Virginia Beach Official Visitors Guide - 2024/2025
DISTRICTS
2024-11-20 05:37:18
Explore Our Diverse Districts
With multiple beautiful beaches and eclectic districts, each with its own distinct personality, Virginia Beach is so much more than your run-of-the-mill beach town. Every corner of our coastal city offers unique ways to live the life, whether on the ocean, on the bay or somewhere in between.
Virginia Beach Sandbridge
Sandbridge is a relaxing and peaceful community where you can truly slow down and unwind on your vacation. Here are some of our favorite ways to live it up during your stay.
Check It Out
VACATION RENTALS
Sandbridge is a hub of vacation rentals and condos in Virginia Beach. From quaint bungalows to 14-bedroom retreats, luxury condos, cottages with yards for kids and pets to play in, and everything in between, Sandbridge has a variety of stunning properties for all budgets and families of all sizes. Local rental companies offer the luxury of a seaside retreat with all the comforts of home.
KAYAKING & STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING
The unencumbered beauty of Back Bay makes it one of our favorite places to explore by water. There is no shortage of great local outfitters offering guided kayak and paddleboard tours of both Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. While beginners are welcome on the bay, the ocean tours, launching at Little Island Park, do require experience.
CAMPING & HIKING
Located in southern Sandbridge, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier sandspit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The park offers primitive camping, where you can sleep right on the beach in near-complete isolation. With no public vehicle access, False Cape can only be reached by hiking, biking, small boats or the park’s beach transport and tram services through the neighboring Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
With 15 hiking and biking trails, varying in length and ranging from easy to difficult, there are many ways to explore one of the last remaining undeveloped areas on the East Coast. We’d recommend navigating the entire 15.3 miles of trails in the park, where you will experience both ocean and bay beaches, dunes, maritime forests, marshes and wooded swamps, all in one visit.
FAT-TIRE BIKING
If you think navigating a bike down our wide, sandy beaches sounds like an impossible feat, you have to try it out on a fat-tire bike, which can be rented from one of the area’s equipment outfitters. From the oceanfront beaches to the Chesapeake Bay, there may be no better view than biking along the water’s edge, and the wide tires of these bikes make riding on the wet sand as easy as riding on pavement.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
With 9,175 acres, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is made up of barrier islands, dunes, beach woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forests, ponds and ocean beaches, and is situated on a thin strip of coastline between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. More than 300 species call the park home, offering some of the best birding opportunities on the East Coast.
Sandbridge
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- Little Island Park
2- Surf & Adventure Co. kayaks
3- False Cape State Park
4- Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
5- Sandbridge Beach
Use the QR code for more information about Sandbridge.
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
With its many hotels, dining and entertainment options, the Oceanfront is where the action is. Enjoy live music, street performers, outdoor cafés, and hotdog and snow-cone vendors on Atlantic Avenue; head to the popular Rudee Inlet marina area for water sports and dining; and explore our famous 3-mile boardwalk, which is perfect for rollerblading, jogging or riding a cruiser or four-seater surrey bike. Sunbathers come for the wide, sandy beaches, surfers come for the waves and everyone comes for the unforgettable experience of a classic day at the beach.
3 Spots You Can’t Miss at the Oceanfront
The Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a hub of cool drinks, good food and live music, all within a beach cruiser’s ride from our sandy beaches. From unique shops to unbeatable seafood, this place is a must on any Virginia Beach itinerary. Here are a few of our favorite spots to get you started.
1- ATLANTIC AVENUE
For a mix of eclectic coastal finds and great dining options, it’s hard to beat Atlantic Avenue. From classic beach staples like Sunsations to charming boutique clothing and gift shops, there’s a little something for everyone. For a shopper’s paradise, check out Beach Bodies, with great styles perfect for a sunny vacation, and Bargain Beachwear for a huge selection of beach attire at a great price. Finish the day with dinner at one of the endless eateries on the strip. For food and fun, you can’t go wrong with indoor shuffleboard at Beachside Social or the open-air beachside vibes of Ocean 27.
