No matter the season of the year, there are plenty of things to do in Virginia Beach. If you are heading into town during the summer, the Oceanfront, Ocean Breeze Water Park, and a dolphin trip are some of the best places in Virginia Beach to explore.
However, be sure not to miss the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, or First Landing State Park, which all are terrific Virginia Beach attractions. Whatever the weather has in store, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor adventures for both children and adults that can fit into anyone’s budget, whether large or small.
A visit to Virginia Beach may just mean listening to the soothing sound of the waves or an array of the must-see Virginia Beach attractions listed below.
| Table of Contents [Show] |
|---|
Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link.
Bike, rollerblade, run, or walk down Virginia Beach’s three-mile boardwalk is one of the best things to do in Virginia Beach.
During your stroll or surry ride, stop at the statues lining the boardwalk and learn a little about the area.
When you need to rest or take a break, visit a local restaurant for your morning mimosa or dinner or enjoy a summer evening concert at one of the parks.
Stop by one of Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard’s four locations and enjoy a cool treat. There are also plenty of benches to sit on and people watch.
Be sure to visit King Neptune at 31st Street and get your Instagram-worthy photo. This iconic statue is a great place for kids to have an animal scavenger hunt.
Cherie's Bikes and Blade Rentals have bikes, surreys, rollerblades to rent at many locations all along the boardwalk. They rent by the hour, day, or week.
Address: Resort area Oceanfront, Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Whether it is a rainy day or you need a break from the hot, steamy Virginia Beach weather, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is one of the must-see attractions in Virginia Beach.
With the fantastic shark tank, stingray touch tank, and enormous tropical fish aquarium, plan on spending an entire morning, afternoon, or even all day exploring the many exhibits housed in two buildings in addition to the aviary outside.
When you need a break from walking around, check out which movies are playing in the aquarium’s theater or sit down on the bleacher seats in front of the aquarium.
Be sure to check the schedule to see when feeding time is for the sharks and other animals, and the seals will be showing off their tricks.
The museum also offers a variety of behind-the-scenes tours, boat trips, and a rope adventure course.
Address: 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Just south of the oceanfront along General Booth Blvd., you will find one of the wettest places to visit in Virginia Beach.
The Ocean Breeze Water Park features more than 30 slides and rides that will keep the whole family laughing all day long.
The water thrills run from the 350-foot Sea Serpent’s twists and turn to the Vortex’s drop, two slides that thrill-seekers will gravitate to, to Hook’s Lagoon and Buccaneer Bay that is perfect for small children.
When you want to hang out, grab a lounge chair in the center of the park or relax in the Runaway Bay wave pool. However, Ocean Breeze’s lazy river is sure to be one of your favorite spots to float around.
The water park does have a snack stand with drinks, treats, and meals, but you may want to pack a lunch and head to the parking lot, which isn’t far away for a picnic.
Address: 849 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Tucked away along Sandbridge Road in Virginia Beach’s southeast corner, you will find the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Bordered by the Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, these barrier islands are made up of freshwater marshes, ocean beaches, sand dunes, and maritime forests.
The Visitor Center offers a wide range of interpretive programs. Hikers can enjoy strolling eight miles along five trails. While hiking, be sure to head to the Dune Trail platform and look out to the Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Use the spotting scopes throughout the refuge to spot muskrats, deer, bobcats, and waterfowl.
The refuge is one of the most incredible places to visit in Virginia Beach, no matter the season.
A visit to Back Bay means seeing thousands of migrating tundra swans, along with various ducks, Canadian Geese, and other waterfowl throughout the winter.
Horn Point offers a seasonal kayak/canoe launch site to enjoy a scenic day on the water.
Address: 1324 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
False Cape State Park is one of the few destinations in Virginia Beach that is not accessible by car.
To get to the park, you can kayak to one of the four primitive beaches from Little Island City Park’s boat launch or hike from Back BayNational Wildlife Refuge over five miles to the six miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches.
The state park also offers guided kayak trips and interpretive programs worth your time if you are in the area.
Suppose you would rather rough it at a primitive campsite with no electricity and showers instead of a luxurious motel room along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
In that case, you may want to head to one of False Cape State Park’s four beachfront primitive campgrounds.
If you boat in, pets are welcome in the park.
Address: 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
When deciding on what to do in Virginia Beach, head to First Landing State Park, where it all began with the English colonists in 1607.
