Location: Virginia Beach
Top Things to do in Virginia Beach
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10 Things to do in Virginia Beach That You Shouldn't Miss
Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort: gorgeous beaches, a lively boardwalk, plenty of restaurants and nightspots, and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids. Sports enthusiasts will find celebrated golf courses in Virginia Beach and the surrounding area, as well as sea kayaking and miles of hiking trails. Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the off-season, when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild.
Restaurants in Virginia Beach
1. Military Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,316 reviews
World War One and Two aircraft THAT STILL FLY are the heart of this unique museum. 40,000 guests each year travel from all over the world to see our aircraft, especially during our major events and airshows. Come see why the Military Aviation Museum is one of the top attractions in all of Virginia Beach! Take a flight in an open cockpit biplane for a once in a lifetime experience, and learn about the heroes of the first fifty years of military aviation.
Reviewed By PABuckeyeFans - Fort Myers, United States
Check out the Jetrtasic Park sculpture garden. Great for kids. Toured the Navy Hangar, Army Harbor, RAF Goxhill Tower, WWI Hangar, Fighter Factory and Cottbus German Hangaar. Has a great gift shop. Service volunteers do the tours with lot's of details and experience.
2. Tarnished Truth Distilling Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 525 reviews
Tarnished Truth Distilling Company is the country’s first and only craft distillery operating within a working luxury hotel. Tarnished Truth is a small craft distillery producing multiple hand crafted spirits such as bourbon, whiskey and vodka. Come visit us for a tour, tasting, craft cocktail class and gift shop.
Reviewed By Tenore90 - Portland, United States
With a small group of nine people, Anna led us on a great tour of the distillery and the tasting afterwards of their Moonshine, Tarnished Truth Rye 3 year and Old Cavalier 9 year straight Bourbon. Our group quickly bonded. While in the distillery, Andrew Yancey, the owner walked through who my son knew because my son knew his parents as neighbors on the street where he formerly lived. All in all, it was a great experience to be sought out at the newly renovated Cavalier Hotel.
3. First Landing State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,070 reviews
Nature enthusiasts will love this park with 2,700-acres of hiking trails, cypress swamps and nesting grounds for a variety of birds.
Reviewed By Davidgetsaround
Tucked away on the North side of Virginia Beach is a hidden treasure, a beach and campground, nature preserve and set of hiking trails. First Landing is popular, for those who know where to find it. I find myself going there all throughout the year as a way to enjoy a bit of nature in an otherwise urban life.
4. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
This Virginia Beach wildlife refuge offers visitors hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and nature photography in a completely natural environment. The Refuge grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily. The Visitor Center hours of operation are the following: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Tuesday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-4pm Labor Day - Memorial Day: Tuesday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 9am-4pm
Reviewed By clp_1234 - Exton, United States
Well worth the ride to south Virginia beach; walking trails, so much 'nature' it was humbling. Bay side, ocean side, on the water, in the sand dunes, land (and wildlife) in between too. Also had a heated bathroom!
5. Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,828 reviews
This three-mile concrete promenade is always busy with bicyclists, strollers, diners and people-watchers. During the summer, three oceanfront stages offer nightly entertainment.
Reviewed By carolannsworld - Virginia Beach, United States
Virginia Beach Boardwalk (ironically it's a cement walk unlike the boardwalks in New Jersey) goes along 3 miles of beach, has a bike path or you can just stroll along, watch the surfers, and people watch. there are several outdoor restaurants, nautical sculptures, including King Neptune--great for a photo op or use him as a meeting place when you have a large group. As you meander down the boardwalk, check out the souvenir shops, and there are plenty of places to shop on Atlantic Avenue which is the first street as you leave the boardwalk--all very convenient. At Christmas time, you can drive on the boardwalk and see all the decorations and lights.
