The Top Things to Do in Virginia Beach: A Virginia Beach Itinerary That Covers It All
Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia, and along with Richmond and Williamsburg, one of the most commonly known tourist oriented cities in the state. It’s a place to get a tan, sure, but it’s also a place to get your American history fix, a spot for lovers of military, naval, and aviation , and a city where you can find so many places to catch your breath and reflect, especially if you’ve got a rented car and ample excitement and curiosity.
I often like to think of cities in terms of their “tourism arch.” In short, the idea that what a city may be known for isn’t the only thing that it should be known for - cities change and evolve.
Virginia Beach first made its name from a tourism sense because of its main beach, and the beaches nearby. It was a classic beach resort city, but of course to think of it so narrowly would be to ignore the city (and state’s) unique story and history, and also what it’s becoming.
Yes, you’ll find the t-shirt shops on the main street with the lewdest of sayings, and yes, you might see a few overindulgent tourists with sun burns as red as freshly picked apples, but you’ll also find neighbourhoods like the ViBe Creative District, teeming with promise, culture, and potential.
It’s an amalgamation of many different things, and so I feel the first mistake would be to think of Virginia Beach as just surface level place to drink light beer in the sun. It’s not that, if you arrive here ready to explore what the city actually has to offer - and that, in sum, is my goal with this article.
A Brief Intro to Virginia Beach
You’ll find Virginia Beach on the southeastern coast of Virginia. With a population of half a million, its the most populous city in the state. Its impressive beaches, accessible oceanfront, and volume of accommodation make it one of the premiere “resort cities,” in the USA.
That being said, (and as I alluded to up above) the rise of exciting neighbourhoods, its connection to outdoor adventure, and opportunities to dive into regional culture and history, make it more than just your prototypical “resort city.” It may not appear that way if you just stick around the main strip, but that’s why I’m advising you do much more than that.
A Lengthy History
Firstly, let’s acknowledge that the area of present-day Virginia Beach has a long history of Native American settlement. The Chesapeake and Algonquin tribes were the predominant tribes in the region, relying on the abundant natural resources for sustenance.
The first European contact in the area occurred in 1607 when Captain Christopher Newport and the Jamestown colonists explored the Chesapeake Bay. Captain John Smith, a prominent figure in early colonial Virginia, also explored and mapped the region.
It was in the 19th century that Virginia Beach became something of a travel destination. A large part of that growth can be attributed to the completion of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Railroad in 1883. As more people started coming, the hotels and amusement parks began to appear. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk, built in the 1920s, sealed the deal as far as Virginia Beach becoming an iconic destination in US travel.
During World War II, Virginia Beach played a crucial role in supporting the war effort. Naval Air Station Oceana, one of the largest military aviation complexes in the world, was established in Virginia Beach to train pilots.
As the city moves into the future, its clear aim, at least in my humble opinion, is to increase the list of reasons for visitors to continue to come. Festivals have popped up left, right, and centre, as has their list of quality museums and attractions.
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What to Do in Virginia Beach During Your Visit
Explore the Boardwalk
To come all the way to Virginia Beach and not explore the boardwalk would be a flat out mistake. It extends for three miles along right along the oceanfront, and you’re simply not going to find better people watching in the city. There’s folks out surfing, swimmers, builders of sand castles, and all this with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop.
You’ll find bike paths (and rentals), parks and stages (and perhaps a festival if you’re in town at the right time), public art galore (most prominently the King Neptune statue which is the go-to spot for a photo), dining, shopping, and more.
Make Ample Time For the ViBe Creative District
My personal favourite aspect of Virginia Beach was the up-and-coming, ever interesting ViBe Creative District. The ViBe District is situated just a few blocks from the oceanfront, spanning the area between 16th and 22nd Streets, and bordered by Parks Avenue and Cypress Avenue.
It’s the hub for creativity, arts, community and innovation in the city. It was originally established in 2015 to be precisely what it’s become, and to demonstrate the city’s commitment to its artists and entrepreneurs.