2- RUDEE INLET
At the south end of the Oceanfront, Rudee Inlet is the go-to spot for water sports. Head out on a fishing charter to reel in a big one, feel the wind on your face as you glide across the water on a Jet Ski and catch a seagull’s-eye view of the Atlantic Ocean as you parasail over the water. To complete your seaside adventure in tasty fashion, enjoy seafood done right while overlooking the water at Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar, Rockafeller’s Restaurant or Rudee’s Restaurant & Cabana Bar.
3- VIRGINIA BEACH BOARDWALK
This 28-foot-wide marvel stretches 3 miles and features a separate bike path, ideal for strolling, rollerblading and biking. Entertainment is offered nightly during the summer months, and Oceanfront stages at 7th, 17th, 24th and 31st streets provide live musical acts. Along the boardwalk, there’s a variety of outdoor restaurants and vendors offering bike and surrey rentals. Nautical sculptures adorn many of the side streets that lead to Atlantic Avenue.
Oceanfront
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- Virginia Beach Boardwalk
2- The iconic King Neptune statue
3- Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
4- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Sci. Center
5- Rudee Walkway “Seashore Cathedral” mural
Use the QR code for more information about the Oceanfront.
Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay
For beachgoers looking for kinder, gentler waves, refuge can be found along the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay in the community known affectionately to locals as Chic’s Beach. From swimming and building sand castles to dolphin watching and volleyball, all the traditional beach rituals are here in a setting that has a decidedly laid-back vibe.
A Day in the Chesapeake Bay District
10 A.M. - Start your day with a honey-cinnamon latte and the morning hash at American Brew, located just steps away from the new Lesner Bridge and “The Canoes” sculpture.
11 A.M. - Head east down Shore Drive to First Landing State Park for a morning hike through preserved marshland dotted with towering bald cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss.
After your hike, head across the street to Fort Story Military Base to climb the steps of the historical Cape Henry Lighthouse.
The climb to the top can be a doozy, but the 360-degree views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean are well worth it.
A Day in the Chesapeake Bay District
2 P.M. - Refuel with a pit stop at Commonwealth Brewing Company, where they serve up mouthwatering craft creations in a former firehouse.
With ample outdoor patio space, lawn games and food trucks, this is a great place to spend an afternoon outside.
3:30 P.M. - Head back across the Lesner Bridge to Tula Paddle Sports, where you can rent kayaks and standup paddleboards for an afternoon exploring the creeks and waterways of Broad Bay, including First Landing State Park, which is only a half-mile from where you’ll launch.
5:30 P.M. - A day of hiking and paddling your way through the bay area can really build up an appetite. Mermaid Winery, the first urban winery in the state of Virginia, offers over 800 wines from around the world and a menu featuring fresh local ingredients.
7 P.M. - Head down to Pleasure House Road for a walk along the Chesapeake Bay at Chic’s Beach. After a busy day, you can’t beat relaxing by the water’s edge at sunset, as the last rays of the day sparkle on the water.
9 P.M. - Close the night out by catching a show at HK on the Bay, just a couple of blocks off the water. The intimate setting puts you right in the middle of the action for some of the best live music around. Enjoy local beers on tap and dance the night away to some of our favorite local bands.
Chesapeake Bay
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- Chic’s Beach
2- Lesner Bridge
3- “The Canoes” sculpture
4- Mermaid Winery
5- Brock Environmental Center
Use the QR code for more information
about the Chesapeake Bay district.
Virginia Beach Pungo
Just a few minutes outside of the windswept dunes of Sandbridge sit 23,000 acres of farmland known to locals as Pungo. A drive through this expansive agricultural community delivers a rural serenity and countryside charm that feels worlds away from the bustle of the Oceanfront. Stop along your journey at any one of the area’s roadside stands or, for a truly Pungo experience, pick your own bushel of fresh berries, produce or even a bouquet of wildflowers.
Unique Experiences in Pungo
One of our favorite activities in Virginia Beach is to head down to Pungo and spend some time exploring the rural farming community. As if the expansive agricultural landscape just a few miles from the beach isn’t surprising enough, just wait until you get there. Here are a few of our favorite ways to spend a day in Pungo that are far from just an average day on the farm.
MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM
Take a ride on a vintage 1941 Boeing Stearman open-cockpit biplane. Step even further back in time with a stroll through their Jerrassic Park, where metal dinosaurs frolic in the pond at the museum’s entrance.
PUNGO BOARD HOUSE
A surfboard shop in the middle of the country? Pungo Board House offers everything you need to surf and skate the day away with custom board services, lessons and even a skate ramp on the property.
BLUE PETE’S DINNER KAYAK TOUR
Take a dinner kayaking cruise to Blue Pete’s for some delicious fresh seafood. At sunset, you’ll float through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, watching for wildlife along the way.
PICK YOUR OWN PRODUCE
Go picking in Pungo for the season’s bounty at one of the area’s many pick-your-own farms.
SAWDUST ROAD
Stop by the Sawdust Road cafe, which offers a place to relax with good food, excellent lattes and ample opportunity to appreciate artworks from local artists, photographers and craftsmen.
Pungo
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- Pungo Board House
2- Sawdust Road
3- Munden Point Park
4- Pungo Ferry Bridge
5- The Bee & The Biscuit
Use the QR code for more information about the Pungo district.
Virginia Beach Town Center
At the heart of Virginia Beach, Town Center is the place to be for a night of high-end shopping, dining and entertainment. Discover the perfect setting for a fun family day out or a romantic evening with dinner and drinks. Laugh the night away at the Funny Bone Comedy Club or relish in live entertainment offered at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts or Zeiders American Dream Theater. End your day with some rest and relaxation at one of our conveniently located luxury hotels.
Local’s Guide to Town Center
SHOPPING
While nationally recognized brands will bring you in, Town Center is also home to many gems that can only be found locally. From high-end boutiques to familiar brands, this vibrant district offers something for everyone.
Fashion-forward shoppers can explore designer labels at Town Center’s upscale department stores, while those seeking unique finds can peruse boutique shops, like Eclectic Design Florist & Gift, Commonwealth and Merriment on Main.
DRINKS
Twist Martini & Associates is the spot if you’re looking to end your evening with a couple of craft cocktails. We like the Bee Sting, with honey-habanero moonshine, fresh lemon and simple syrup in a honey-drizzled glass. Sip on one alongside live music a few nights a week.
Named after a colonial-era thoroughfare running east to west through central Virginia, Charlottesville-based brewer Three Notch’d Brewery & Craft Kitchen is a Virginia staple. Now operating a new space out of Town Center, taste their award-winning flagships and seasonal brews like the 40 Mile IPA and the Jack’s Java Espresso Sprout. The food here is top notch, too.
DESSERTS
Candy connoisseurs can find some of our favorite local confections at The Royal Chocolate. With their melt-in-your-mouth truffles and chocolate-covered fruit made right there in the shop, it’s worth a visit for the aromas alone.
For a delicious dessert with a decidedly French twist, Lamia’s Crepes offers tasty crepes made in the true French tradition: created on traditional crepe pans right before your eyes. Don’t skip the Pomme, a crepe filled with homemade apple and cinnamon compote topped with salted-caramel sauce.
Don’t leave Town Center without stopping by one of the newest additions, Macaron Tart. With all-natural, made-from-scratch French macarons and tarts, this woman-owned bakery prepares small batches in house to ensure that the quality is always high, and it shows in every bite.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is a masterpiece of acoustical engineering that brings acts from all over the world, including national recording artists, world-renowned symphonies and orchestras, and theatrical masterpieces.
Featuring a distinctly local experience, Zeiders American Dream Theater is a professional nonprofit theater with a brand-new, state-of-the-art performance space that gives local writers, performers and artists the perfect platform for artistic expression of all varieties. It has become an integral part of the local arts community.
For fans of the visual arts, don’t miss the nationally acclaimed Jones Art Gallery, with original paintings from three generations of the Jones family. Their work has been featured on the covers of nine New York Times bestsellers, including works by John Grisham and Ian McEwan, and received artwork credits in over 100 million books to date.