6. Sandbridge Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,434 reviews
Reviewed By BiscottiLady - Herndon, United States
We loved our one week beach rental at BEAUTY AND THE BEACH, 3241 Sandpiper Road, Sandbridge Beach, VA. This was literally a last minute rental with Siebert Realty b/c our original rental with Sandbridge Realty was full of mold and we REFUSED to stay there. Beauty and the Beach was lovely, apparently recently been renovated. The house has 3 levels, 5 bedrooms and 4 baths - lots of room for our family of 6, plus a very tame dog, to spread out (our adult children accompanied us). The house backs to the canal, so it's a couple of blocks from the beach, but that was ok for us. Plenty of driveway space for several cars, a deck on the front and back of the house, a well maintained backyard swimming pool, a small dock to the canal with an available kayak, and a firepit on the side of the house (we made s'mores one night which was fun). This was our first family vacation to Sandbridge and it was great - very quiet and not many people on the beach (we were there Aug 29-Sept 5, 2020). We've had family beach vacations for 30+ years with our kids, who all said this was their favorite beach rental yet. We would rent here again. And many thanks to Siebert Realty for helping us rent at the last minute :)
7. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,502 reviews
A 300,000-gallon tank with sharks, rays, and other aquatic species, is the main attraction at this popular aquarium, along with a walk through tunnel featuring sharks, rays, and more. Featuring thousands of animals representing hundreds of species.
Reviewed By ertofu - Alexandria, United States
We took our young kids here with another family with young kids, and we all had a great time. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The aquarium has a variety of exhibits and creatures: sea turtles, ducks, sharks, Komodo dragons, etc. It’s also got a cool boardwalk area outside along the water where you can spot a variety of critters in the wild. It’s a great place to take the family for a few hours.
8. Cape Henry Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,266 reviews
Dune Restoration Project in Progress The dune at Cape Henry Lighthouse is currently undergoing restoration and the lighthouse tower is temporarily inaccessible for climbing. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2019. During construction, we will remain open with walking tours every hour from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government. It was authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. The Lighthouse is situated near the “First Landing” site where English settlers first set foot on their way to settle in Jamestown. Built with the same Aquia sandstone as much of Washington, D.C, the lighthouse guided sea travelers to safety for almost 100 years. The distinctive black and white striped “New” Cape Henry Lighthouse was built in 1881 but remains closed to the public.
Reviewed By _MandyMichele_ - Fredericksburg, United States
First of all, this is on an active military base, so don't be surprised or upset when they ask for photo IDs, proof of insurance, registration, and inspect your car, this is for everyone's safety! Once you get through the security checkpoint and on base, it is just a short drive to see the lighthouses. The stair climb is definitely worth it, the view was incredible. I will say that the top of the lighthouse can get a little warm on a hot day, depending on the number of people, but it's manageable. As others have said, there are 2 lighthouses that you can see. Once you are done viewing the lighthouses, continue driving just a short distance up the road to Fort Story/Cape Henry Memorial, a unique and interesting piece of history, and unobstructed views of the ocean, and a chance to capture both lighthouses. I love my flip flops, but I highly recommend tennis shoes for the stair climb up the lighthouse.
9. Virginia Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,036 reviews
Reviewed By kmyelde - Plantagenet, Canada
We have been here before and always have a good time. The beach itself is very clean and well maintained. There are life guards on duty as well as security patrols so it feels very safe and comfortable. The beach is wide and even though there are a lot of people it does not feel crowded. The sand is fine and the grandkids love digging and building sand castles. The surf is usually a good size for boogey boarding or you can fish from the pier for $10 all day. Great place for the family.
10. Neptune's Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Home of the FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES. Neptune's Park adjacent to the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, sports 72,000 square feet of space overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This park is not only home to the Free Summer Concert Series but also lots of special events all year long. Neptune's Park is truly one of a kind and we invite you to see for yourself.
Reviewed By 645marciaa
While shopping first day there for umbrella and sand shoes, we saw the Neptune Park statue - a wonderful hello and impressive welcome to the beach.
