Golden beaches, ocean sunrises, and a lively waterfront atmosphere have made this one of the East Coast’s most popular seaside escapes. Equal parts family-friendly resort and outdoor destination, it offers far more than just a stretch of sand.
Located along the Atlantic coast of Virginia, Virginia Beach is best known for its expansive shoreline and bustling boardwalk, where restaurants, shops, live music, and attractions create a vibrant holiday atmosphere throughout the summer months.
Beyond the beachfront, Virginia Beach also has deep historical roots and easy access to nature. State parks, wildlife refuges, and waterways along the coast provide opportunities to explore the landscapes that first greeted English settlers more than four centuries ago.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Connecting several highlights on this list, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a thrilling hub of action, restaurants, and shopping. With the golden sands of Virginia Beach on one side and the boisterous array of establishments on the other, a stroll along the boardwalk is littered with opportunity.
The boardwalk has been a part of the local community since the 1880s. In the 140-odd years since, it’s grown into a veritable landmark that brings families, friends, and travelers together. At 28 feet wide, you can walk, skate, ride and run along the boardwalk, taking in all the sights and sounds at your own pace.
Highlights along the three-mile walkway include JT’s Grommet Island Park, the Surf & Rescue Museum, and some of the best dining in town.
Enjoy the Beach
Not far from Norfolk, Virginia Beach is one of the top destinations in the state. Attracting travelers from across the country and indeed, the world, Virginia Beach is a conglomerate of attractions and a vast, golden stretch of sand.
Many of the top sights we’ve discussed above, from the famous boardwalk to the aquarium. But sometimes it pays dividends to wind things down, relax and enjoy the beach. All told, there are 14 miles of beachfront to discover, combing three beaches that offer ample sand, swimming, and surfing.
Beyond diving into the Atlantic and basking in the warm Virginia sun, you can settle in for a game of beach volleyball, rent a kayak or sup and explore or cast a reel off the side of Virginia Beach Fishing Pier.
Grommet Island Park
Along the waterfront, Grommet Island Park is an ADA-accessible public space that welcomes the whole family. It’s one of the top attractions in Virginia Beach along the boardwalk featuring an array of flowing palm trees, a sandy beach, and ample room to play.
On arrival, the young ones will race to the raised sand tables where they can construct the wildest sand castles imaginable. The play area also features a number of eye-catching permanent sculptures, including dolphins and waves, a fun sway boat along with a sensory board for autistic kids and the visually impaired.
While the kids are at play, relax under the umbrellas and gaze out to the sea.
Naval Air Station Oceana
Tucked away from Virginia Beach is Naval Air Station Oceana, the headquarters for Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic and Carrier Air Wings. It’s a classified master jet base that’s home to F18 fighter jets, seven miles of runway, and thousands of military and civilian personnel. Since 1943 it has been a vital piece in US naval operations along the eastern seaboard.
Unfortunately, the public are not able to tour the Naval Air Station Oceana. However, you can pay a visit to Observation Park where you can view the aircraft as they take off and land. The base opens to the public once a year in September during the NAS Oceana Air Show.
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
In the heart of town, Virginia Beach Fishing Pier juts out into the Atlantic. In the early hours, the sun reaches the eastern horizon, first painting the pier in golden rays before lighting up the beachside town. From late May to the end of October, locals and newcomers can wander down the old pier to fish or simply admire the far-reaching views.
For anglers, there’s no better spot to fish in Virginia Beach than right here. Swimming below you are mackerel, red drum, kingfish, and even sharks. But walking to the end of the pier and back comes with an astounding vista of a bustling waterfront where hotels, shops, restaurants, and amusement parks mash together in a wide display of color and excitement.
Neptune Festival
One of the most memorable sights along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk is the King Neptune Statue. Towering over the public at 34 feet tall, Neptune grips a giant loggerhead turtle. The addition of the statue was made possible with the help of Virginia Beach’s annual Neptune Festival.
The famous local festival has drawn in crowds each year since 1973. It’s a multi-day event held in September and October featuring live music spread along 30 blocks of the boardwalk. Between the live events, several hundred local artisans peddle their wares to the adoring public. There’s craftwork to discover and almost 20 sand sculptures created by some of the best sand crafters in the world.
Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour
Virginia welcomes dolphins and whales to its beautiful coastlines in amazing numbers. With easy access to the Atlantic and the treasures it brings, embarking on a dolphin and whale-watching tour is an easy decision.
There are many ways to do so, whether that be from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center or through numerous private organizations. Many tours will come with onboard narration, allowing you to grow a better understanding of these impressive animals. This includes an exploration of their migration patterns, and how they navigate the vast oceans and interact with each other.
Dolphins are most common during the warmer months, while whale migration occurs between December and March.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
South of Virginia Beach, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge presents miles of unspoiled coastline. Hiking trails abound, snaking their way through the expansive refuge to showcase a side of Virginia few get to see.
