VIRGINIA BEACH BOARDWALK
Stroll, bike, or rollerblade along three miles of boardwalk right at the oceanfront. Restaurants, vendors, and entertainment (especially in the summer months) can be found up and down the boardwalk. Make sure you stop to see the 26-ft tall, 12-ton, bronze statue of King Neptune that overlooks Neptune Park.
VIRGINIA AQUARIUM
Learn about and make friends with otters, seals, turtles, and more! It’s a perfect outing for kids and adults alike. If you’re feeling brave, also be sure to check out the aerial ropes course and ziplining at The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium.
FIRST LANDING STATE PARK
It is Virginia’s most visited park and where the first English colonists landed in 1607. It contains over 20 miles of hiking trails and 1.5 miles of Chesapeake Bay beach shoreline. Be sure to explore some of the park’s unusual habitats, which include bald cypress swamps, lagoons, and maritime forests.
VISIT A MUSEUM
There’s a museum in the area to satisfy most interests! Spend time at the Military Aviation Museum, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum.
CAPE HENRY LIGHTHOUSE
There are actually two Cape Henry lighthouses – the new and the old. Both are located on an operating military base, Fort Story. The Old Cape Henry lighthouse is the 4th oldest lighthouse in the US and was the first federally funded lighthouse, courtesy of George Washington and the US federal government. It’s open to the public too!
SANDBRIDGE BEACH
Enjoy five miles of scenic shoreline away from the more crowded beaches in Virginia Beach.
CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE-TUNNEL
You’ll need a car for this one! The Chesapeake Bay bridge-tunnel, which was considered one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world when it was built in 1965, spans approximately 20 miles, and connects Virginia Beach to the Eastern shore.
WHALE WATCHING AND DOLPHIN TOURS
Get out on the water for an up-close view of marine life thriving in their natural habitats. Book a boat or kayak tour with one of several companies in the area.
HARRISON OPERA HOUSE
Located in Norfolk (about a 25-minute drive away), the opera house was originally a United Service Organization theater during World War II but is now the home of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Virginia Opera. Go ahead and spend an evening experiencing a bit of culture and fun!
RELAX AND UNWIND
Soak in nature, BBQ with friends… anything to enjoy salty sea air and unwind.