The park covers nearly 3,000 acres of the northeast corner of Virginia Beach and offers visitors 20 miles worth of trails to hike, bike ride, and explore the salt marshes, a 205 site campground, and 1.25 miles of pristine Chesapeake Bay shoreline.
While exploring the park, visit the Chesapeake Bay Center, which is full of educational exhibits, and discover where to find the unique bald cypress swamps, maritime forests, lagoons, and rare plants throughout the park.
The children in your group will want to check the schedule of daily events that they can participate in from hikes, to crafts and crabbing adventures.
Be sure not to miss the most popular state park in Virginia.
Address: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Also Read: 25 Best State Parks in the US
The Military Aviation Museum is one of the exciting Virginia Beach attractions that all history and plane lovers must stop and visit.
Enjoy a history lesson or two from the military veteran docents passionate about their work.
At the museum, you will find over 100 acres of WWI and WWII hangers full of military aircraft, a WWII Air Control Tower, and the largest fleet of warbirds still in flying condition in the world.
Visit on a Saturday from May through October and take part in historical events, lectures and see flight demonstrations.
Those who wish to get even closer, and have a thrill of a lifetime, take flight with a veteran pilot in a WWII aircraft and fly over southern Virginia Beach and the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.
The Military Aviation Museum is your go-to place to get close enough to touch these fantastic machines.
Address: 1341 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
At 14th Street and the Boardwalk, visit the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, a must-see in Virginia Beach.
For early risers, head to the end of the pier and watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. Another morning you may want to sit on the sand near the wood pilings of the pier and take a picture through the pilings of the sun as it rises.
For the fishermen and women at your party, spend the day or just an hour fishing. The pier has everything you need, including fishing poles, bait, and you don’t even need a fishing license.
The Fishing Pier also has a gift shop, bike rentals, and Ocean Eddie’s restaurant when you need a bite to eat.
Address: 1413 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
When you need to get off the beach, it’s a cloudy day, or the sun is setting, head to the ViBe Creative District, one of the best spots in Virginia Beach to enjoy local art galleries, restaurants, and artisan shops.
Peruse shops like North End Bag Co.where you can pick up a colorful, durable, handmade canvas bag. Grab a cup of joe at Three Ships Coffee for your morning caffeine.
Along 18th Street, you will find 300 feet of stockade fence turned into nearly 60 murals and one of Virginia Beach’s largest public art displays.
During the weekly Saturday morning, Old Beach Farmer’s Market, or the First Friday VB Flea Night Market, you will not only find various local artisans but delicious food, entertainment, and a delightful shopping experience.
Address: 611 18th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Also Read: 15 Best Places To Live in Virginia
A visit to the Thoroughgood neighborhood will undoubtedly lead you to one of the oldest attractions in Virginia Beach.
In 1636, Adam Thoroughgood, a Virginia Colony leader, acquired the 5000+ acre plantation along the Lynnhaven River. The Adam Thoroughgood House was later constructed in 1719 by Argall Thorowgood, Adam Thoroughgood’s great-grandson.
While in the area, visit one of the colonial time’s oldest surviving homes where you can marvel at the work-of-art turned staircase, bring 1700 colonial times to life by exploring the hands-on exhibits in the education center, and stroll through the English garden.
The 1½ story Adam Thoroughgood House features a pyramidal chimney, walls in both an English and Flemish bond, and a central passage between the parlor and hallway.
As you visit, be conscious of any paranormal activity that may be going on around you. Many visitors have had ghost sightings, felt cold drafts, and watched candlesticks move and light.
Address: 1636 Parish Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
The Cape Henry Lighthouses, one of the top Virginia Beach tourist attractions, sits on the plot of land near where the Chesapeake Bay dumps into the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast corner of Virginia Beach.
The Cape Henry Lighthouse, constructed in 1792, is the fourth oldest lighthouse in the United States and is open to the public.
You can climb the 191 circular staircase steps to the top. At the top, you can watch as naval vessels, cargo ships, and recreational boats go in and out of the harbor.
Just a mere 350 feet from the original lighthouse, you will find the 157-foot 1881 new Cape Henry Lighthouse. Unfortunately, this one is not open to the public.
Fort Story Joint Base surrounds both lighthouses, so to gain access to the area, you need to show a government-issued ID at the base gate. The admission price can include access to the visitor plaza and the lighthouse tower.
Address: 583 Atlantic Ave, Fort Story, VA 23459
When you need to take a break from the sun, one of the things to do around Virginia Beach is to head to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, other words known as MOCA.
