Virginia Beach

Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is a booming resort city. It is also the largest and most populous city in Virginia – and it is still growing. One of the most popular beach destinations on the east coast, thousands of people come here every year to enjoy all that Virginia Beach has to offer.

First and foremost, the biggest attraction Virginia Beach offers is naturally the beach. The tan soft sand and the clean blue waters not only attract people, but aquatic life such as dolphins, sea turtles, and fish. The area of sand on Virginia Beach is impressively wide, which gives all beachgoers plenty of personal space. Pickup games of Frisbee or volleyball are also the norm, as are a myriad of beach activities such as surfing, boogey boarding, wake boarding, beach walking, seashell hunting, and sand castle building. All of this, and more, can be done in just a single day at the beach.

Along Virginia Beach, there is a three mile stretch referred to as the Resort Area. The Boardwalk also runs parallel to the beach and down the length of the Resort Area, although this boardwalk is not made of planks of wood but rather resembles a concrete sidewalk. Nevertheless, along the boardwalk there are clubs, bars, shops, restaurants, a fishing pier, outdoor cafes, refreshment stands, and sculptures like the famous King Neptune statue. There are usually tents set up by a corporate sponsor that gives away freebies, especially during Spring Break season. This boardwalk has everything a beach boardwalk could offer, all the while being very clean and friendly.

Away from the Resort Area and the beach, there is still much to see in Virginia Beach. The excellent Virginia Marine Science Museum should be on everyone’s to do list, and here you can see river otters, stingrays, harbor seals, and watch an awesome IMAX movie. From this museum, you can also go on one of their sponsored dolphin and whale watching trips. If you are in the mood for art appreciation, the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia offers an ever changing display of art and art events in its galleries and atrium.

If you are in the mood for holistic healing and new age therapy, visit the Association for Research and Enlightenment, a place that the famous healer Edgar Cayce built. Here, visitors will explore topics like ISP, reincarnation, dreams, health, and healthy activities. There is a day spa here which is just delightful and relaxing; in addition to typical spa services, it offers a wide range of holistic services. There is a gorgeous Japanese meditation garden to further relax your mind, body, and spirit.

As with the rest of Virginia, this city has a healthy dose of history. You can visit the Old Coast Guard Station to lean about shipwrecks and U.S Coast Guard history. The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, at the northern end of Virginia Beach, was built in the 1790’s under orders of George Washington. Nearby is the First Landing Cross, a simple tribute that marks the first place the Jamestown settlers laid their feet on American soil. The Adam Thoroughgood House and the Lynnhaven House are both excellent examples of colonial architecture, and both offer daily tours.

Despite the developments throughout Virginia Beach, there are unspoiled natural areas that are open to the public. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is about 8,000 acres that serve as a refuge for migrating birds, and it has dunes, marshes, ponds, and beaches. It is fun to hike through this park, but the First Landing State Park is more popular for family events and vacations. There are camping areas, beaches, hiking, and bicycle trails which provide ample entertainment.

Virginia Beach has such a diverse range of lodging, eateries and activities that the best place to plan your trip is under the “Places to Stay”, “Places to Eat”, and “Things to Do” options on our homepage. Enjoy your trip to fantastic Virginia Beach!



Virginia Tourists Guide - Virginia Beach, Virginia