Think art galleries, cafes, restaurants and more. Personally, I’d recommend Esoteric, a craft beer bar and gastropub for dinner, The Stockpot to get your hands on a memorable lunch, and to grab a coffee and snack at Three Ships Coffee.
The neighbourhood is coloured (quite literally) by its mural program. Local and national artists have created large scale murals everywhere, and it makes it a photographer’s paradise.
I’d recommend putting aside the time to walk this neighbourhood up and down. I came back a few times, and the mural program meant that I was always spotting something new, sometimes in the most surprising places.
Embrace History (and Scenery) At the Cape Henry Lighthouse
Welcome to the 4th oldest lighthouse in the United States, the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S Government (all the way back in 1792), and the first federal construction project that President George Washington put forth after the Revolutionary War.
The lighthouse stands on the grounds of Fort Story military base at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay, and marks the point where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Fun fact - Cape Henry Lighthouse is known for having two lighthouses on its site. The original lighthouse was eventually replaced by a newer cast iron lighthouse in 1881 due to erosion concerns (but was kept because of its historical significance, of course).
You can take a tour if you’re interested and get some pretty unstoppable panoramic views of the area.
Take a Short Drive on Over to the Military Aviation Museum
As I’m currently working on a project around my grandfather’s WWII letters, and he was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, visiting the home of one of the largest collections of operational vintage military aircraft was an incredible honour.
I took a tour with a vet that volunteered here, and he was a treasure trove of knowledge. The museum features over 70 planes, including iconic fighters, bombers, trainers, and observation aircraft from both WWI and WWII. If you’re into aviation, you’ll be happy to note they’ve got some of the famous aircraft in history - the P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, B-25 Mitchell, and F4U Corsair, among many others.
They focus on aircraft restoration, have interactive exhibits, feature air shows and host events, and do plenty of work around education. I’m a particularly big fan of The Goxhill Watch Office, essentially the main building attached to an airfield to house the pilots, staff, as well as do the appropriate planning for flights, and be a communication hub.
Make Time for MOunt Trashmore
Mount Trashmore Park has made quite a name for itself since its inception.
It’s now a world-renowned destination spanning 165 acres and featuring two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skate park, and multi-use paths.
The main mountain, Mount Trashmore, was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil, reaching a height of 60 feet and a length of 800 feet. The park is recognized for its environmental achievement and showcases “a water-wise garden.” The park's lakes include Lake Windsor, fed by Thalia Creek and featuring brackish water, and Lake Trashmore, a freshwater lake hosting various fish species.
There are playgrounds, a skate park, outdoor fitness stations, volleyball courts and other amenities to make it a hot-spot for both visitors and the local public.
Visit First Landing State Park
Hiking around First Landing State Park was one of the highlights of my visit to Virginia Beach, without a doubt. The name, as you might imagine, is a reference to the park’s historical significance as the site where English colonists, led by Captain Christopher Newport, first landed in Virginia in 1607.
Today, it’s a place to come and get a breath of fresh air, and to embrace a different pace from the heart of the city. The park spans over 2,800 acres and features a diverse range of ecosystems, including beaches, dunes, maritime forests, salt marshes, and freshwater ponds.
There are swimming and fishing opportunities, picnic areas, boat launches, an interpretive centre and spots for overnight stays, but it’s the hiking trails that I particularly adored. There are 9 trails of varying length and in all they cover more than 19 miles (30+ kilometres).
The Cape Henry Trail (6 miles) is the longest and most popular.
The Bald Cypress Trail is a 1.5 mile loop in and around cypress swamps.
The Fox Run Trail, High Dune Trail, and Kingfisher Trail are more connecting trails, with the Kingfisher being the longest at .6 miles.
The Long Creek Trail follows the edge of the bay and salt mash lands for more than half of its 5 miles. It’s especially well known for its bird watching potential.
The Osmanthus Trail is a pleasant 3 mile loop through “low elevation bottom lands.”