Since 1952 MOCA has been promoting art awareness through gallery exhibitions, art classes, and their nationally-ranked annual Boardwalk Art Show. The art show is set up along the oceanfront boardwalk for easy access.
This museum’s changing exhibits feature an array of 20th and 21st-century sculptures, glass, paintings, and other visual media by internationally acclaimed, national, and regional artists.
MOCA has several interactive, hands-on activities that will help you understand the art better by creating some of your own.
The Museum of Contemporary Art features gallery tours, interactive artist talks, and events like Family Fest throughout the month, where all ages can explore and create with art.
Address: 2200 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Before Virginia Beach became the famous tourist place it is today, most of the land was farms.
So when you are looking to places to visit in Virginia Beach, head to the Henley Farms or Cullipher Farm Berry Patch for delicious red strawberries in May or visit Cullipher Farm or Beatson’s Blueberry Farm in July for tasty blueberries.
When you get to the farm, grab a wagon and some containers, be sure to bring a container to transport your fruit back home or to the hotel room.
If it is a juicy peach you are looking for, Cullipher has an orchard where you can pick bags of peaches or stop at their roadside market for fresh produce, baked goods, and an ice cream cone.
You will also want to take pictures of friends and family enjoying their time in the fields.
If you are in the area during the fall, after strawberry and blueberry season, then head to Cullipher’s sunflower field for your fall Instagram photo and enough pumpkins and sunflowers to decorate your house and table.
Not all Virginia Beach attractions are on land, so head out on a dolphin-watching tour in the summer or a humpback whale-watching boat tour during the winter months from December through March.
There are three companies, Rudiee’s Tours, Virginia Aquarium, and First Landing Charters.
Each business has great educational trips where you can check out the Virginia Beach coastline from the water, watch for sea life, seals, birds, and learn a little something new about the area’s water and animals.
The tours are great for all ages, but be sure to bring a jacket during the summer cruises and warm clothes for a whale-watching excursion since the air is cooler out on the water.
During the last weekend of September, Virginia Beach holds the Neptune Festival.
This festival is famous in Virginia Beach due to the International Sandsculpting Championship and nearly 40 other weekend events held across the city.
The Neptune Festival promotes community pride and camaraderie through golf and surfing competitions, the Atlantic Regatta, an 8K run, and beach volleyball games along the oceanfront.
You will want to catch the Grand Parade and meet the Royal Court before enjoying live entertainment up and down the boardwalk at three different stages.
Three hundred exhibitors set up their booth along the boardwalk for the Neptune Festival Art and Craft Show during the weekend.
However, the biggest draw is for the International Sandsculpting Championship.
This is a premier event where sculptures from five countries spend the three-day weekend creating masterpieces from SAND.
Following the festival, the sandcastles remain undercover for an additional week of viewing.
Address: 203 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
When looking for fun Virginia Beach attractions, head to Atlantic Avenue from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and enjoy the Live! On Atlantic nightly events.
Each evening, as the sun goes down, Atlantic Avenue comes to life with street performers, symphony concerts, magic acts, and history shows, as well as local bands.
Many of the street acts are right on the sidewalk on the west side of Atlantic Avenue or at the monuments and stages.
The shows are family-friendly, so be sure to bring your lawn or beach chair or a blanket and sit and enjoy the show or dance and sing along as great local and nationally known bands entertain the crowd.
Just a few miles before reaching the oceanfront on I-264, you will find one of the most unusual attractions in Virginia Beach.
The 165-acre Mount Trashmore Park features a 60-foot tall hill created from clean soil and solid waste layers.
The former landfill offers visitors two hills to climb, roll down, or the perfect spot for flying a kite.
Throughout the park, there are multi-use paths to walk, jog, or ride your bike on. Skateboarders will flock to the Mount Trashmore Skatepark and vert ramp, while younger children will thoroughly enjoy two enormous playgrounds.
For the fishermen and women in your party, Mount Trashmore Park also features two lakes.
Lake Trashmore, along Edwin Drive, is a freshwater lake home to various fish. The brackish water Lake Windsor sits along South Blvd. and I-264.
Address: 310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
If you are heading to Virginia Beach, then dipping your toes or entire body into the Atlantic Ocean is one of the things to do in Virginia Beach sure to be high on your list.
Even though Virginia Beach features 35 miles of oceanfront beaches, most of the action happens in the resort area.
