From beach to bay, sand to sidewalk, Virginia Beach, Virginia is way more than your average beach town, it's a GREAT East Coast Atlantic Ocean Beach. The award winning board walk and bike path run the entire length of the beach. At three miles long, it's the worlds longest pleasure beach. Rent a bike, walk or blade... and much more
The beach itself couldn't be any nicer, it's wide with great sand and life guards along it's entire length.
Virginia Beach is located on the Atlantic East coast of Virginia and is a little further south than the shore in New Jersey and Maryland. Being a little further away from the big cities means less traffic and less people, although the beach sure was full on the 4th of July. It's about 100 miles south of the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, which is another east coast beach worth visiting. Virginia beach attracts over three million people each year.
Between the ocean and bays, Virginia Beach has over 35 miles of shoreline for your vacation enjoyment. Take a break from the beach and walk the nature center at the Landing State Park which is located at the North end of Virginia Beach and is the most visited State Park in Virginia.
Start your day with a walk, jog or bike ride along the three mile boardwalk. As the sun rises and it gets later in the morning families poor from the beach front hotels. The beach transforms into a myriad of colors as people spread their beach towels and umbrellas.
The oceanfront is a flurry of activity all day. Bikini beach walkers, families renting and riding bicycle surreys, bikini roller bladers (the guys are normally in shorts) and teens of all ages walk the boardwalk.
At night Beach Street USA takes over and transforms the bikini beach oceanfront into an entertainment festival. Fireworks, musicians and comedians fill the street with great free entertainment all summer long.
Activities in Virginia Beach
There's so much to do here in Virginia Beach... if you don't like the beach:
* Play golf on one of many championship golf courses.
* Kayak through pristine coastal marshes.
* Swim with dolphins.
* Fish off the causeway, beach or charter a boat.
* Parasail high above Virginia Beach
* Go on a Jet ski excursion.
* High Powered Speed Boat Tours.
* Rent bicycles or a bicycle surrey (4 wheel bicycle cart) for two or the family.
If you like history, you'll love it here as it's the landing spot to some of Americas first settlers.
Entertainment along Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach
Head down to the beach every night and be entertained by different street acts. They have an amphitheatre/stage at 17th Street where bands and entertainers play. They also have all kinds of acts along Atlantic Avenue from 15th Street to 20th Street. Duets, pop, rock, barbershop... are just some of the groups to choose from. My families favorite was a smart A__ German Juggler / Comedian, very funny!
From 4th (South) to 40th (North) Street, where to find things
The board walk and beach run along a stretch from 4th Street where there is a public parking lot to 40th street at the North end of Virginia Beach. The main north/south street is Atlantic Avenue. The East side of Atlantic Avenue has a string of hotels which all back up to the Virginia Beach Board Walk and Bicycle path. On the east side of Atlantic Avenue you'll find all kinds of beach shops, restaurants and other stores.
I'm guessing there are easily fifty hotels on Atlantic Avenue that back right up to Virginia Beach. Many of them have restaurants, so stroll off the beach, across the board walk (watch out for bikes) and enjoy anyone of the many restaurants. I didn't check the signs, but I'm pretty sure bikinis are welcome in most.
One block west of Atlantic Avenue is Pacific Avenue (not quite separated by the continent), which is also Route 50 and turns into General Booth Boulevard once you cross the causeway south of 4th street. This is a little faster bypass to head North and South if you don't want people watch along Atlantic Ave.
4th Street
City Parking Lot
5th Street
Causeway over the ocean inletAll tour boats, charters, parasail companies... just before the causeway
9th Street
Parking
12th Street
Dewitt Cottage and Wild Fowl Museum
15th Street
Ocean PierPier Food MartPier Rides
17th Street
Stage and Amphitheatre
19th Street
Parking North and South
24th Street
Parking24th Street StageOld Coast Guard Station Museum
31st Street
Neptunes Park with King Triton Statue
Camping in Virginia Beach
There are plenty of choices for camping in Virginia Beach, many are on General Booth Boulevard (Route 50), over the causeway and a couple of miles South of 4th Street. Bring your bikes, it's pretty flat in Virginia Beach which makes for an easy ride to the south end of the board walk (4th Street). The only hill was back over the causeway. Or if you prefer, you can catch the wave (bus) right at camp ground store and have them drop you off down town. The KOA her is big with a couple of pools, there was also a Good Sam park right across the street.
Virginia Beach and the surrounding area are rich in history, culture and most importantly fun! World class museums, historic sites, amusement parks and entertainment venues. All this with the beautiful back drop of and endless ocean and peaceful bay make Virginia Beach one of the finest seaside getaways in the country.