Finally, the Osprey Trail is 1.2 miles in length, and is more of a side route off the southern portion of the Long Creek Trail.
Kayak With The Dolphins!
I include this right after mentioning the hiking opportunities in First Landing State Park because if you drive right across the street, then you’ll have the chance to do a little kayaking with the dolphins. The number one kayak tour is run by Matt Redford, who has been running Chesapean Outdoors since 1996.
The whole idea if giving visitors the chance to experience the thrill of kayaking with Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins off the North End Shoreline of Virginia Beach.
They typically run small group, guided kayak tours for visitors of all kayaking experience, and they help you get up close and personal with the dolphins. The scenery, I might add, is also just lovely.
Treat Yourself to A Nice Hotel
I was coming down to Virginia Beach, and I wanted to be in the heart of the action, but also wanted to be steps away from having my toes in the sand, and I found that place with the Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
I had a spacious, modern room with unbeatable views, and in a perfect location. I literally turned off the AC, and just opened my private balcony’s window up nice and wide, and fell asleep (and woke up to) the sound of waves crashing. I’m not sure it gets much better than that.
I appreciated the separate little living area with the couch, as well as the desk so I could work when I had a moment to spare. The staff was also very welcoming, I found.
Bring Your Appetite to Virginia Beach
I had the pleasure to tasting a wide variety of restaurants in Virginia Beach, and here are few more, beyond the several that I mentioned when you’re in the ViBe Creative District, that you might want to have on your radar.
Pelon’s Baja Grill Oceanfront: I went here largely out of convenience (I’d just landed and it was close to my hotel), but I loved the atmosphere, local beer selection, and portion size! They do Californian and Mexican dishes in a variety of ways - all off which tasted delicious to yours truly.
Repeal Bourbon & Burgers: Repeal does two things that I love, the right way - bourbon and burgers. For bourbon lovers, their list is diverse and extensive, and they match that with a handful of burger offerings that were the best I came across in Virginia Beach.
Dockside: This isn’t in the heart of Virginia Beach, but it’s worth the drive. Their seafood specials (think steam crabs, spiced shrimp, and fresh catches), are fantastic, the view of Lynnhaven Inlet is awfully sweet on the eyes, the servers were as nice as can be, and they even won the Spectator Award for their wine list, so what’s not to love?
Catch 31 Fish House and Bar: Located at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Catch 31 Fish House and Bar offers a stunning oceanfront setting and, as you might imagine, a menu focused on fresh seafood. Come here for coastal favourites done well.
Tautog's Restaurant: When asking locals, they all said I had to go to Tautog's Restaurant - and that makes sense considering it’s a beloved seafood spot that has been serving Virginia Beach for over 30 years. They offer a cozy and casual atmosphere, and a wide variety of seafood but locals rave about their crab cakes and shrimp and grits in particular.
Blue Pete's Restaurant: Well, this was the only option I found that was nestled in a historic farmhouse! Blue Pete's does all the seafood classics as well as you could hope, but they also make a mean steak, and some people drive a heck of a long way to taste their prime rib.
Commune: Commune is a farm-to-table restaurant that emphasizes sustainability and local sourcing. The menu features dishes made with organic, seasonal ingredients. If you’re looking for a salad done perfectly (and that’ll fill you), the Commune is a good spot, but it’s diverse, so you can also find hearty mains and delectable desserts.
One last tip before we move on - if you’ve got a big day of driving ahead of you, and breakfast isn’t included in your accommodation, consider going to Tulu’s at the Marriott Oceanfront. I had piping hot quality coffee, and a very varied buffet that kept me satiated well into the afternoon.
Head On Over to the Virginia Aquarium And Marine Science Center
If you’re looking to fill a morning or afternoon, especially if you’re travelling with kids or as a family, you’ll want to have the Virginia Aquarium on your radar. It’s located just south of Rudee Inlet, and the exhibits at the museum contain a whopping 3 million plus litres of fresh and saltwater displays.