Lather on that suntan lotion and enjoy some fun in the sun along the 3-mile long sandy beach next to the famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
The beach is quite broad, so there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. Set up or rent a chair and umbrella or throw down your blanket and enjoy the day boogie boarding, building sandcastles, or just playing in the water.
Not only will you have plenty of restaurants, shops, and hotels to choose from to make your stay convenient, but the beach also has several playgrounds scattered between 2nd and 35th Streets and bathrooms at 17th, 24th, and 30th streets.
From mid-May through mid-September, lifeguards are on duty between 2nd and 40th Streets from 9:30 AM until 6:00 PM.
If you have surfers in your group, then Croatan Beach is one of the destinations in Virginia Beach you will want to check out.
You will find the mile-long Croatan Beach across the Rudee Inlet Bridge just south of the resort strip off Vanderbilt Avenue and stretches south to Camp Pendleton.
This beach just off the beaten path is much quieter than the resort area, but surfers flock here to test their skills at the two designated surfing areas. There is a swimming area between the two surfing areas.
The Croatan Beach’s amenities include bathrooms, showers, and lifeguards. Just like along the resort area, there is a fee to park.
Address: S Atlantic Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451
If you are heading to the beach and renting a beach house, then Sandbridge Beach is one of the spots in Virginia Beach that will most likely be on your list.
Sandbridge doesn’t have a fancy boardwalk or towering hotels, and the five-mile-long beach is lined with vacation homes, sea oats-covered sand dunes, and a beautiful sandy beach.
When vacationing at Sandbridge, the beach makes the perfect spot for a morning walk. Here you can relax and soak in the sun away from the hustle and bustle of the busy resort strip. Get up early and enjoy watching the sun come up over the water.
If you are heading to Sandbridge for the day, be sure to pack a picnic lunch and bring plenty to drink since there is no food at the beach or immediate area.
The beach is dog-friendly year-round. However, dogs can enjoy the beach during the summer months while leashed before 10:00 AM and again after 6:00 PM.
Address: Virginia Beach, VA 23456
From 70th – 88th Streets, the North End Beaches is a terrific place to visit in Virginia Beach when renting a house or to get away from the crowds.
These beaches are best if you stay in the area since each street has a beach walkway and very little parking.
They also have no restroom, rood, or chair and umbrella rentals, so whatever you need for your beach day, you must pack in and pack out.
The North End Beaches are pet-friendly throughout the year. During the summer, leashed dogs are permitted on the beach before 10:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. During the remaining part of the year, there are no time restrictions.
If you are beaching at the northernmost part of the area, take time to walk to the two Cape Henry Lighthouses at the point where the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay meet.
Address: 8800 Oceanfront Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Visting the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is among the best things to do in Virginia Beach. The museum is housed in the historic 1895 DeWitt Cottage along the oceanfront at 11th Street and Atlantic Avenue.
The 22-room cottage showcases artifacts related to the history of wild-fowling, recently carved, and primitive tool carved shorebirds and decoys.
As you walk from room to room, enjoy the contemporary wildfowl artwork and hunt club memorabilia that fill the walls.
During your visit, take time to watch the volunteer carver of the day create their latest masterpiece.
The museum gift shop offers hand-carved decoys, photographs, books, and various wildfowl art for purchase.
As you exit the museum, enjoy exploring the beautiful seaside garden.
Address: 1113 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Since 2009, a record number of people have flocked to the Annual East Coast She-Crab Soup Classic, one of the cool VA Beach attractions.
The festival brings out many of the local restaurants and their best she-crab soup. During the event, she-crab soup fans get a chance to sample some of coastal Virginia’s best soups.
The general admission ticket entitles you to a soup sample from each restaurant and a vote in the People’s Choice Award. Besides this award, there will be four experts judging the soups for the Critic’s Choice Award.
Come out and satisfy your crab craving at this rain or shine on an April Saturday afternoon at the 24th Street Park along the oceanfront.
Conveniently park at the 25th Street parking garage and enjoy the entire spring day playing in the sand, walking the boardwalk, riding bikes on the bike trail, or just people watching before and after the festival.
Address: 24th Street Park, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
The notable 1903 Coast Guard Station that houses the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum is located beside the 24th Street Stage along the oceanfront.
It is another perfect destination in Virginia Beach when you need a break from the sun and surf. The weather exhibits about the superstorms that have affected Virginia Beach also are pretty interesting.
