One Tank Trip: Virginia Beach

Editor's note: In the past couple of years Richmond.com has brought you the "One Tank Trip" series in the spring. This year is no different. Now through June we'll take you to places we've already been, as well as adding a couple of surprises along the way. As always, we welcome your comments, so if you have anything to say about the places we're visiting, leave a comment at the end of the story. Now, it's time to check out Virginia Beach.

If you're looking to escape for a day, a weekend or even a week, have no fear: Virginia Beach is near. While many people think of Virginia Beach as the beach and its fabulous boardwalk, but its much more than that, although simply sitting on the beach can be quite fun. From watching dolphins to wine festivals to shoppin g, there's plenty to do.

Annual events

For more details of the events below, and for more events, visit www.vbfun.com. Virginia Beach has something going on all the time, so this is only a sample of what the beach offers. And remember, all this is less than two hours from Richmond (depending on how you hit traffic).

Virginia Beach Driving distance: 106 miles Directions: Take 64 East, through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel until you get to exit 284A, merging onto 264 East. Follow 264 East until reaching your desired Virginia Beach destination. Population: 436,000 For more information, contact: The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitor's Bureau at www.vbfun.com. The City of Virginia Beach's official site at http://www.vbgov.com/ .

April 26-Sept. 1

Dolphin Watching boat trips

Join the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center for an educational 90-minute ride boat ride along the Atlantic coast. View bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat while learning about the Aquarium's extensive marine research. Boat trips depart daily from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. For tickets and times, call 757-385-FISH or visit www.virginiaaquarium.com for more information.

May 2-4

Atlantic Coast Kite Festival

From workshops to demonstrations to vendors, this is THE event for kite lovers. And it's free. The exhibit "Kites: A Tradition for All Ages," is currently on display at the Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth. A "Kite Night" open house will be held at the Courthouse Galleries from 5 to 10 p.m. May 2; the festivities switch to the beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3; and then Portsmouth City Park gets the action from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4.

May 17

Fifth annual Neptune's International Spring Wine Festival, 24th Street Park

Taste products from Australia, France, Chile, Italy, South America, New Zealand and South African in addition to California, North Carolina and Virginia vintages Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. For ticket information call 757-498-0215.

May 17-18

Redskins Beach Blitz

Virginia Beach will host former and current Washington Redskins' coaches, players and cheerleaders during the fan appreciation festival. Visit www.redskinsbeachblitz.com for more information.

May 24-25

25th annual Pungo Strawberry Festival

Held in the farming community, Virginia Beach celebrates the deliciousness of plump, fresh strawberries. All the strawberries you can eat are prepared in more than 50 different ways. Activities include a pie-eating contest, several racing car exhibits, a carnival, continuous entertainment on four stages, a parade, livestock sale and show, a military display, pig races, youth art show, and unique arts and crafts. Visit www.vbfun.com or www.pungostrawberryfestival.info for more information.

May 30-June 1

Patriotic Festival

This event at the Fifth Street stage is a tribute to armed forces personnel and their families. The festival will feature musical entertainment, military displays and demonstrations. Scheduled to perform are Sugarland (May 30), Brian McKnight (May 31) and Travis Tritt (June 1). Event site opens at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free to all shows.

June 12-15

53rd annual Boardwalk Art Show & Festival

The festival is consistently ranked in the top 40 of Sunshine Artist Magazine's Top 200 Art Shows. With an average attendance each year of more than 300,000, this four-day festival is one of the most popular in Virginia, attracting collectors and artists from across the nation. The show runs along the Virginia Beach boardwalk from 17th Street to 32nd Street.

Aug. 29-31

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

This event will celebrate its eighth anniversary welcoming 20,000 participants. Festivities begin with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30. A post-race concert has previously featured bands such as INXS and Counting Crows. For more information, visit www.rnrvb.com.

Sept. 13-14

12th annual Fall Wine Festival, Neptune's Park 31st Street

Leading Virginia vintners will set up shop on the Virginia Beach oceanfront during the 12th annual event. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. For ticket information call 757-498-0215.

Sept. 14

26th Annual Sandman Triathlon, 24th Street Park

The event begins with a 1k open ocean swim, followed by a 14-mile bike race and concludes with a 5k run along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Pre-registration is required. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in both the men and women's divisions. Trophies will be awarded for the first, second and third place finishers in each age group. For registration visit www.neptunefestival.com .

Oct. 11-12

Oktober Brewfest

Sample authentic German beer as the park at 24th Street is transformed into a two-day festival celebrating everything that is German. A German oompa band, Dachshund beauty pageant, wacky competitions and Bavarian cuisine are all a part of the event. German games, the Chicken Dance and live entertainment will be featured during the festival. Event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. both days. Admission to Oktober Brewfest is free, but there is a charge for each German beer purchased.

Nov. 20 through Jan. 1, 2009

Holiday Lights at the Beach

View more than 250 animated nautical and holiday-themed light displays along the boardwalk. This event attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year. Holiday Lights at the Beach stretches from Second Street to 33rd Street along the boardwalk. It's your one and only chance to actually drive on the boardwalk. 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost is $10 per vehicle and $45 per motorcoach or vehicle larger than 15-passenger van.

Attractions

Mount Trashmore Park

It is what you think it is. The man-made mountain built with compacted trash park spans 165 acres with hills more than 60 feet high. According to trails.com, Mount Trashmore attracts more than 800,000 visitors each year.

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Get up close and personal with animals of the sea. Through May 4 see "Alligators: Dragons in Paradise," which includes an albino alligator. For more information, visit www.virginiaaquarium.com or call 757-385-FISH 

Golfing

With 198 holes, lots of public courses and perfect weather all your long, you'll want to be sure to not leave your clubs behind. For more details, including golf and hotel packages, visit www.vbgolf.com.  

Dining

From all-you-can-eat seafood buffets to delicious pizza to some fabulous burgers, Virginia Beach is extremely diverse when it comes to restaurants. If seafood is your thing, the resort area has more than 30 restaurants to choose from with price ranges for any budget. The city itself has more than 300 restaurants total.

Lodging

If you're looking for a place to stay, the Virginia Beach Hotel-Motel Association (VBHMA) has you covered. The VBHMA's Web site, www.vbhma.com, allows you to quickly search for a hotel is specified regions of the beach. Virginia Beach has more than 12,000 hotel rooms, more than 1,800 campsites and several hundred rental cottages.

Shopping

Virginia Beach's Town Center spans 17 city blocks and provides a mix of upscale retail, luxury residential, and an array of outdoor cafes, restaurants and nightlife, along with business-class and deluxe hotels. Virginia Beach also is home to Lynnhaven Mall and Hilltop Shopping Center.

Awards

Virginia Beach has received numerous accolades over the years. In 2008: Fit Pregnancy magazine named Virginia Beach No. 8 in their "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" issue. Men's Health magazine named the city the "Sixth Best City to Eat Out." In 2007, the city was honored as being ranked No. 10 in Prevention magazine as one of the Best Fitness-Walking Cities in the U.S.

Weather

In the winter, Virginia Beach's average high never dips below 50 degrees and its lowest average low hits 32 degrees in January. By mid-summer, the average high is 87 in July, while average lows are in the upper 60s, according to the National Weather Service.

Do you have something to say about Virginia Beach? If so, leave a comment below.