There are plenty of things to do in Virginia Beach, but I’ll mention only 19 of them in this blog post. I lived in Norfolk, a neighboring city of Virginia Beach, for ten months, so visiting this beautiful city was quite frequent.

 

 I was going at least once every two weeks to Virginia Beach. 

 

The main reasons for that were the vibe of the city, the variety of fun activities, and the feeling of freedom. 

 

You can imagine the great advantage that I had, living so close to an oceanfront city and having the opportunity to explore it like a local.

 

   Virginia Beach is located on the East Coast of the United States, specifically in the state with the same name, Virginia, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. 

 

It’s the largest city in the state by population. Therefore, there are plenty of things to do in Virginia Beach.

 

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Where to stay in Virginia Beach:

 

I recommend you choose a hotel located on the beach with a direct view of the ocean. There are a lot of cool places to stay in Virginia Beach, but my favorites are these:

 

 

What I use every time I travel:

 

 

Bella in Virginia Beach pier

 

 

 

Best things to do in Virginia Beach

   1. Go to the beach

 

  It is one of the most family-friendly beaches in the US and holds the Guinness Book title for being the longest pleasure beach globally. 

 

The most famous three beaches in Virginia Beach are Chesapeake Bay BeachOceanfront, and Sandbridge Beach.

 

  Oceanfront is the most touristy, so if you want an area a little wilder and secluded, you can opt for Sandbridge Beach, located about 30 minutes drive away to the South. 

 

You can find Sandbridge Beach near the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

things to do in Virginia Beach

things to do in virginia beach usa

 

   2. Walk along the boardwalk

 With a length of 3 miles and located right next to the beach, the boardwalk is perfect for a relaxing walk or jogging early in the morning or evening. 

 

It is a beautiful area, and I like that they have separate routes for bicycles and pedestrians. 

 

   There are many flowers, palm trees, and restaurant terraces in the area.

 

All kinds of festivals are also frequently organized during the summer, and they come together with ice cream, cotton candy, and other delights.

 

 

⇒ Find the best hotels here.

things to do in Virginia Beach

   

3. Admire the sunset or the sunrise

  Indeed, you won’t be able to see the sunset if you sit on the beach in Virginia Beach, but you get to see the sunrise every morning. 

 

However, even if you can’t see precisely the sun disappearing, you can still watch the beautiful colors of the sky in the evening. It’s one of the most chilling things to do in Virginia Beach

things to do in Virginia Beach

things to do in Virginia Beach

 

 4. Walk along the fishing pier

  You have two options: either you walk around, and for that, you have to pay a $2 entry, or you can go fishing and have to fork out $10.

 

If you don’t want to do either one, you can go to the souvenir shop or dine at the restaurant on the pier.

things to do in Virginia Beach

things to do in Virginia Beach

   5. Have fun in a nightclub

  The city has no shortage of nightlife, with so many pubs and clubs in the area.

 

I went once or twice at Peabody’s, and I must say that I wasn’t that much impressed by it, but I wouldn’t know that there was no fun at all.

 

   I don’t like in the USA regarding nightclubs because they usually close at 2 a.m., which seems way too early in my opinion.

   6. Practice water sports

 This category includes countless opportunities. Blessed are those who know how to swim, and I hope to learn at a time.

 

So, in Virginia Beach, you can swim, ride a boat, do parasailing, surf, do snorkeling, aerial twist, or, why not, all of them.

things to do in Virginia Beach

   7. Watch the dolphins

  That is one of my favorite things to do in Virginia Beach. Dolphins are crossing this area every morning, and you can see them if you look closely into the distance. 

 

If you forgot your binoculars bearer home, it would be harder to spot them, but the feeling remains very pleasant. I adore these beings, and I’m sure that I’m not the only one.

   8. Take a picture next to the statue of King Neptune

  It’s the city’s symbol. You’ll find it in Neptune Park, right on the oceanfront, surrounded by many tourists.

 

 The statue is a significant tourist attraction, and it’s pretty impressive at first glance, being 34 feet tall and weighing 12 tons.

things to do in Virginia Beach

   9. Take part in one of the festivals or summers events

  2016 is the 43rd edition of the Neptune Festival, and it lasts for three days starting on September 30.

 

You can attend many live concerts along the waterfront, and there are also many places for shopping and dining on the street, so it seems to be a lot of fun.

⇒ Find the best hotels here.

   10. Visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

  Visiting the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a must if you are a marine life lover.

 

It’s the largest in the state, and you get to see over 300 species of sharks and giant sea turtles. You can find the aquarium on General Booth Boulevard.