The museum’s two floors of exhibits showcase the preservation work on Virginia Beach’s maritime history.
The displays feature more than 1,000 photographs of shipwrecks, close to 2,000 artifacts, and information on local surfing legends.
After visiting the museum, you will have a better understanding of the U.S. Life-Saving Services and Coast Guard’s role in making the waters of Virginia Beach safer.
Address: 2401 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
If you are searching for a historical home with one of the most well-preserved early Virginia vernacular architecture, then head to the Lynnhaven House.
The Lynnhaven House was built by ship’s carpenter and middling plantation owner Francis Thelaball in 1725.
Inside, you will see a closed-spindle staircase, ship’s lap floor, and furnishing fit for Francis and Abigail Thelaball and their five sons during colonial Virginia.
Throughout your visit and tour, learn about life around the Tidewater region during the early 18th century before the American Revolutionary War.
Tours are led by time-period costumed docents who describe various household members’ roles in helping the plantation run smoothly.
Address: 4409 Wishart Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Virginia Beach is the Ferry Plantation House.
The home, built in 1830, was for the Walke/MacIntosh family. The plantation name came from the 1600’s ferry boat service that stopped along the Lynnhaven River at the Princess Anne Courthouse.
A visit to the grounds includes many historical stories dating back to between the 1600s and mid-1800s, a tour of the Federal farmhouse’s 10-room and its central passageway.
The Ferry Plantation House has been ranked in the top 25 of Virginia’s Most Haunted Places, so be warned you may get a chance to see one or more of the 11 spirits that roam the property.
You will also be treated to stories about Grace Sherwood, the famous Witch of Pungo whose trial in 1706 occurred nearby.
Address: 4136 Cheswick Ln, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
One of the fun attractions in Virginia Beach is the Atlantic Fun Park. It is a beachside amusement park, and if you walk along the boardwalk near 15th Street, you will have a hard time missing the Ferris wheel souring into the sky.
The park is family-friendly has a variety of rides for both children and adults to ride and enjoy.
Listen for the screams from happy riders of the Sea Dragon, a swinging pirate ship, test your racing skills on the go-kart track, and ring the bell at the top of the rock climbing wall.
Atop the 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel is the perfect place to snap a picture of the oceanfront and boardwalk from high above.
For the adrenaline junkies, test your nerves on the Gravitron, Flipping Action Arm Ride, and Flying Bobs rides.
The Midway is a great stop to get a bite of that carnival food you crave or play your favorite carnival game with all the flashing lights.
Address: 233 15th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
A visit to the Princess Anne County Training School and Union Kempsville High School Museum may be one of Virginia Beach’s attractions that is just a bit off the beaten path.
Located within Renaissance Academy at the corner of Virginia Beach Blvd. and Witchduck Road, you will be able to discover the history of Princess Anne County’s, now Virginia Beach, first African American high school.
After the African American community raised money to educate their children, the school opened in 1930, changing names to Union Kempsville High School in 1962. Union Kempsville continued to be in operation until 1969 when Virginia Beach integrated its schools.
Within the museum, you will learn about the efforts of the community and families as they strived to educate their children better. Be sure to visit and hear their incredible stories of determination and sacrifice.
Address: 5100 Cleveland St, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
The Georgian-style Upper Wolfsnare House is one of the most historical places to visit in Virginia Beach.
It all began in 1612 when Thomas Walke from Barbados took ownership of the land. In 1759 Thomas Walke III, a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution finally built a home on the property.
The Flemish bonded brick house on the Upper Wolfsnare Plantation is three stories tall and reflects Walke’s lifestyle during the second half of the 18th-century.
Inside the home, you will find a central passage, original hand-carved wainscoting on the first floor and in the parlor, and a full cellar.
Thirty to sixty-minute tours of the Virginia Landmarks Registered plantation house are available in July and August on a limited schedule through the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society.
Address: 2040 Potters Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
When looking for engineering marvels, a trip across the 23-mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is one of the best things to do in Virginia Beach.
The Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel, made of multiple bridges and two tunnels, crosses over the Chesapeake Bay and connects Virginia Beach to Virginia’s Eastern Shore at Kiptopeke and nearby Cape Charles.
Whether you just snap a picture from the shore of this amazingly long roadway over the water or reroute your travels to or from Virginia Beach and pay the toll to experience the vast expanse of the Chesapeake Bay.
Fishermen and women may want to make a stop at the Sea Gull Fishing Pier, located on the first tunnel island, after leaving Virginia Beach for some terrific fishing or just a photo-op in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.
