Location: Virginia Beach
Top Things to do in Virginia Beach
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What to do and see in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
Coastal history is alive and thriving at the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum. Standing proudly at 24th Street on the Boardwalk, the museum building itself is a Virginia Beach icon on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore lots of fun exhibits and a great gift shop right on the boardwalk!
Reviewed By tesstesta - Portsmouth, United States
Wandered into the museum before a day on the beach and it did not disappoint. The exhibits were easy to understand yet very informative. Highly recommend if you’re interested in shipwrecks, rescue efforts, or even the evolving culture of Virginia Beach. Admission was donation based and the museum allowed our leashed dog in. Definitely check it out!
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. Association for Research and Enlightenment
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Explore the fascinating work of Edgar Cayce, documented psychic and the "father of holistic medicine." Founded in 1931 to research and explore transpersonal subjects such as holistic health, ancient mysteries, personal spirituality, dreams, philosophy, reincarnation, and intuition. Join us daily for free lecture, film and tour. Visit our library, bookstore and gift shop, relaxing meditation garden, or stone labyrinth. Enjoy a healthy meal at the Leaping Lizard Café or relax in our holistic spa. Visit our Web site for a full schedule of events for our non-profit organization.
Reviewed By msdee123 - Virginia Beach, United States
I was a regular here for so long that I'd get hugs when I walk in. I enjoyed the student massages most of all but they're not in full service during the pandemic. They reopened July 9th but not quite everything is open or offered. They offer a full range of massage therapy and reflexology as well as things like cranial sacral or colonics. I always wanted to try the more. I also saw a chiropractor there once. They offer body work, holistic clinical works, hydrotherapies, spa packages and hypnotherapy screenings. They use to offer free classes at 3:30 daily but no longer. Peter would lead the meditation for the staff. They have a library and book store as well. They had weekend events that were a bit pricey however, I'm not certain when they'll be offered with the pandemic limitations. I'd recommend this place highly. It's bought me peaceful times over the years and taught me a thing or two as well. I know quite a few massage therapy students who have gradated from their massage school and went on to be the best ones in the area! Can hardly wait to return for reflexology. This place is where I began receiving it decades ago. I learned a lot over the years. Edgar Cayce was considered way ahead of his time. I watched videos of his life and was shocked the and pleasantly surprised that the center still stands even tho he's deceased. Smart man with gifts beyond belief.
7. 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.
8. False Cape State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Limited to hiking, biking and boating, this state park is formed by a mile-wide barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Reviewed By VirginiaKayak - Norfolk, United States
I’ve been here many previous visits but on this chilly day it was excellent. We saw tracks for deer, coyote, feral hog and raccoon. The air was crisp and the sky clear. The trails crossed dunes, beaches, historic trails, wetlands and amazing trees. We saw no other visitors either on the beach or interior of the Park. It was 37 degrees and sunny.
9. 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 :)
10. Thoroughgood House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Visit the Thoroughgood House to hear the great success story of Adam Thorowgood, one of Virginia's first colonists. Learn about the house Argall and Susannah Thorowgood built and what makes it so extraordinary. See the special touches added by John Thorowgood and tour the passage and parlor, furnished as they might have been when John lived there. Finally, follow the house in pictures up to the present and find out what-and how-we are continuing to learn about this historic treasure.