They do a nice job of showcasing what’s local with their Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk Canyon, and Chesapeake Light Tower Aquariums, but also have a whole “Restless Planet” section which covers everything from coastal dessert creatures to what you’ll find in a Mediterranean Sea.
There are up close and personal experiences aplenty, divers waving to kids from the larger aquariums, virtual pods, and even some outdoor exhibits an experiences such as the “Discovery Garden.”
If you want to do something different (and I’ve certainly never seen this at any other aquarium), check out their boat tours on offer!
Take A Short Drive Over to Sandbridge Beach, Little Island Park, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Sandbridge Beach is a nice place to visit if you want to get a sense of what a coastal community outside of the big city is like. The beach wasn’t crowded at all, so there was plenty of room to make a place for myself, enjoy the rays, and relax. The backdrop of the beach is rolling dunes, and that makes it nice for any photographer’s reading!
Adjacent to Sandbridge Beach is Little Island Park, a popular recreational area. There’s a park, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a fishing pier for anyone who wants to try their luck with a rod.
Just inland from Sandbridge Beach and Little Island Park is the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This expansive refuge spans over 9,000 acres and is a haven for nature enthusiasts and especially for birdwatchers.
The refuge consists of diverse habitats, including marshes, woodlands, and freshwater areas. Not tomention, it provides a critical stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway (hence the fascination of the place with birdwatchers). I personally chose to explore by utilizing the hiking trails and wildlife observation points (all of which are marked and very easy to utilize and navigate).
I mention these three together because they’re easy to combine, and when experienced in unison, really offer a full picture of the “Virginia Beach Coastal Experience.”
What Other Things Might You Want to Do in Virginia Beach?
Here are a few other places or activities that come to mind:
If you’re into summer fun and adventure, consider Ocean Breeze Waterpark, which has the obligatory water slides, tubing river, and plethora of rides. If you want to take it easier, you can also rent a cabana and just chill out. It’s very much a “choose your own approach” sort of place. Kids love it, as you might imagine.
Something small, but I feel worthy - keep your eye out for statues and stop to real the placards. Everywhere you look, very much including the boardwalk, there are statues commemorating Virginia Beach’s history. I particularly appreciate the military statues, which honoured those who were a part of the region’s naval and aviation history.
If you’re feeling thirsty, don’t hesitate to form a bit of a coastal brewery tour (while ensuring you’ve got a designated driver, or have a ride organized). You could start at Bold Mariner Brewing Company, the head to COVA Brewing Company, and round that out with Pleasure House Brewing and Commonwealth Brewing Co. If you’re keen for more, you can head back towards Virginia Beach and to go to Wasserhund Brewing Company and Back Bay’s Beach House. I’d also stop in for a cocktail at Waterman’s Spirits! Their “Orange Crush” was truly a delight.
I didn’t have time on this trip, but many people do use Virginia Beach as a base for fishing trips. I talked to some locals about this, and they said AquaMan Sport Fishing Charters, and AfishinadoVB Fishing Charters are solid choices. You can take a look on Fishing Booker if this is up your alley.
If museums are your thing, and that’s what you love when you’re on the road, then you might want to consider adding the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) or/and the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum to your itinerary.
I’d also check if there are any festivals on while you’re planning on being here. There seems to always be something going on in Virginia Beach. There’s a multitude of music festivals, craft beer festivals, art shows, and everything in between. Locals love the annual Neptune Festival, where you’ll find sand sculpting competitions, parades, regattas and fireworks galore.
That’s a Wrap on Virginia Beach
If you’re on a bit of Virginia road trip, by the way, I’d love to share that I’ve written a bit about Richmond’s Virginia Capital Trail, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, as well as the wondrous Quirk Hotel.
If you’re only focused on Virginia Beach this time around, I can only hope I’ve provided you what you need to get as much out of the trip as I did. In the end, what we put into a trip is what we get out of it, and it’s hard to think of where that’s more true than Virginia Beach.