child once more, as well as you are searching for some daring points to do in Virginia Beach after that the Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium is an enjoyable method to obtain the adrenaline pumping. Dave as well as I like doing through ferratas when seeing Europe. The high ropes at the Adventure Park are as close as you’ll reach the adventure of scaling a hill.
Don’t fear if you don’t have experience above ropes, overviews will certainly reveal you just how to secure your harness to the wires maintaining you protected. There’s no feasible method to disconnect when you get on the training course so you are totally free to attempt any kind of barrier you select. The climb is a lots of enjoyable as you go across wire bridges as well as draw on your own along opens up periods on surf boards.
Courses array from newbie purple to dual black ruby. You might invest a whole day difficult on your own to look for brand-new elevations. Addres: 801 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States
5. The Virginia Aquarium as well as Marine Science Center
If you are seeing with the household after that among the top Virginia Beach tourist attractions you will certainly intend to capture is the Virginia Museum as well as Marine Science Center. Located on General Booth Boulevard as well as with over 300 types that include Otters, seals, as well as loggerhead turtles, the household will have plenty to maintain them interested. There are likewise themed shows in addition to the Habour Seal Exhibit that you will certainly not intend to miss out on.
717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States
6. Virginia Beach Boardwalk
When it pertains to VA Beach traveler destinations this needs to get on the first. Virginia Beach’s boardwalk extends 3.4 miles along the Atlantic Ocean as well as includes a lots of dining establishments, stores, as well as home entertainment. The Virginia Beach beachfront is the ideal location for a nighttime walk or you can get on your own a bike as well as utilize the specialized bike lane to discover the coastline.
Don’t neglect to quit at the King Neptune sculpture. This 34-foot high bronze sculpture is tough to miss out on as it ignores Neptune Park at 31st Street as well as Atlantic Avenue. Admire the information that entered into it as well as break an image to share on your social media sites!
7. Pleasure House Oysters Boat & Tasting Tour
Oysters play a substantial component in Virginia Beach’s economic situation. Going on an oyster watercraft excursion provides you understanding right into just how the sector functions as well as just how the economic situation depends on it. Captain Chris Ludford is as enthusiastic regarding oysters as he has to do with the atmosphere as well as heading out to his oyster ranch is enjoyable as well as helpful.
We fulfilled him at his watercraft in the Lynnhaven Marina, near First Landing State Park, where we took an excursion bent on his story of oysters. The anglers of Virginia Beach are really concentrated on seeing to it the waters are lasting. They’ve been functioning in the direction of growing back the oyster corals reefs as well as bringing the numbers back to the location.
After learning more about just how he increases the oysters to the optimum three-inch dimension, we took an excursion of the canals to have a look at the manors as well as waterside houses. Rapper as well as manufacturer Pharrell Williams has a home precisely the coast. He was birthed as well as elevated in the location as well as gets home commonly. If you are searching for something various to do, this is most definitely a unique excursion. When seeking to publication oyster excursions, call Chris straight.
It’s an unwinded excursion where you are totally free to actually do anything you select. Be certain to bring your cravings as Chris will certainly feed you as several oysters as you can swallow. There is absolutely nothing much better than a fresh shucked oyster right out of the sea.
Where to Eat in Virginia Beach
We have a whole write-up on where to consume in Virginia Beach. The food scene below is exceptional with dining establishments offering every little thing from standards like Carolina drew pork biscuits, to modern food as well as great eating offering fresh fish and shellfish as well as oysters. Our favored areas were Terrapin, Esoteric for their charcuterie board as well as Commune for a scrumptious morning meal. See our complete break down below. The absolute best puts to consume in Virginia Beach
8. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
One doesn’t generally most likely to a gallery when seeing a coastline community, yet the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is an excellent mid-day journey. If you have an interest in increasing your contemporary art expertise, this is an excellent quit. The gallery promotes understanding, expedition, as well as understanding of the substantial art of our time. Exhibitions adjustment routinely.
