Virginia Beach is a popular tourist destination for a reason—it has something to offer everyone! From its beautiful beaches and boardwalks to its world-class amusement parks, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained during your stay.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 things that you can do in Virginia Beach with your family. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an action-packed day at one of the amusement parks, Virginia Beach has something for you.
1. Virginia Beach Boardwalk
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is the heart and spirit of the city, offering visitors and locals alike a variety of entertaining entertainment and activities. The boardwalk, which stretches for three miles along the coastline, is a lively mix of restaurants, shops, entertainment, and a laid-back beach atmosphere.
The boardwalk has its own bike lane with vendors renting out bikes and surreys, making it excellent for strolling, rollerblading, and bicycling. It also serves as a venue for live music, summer concerts, and a variety of nautical sculptures, including the famed bronze statue of King Neptune.
During the day, the boardwalk is the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy some ice cream, or people watch. As the sun sets, the boardwalk comes alive with a festive atmosphere, complete with live music and street performers.
2. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, VA
First Landing State Park is a picturesque oasis in the middle of Virginia Beach, and it is the region’s most-visited state park, named after the arrival of the first English colonists in 1607. The park, which was built in the early 1930s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a National Natural Landmark.
It features approximately 20 miles of hiking and biking paths as well as unobstructed views of the Chesapeake Bay. A variety of ecosystems, ranging from coastal forests and lush lagoons to swampy cypress swamps, are home to a broad range of species and vegetation.
The Chesapeake Bay Center welcomes visitors with historical and educational displays, as well as a pavilion and amphitheater for special events. The Visitors Center also offers an excellent view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is the world’s largest bridge-tunnel complex.
3. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, VA
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, located just south of Rudee Inlet, is home to nearly 12,000 creatures representing over 700 species.
All the animals are cared for in a range of habitats, including the Bay & Ocean Pavilion, which houses animals from oceanic marine regions, and the Marsh Pavilion, which houses animals from rivers and marshes. A nice outdoor hiking/walking track that winds alongside Owls Creek Salt Marsh connects the two pavilions.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center also provides a variety of educational programs and seminars aimed at encouraging and inspiring marine environmental preservation via research and sustainable practices.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Virginia Beach with kids, this is a great place to visit.
4. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, VA
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, located in the heart of Virginia Beach’s Arts District and is just a short walk from the beach, is committed to supporting and fostering contemporary and modern art discovery and comprehension. The museum does so by organizing exhibitions, generating publications, and hosting educational programs.
The museum has a range of artwork on display from both local and international artists. In addition, they also host a number of rotating exhibitions that include a wide range of art forms and genres, including painting, drawing, and sculpture, as well as photography, video, and glass. It also houses a permanent collection that is free to view.
For art lovers, it’s good to know that they also conduct educational outreach programs, studio art courses, and outdoor art displays highlighting local and emerging artists in order to promote their work and inspire community participation in the arts.
5. Grommet Island Park
Grommet Island Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was created with everyone in mind. This remarkable playground and park is a 100% accessible seaside park, making it the first of its type in the United States.
The playground at Grommet Island Park is around 15,000 square feet and includes equipment specifically designed to be accessible for all, especially visually impaired and autistic children. It has features such as transfer stations, ramps, and Braille.
A number of sculptural elements may also be seen on the playground. There are also wheelchair-accessible entrances and seating places throughout the park.
6. Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, VA
The Atlantic Military Aviation Museum is located at the Virginia Beach Airport and houses one of the world’s greatest collections of military aircraft from World War I and World War II.
This intriguing living history museum arose out of a fascination for World War II-era aircraft and spans a massive complex of four hangars and an unique exhibition area for the collection’s non-flying items. It has a large collection of expertly preserved aircraft artifacts.
A Bleriot XI and an Albatross DVA are examples of World War I bi- and triplanes, while a Spitfire and a MIG are examples of World War II bi- and triplanes. On a unique double-decker bus, take a guided tour of Master Jet Base NAS Oceana and enjoy up close views of F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet fighter planes. You’ll get the chance to observe Naval Aviators and ground personnel in action.
The museum also aims to educate and inform the public about military aviation history through a series of events, educational programs, and demonstrations. One of their most popular events is the annual WWII Living History Day where people can come and experience what life was like during the war.
7. Blue Seafood and Spirits, Virginia Beach, VA
Blue Seafood & Spirits, located on Upton Drive in Virginia Beach, is a chef-owned and run restaurant that specializes on high-quality, fresh seafood paired with a variety of unique cocktails, wines, and beers.
The 60-seater restaurant, which is managed by Chef Charles Thain, has an exquisite yet relaxed ambience and specializes in a range of freshly prepared seafood delicacies such as tempura fried shrimp and crab cakes.
Other than that, the menu offers an array of seafood options, including oysters, clams, shrimp, and fish, that are all sourced from local waters. The food is served up in a casual yet chic atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with family and friends.
In addition to the great food, Blue Seafood & Spirits also has a full bar, making it the perfect place to enjoy a drink or two after a long day. Whether you’re looking for a great meal or just a place to relax and have some fun, Blue Seafood & Spirits is the perfect spot for you.
8. Adam Thoroughgood House
The Adam Thoroughgood House, a National Historic Landmark and the oldest surviving colonial residence in Virginia Beach, is named for an apprenticeship servant who acquired a fortune in tobacco growing.
The tiny farmhouse, built in the 1680s and subsequently restored to its full splendour in 1957, is nestled in a peaceful area along the Lynnhaven River’s banks. It has a fantastic collection of late 17th and early 18th century English furniture, as well as well-kept gardens.
The house is open for tours from Monday to Saturday, and guided tours are available upon request. Visitors can also explore the grounds, which include a garden and an herb garden.
9. The Bee and The Biscuit, Virginia Beach, VA
The Bee and The Biscuit is a family-owned and operated bakery located in the heart of Virginia Beach. The bakery specializes in fresh, handmade biscuits and pastries that are made from scratch using only the finest ingredients.
The Bee and The Biscuit offers a wide variety of biscuit flavors, including blueberry, bacon cheddar, and cinnamon sugar, as well as a variety of savory and sweet toppings. The bakery also offers a selection of freshly brewed coffees and teas to pair with your biscuit.
Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast or a delicious snack, The Bee and The Biscuit is the perfect spot for you. Stop by today and see what all the buzz is about!
10. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and see some of Virginia’s wildlife up close. The refuge, which covers more than 9000 acres, is home to a variety of plants and animals, including bald eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and white-tailed deer.
The refuge also has a number of hiking trails, boardwalks, and observation towers that offer stunning views of the refuge’s wetlands.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to explore Virginia’s natural beauty.
Whether you’re looking for a great meal, a place to relax, or an opportunity to see some of Virginia’s wildlife up close, there are plenty of things to do in Virginia Beach. From the Boardwalk to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, there’s something for everyone in this historic seaside town. So come on down and explore all that Virginia Beach has to offer!
Featured Image Credit: Wave Pool Mag
