Virginia Beach has always been one of my favorite vacation spots. Situated in the southeast corner of the state, this vacation spot is a great place for anyone to visit! If you may be thinking about planning a vacation to Virginia Beach, here is a great list of places to visit, activities to do, and things to see (aside from spending time at the beach, of course).
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
On your way to Virginia Beach, if you are traveling from the north, you can experience a drive on the longest bridge-tunnel in the world. The bridge-tunnel connects the bottom of the Delmarva Peninsula to Virginia Beach. From the bridge-tunnel, you can see incredible views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, which beautifully sparkle in the sunlight. The bridge-tunnel is truly a marvel of modern engineering design and construction, and should not be missed during your travel.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and Virginia Zoo
Shortly outside of the beach lies the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, where you can choose to partake in a variety of activities. You can take a simple tour of the aquarium, where you may see sharks, jellyfish, and other great fish of the Chesapeake. You may also take a walk through the marshes and observe other interesting creatures, including owls and otters. In addition to these options, you may also choose to take a boat ride through around the marsh. Lastly, if you would rather stay inside, the Virginia Aquarium offers an IMAX theater that includes educational marine films as well as current blockbusters. No matter what you choose to do, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers something for everyone.
And if you're still in the mood to see wild creatures, the Virginia Zoo offers hundreds of more options! Located in Norfolk, only a short drive from the beach, the Virginia Zoo houses tigers, elephants, lions, orangutans, prairie dogs, zebras, and more. Whatever you choose to see, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and Virginia Zoo offer plenty of options.
Kayaking and Canoeing
If you are interested in kayaking and/or canoeing, Virginia Beach is a great place to go. Wild River Outfitters offers various options for guided and unguided kayak and canoe tours. Other establishments, such as Surf and Adventure Co., offer guided kayak tour options as well as single rentals. In addition, Kayak Nature Tours offers the options of kayaking at sea and dolphin watching tours. These are just three of the many options of kayaking and canoe rentals you can choose from during your vacation.
Parasailing and Jet Skiing
Have you ever wanted to give parasailing a try? Or are you simply looking for more thrills during your stay at the beach? Virginia Beach is a great place to try out this exhilarating activity! The Rudee Intlet Parasail offers plenty of different activities in which you can partake.This parasailing venue boasts high safety and is certified by the Professional Association of Parasail Operators (PAPO). If you are seeking more thrills, there are plenty of venues for jet ski rentals, including the Rudee Inlet.
Boat Tours
Do you still want to venture out on the water, but may not be up for the extreme nature of parasailing? Well, Virginia Beach offers plenty of boat tours that get you out on the ocean. Rudee Tours are a great way of taking an exciting boat ride out on the ocean. The Rudee Rocket zips across the water at high speeds, taking you on a tour of various locations. If you want to encounter nature, the Rudee Flipper and Rudee Whaler offer tours to see both dolphins and whales. The Rudee Flipper also has the option of taking a relaxing sunset cruise.
If you are into a different type of boat tour, you may also find pirate-themed cruises. While the popular Pieces of Eight pirate tour has relocated, you can still access the new Captain Jack's Pirate Ship Adventure. This boat tour promises to be fun for all ages, offering a family-themed tour as well as a 21+ tour.
Biking and the Boardwalk
Running parallel to the shoreline lies the boardwalk, a strip in Virginia Beach that is great for walking, running, and biking. If you want to take a relaxing walk with an incredible view of the ocean, the boardwalk is a great place to go. In addition, the boardwalk is an ideal location for exercise, and many wake up early to enjoy a morning jog along the beach. You can also rent bicycles at many venues near the boardwalk, which provide an enjoyable ride along the beach or around the city. Performers are often present, especially on weekend nights. To catch the best free shows, stop by the Hilton hotel along the boardwalk, where there are often artists performing. This spot is hard to miss: it is marked by an incredible statue of Neptune.
Golf
Virginia Beach is home to numerous private and public golf courses. Some of the most enjoyable golf courses include the Heron Ridge Course and the Virginia Beach National Golf Club. Owl's Creek is a much smaller public course but is a fantastic place to take the family. If you love golf, this area offers quite a selection of great courses. A complete list can be found in the links section below.
Just Outside of Virginia Beach
A great city to visit around the area is Norfolk. In Norfolk, you can visit Nauticus, the National Maritime Center. Here you can explore a fantastic science and naval history museum. In addition, Nauticus is home to the U.S.S. Wisconsin, a battleship that you may explore. If you want to see more battleships you can take a boat tour on the Naval Base Cruise, which provides a tour of Norfolk's Naval Base. Lastly, the city of Norfolk is also home to the MacArthur Memorial.
If you are looking for more thrills, Williamsburg is only about an hour's drive from Virginia Beach. In addition to Colonial Williamsburg, here one can find Busch Gardens: Europe and Water Country USA. Busch Gardens is a great place to spend the day. The park offers many roller-coasters, including the thrilling Griffon and Apollo's Chariot. In addition, you can enjoy numerous shows and restaurants in the park.
And while you are spending time in Virginia, make sure you check out the beaches of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Chincoteague Island is a fantastic place to visit!
And If You're Lucky...
My favorite memories from my years of visiting Virginia Beach were looking out at the ocean and seeing pods of dolphins. While you could always pay money to go out on boat tours and go dolphin watching, nothing is quite like looking out at the ocean and catching a spontaneous, unexpected glimpse of wild dolphins jumping out of the water. Nothing is quite like waking up to a sunrise and watching pods of dolphins swim through the glittering water. While I can't promise everyone will observe one of these moments, I have experienced them quite often and know others that have as well. Hopefully you may also enjoy nature at its finest!
Virginia Beach is truly a remarkable vacation for anyone. It offers great adventures on the water, both by kayak and boat ride. Virginia Beach is home to a relaxing boardwalk that provides a great biking route as well as street performers. Neighboring Norfolk is packed with things to do and see, including various museums and a Naval tour. But lastly, at its most enjoyable, Virginia Beach is a phenomenal place to relax on the beach and watch the waves as the sun sets. It is a beautiful location and should not be missed!
If you would like further information on some of these great Virginia Beach activities, here are helpful links below:
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Kayak Nature Tours
- Rudee Tours
- Capt. Jack's Pirate Ship Tours
- Golf Courses of Virginia Beach
And if you want more great Virginia vacation ideas, check out:
Kevin Kurack - Kevin Kurack is a current sophomore student studying at the University of Richmond. He is studying Biology and Pre-Health sciences.
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