Munden Point Park is the perfect hidden gem in Virginia Beach for a day of picnicking, fishing, and playing.
The 100-acre park is located at the southern end of the Pungo section of Virginia Beach and is along the North Landing River. The park is a bit out of the way but worth the 45 minutes drive from the oceanfront.
Enjoy a day of kayaking or canoeing on the river and paddle the Inland Waterway since the boat and kayak launches offer easy access to the river, and they even have rentals.
Fishermen and women will want to take their rods, reel, and freshwater fishing license and fish from their water vessel or one of the park’s fishing areas.
The children in your party will have a marvelous time playing 18 holes of disc golf, volleyball, basketball, or baseball and running between the three playgrounds.
Address: 2001 Pefley Ln, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
A trip through the zip lines and aerial ropes is one of the unique things to do in VA Beach.
The rope and zip line course at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum is Virginia’s most comprehensive course of its kind. The park is the perfect vacation destination for all the thrill-seekers in your family.
The courses run from easy to double black diamond courses where you have to use strength, athletic ability, and problem-solving skills.
At the Virginia Beach KOA Campground just south of the oceanfront resort area, Adventure Park’s course is spread across 60 acres of the Oceanfront’s maritime forests.
It offers guests a chance to zip across nine zip lines, including a tandem zip line for an opportunity to race a friend or family member.
Address: 801 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Also Read: Top 24 Best Science Museums in the US
During the winter holidays heading to Mansion Cross Land and driving down the oceanfront boardwalk are fantastic things to do in Virginia Beach.
BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach features lighted archways, musical crabs, swimming fish along the boardwalk.
During this time, the boardwalk is closed to bike and pedestrian traffic so cars can drive down the path looking for Santa and the 40-foot tall Christmas tree on the beach.
Then head over to Virginia Beach’s Strawbridge neighborhood to Mansion Cross Lane, where you will find a whole row of houses decked out for Christmas with over 50,000 lights all synchronized to the same music.
Choose between walking down the sidewalk or driving through the neighborhood to enjoy the lights for free. They do accept donations on-site for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Hunt Club Farm is a favorite stopping point for folks of all ages. Here you can purchase a birdfeed stick and head to the BirdWalk Aviary to visit and feed the parakeets or purchase a feed cup and head to the bark to make a new friend with a goat, llama, pig, or chicken.
Then climb high into the treetops and take the TreeWalk Adventure route around the farm.
Hunt Club Farm Market is open from spring through much of December. It features lots of herbs, flowers, and yard decorations in the spring.
There are plenty of sauces, dips, jellies, and beautiful hanging baskets to choose from in the summer.
The Holiday Market is open between Thanksgiving and Christmas for unique seasonal gifts, decorations, and your freshly-cut Virginia-grown Fraser Fir tree.
During September and October, the Harvest Fair is the place to be for jumping into straw piles, pony rides, and hayrides to the pumpkin patch.
At night venture into the woods and cornfields and through one or more of the four haunts featured at Haunted Hunt Club Farm.
Address: 2388 London Bridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Visiting the Pungo Strawberry Festival, which attracts around 80,000 people, is one of the tastiest things to do in Virginia Beach.
The annual festival takes place along Princess Anne Road in the southern Virginia Beach section of Pungo during the Friday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
Besides being entertained with pig races, pony rides, 4-H exhibits, carnival rides, and local live entertainment, there are plenty of ways to enjoy strawberries.
Peruse the various booths to enjoy eating strawberries in over 50 different ways. The strawberry pie-eating contest is always fun to watch, but eating it is much tastier.
Then head to sample delicious chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry taco, and homemade strawberry lemonade.
Enjoy eating a fresh strawberry ice cream cone as you root on your favorite potbellied pig as he twists and turns through the race track.
Address: 1776 Princess Anne Rd K, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
If your budget allows, book a room at the newly restored historic Cavalier Hotel.
If not, get a taste of the glamorous hotel by visiting the Tarnished Truth Distillery, an award-winning spot in Virginia Beach for locally crafted bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, and vodka in the Cavalier Hotel’s Hunt Room.
Andrew Yancey and Josh Canada, lifetime residents of Virginia Beach and founders of the Tarnished Truth Distillery, offer guided tours through the production part of the distillery on Thursday – Sunday afternoons.
