One Tank Trip: Virginia Beach
Let's say you happen to live somewhere on the East Coast, and you just got the itch to call in sick, follow Sheryl Crow's mantra and soak up some rays on a beach somewhere nearby. You're left with a handful of tough choices.
If you live within the boundaries of Virginia or its outskirts, however, only one vacation destination truly reigns supreme for a weekend getaway: Virginia Beach .
| Virginia Beach Driving distance: 104 miles Estimated gas cost (at 27.5 miles per gallon*): $9.50 each way** Directions: Take 64 East, through the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel until you get to exit 284A, merging onto 264 East. Follow 264 East until reaching your desired Virginia Beach destination. Population: 447,000 For more information, contact: The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitor's Bureau at www.vbfun.com. The City of Virginia Beach's official site at www.vbgov.com. *New federal minimum mpg average **Calculated at $2.51 per gallon (latest AAA Mid-Atlantic average) |
Before the summer weather really heats up, out come the dolphins. Dolphin watching is one of the most anticipated events in the area during late spring. According to Mary Douglas at Virginia Beach's BCF tourism agency, many dolphins will swarm a tour boat when dolphin season is in its prime. At Lynnhaven Seafood & Fishing Center , (757) 481-4545, enjoy a sunset dolphin watch (as well as some deep-sea fishing if you choose) while cruising the Chesapeake Bay beginning on Memorial Day.
For the many sports nuts living on the east coast, the month of May in Virginia Beach is the reason to head to the new Virginia Beach Convention Center for three days of Skins celebrations, as Virginia's closest professional football team, the Washington Redskins , send over 40 popular players and coaches, past and present, to participate in the Redskins Beach Blitz from May 18-20. It offers up the opportunity for free autograph sessions and player and coach-led clinics, as well as concerts, fireworks, and the chance to ogle your favorite Redskins cheerleader. Visit redskinsbeachblitz.com for more information. One man's trash
It's true that summer is by far Virginia Beach's most busy time of year, but for many reasons other than the beach. For one, VB offers up more than a few recreational parks that attract year-round attention. Take, for example, Mount Trashmore Park . This man-made mountain, built with compacted trash in 1973, sticks out like a 60-foot-tall, 165-acre sore thumb amidst the otherwise flat area of VB. And it's just plain rubbish to think that it's a place you want to stay away from the hiking, running, and fishing (at its like-named body of water, Lake Trashmore ) are all conducive to a healthy VB lifestyle.
"It's in the top 25 most visited parks in America," said Amy Woodson of Virginia Beach's Parks and Recreations Department. Woodson added that the former landfill features three and a half miles of walking trails and a popular skate park that was once visited by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.
When the days start getting shorter come September, Virginia Beach looks to its annual Neptune Festival to play the end-cap to summer, with the proceedings watched over by Virginia Beach's resident oceanfront statue of King Neptune. The festival's premier event, the Fall Wine Festival , is just one of the special events throughout the month, featuring premium wines from many leading vineyards. 'After the boys of summer have gone '
When the summer begins to creep to a close and many of the tourists pack up their bags and get outta Dodge, it may just be the best time to take advantage of some great Virginia Beach activities that enter their prime starting in mid-to-late September. As many golfers know, fall is the best time to hit the greens and perfect that drive; the milder temps this time of year make for a great game. VB has nine public golf courses to entice folks looking to play a round or two, and one of the best (and downright devilish) is Hell's Point Golf Course , (757) 721-3400, a 6,776 yard beauty that has been rated Virginia Beach's best by the readers of The Virginian Pilot newspaper for 14 years straight.
Just outside Virginia Beach's party-hardy oceanfront, you'll find Sandbridge , located 20 minutes south of downtown VB. A quiet, rural area, it's where you'll find excellent fall kayaking in the energizing Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge area with Ocean Rentals Surf and Adventure , (757) 721-6210.
"So many people live right here in Virginia Beach and dont even realize that these experiences are available right here, said Eric Coulson , Ocean Rental's main kayaking and surfing guide who has made hundreds of outings into Back Bay's ecologically diverse area (native birds and small land animals are commonly seen during any one Ocean Rental's kayaking trip).
Coulson and his co-workers also lead a truly unique excursion: a kayak-and-dine adventure that takes kayakers around Back Bay, docking at the shore of Blue Pete's Seafood Restaurant , (757) 426-2005, for a hearty meal before hopping back into the boat and paddling back to the Ocean Rentals dock at sunset.
