Things to do in Virginia Beach

I recommend coming here if you’re new in town. It’s a great introduction to the ocean, the hotels, the beaches, and the sights we’ve got here. And as far as East Coast boardwalks go, I really think this one is one of the nicest in terms of maintenance and general appeal. My family and I like to rent bicycles and explore the whole thing (all three miles) by pedal. It can get sort of crowded here during the busy months but September (when we vacation) is just ideal!

I was thoroughly impressed with this museum the last time we went. They’ve got this huge shark tank that’s just fascinating and draws a ton of children to the windows. Children also like touching the manta rays here in their touch tank. Beyond sea life they’ve got an Aviary with a lot of different bird species to ogle at. There’s a Marsh trail that connects the two buildings which is quite neat too. The exhibits here are always changing so make sure to check back every so often.

This is one of the best, and fastest, ways to see Virginia Beach. The “rocket” is a bright yellow, 70-foot long speed boat that rocks a 2,000 horsepower engine. Once you’re out in the safe zone the captain pulls back the gauge and away you go, barreling into the ocean. Beware, you are definitely going to get wet on this ride. The entire ride is about an hour and you’ll take a break to check out some dolphins along the way. We saw so many of them on our trip. They are curious creatures.

This is the best beach in Virginia because it’s not bombarded with tourists. You’ll find a lot of locals here which means they're better behaved and have respect for the beach, aka, keep it clean. The view of the Chesapeake Bay from here is amazing. The water’s not freezing, clean, and shallow so you don’t have to worry too much about your children here. They’ve also got a lot of bar and restaurants in proximity to the beach so that’s always nice for afterwards.