   11. Have an ice cream with candies

  There are several places of this kind in Virginia Beach, so everyone should be satisfied, no matter what his/her favorite flavor is. 

 

 You can try Ben & Jerry’sCold Stone CreameryRita’s, or Kohr Bros. I wish to tell you where I got the one in the picture, but I swear I can’t remember. 

 

   However, in all the locations listed, you’ll find something to your liking, whether you’re a fan of vanilla, chocolate, melon, pistachio, or any other delicious flavor.

things to do in Virginia Beach

   12. Admire the sport cars

   Not exactly Miami Beach, but still you’ll have what to stare at in the middle of summer. I laid my eyes on the twin of Bumble Bee from the movie Transformers.

things to do in Virginia Beach

things to do in Virginia Beach

 

 13. Visit a museum

  • Military Aviation Museum – if you want to see one of the largest collections of planes participating in the first and the second world war. Many of them are still functional

          Opened every day from 9- 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas

   14. Rent a surrey

   You will see them everywhere on Atlantic Avenue. They are fun, comfortable and a great activity to share with your friends.

things to do in Virginia Beach

things to do in Virginia Beach

 

 15. Spend a day in a theme park

   16. Visit Cape Henry Lighthouse

   Why is it so special? Because it’s the oldest government lighthouse, built in America in 1791.

   17. Eat or go shopping in the Town Center

  They also have a sparkling fountain. Now, leaving the joke aside, there are dozens of restaurants from where to choose. My favorites are Cheesecake FactorySaffron Indian Bistro, and Royal Chocolate.

 

  If you want to do some shopping or see a movie, you can choose Lynnhaven Mall, about 15 minutes drive away from the Town Center.

 

For some extra fun, go to Dave & Busters, located inside the mall.

 

Here you can play all kinds of video games, basketball, roulette, watch 4D movies and simultaneously earn tickets that they convert into awards at the end.

 

There is a store inside where you go and choose products based on the number of tokens collected.

things to do in Virginia Beach

   18. Visit First Landing State Park

   There are over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. It is also an important historic site.

 

 First English-speaking settlers stopped right here for a short time on their way to Jamestown 1607.

   19. Drive on the famous Chesapeake Bridge-Tunnel

 This tunnel passes beneath the Atlantic Ocean, and it has a length of 20 miles.

 

There are two tunnels and bridges, and at the ends of each tunnel are placed some human-made islands. 

 

It is an engineering miracle that left me gasping the first time when I saw it. It’s the largest complex of tunnels and bridges in the world.

 


How to get to Virginia Beach:

 

  • By plane: The nearest airport is Norfolk International Airport, about 25 minutes drive away from the city center. You must know that usually, the flights are more expensive than if you would fly to/from Washington, for example.
  • By bus: If you opt for the bus, you should know that you can get here with Greyhound. I used Greyhound when I traveled from Washington, D.C. to Norfolk, and I will soon write a review to help you know more about the quality of this company.
  • By train: Amtrak service is available in Virginia Beach.
  • By car: There are plenty of routes that lead to VB, regardless of what part of the country you are coming from. If traveling from N-W, it is likely to have to cross the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel, for which you will have to pay a fee. 
  • Most roads intersect with Interstate 64, which leads directly to the Virginia Beach oceanfront. There are a lot of parking lots, but you have to pay. Try to find hotel parking a little farther from the beach. We saw many times with only $5/day, which is quite a reasonable price.
  • By boat: Approximately half of the city is occupied by water, which makes transport indispensable.

 

According to crime statistics, Virginia Beach is not one of the safest cities in America. Virginia Beach is, without a doubt, the most well-known and popular beach in the state of Virginia.

With its dazzling waves, stunning golden beaches, and entertaining amenities, the beach provides a multitude of activities for the entire family. It’s also the safest beach in Virginia, thanks to the presence of numerous lifeguards.

 

Is Virginia Beach worth visiting?

 

Virginia Beach, known for its gorgeous beaches, is a perfect place to spend your summers. Therefore, the answer is yes, Virginia Beach is a fantastic holiday location and worth visiting.

 

How expensive is Virginia Beach?

 

Virginia Beach is an average destination in terms of costs compared to other places in the US. You can visit Virginia Beach on a lower budget, but you can also have a luxury vacation there. Of course, expect to pay more for a hotel room with a direct view of the sea, but the food is not very expensive, and you have many options.

 

What is the best time to visit Virginia Beach?

 

The best time to visit Virginia Beach is from May through September when the weather is just perfect. However, if you want to escape tourist crowds, you should also consider the months of March and April.

19 things to do in Virginia Beach

 

 

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