The Perfect Weekend in Virginia Beach for Sun Worshippers, Nature Lovers, and Families

Compared to its other Mid-Atlantic resort town contemporaries, Virginia Beach doesn’t feel overly manufactured or developed—and that’s because it isn’t. The ethos here is more like that of a natural environment that graciously made room to coexist with a beach resort town rather than the other way around; the city’s array of parks and open spaces make that abundantly clear. And thanks to the bevy of options beyond putting your toes in the sand, from hiking and boating to museum-hopping and festivals, the region isn’t just appealing during the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day; it’s solidly entrenched as a year-round oceanfront destination. Case in point: this summer will see the opening of Atlantic Park, a mixed-use entertainment complex backed by Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams whose centerpiece will be a 2.6 acre indoor surf park—the only attraction of its kind located that close to a beach already known for world-class surfing.

Whether you’ve grown up going to this beloved beachfront locale or you’re a first-timer, we’ve asked locals for their input to compile suggestions that cater to vacationers who never want to stray too far from the waves, nature enthusiasts who are always up for an adventure in the great outdoors, and those traveling with their tots, kids, or teens in tow looking for diversions that’ll keep the whole family entertained.

See: Panoramic vistas from atop the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Built in 1792 and located within the grounds of Fort Story military base, it was the first lighthouse constructed by the US government. Climbing the 191 steps to the 360-lantern room gives you coastal views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, as well as the adjacent “new” lighthouse built in 1881.

Touch: The iconic oceanfront boardwalk. Stretching three miles from 2nd to 40th streets, the paved concrete walkway is the perfect spot for early morning runs, casual afternoon strolls, or post-dinner walks. There’s also a parallel bike path. Along the way are shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions including the 26-foot-tall King Neptune statue and the Norwegian Lady Statue commemorating the 1891 shipwreck Dictator.

Smell: That restorative salt air. There’s just nothing like the whiff of a briny breeze to remind you that you’re by the ocean. Take in that irresistible scent from one of the many hotel rooms with beachfront balconies, on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier (in season April through October) or through the marsh, dunes, and shrubby trees during a hike on the Seaside Trail at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Hear: The sound of fighter jets roaring overhead. There aren’t many beach towns where you can lie on the sand and marvel at the F/A-18 Super Hornets screeching overhead during daily operations. Virginia Beach is home to three military bases, including Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, which houses 16 fighter and attack squadrons and has 14,600 service members. It’s a dream come true for AV geeks.

Taste: Fresh, local seafood. Maryland doesn’t have the monopoly on steamed, spiced blue crabs—you’ll find them here too, as well as fresh catches like cobia, flounder, and striped bass. There’s even a hyper-local species of oyster called the Lynnhaven, which is mildly sweet. Sample it all at The Atlantic on Pacific, which comes alive during its daily happy hour.

What makes a perfect beach destination? Well, for starters, a wide, inviting coastline on which to spread out and surf that draws you into (or on) the water. Virginia Beach has both in spades, and if you want to spend your trip doing nothing more than lying in the sand under an umbrella, you do you. But the salty air here might just inspire you to take part in something more immersive, especially since in this single unique location you have the choice of frolicking in the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, taking a dip in the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay, or paddling around in the many inlets. And if you’ve ever had a fantasy of hanging ten, now’s your chance. “Virginia Beach is the perfect spot for a surf lesson, with manageable waves, accessible sandbars, and fantastic instructors,” according to Eric Coulson, general manager of Surf & Adventure Co. And with Sandbridge to the south, a residential barrier island that’s drawn comparisons to North Carolina’s Outer Banks just over the border, beach aficionados can get a two-fer vacation. “I grew up here and still love that I can always find a quiet spot, even in summer,” Coulson says.

8 am - Start the day with breakfast at Doc Taylor’s Restaurant.
This breakfast-and-lunch spot focused on Southern cooking is housed in a pink cottage that was formerly the medical practice of its namesake doctor. Kick off your perfect beach day with a round of Bloody Marys and a Virginian Omelet with country ham, tomatoes, cheese, and hollandaise.

