Find Your Happiness at These 15 Virginia Beach Destinations

The iconic Virginia Beach boardwalk stretches three oceanfront miles from 2nd Street to 40th Street and is full of the sights, sounds, and smells of a beach vacation. Visitors can take in the fresh sea breeze by foot or bike while stopping off at one of the many shops and attractions. Snap a photo at the 26-foot tall King Neptune statue on 31st Street, or enjoy some family-friend recreation time at Grommet Island Park playground. The summer months offer live music across four stages. After working up an appetite, grab a table at a local restaurant to soak in the scenery with an orange crush, a juicy burger, or a plate of fresh seafood. Just make sure to leave room for something sweet, too.

The exhibits here provide a dive into the world of sharks, rays, and other marine life — all while staying on dry land. Kids will have a blast pointing out their favorite animals, like loggerhead sea turtles and great barracudas. Several mammals live here as well, including harbor seals and the often sprightly North American river otter. The aquarium also offers an adventure park as well as seasonal dolphin and whale watching boat trips. Advanced online reservations are strongly recommended for admission.

Birders will relish a visit to this natural sanctuary. The Back Back National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 as a protection for waterfowl. Today, its biodiversity includes birds, mammals, fish, and many types of flora. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours exploring the various habitats, from the beachfront and dunes to the marsh and the upland forest. Hiking, biking, and kayaking are all welcome activities here. Entrance fees are collected from April 1 to October 31.

Sitting at the far southern end of Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park is prized for being one of the last areas of undeveloped land along the Atlantic coast. It’s an ideal location to connect with nature and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk. Cars are prohibited, making the park accessible by foot, bike, or boat only. The park offers bike trails, guided kayak trips, and tram tours (reservations required). Camping reservations are also available year-round.

A short walk from the boardwalk is the ViBe Creative District. The neighborhood is a hub for local arts and culture and is best explored on foot. Since 2015, 350 artists have created public works which you can admire any time of day. The many murals spanning the area from 17th Street to 22nd Street can be viewed together by way of a one-mile self-guided tour. Free guided tours also happen from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the first Friday of the month, departing from the corner of 18th Street and Cypress Avenue. Visit the ViBE Creative District nonprofit website for more planning details.

As summer winds down, the weekend-long Neptune Festival livens up the boardwalk with free music, arts, and crafts. The 2025 festival, scheduled for September 26-28, will be the 51st annual event. Expect the entire 30-block boardwalk to be packed with activity from two live music stages and hundreds of artisans and food vendors. Another highlight will be watching the 22 sculptors who will descend on the beach to compete in Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship.

If the urge strikes to get out on the water, head to Rudee Inlet. This area of Virginia Beach is a hub for water activities like fishing, jet skiing, and parasailing. Arrange a private fishing charter or opt to cast a line from one of the four public piers. Each December brings on the annual Waterman’s Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout, the largest rockfish tournament in the country. Rudee Inlet also has several picturesque waterfront dining options to take in the views.

Bookmark the weekend of June 21 for the return of the Point Break Music Festival. The two-day ticketed event brings reggae vibes to the Virginia Beach oceanfront — sandy toes included. Last year’s acts included Sublime, Wiz Khalifa, Stephen Marley, and Steel Pulse. Keep an eye on the festival’s website for updates on the 2025 lineup and ticket information.

Last fall marked the 7th annual ViBe Mural Festival. The 10-day event in late September/early October features 10 artists creating 10 new murals throughout the art-filled district. Attendees can meet with the artists as they work; other programming includes guided tours by golf cart and a visual scavenger hunt. The completed 2024 murals are still there to view, as property owners agreed to preserve the murals for at least two years. A map of the murals and a suggested walking route can be found online. Dates for the 2025 festival have not yet been announced.

Get ready to move, shake, and groove to the beachside beats of this August tradition. The Funk Fest Beach Party sets up at the 24th Street beach, sending out two days of beats and rhythms that are impossible to resist. Last year’s acts included the likes of WAR and Doug E. Fresh. It’s a complete vibe that’s not to be missed. This year will be its 15th anniversary, so be sure to check back for announcements on dates, performers, and food vendors. General admission is free, with preferred admission available for purchase.

Free to the public, this annual summer concert series runs June through September and brings nationally recognized acts to the Virginia Beach boardwalk. The 2024 lineup included Parmalee, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Guster, and hip-hop trio Digable Planets. Events are held across stages at the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street parks. Expect information on the 2025 season to be announced in the coming months.

This three-day event is an adrenaline-filled competition for skateboarding, motocross, bouldering, and other extreme sports. The Jackalope Festival got its start in Canada, hosting annual dates in Mississauga, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. It returns to Virginia Beach from May 30 to June 1, 2025 for what is its only US stop. Admission is free and suitable for all ages. In addition to watching the athletes, visitors can enjoy time in the beer garden, listen to live music, and browse a selection of pop-up vendors.

The 18-hole disc golf course is one of the many highlights of this peaceful Virginia Beach city park. The course is free to use for all guests (a $75 fee is applied to all organized tournaments). Munden Point hugs the North Landing River, part of the 3,000-mile long Intracoastal Waterway. Other activities include everything needed for a day spent outdoors, including kayak rentals, a boat launch, basketball courts, and playgrounds. Both large and mini shelters, equipped with charcoal grills, are available for reservations.

Save the date for August 17, 2025 and prepare to catch some epic surfing action. The East Coast Surfing Championships holds the claim of the oldest continually running surfing competition in the world. It was originally named the Virginia Beach Surfing Carnival, and this year’s competition will be the 63rd in its history. The week-long event has grown to include much more than surfing. Spectators can try their hand at beach volleyball, a 5K run, skateboarding contests, and other classic summer activities. There’s also bound to be live music along with plenty of food, drink, and art vendors. Check the official website in the coming months for a full schedule of activities.

Aviation fans will be giddy at the opportunity to get up close with this museum’s extensive collection of World War I and World War II aircraft. Three hangars are filled with a dizzying number of iconic planes, including three Fokker Dr. I Dreideckers and a Curtiss P-40E Warhawk. Summer months include live flight demonstrations. The museum also displays various art and memorabilia, including a current exhibit of WWII bomber jackets. Ticket prices range from $10 to $17, while museum members, WWII veterans, and children four and under are free.