Once you learn a bit about the crafting process, you will conclude the time in the Tasting Room to sample some of the spirits.
Guest can mosey through the hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, on a self-guided tour and discover fascinating facts about the property and the resident ghosts that haunt the property.
Address: 4200 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
As you travel through Virginia, you will discover the Old Dominion’s 50-year old “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan on car license plates and the L-O-V-E letters on over 275 LOVEwork signs across the state.
Travel to the nine spots in Virginia Beach to discover the city’s official signs and see if you can find any of the more than a dozen unofficial signs.
Find the American Sign Language LOVE sign at Bunker Plaza at 3208 Holland Road.
Head to the Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center at 341 S Birdneck Road and stand behind the O for a cute rabbit-eared photo.
At Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery at 1217 Laskin Road, you will find sculptor Richard Stravitz’s famous “Wings of Grace Angel” hovering over the LOVE Each Other sign.
In the Virginia Beach ViBe Creative District at 700 Virginia Beach Blvd., find Chesley De Leon’s artistic creation showcasing art, the coastline, diversity, and Town Center.
At SK8 House, 600 S. Lynnhaven Road, discover the four-foot-tall metal grid letters that spell out LOVE. Take a lock to add to the sign and declare your eternal love for your partner.
Along the Resort Strip’s Atlantic Avenue, you will find five signs at the following locations: 712 Atlantic Avenue, Dough Boy’s Pizza at 17th Street and 33rd Street, in the 2400 Block, and at Oceans 14 along the boardwalk.
Located along Shore Drive in the Chix’s Beach neighborhood, you will find Virginia’s first urban winery. Mermaid Winery is a perfect place to visit in Virginia Beach to get a local wine.
The winery’s vision is to produce beautiful wines just like the mythically stunning mermaid.
They create limited production wines with Virginia and California grapes like the fragrant Chardonnay, semi-dry Siren’s White, dark ruby Cabernet Sauvignon, and the sparkling Sparkling Rose.
Enjoy a meal at the restaurant where you can pair your entrée with over 800 wines from around the world. Visit on Friday evenings for a themed tasting in the Tasting Room.
Address: 4401 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Virginia Beach Farmers Market at Princess Anne Road and Dam Neck Road is a year-round farmers’ market that has been a local favorite for over 30 years.
A visit to the market means perusing the seafood market, butcher shop, candy store, organic grocer, and delicious fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.
The market’s restaurant opens at 7:00 AM, but many of the merchants are only open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Farmers Market holds special family-friendly events from April through December, like seasonal craft shows, hoedowns, and agricultural tours.
On Friday evenings May through September, bring your chair and enjoy an evening of live country music.
Address: 3640 Dam Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453
When visiting the resort strip, exploring the boardwalk’s statues is one of the great and free things to do in Virginia Beach.
Take a stroll along the beautiful, wide 3-mile Virginia Beach boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean and stop at some of the impressive statues that you will pass.
The Virginia Legends Walk at 13th Street honors Virginians like Ella Fitzgerald, Arthur Ash, Thomas Jefferson, and Ralph Stanley, who have contributed to Virginia, the United States, and the world.
At the 17th Street Park, you will find Wareing’s Gym founder, John Wareing’s statue posing with a show of strength.
The Norwegian Lady Statue at the 25th Street entrance to the boardwalk commemorates the 1891 Dictator shipwreck. During the summer, Live! On Atlantic, a terrific storyteller tells the story of the Dictator’s sinking and the lives lost and saved.
The Naval Aviation Monument Park at 25th Street pays tribute to the Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard and their connections to Virginia Beach. Throughout the park, there are also etched storyboards depicting various historical events.
The 26-foot tall King Neptune Statue stands at 31st Street and is by far the most photographed statue on the boardwalk. Take time to find the two dolphins, lobster, sea turtle, octopus, and 12 fish adorning the sculpture.
The life-sized Frogman stands looking out over the ocean at the 38th Street Navy SEAL Monument. This monument recognizes the SEALS and how they serve the nation in remarkable ways.
The Virginia Beach weather is excellent for much of the year for indoor and outdoor adventures. So pack your bags and head to Virginia Beach by bus, Amtrack train, plane, or car. Take time to visit the oceanfront, First Landing State Park, Mermaid Winery, Ocean Breeze Waterpark, or one of the many other attractions in Virginia Beach. No matter when you visit, there are forty fun and fabulous things to do in Virginia Beach on our list above, and so many more that you can choose to explore.