10 am - Spot whales or dolphins during a boat ride with Rudee Tours.
Don’t forget your camera, because the tour company promises guaranteed sightings of bottlenose dolphins from March to October and humpback whales from December to February during their hour-and-a-half to two-hour boat trips. Tours depart from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center on their fleet of climate-controlled cruising boats, with multi-level, 360-degree water views of the breaching mammals.

12:30 pm - Grab a table on the patio at Waterman’s Surfside Grille.
Before you lay out a beach blanket on the sand, get a peek at the coastline from this wildly popular restaurant located on the southern end of the boardwalk. There’s an entire menu dedicated to the Crush, Virginia Beach’s signature cocktail made with vodka, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and Sprite, and the fish tacos are stuffed with blackened tuna or fried mahi and topped with mango slaw, pineapple-tomato salsa, and Sriracha aioli.

2 pm - Soak up the sun and surf.
Build sandcastles with molds and tools purchased from one of the many Sunsations souvenir shops, pick up a boogie board at the 17th Street Surf Shop and catch some waves, or just relax with a beach read. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, take a one-hour private lesson from Seth Broudy School of Surf to learn the basics of board handling, positioning, paddling, and water safety.

5:30 pm - Spend happy hour at Rudee’s Restaurant & Cabana Bar.
The golden hour when the sun dips towards the horizon might just be the most perfect time at the beach. Watch the waves in the Rudee Inlet lapping onto the shore from a seat at a covered, gliding wooden picnic table while sipping on The Little Yachtie from the Docktail menu, with coconut rum, fresh lime juice, cream of coconut, and soda.

7:30 pm - Dine atop Orion’s Roof for the most spectacular view of the Atlantic.
Perched on the 23rd floor of the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, this modern Asian fusion restaurant is the only oceanfront rooftop restaurant in Virginia Beach. Experience sunset from a table on the north side, or reserve the romantic corner Table 52 for two, which faces the horizon and the coastline, while sipping a Japanese Old Fashioned and tucking into Lynnhaven oysters with yuzu vinaigrette or a Surf and Turf Roll with tempura lobster, torched Wagyu, and truffles.

The staggering amount of parks, wildlife refuges, and ecosystems found in Virginia Beach offer diversity not just in flora and fauna, but in the sheer number of ways in which you can bask in the great outdoors. “Nature is easily accessible to everything with interests ranging from land-oriented to water lovers,” says Alexis Rabon, naturalist and researcher with Rudee Tours. “And with our mild conditions throughout the majority of each season, the weather is inviting to outdoor activities and adventures throughout the year.” The biking paths, hiking trails, and waterways are top-notch, carving their way throughout tidal and freshwater wetlands that serve as a habitat for many aquatic and avian species. Dive under the water and you’ll see even more. There are surprises all around, including Pleasure House Point Natural Area, whose water trails are part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, and Mount Trashmore Park, the US's first converted landfill park, where you can canoe in the brackish waters of Lake Windsor. If deep-sea fishing is your thing, charter a boat for a night excursion under the stars to catch wahoo, red drum, and big eye tuna, depending on the season.

8 am - Fuel up with juices and smoothie bowls at The Green Cat.
To get energized for an activity-filled day, head to this juice bar and market, which serves bottled and made-to-order juices, immunity shots, and tons of other healthy options. The restaurant’s eponymous smoothie blends pineapple, mango, spinach, coconut oil, and coconut water with the blue-green algae spirulina, and oatmeal can be topped with blueberry and flax or cherry and chia seeds.

9 am - Hike in First Landing State Park.
Virginia’s most-visited state park has 20 miles of trails traversing diverse ecosystems with dunes, lagoons, and maritime forests, including the 1.5-mile Bald Cypress Trail, a pleasant loop through cypress swamps. You can also swim, walk, or search for sea glass on the 1.5-mile placid Chesapeake Bay beachfront.