In 1938, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established. Since then the fragile local habitat has been protected. Every year, over 10,000 migrating and wintering birds make use of this spectacular environment on their travels. But it’s not just birds that call this place home, the refuge welcomes a wide range of fish, mammals, and reptiles across upland forests, marshes, dunes, and golden sand beaches.
The diverse habitats leave much to be explored and you can do so on foot and kayak.
Cape Henry Lighthouse
In 1791, the Cape Henry Lighthouse shun across the Chesapeake Bay, opening up the harbor to safe navigation for the first time in history. The structure was built using Aquia sandstone, the same material used to build much of the original Washington, DC. The Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first of its kind to be federally funded for 100 years, welcoming an untold number of vessels into the vast bay.
In Fort Story, the lighthouse stands alongside the striking, black and white checkered New Cape Henry Lighthouse, which was built 90 years later. The newer lighthouse is closed to the public, but the OG remains open every day of the week.
From 10am to 4pm, locals and travelers can venture into the Cape Henry Lighthouse and climb 191 steps to the top.
Chesapeake Beach
A trip to Virginia Beach doesn’t mean you’ll only see one stretch of sand. Quite the opposite. There are some great beaches not far from the heart of town, one of those being Chesapeake Beach. Otherwise known as Chic’s Beach, travelers will enjoy the two miles of beautiful sand and endless views.
North of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Beach looks out across the expansive Chesapeake Bay and the incredible Bay Bridge Tunnel that connects both peninsulas. Aside from enjoying the sights and the soft sand, there is plenty of local dining to devour, with seafood being the regional specialty. You can also wander up to Lynnhaven Inlet to fish, windsurf and kayak.
Sandbridge Beach
Located on a stretch of land that becomes North Carolina’s famous Outer Banks, Sandbridge Beach is a quieter beach destination. Here, rows of expensive homes line the coastlines leading to a lack of parking and yes, a lack of crowds.
Around 30 minutes south of Virginia Beach, travelers will experience a more relaxed day on the sand. Sandbridge Beach is an unspoiled oasis, where white sand splits the vast Atlantic and rolling dunes awash with seagrass. Swim, sunbathe and read a book without worrying about tripping over hordes of beachgoers.
But there’s more to Sandbridge than just a scenic, chill afternoon. Anglers come from far and wide to partake in fishing along the Gulf Stream. Go out to sea or pop by the Little Island Fishing Pier to cast out and hope for a bite.
Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum
To discover the history of local communities and maritime endeavors along the local coastline, be sure to add the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum to your bursting itinerary.
Found on the famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk, this old-timey museum stands out among the modern marketplace. Once home to the US Coast Guard and built in 1903, the museum was saved from the scrap heap in the 1970s.
Today, the Surf and Rescue Museum takes you on a journey into the past as you learn about the founding years of the US Coast Guard, the country’s beach life-saving service, and local tales of historic ships and prominent shipwrecks. The museum helps you explore a rarely told past close to where so many important events occurred.
First Landing State Park
Just moments from Virginia Beach, First Landing State Park presents the history and natural beauty in equal measure. It was here that British colonists arrived in 1607 and appropriately it became Virginia’s first-ever state park. The history of the park doesn’t end there, with the infamous Blackbeard known to have made his presence felt.
Today, visitors arrive at First Landing State Park to seek a range of outdoor adventures that showcases the park’s resplendent beauty. There’s a mix of landscapes to discover from swamps home to lizards, fish, and turtles to dense forests where birds call throughout the day.
The park boasts 19 miles of hiking trails, spread across 9 routes. They’ll bring you through diverse topography and provide an instant escape from the modern world.
Military Aviation Museum
With aircraft well over a hundred years old, the Military Aviation Museum is not to be missed. It’s home to one of the biggest warbird collections on earth and each, remarkably, remains in flying condition. This sort of maintenance of historic aircraft ensures you’ll get plenty of value for money.
The complete collection dates between 1910 and the late 1950s. You’ll find military airplanes from both World Wars along with several foreign planes from Germany, Russia, Japan, and the UK. The impressive collection doesn’t stay stagnant, with more historic planes arriving regularly.
For aviation and military buffs, you must time your run to the Military Aviation Museum to coincide with spring and fall, when the hangar opens and these aircraft take to the skies.
Virginia Aquarium
Ready to experience the world without having to leave Virginia? Well, get along to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. The vast aquarium boasts more than 800,000 gallons of entertainment and education, being a home for over 700 species.
The family-friendly adventure will bring you up close and personal with more than 12,000 marine animals, from a diverse range of turtles to sharks, seals, and even the unforgettable Komodo Dragon. Each exhibit aims to educate and promote awareness of different ecosystems around the globe.
You won’t just be admiring these creatures from beyond the glass pane, however. Guests can embark on boat expeditions to spot whales, dolphins, and migrating birds. Once you’re ready to sit down, settle into the six-story theater for 3D nature films.