When we went to the exhibition “Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art” was the keystone screen where events utilized art to display understandings as well as chances to alter lives. It was relocating as well as motivational simultaneously.
For details on existing events check out MOCA Address 2200 Parks Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451
9. Cape Henry Lighthouse
One of one of the most fascinating lighthouses we’ve ever before seen was the Cape Henry Lighthouse. What makes this special is that it lies in the center of an operating army base. Located within Fort Story Military Base, you’ll need to reveal ID as well as they’ll look your cars and truck prior to allowing you right into a really limited path to the lighthouse.
There are 2 lighthouses at Cape Henry, the more recent contemporary framework appropriately called the New Cape Henry Lighthouse, as well as the Old Cape Henry lighthouse. The last was the really initial first-ever government moneyed lighthouse, completely finished, as well as lit by George Washington as well as the U.S. federal government. It makes good sense that it is a National Historic Landmark.
The Old Lighthouse remained in usage for regarding 100 years prior to it was changed by the more recent one neighboring. Make certain you put in the time to direct as well as obtain a bird’s-eye view over the Chesapeake Bay while you exist. Address: 2100 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States
10. Go on a Brew as well as Distillery Tour
Microbreweries are turning up around VA coastline as well as there are lots of areas to example the neighborhood ale. Some are within strolling range from Virginia Beach as well as others are situated out at Chesapeake Bay. The excellent information exists are totally free shuttle bus that take you bent on the bay so you don’t need to drive.
The leading options for examples as well as brewery excursions in Virginia Beach are Back Bay Brewery, Green Flash Brewery, Chesapeake Bay Beach, Commonwealth Brewing Company, as well as Pleasure House Brewing. Now that’s a great deal of microbreweries. Another fascinating quit is a sampling at the Chesapeake Bay Distillery where you can example their vodka.
Take a directed excursion of the ViBe Creative District is an enjoyable method to discover the murals of this fashionable area. See what motivated each musicians’ with their tales as well as enthusiasms adhered to by tasting the craft makes at Vibrant Shore Brewing Company. Book this very ranked excursion below.
11. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
If you have an auto, ensure to drive over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. It is a substantial bridge covering 17,2 miles linking Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore. This bridge is thought about among the 7 manufactured marvels of the globe, so it is not to be missed out on! It takes around 25 mins to go across as well as there is a quit where you can absorb the views as well as see the Navy Ships going out to sea.
12. Take in the Food Scene
Virginia Beach has a growing food scene that will certainly thrill any kind of food lover tourist. From great eating to restaurants as well as dives, Virginia Beach has everything. There are areas like Commune that are run by farmers as well as comply with the farm-to-table activity to a tee.
Seafood gets on the food selection virtually almost everywhere in Virginia Beach yet it is likewise instilled with modern food as well as seasonal fresh ranch active ingredients. You’ll obtain special recipes developed by acclaimed cooks.
Even the restaurants have actually been included on television as well as proprietors take satisfaction in producing incredible recipes from in your area sourced ranches. A few of our favored consumes were Esoteric, Commune as well as Bay Local Eatery for Breakfast as well as Brunch, as well as Leaping Lizard Cafe near First Landing State Park as well as the Back Bay Gourmet for lunch. If you intend to benefit from all that Virginia Beach carries deal when it pertains to food, ensure to check out throughout the Virginia Beach Restaurant Week.
13. Hunt Club Farm
If you are searching for points to do with the entire household, Hunt Club Farm supplies 30 acres of experience as well as enjoyable. It’s a stroking ranch, aviary, as well as experience play ground done in one. The brand-new TreeWalk Adventure allows youngsters climb up wood bridges to treehouses where they can find out about the birds as well as pests that stay in the trees. It’s a risk-free atmosphere with safeguard making it excellent for youngsters.