12 pm - Lunch on fresh, local cuisine at Commune.
Located in the ViBE Creative District, this farm-to-table restaurant sources ingredients from regional purveyors and changes its menu according to what’s available and in season. The Big Backyard Salad tops baby greens with roasted veggies, farmer’s cheese, pickled mustard seeds, and a hard-boiled egg, and the burger is made with locally raised beef from nearby farm Coastal Cattle.

3 pm - SUP at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
This nearly 10,000-acre isolated refuge in the region’s southern Sandridge area is part of Virginia’s Outer Banks and features barrier islands with marshes, large sand dunes, beaches, and wildlife. Rent stand up paddleboards from Surf & Adventure Company and take to the calm waters of Back Bay, where you’ll likely spot waterfowl and shorebirds. From here, you can also paddle your way to False Cape State Park, which got its name because ships often mistook it for Cape Henry and ran aground in the shallow water. Note the park is only accessible via foot, bike, or boat.

7 pm - Unwind after an adrenaline-filled day with dinner at Love Song.
This buzzy wine bar specializes in natural and biodynamic bottles on a list that changes frequently; recent options included a zesty Spanish white blend with Xarel-Lo and Macabeo and a funky skin contact petit manseng from the Languedoc. Order a tableful of sharable small plates like Smoked Fish Dip with house pickles and Duck Breast with confit and sauce au poivre.Be sure to save room for a slice of pillowy olive oil cake sprinkled with crunchy salt.

9 pm - Regale your adventures over cocktails at the posh Raleigh Room.
Sink into a sumptuous sofa at this swanky social lounge at The Cavalier Hotel, whose black and white tiled flooring, gilded picture frames,and wing-backed chairs ooze classic turn-of-the-century charms. Cap off the day with a Tableside Martini that’s stirred with gin or vodka from the onsite distillery, Tarnished Truth, and served in vintage glassware.

Sure, you and your kids can partake in all of the expected trappings of a beach destination, including a rousing round of miniature golf at Jungle Golf, with its multiple levels of wildlife statues, water traps, and even a smoldering volcano, or a ride the ferris wheel on the boardwalk pier. But in Virginia Beach, family activities transcend the typical with its kid-friendly museum scene and bounty of natural wonders. “Our location is unique—we’re about as far north that southern species come, and as far south as northern species come,” says Kristina Scott, public relations manager for the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center. “We see dolphins year-round, and in the winter we’re a part of the whales’ migratory path.” But if the weather isn’t quite cooperative for spotting dolphins during a kayak tour in the calm waters of the Lynnhaven Inlet or tackling the ropes course at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, there are a tons of of unexpected things to explore indoors that are fun and educational, like the hands-on art activities and ever-changing exhibits from local artists at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) or the crucial role of lifeguards at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum.

8 am - Feed your brood at The Bee and the Biscuit.
Arrive early to snag a table at this adorable restaurant and garden, where there’s an impressive selection of omelets, toasts, and benedicts (including one with lump crab and Old Bay). Everyone comes for the made-to-order Colossal Cinnamon Rolls; sold individually or in a pan of six, they’re well worth the sugar rush.

9:30 am - See vintage aircraft at the Military Aviation Museum.
This incredible museum houses one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II planes in the world. Exhibits in the two-story main building explore the history of the iconic bomber jacket and Virginia’s role in the Vietnam War. The main draw are the Army and Navy hangars that flank each end, with aircrafts including the P-52 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, FM-2 Wildcat, and FG-1D Corsair. On weekends in season, you can even book a 15-minute open-cockpit ride in a 1941 Stearman biplane. (Note: this museum is geared towards school-aged kids and older.)

12 pm - Dine on the water at Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar.
This always-bustling waterfront spot is a win/win: parents can quench their thirst with a boozy Limeade, Crush, or Tiki Drink (or their zero proof counterparts), while kids can watch the fishing and tour boats come in and out of Rudee Inlet. The crowd-pleasing menu has everything from shrimp or fish tacos to fajitas and burgers, as well as a raw bar and children’s menu.

