Virginia Beach

Located in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region, Virginia Beach combines its military history with a nautical presence in its scenery, attractions and dining options. From swimming, surfing and fishing to boating, sightseeing and unique nature excursions, this coastal location is a great destination for family vacations, honeymoons and group getaways.

You’ll find a wide array of family-friendly accommodations, oceanfront hotels and Virginia Beach vacation rentals. The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront offers resort-style amenities, upscale rooms and suites and two award-winning restaurants. The Holiday Inn and Suites Virginia Beach – North Beach has an indoor lazy river, a movie theater and a fun activity room for kids.

With the Atlantic Ocean at its doorstep, seafood is at the forefront of local cuisine, but you’ll find a wide variety of dining options to suit any taste. Waterman’s Surfside Grille, Tautog’s Restaurant and Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar feature fresh seafood in a waterfront setting. Terrapin Restaurant is an upscale farm-to-table eatery with offerings such as pasta, pork chops and duck.

From Chic’s Beach and Sandbridge to the Virginia Beach boardwalk, breweries in Virginia Beach are a great way to sample local craft beers and hang out with friends and family. Breweries in Virginia Beach include Back Bay Brewing Co., Commonwealth Brewing Company, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant and Reaver Beach Brewing Company.

While sunbathing and wave jumping are first on the list when visiting the beach, Virginia Beach can fill a book with its off-the-beach activities and attractions. Aquariums, landmarks, horseback riding, nature watching and historic military attractions complete a Virginia Beach vacation.

Rudee Tours takes visitors on dolphin and whale watching tours aboard a 65-foot-long catamaran at prime times throughout the year. They also do sunset cruises and fishing trips. The Virginia Beach Aquarium and Marine Science Center is another place to visit to learn about conservation, marine animals and the coastal environment.

If you’re looking for a stop-over before or after your Virginia Beach visit, Chincoteague Island is about two and a half hours away. It’s connected via the world-famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which features stunning views of the bay as well as restaurants, snack stations and scenic overlooks.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chincoteague Island is a great choice for a night or a long weekend. Overlooking Chincoteague Bay, it has spacious rooms and suites, and it’s located close to the island’s shops and restaurants.

–Cape Henry Lighthouse: The first federally-funded lighthouse in the U.S., completed in 1792. Cape Henry Lighthouse was authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton.

–First Landing State Park: Virginia’s most-visited state park, complete with beachy nature trails and beautiful views.

–Fisherman’s Island: The southernmost island on the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes a National Wildlife Refuge and optimal bird watching opportunities.

–False Cape State Park: A mile-wide barrier between the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, False Cape offers unspoiled beaches and trails for hiking, biking and exploring.

–Old Coast Guard Station Museum: A museum depicting historic rescue missions and shipwrecks.

–Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center: The aquarium and marine museum at Virginia beach features marine life and plants native to Virginia.

–The Military Aviation Museum: While this museum features many examples of military aviation, their claim to fame is the world’s largest collections of warbirds in flying condition.

From food and wine festivals to arts, culture and musical performances, you won’t want to miss the many Virginia Beach events going on throughout the year.

-Coastal Virginia Wine Fest takes place in January at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and features local and regional wines.
-The Union Bank & Trust Patriotic Festival is three days of military-inspired events and concerts by national recording artists such as Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert. This patriotic event is in June on the oceanfront.
-The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, in operation for more than 40 years, takes place in September. It features art shows, concerts, sand-sculpting competitions, volleyball tournaments, a 5K and a regatta.
-Holiday Lights at the Beach is a sparkling drive down the light-strewn boardwalk.

Whether you and your family are searching for a relaxing getaway or a week of adventure, the sand, sun and fun of Virginia Beach has something for everyone.