Share Email Print RSS

Virginia Beach

Expect lots of sand, surf and sun with a trip to Virginia Beach.  The beach is the place to be with 29 miles of coastline, sandy, natural beaches and the popular three-mile-oceanfront Boardwalk.  Beachgoers hit the Boardwalk for strolling, roller blading, biking or for a quick bite to eat.  The Boardwalk also offers three oceanfront stages where over 100 performers take center stage each summer. The beaches at Virginia Beach are free and open to the public.  The beaches officially open mid-May to mid-September.  The main attraction at Virginia Beach is the 3-mile oceanfront Boardwalk.    A separate bike path also runs alongside the beach. Virginia Beach is located 15 miles east of Norfolk along the Atlantic Ocean.  Virginia Beach offers broad beaches and tidal marshlands.
The Boardwalk serves up a steady stream of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Prime pastime: Sunbathing and swimming in the Ocean.

Beaches:

Resort Area Beaches:
From Croatan to the South and up to the North End, the Resort Area is the beach area in front of many of Virginia Beach’s most popular resorts and hotels.  You’ll find miles of sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing, as well as plenty of activity: live music, street performers, outdoor cafes and the boardwalk.  Facing the Atlantic Ocean, this is where you’ll find the biggest waves and the biggest action.

Chesapeake Bay Beaches:
Looking for gentler waves and quieter beaches?  Check out the Chesapeake Bay beaches just off Shore Drive.  Nestled by the bay, the Chesapeake Bay Beaches offer great places for sunbathing, building sand castles and evening strolls along the beach.  First Landing Park is located by the Chesapeake Bay Beaches.

Sandbridge Beach:
Located just south of the Resort Area beaches, Sandbridge offers five miles of sandy beaches as well as marshes.  Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park are also located in this area, which offer kayking, hiking and fishing. 

Virginia Beach attractions:

Virginia Beach Ocean Breeze Oceanfront Water Park:  Located 1.5 miles south of the Resort Area, the Ocean Breeze Water Park offers 16 waterslides, a million-gallon wave pool, children’s area and more.  849 General Booth Blvd. (757) 422-4444/(800) 678-WILD http://www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com/

Motor World Go-Carts: Go-karts, paintball, mini-golf, arcades and more.  700 Birdneck Rd. (757) 422-6419 http://www.vbmotorworld.com/

Virginia Marine Science Museum: Experience the underworld of the ocean first-hand at the Virginia Marine Science Museum with 800,000 gallons of aquariums, live animal habitats, 300 hands-on exhibits, an IMAX screen and more.  One of the top ten most visited aquariums in the country. 717 General Booth Blvd.  (757) 425-FISH
http://www.vmsm.com/

First Landing Park: Located near the Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing Park offers thick woodlands and wetlands along Broad Bay perfect for biking and hiking. This park was the site where the first English settlers touched land in 1607 before moving on to Jamestown.  First Landing Park also has a beach on Chesapeake Bay that is popular with weekend boaters. 2500 Shore Dr. (757) 412-2300.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: A four-mile refuge harboring birds, hawks, turtles and more.  You can walk, bike, fish or take the tram, but there is no swimming.  Keep your eyes out for a bald eagle sighting.  4005 Sandpiper Rd. (757) 721-2412 http://backbay.fws.gov

False Cape State Park: Located at the southern tip of Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park is a 4,300-acre area of beaches, primitive campsites, biking and hiking trails.  False Cape State Park is accessible only by boat, bike or foot through the Back Back Wildlife Refuge.  There’s also a tram service available from Little Island Park daily. 4001 Sandpiper Rd. (757) 426-7128.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fal.shtml

Mount Trashmore Park: Sounds trashy, but Mount Trashmore is a real park with a mountain created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil.  The 165-acre park also features fitness trails, two lakes stocked with fish and a new skate park.  310 Edwin Drive. (757) 473-5237.

Cape Henry Lighthouses: The oldest government-built lighthouse in America. The newer lighthouse was built in 1881 and now there are actually two lighthouses at Cape Henry.  The lighthouse is open to the public and offers a good view from its observation platform. Fort Story.  (757) 422-9421.