1:30 pm - Discover aquatic creatures at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
Purchase timed tickets beforehand to avoid the queue at this water-filled attraction where you’ll learn about the region’s geology and marine ecosystems through hands-on activities and exhibits. In the North Building are sea turtles, komodo dragons, seals, sharks and several walk-through aquariums teeming with colorful fish, coral gardens, and a touch garden of stingrays. Take the short nature trail to the newly-renovated South Building, where you’ll find river otters, jellies, and more.

4:30 pm - Check out the art scene with a walking tour of the ViBe Creative District.
This section of the Oceanfront District celebrates the arts in all its forms, from music to woodworking. But the most visible manifestation of the creativity here is the street art, much of which is from local artists. Download the map from the website and embark on an easy one-mile walking tour, which provides info about the artist and the work. Along the way, pop into Three Ships Coffee for a single-origin espresso or hot chocolate.

6:30 pm - Sink your teeth into a handheld at Repeal Bourbon & Burgers.
This unassuming restaurant is equal parts speakeasy, Bourbon bar, and burger joint, with a casual vibe perfect for bringing your kids. Share an order of nachos with kettle chips and Bourbon chili, then select a grass-fed burger topped in a dozen different ways, from bleu cheese and roasted garlic aioli to peanut butter and Sriracha jelly.

8 pm - Take a stroll on the boardwalk.
Sandwiched between the beach and the street, Virginia Beach’s paved boardwalk is easy to navigate on foot or with strollers. Shop for souvenirs at one of the Smiles for Miles locations you’ll pass in the area. Afterwards, head to Lolly’s Creamery to order a scoop or two of the monthly specialty flavors (past ones include Twisted Brownie and Biscoff Ooey Gooey). Eat your ice cream by the massive King Neptune statue nearby, which makes for a great family photo opp.

The Historic Cavalier Resort and Beach Club ($$$$)
This stately historic hotel is set back a bit from the beach, but many of the rooms have ocean views, and the front lawn is dotted with Adirondack chairs. Splash in the indoor plunge pool and jacuzzi or the Beach Club with an infinity seaside pool, or get pampered at SeaHill Spa. Dining concepts include American cuisine at the rustic Hunt Room, and Tarnished Truth is the nation’s only distillery housed inside a hotel. Plus, guests here also have access to the amenities at sister resort Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront next door.

Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Oceanfront ($$)
Centrally located on the north end of the boardwalk, this 140-room property opened in 2022 has an indoor and outdoor pool, a large, comfy lounge in which to decompress, and casual all-day dining at The Placery. (Note that this is not the same hotel as the Hyatt House Virginia Beach Oceanfront, which is eight blocks away and isn’t quite as new.)

Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront ($$$)
A perfect home base for outdoor adventure seekers, this 295-room hotel boasts a year-round outdoor pool and suites with sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s also conveniently located adjacent to First Landing State park. The onsite restaurant, Tides Coastal Kitchen, features Mid-Atlantic seafood like she-crab bisque, crab cakes, and roasted rockfish.

Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront ($$$)
This playful, modern twist on a traditional beach stay has lively social spaces, oceanfront views from the lobby and outdoor pool, a coffee shop and diner, and an expansive bar. Of the 134 oceanfront rooms, the ones with bunk beds are especially great for families.

Beachgoers may want to visit during June through August for the warmest air and water temps. The fringe season of May and September will be less crowded, but keep in mind that hurricane season is hit or miss and tends to be most active in September and October. If you’re coming for other outdoor activities, spring and fall are also exceptionally pleasant. Indoor attractions including museums are year-round, but boardwalk rides and some restaurants and shops are only open during the summer season.

DO plan your drive around morning and afternoon rush hour to avoid traffic, especially if you’re arriving via the Hampton Bay Bridge-Tunnel or the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

DO consider visiting in winter, when you can bundle up for a crisp walk on the beach or boardwalk and have it mostly to yourself.

DON’T just stay on the main drag. There’s lots to see beyond the touristy areas.

DO venture out for a day trip to places like Colonial Williamsburg, Kitty Hawk, and Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

Virginia Beach holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest pleasure beach, with 35 miles of coastline. It’s also home to the East Coast Surfing Championships, the oldest running surfing competition in the United States.

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