Just a few hours from Washington, DC, Virginia Beach offers sand, sunshine and carefree fun along 35 miles of beachfront.
It's an easy drive to this all-American beach, which features wide, sandy swaths for sunbathing as well as rolling waves and breakers for surfing and water sports. There’s also a famous boardwalk, plus plenty of options for fun beyond the beach.
The Beach: Virginia’s coastal beach stretches as far as the eye can see, offering ample space for long walks along the water, building sandcastles and swimming out past the breakers. Along the beach, find opportunities for fishing, horseback riding and sports such as beach volleyball. Adventure-seekers will enjoy kayaking, charter fishing, stand-up paddling, jet skiing, surfing, sailing, parasailing, whale-watching and other water activities. Beachfront is accessible from oceanfront hotels, as well as public access points along the beach.
The Boardwalk: Stroll Virginia Beach’s famous boardwalk, which stretches three miles from 3rd Street to 39th Street. The wide, park-like promenade is lined with shops and eateries, as well as hotels and attractions. Treat yourself to a boardwalk snack or some seaside culinary delights as you take in ocean breezes, hear the lulling crash of waves and admire spectacular beach views. A separate, dedicated bike path runs parallel to the boardwalk, so you can tour the boardwalk by bicycle (rent single-person bicycles for adults and kids, or rent bicycles designed for two, four or six people). Throughout the summer season, enjoy nightly entertainment at four oceanfront stages along the boardwalk.
A Resort Setting: The resort area surrounding Virginia Beach offers year-round adventures, activities and attractions to entertain all ages. As a premier holiday destination for the Capital Region, Virginia Beach offers more than 11,000 hotel rooms, campsites, rental cottages and condominiums, with dining options ranging from fine dining to all-you-can-eat seafood. Activities for kids and teens include mini golf courses and amusement park rides.
Festivals & Events: Summer festivals include the Virginia Beach Sand Soccer Tournament, the North American Sandsculpting Championship and the Labor Day American Music Festival. In the autumn, experience the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival. Events continue in the colder months, with the Winter Wildlife Festival and the annual Polar Bear Plunge Winter Festival.
Theme Parks & Family Attractions: At Ocean Breeze Waterpark, splash down 16 water slides and bob in a million-gallon wave pool; kids can cool off in a Caribbean-themed water playground. At the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, a stingray touch tank is one of 300 hands-on exhibits. A short drive away, experience Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a European-themed park filled with attractions, shows and thrill rides, including world-class roller coasters.
Outdoors & Golf: Virginia’s most visited state park, the 2,888-acre First Landing State Park, features sandy Chesapeake Bay beaches and 20 miles of trails. Golfers will find sunny fairways at more than a dozen local golf courses, including courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
For more information on visiting Virginia Beach, go to www.visitvirginiabeach.com.