14. Eat At Terrapins
One location to consume in VA Beach that deserves its very own reference is the Terrapin Restaurant. Located simply off the coastline this great eating restaurant was among your favored areas for supper. Using seasonal, farm-to-table active ingredients Executive Chef Rodney Einhorn has actually developed the ideal food selection that includes recipes like truffle mac as well as cheese, mouthwatering scallops, as well as a Rib Eye for 2 that will certainly knock your socks off.
Pair that with an intimate setup (the dining establishment just seats 60 individuals) an excellent alcoholic drink as well as Craft Brew food selection as well as you have the ingredients of an excellent evening out. It is no surprise that Terrapin Restaurant was elected among the Top 50 Restaurants in America by Open Table. Make certain you book as this location obtain really hectic really quickly.
15. Ocean Breeze Waterpark
The Ocean Breeze Waterpark is the ideal location to invest a day with the household. Located not much from the Oceanfront this Caribbean-themed Virginia Beach waterpark has 30 various trips that consist of 16 slides, a wave swimming pool, as well as a pirate ship simply among others. The enjoyable doesn’t quit there. Once you have actually had sufficient of the trips or you simply desire a break you can beg a personal cabana to kick back for some time or beg among the coffee shops or dining establishments for a dish.
Make certain to take the youngsters on a check out to the treat stands too so they can obtain their fill of slushies as well as channel cakes. After a day at the Waterpark, you can do some purchasing at the on-site present stores to take residence a keepsake memory of your time at this cool Virginia Beach destination.
16. False Cape State Park
If you are seeking to obtain a little workout while you remain in Virginia Beach after that a check out to False Cape State Park ought to get on your listing. The park has 5 various hiking/biking tracks that take you on a trip to coastlines, dune, swamps, as well as marshes. Located near the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, you will certainly neglect you are close to a booming coastline as this location senses of being really sturdy as well as remote.
While on your walk in False Cape State Park ensure to visit the deserted area of Wash Woods as well as have a look at the damages that have actually been lived in for the last 8 years. It produces a fascinating quit on your excursion with False Cape State Park.
17. Atlantic Fun Park
If you appreciate theme park, go out to Atlantic Fun Park for some midway home entertainment. There are family-friendly trips as well as trips for thrill-seekers like the ultra-fast rotating Gravitron, 100 feet high Skyflyer, as well as the Sea Dragon turning ship. There are go-karts, a rock wall surface, as well as a midway loaded with video games to play. It’s Virginia Beach’s ideal theme park, so it is not to be missed out on!
18. Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
For a little break from the coastline, have a look at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum that lies in The historical De witt Cottage. The home goes back to 1895 as well as was contributed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. In 1995, 100 years of its presence, it was made right into a gallery committed to bird art, bird decoys as well as sculptures. It’s most definitely among the much more unusual points to see in VA Beach. Located at 1106 Atlantic Avenue in VA Beach.
19. Ferry Plantation House
No browse through to America’s southerly states would certainly be full without quiting to see a historical ranch home. Ther Ferry Plantation days completely back to 1642 yet your home that stands today is the chateau home from 1830. Take an excursion to see what life resembled on the ranch, yet what actually attracts individuals to this 10 space farmhouse is the haunting of Grace Sherwood.
She was the last witch to be founded guilty in Virginia’s background. In 1706, the Witch of Pungo was attempted by water. If she sank, it implied she was innocent, if she drifted to the top, she was guilty. Sherwood drifted to the leading as well as was founded guilty of witchcraft where she was sentenced for 8 years.
20. Sandbridge Beach
If you are seeing throughout high period as well as you are searching for a break from the much more jampacked coastlines in Virginia Beach after that you will certainly intend to make your escape to Sandbridge Beach. Located fairly near the Boardwalk, this coastline is 5 miles of stunning dune, as well as a limitless coast, making it the ideal getaway for an extra silent experience.