Of course, since it's fall, you'll also want to get into the Halloween spirit by checking out haunted hayrides at the Hunt Club Halloween Festival , (757) 427-9520. The chills keep on coming when you venture out to VB's Old Coast Guard Station as part of the "History and Haunts Tour," (757) 498-2127, where shipwrecked bodies were rumored to have been stored in the station's attic. Is it haunted? Most seem to think so, and the tour is one of the coolest (and creepiest) ways to learn about VB's nautical history. Reservations are strongly recommended. Gems of the winter season
Some of the best VB attractions are only available during winter months, and it'd be a shame to miss out on It's easy to get into the Christmas spirit in Virginia Beach with "Holiday Lights at the Beach" . The event lasts over a month and a half starting in November, and features over 25 blocks of themed light displays that range from nautical scenes to classic Christmas characters. To really give the occasion a larger-than-life feel, at its center, the event feature a three-story Christmas tree.
"It's the only time of year that cars are allowed to drive on the boardwalk," Douglas said. "It's a great time for everybody."
It's also the ideal point in the year to fit in some great whale-watching, which runs from late December through the middle of March. Sponsored by the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center , (757) 385-FISH, these two and a half-hour trips will almost always give people their money's worth as giant humpback whales frequent Virginia Beach's coast, wowing onlookers with leaps out of the water. Bring a camera with a decent splash-guard.
The Virginia Beach File:
History:The 42nd largest city in the United States, Virginia Beach has plenty of interesting stories to tell. The city's Cape Henry was the first stop for English settlers before moving on to settle at Jamestown (and where you can find VB's must-see landmark, the Cape Henry Lighthouse , (757) 422-9421). Beginning in the 19th century, VB began growing as a resort community (its famous boardwalk was created in 1888) and is now one of the East Coast's most popular family and beach destinations, attracting over 2.6 million visitors annually. Lodging: According to the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau, VB has over 12,000 hotel rooms located throughout the city. For an authentic trip back through time, rest your weary head at the Colonial Inn , (800) 344-3342, or the Cavalier Hotel , (757) 425-8555, the latter of which has hosted seven U.S. presidents. If traveling with a larger group, the best idea may be looking into staying at a rental property offered by Sandbridge Realty , (800) 933-4800. Located in the tranquil Sandbridge area 20 minutes south of the oceanfront, it's a sure bet for helping to recharge your batteries. And be sure to inquire if your host offers dolphin-watching packages during the summer months. Many will have great deals. Restaurants:
The type of people attracted to Virginia Beach's many pleasures is extremely diverse and so are the city's 300+ restaurants. Need a surefire way to inject some caffeine into your veins in the morning? Check out a locals favorite, Bad Ass Coffee Co. , (757) 233-4007, which has an enormous selection of lattes, espressos and delicious gourmet "joe" with a Hawaiian flair. If your stomach demands some vittles (and perhaps a tasty Bloody Mary) worthy of someone who's truly been sea-bred, travel to Big Sam's Inlet Café and Raw Bar , (757) 428-4858, or the Hilton Hotel's Catch 31 , (757) 213-3001. For more upscale fare, visit Sonoma , (757) 490-9463, in Virginia Beach Town Center, where over 100 Virginia wines are featured every day. Shopping:
Come to VB with lots of plastic and an excellent credit score, because there's shopping aplenty. For those looking to stay near the oceanfront, check out the Shops at Hilltop for over 120 great stores to indulge in. Ragged Robin Gifts , (757) 428-1831, has been a shopping staple in VB since 1948, and features many items like Godiva chocolates, Vera Bradley handbags and more. If you've found the inspiration to travel about 10 miles outside of oceanfront area, Virginia Beach's Town Center is an absolute must. Located in the booming business district of Virginia Beach, it contains dozens of high-end shops, restaurants, and comedy clubs. Attractions:
Set at least a day aside to leave the beach and explore, because VB offers up plenty of other great things to do out of the water. For great modern art exhibits that change every few months, enjoy the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia , (757) 425-0000. Get up close and personal with harbor seals, giant sea turtles and a huge IMAX theater at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center , (757) 385-FISH. Want a unique experience that the entire family can enjoy? Travel the seas on a full-size "pirate boat" on a "Pieces of Eight" Pirate Cruise , (757) 417-7272, which offers plenty of special events for kids birthdays and more. Have you traveled here before? Have a favorite restaurant? A daytrip you want to recommend? Drop us a line here! Each week we'll take an in-depth look at one of our "One Tank Trip" locations. Here is the schedule: April 17: Outer Banks - new location for '07 April 24: Williamsburg May 1: (Near) Northern Neck May 8: Tappahannock May 15: Virginia Beach - new location for '07 May 22: Charlottesville May 29: Eastern Shore
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