This is the ideal location to get on your own a barbecue as well as walk along the soft sand absorbing the stunning landscape that unravels prior to you. The entry cost for the coastline is on the house, so it is generally near the first when you are searching for totally free points to do in Virginia Beach.
21. Lynnhaven House
The Lynnhaven House is among the much more unusual as well as fascinating points to do in Virginia Beach. Built back in 1725 by Francis Thelaball, that was a hacienda proprietor as well as a ship’s woodworker, the Lynnhaven House is an excellent instance of the design of that time.
Located on Wishart Road this structure is remarkably in excellent form taking into consideration every little thing it has actually been with. We suggest getting on a directed excursion to find out about what life resembled for households at the time in addition to the Tidewater globe back in the 18th Century.
22. Grommet Island Park
One of the leading family-friendly tourist attractions in Virginia Beach is Grommet Island Park. This 15,000 square foot island park is a stunning eco-friendly room that has an excellent coastline as well as is populated with Palm trees. This park has something for everyone in the household as well as is ADA easily accessible that makes it comprehensive for everybody too.
Whether you simply intend to walk the coastline as well as appreciate the sculptures or you intend to join a few of the water tasks you can conveniently invest a complete day below as well as not really feel like whenever has actually passed.
23. Harrison Opera House
Celebrating the army background of VA Beach, the Harrison Opera House was a USO cinema throughout World War II. Today it is the residence of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as well as the Virginia Opera. There are likewise real-time cinema efficiencies. If you are searching for something to do during the night in Virginia Beach, absorb a program for a little of society as well as enjoyable. 160 W Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510
Looking for something special to do in Virginia Beach? Take this 1/2 day e-bike excursion to discover Norfolk’s Neon District to discover of the stories behind each modern masterpiece. On the convenience of an electrical bike excursion the location consisting of USS Wisconsin BB-64, Fort Norfolk, The Bakehouse at Chelsea, as well as the pre-revolutionary Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. Details below.
24. Whale Watching as well as Dolphin Tours
There is absolutely nothing much better than seeing aquatic life thrive in their all-natural environment. If you can jump on the water we very suggest it. Rudee Flipper Dolphin excursions in Virginia Beach’s longest-running dolphin cruise ship business. They supply 90-minute cruise ships to see dolphins. Sightings are assured throughout the period in between March as well as October.
Ruddee Tours likewise supplies two-hour whale viewing excursions from December to February. At this time around Humpback whales move with the location as well as you can commonly see them breaching in the seas off the eastern ern coast. They are so bountiful throughout this time around, that if you don’t see them, you reach head out as well as ride once more totally free!
For an extra intimate method to see dolphins, take this 2-hour sundown kayaking excursion as you paddle along the East Coast trying to find Bottlenose dolphins. Tour leaves from First Landing State Park Find out much more below.
Where to Stay in Virginia Beach
You can base on your own right midtown Virginia Beach as well as still be close to all the piece de resistances like False Cape State Park as well as First Landing State Park.
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront – For deluxe holiday accommodation on Virginia Beach, this is the top. Located at Neptune Park, it has a roofing leading bar as well as infinity swimming pool the biggest raw bar in VA Beach, as well as residences Virginia’s just AAA Four-Diamond Steakhouse.Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront – For a somewhat much more budget friendly choice this 4 celebrity resort lies simply down the coastline on the boardwalk. There’s an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, as well as Lager Heads Restaurant on website.
How To Get To Virginia Beach
We flew right into Norfolk International Airport situated simply 20 mins from the coastline. There are 2 global flight terminals, Norfolk as well as Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
When driving, take I 95, I 85, or U.S. 17 when driving from the North. We leased an auto that we got at the flight terminal as well as discovered this to be the very best method to navigate Virginia Beach.
While you might be intending a journey to Virginia Beach to invest all your time in the browse as well as sand, there are several various other points to do that can blend points up as well as placed some enjoyment right into your common coastline holiday. Virginia Beach, VA is far more than a coastline, it’s an experience.