RESTAURANTS
Nestled in the heart of Virginia Beach, Town Center offers a vibrant culinary scene sure to tantalize any palate. From cozy cafes to upscale eateries, this bustling district boasts an array of dining options that caters to diverse tastes.
Seafood lovers can indulge in freshly caught delights at Legal Sea Foods, where dishes burst with the flavors of the Atlantic.
Those looking for famous and flavorful regional fare have two options for Southern-inspired comfort food: Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar and Sweetwater Cuisine.
For a more international flair, Town Center doesn’t disappoint. Spice lovers can embark on a culinary journey through India at Saffron, where aromatic spices and rich flavors await.
Craving Mexican? Cantina Laredo creates authentic Mexican food with a modern twist.
For sushi lovers, Zushi Japanese Bistro satisfies every craving with its exquisite sushi rolls and traditional Japanese cuisine. Since his arrival to Virginia Beach, chef Kevin Chang has become the sushi idol of his customers.
Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, a family celebration or a casual outing with friends, Town Center’s restaurants offer an inviting atmosphere and diverse culinary experiences that leave guests craving more. With its mix of flavors, ambiance and hospitality, dining in Town Center is not just a meal, but a memorable journey through taste and culture.
Town Center
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- Zeiders American Dream Theater
2- Town Center garage murals
3- Town Center’s Central Park
4- Taste Unlimited
5- The Royal Chocolate
Use the QR code for more information about the Town Center district.
Virginia Beach Inland
With a wide selection of boutiques, specialty stores, dining, breweries and entertainment, Inland Virginia Beach offers the perfect pairings to your beach vacation. Relax and unwind at the Founders Inn and Spa, see what’s fresh at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market or Hunt Club Farm, or explore Virginia Beach by shopping your way through it with the Shops at Hilltop or the Lynnhaven Mall.
Things to Do Away From the Beach
From creatively crafted food and eclectic shopping to unexpected spots for a little TLC, Inland Virginia Beach is the perfect complement to your beach vacation.
BACK BAY BREW HOUSE FARMHOUSE
A truly unique beer-drinking experience! Situated in a restored 1912 inland farmhouse, the brewery offers locally sourced craft beverages and ciders to our coastal city. With tasting rooms upstairs and downstairs, a Pinup Coffee Co. Cafe, food trucks, a farmers’ market and an acre and a half of fig gardens, blueberries, hops and other ingredients used in their beers, this place has it all.
FLOWERING ALMOND SPA
While lounging on the beach can seem like the peak of relaxation, take your R&R up a notch with some pampering at this spa inside The Founders Inn. Treat yourself right and opt for the Flowering Almond Manicure Indulgence, which comes with a relaxing hand massage with anti-aging lotion, nourishing Jojoba oil and vitamin E, in addition to the traditional manicure experience.
MOUNT TRASHMORE PARK
Take to the skies with some kite-flying at Mount Trashmore Park, a renowned park that encompasses 165 acres and is comprised of two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skate park and vert ramp, and multi-use paths. The main mountain, Mount Trashmore, now 60 feet in height and 800 feet long, was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil.
SHOPPING
Just a few minutes’ drive from the Oceanfront, peruse hundreds of specialty shops, boutiques, and restaurants at The Shops at Hilltop, or spend a day in the 180 stores, 28 eateries, IMAX movie theater and play areas of Lynnhaven Mall.
TIKI’S BAR AND GRILL
While you may have opted to spend some time away from the beaches, that doesn’t mean you have to fully avoid our coastal vibes. Themed like the traditional tiki bars of the 1950s and ’60s, Tiki’s mouthwatering, house-crafted classic tiki drinks and Filipino-and Hawaiian-inspired menu will help you end your Inland day the island way.
TOPGOLF
Swing into your day with brunch and a couple rounds of Topgolf. No matter how high your handicap is, Topgolf has a variety of games that are enjoyable for your skill level. We like going early — the rounds are cheaper before noon, the crowds are smaller and the brunch is delish.
HEIRLOOM RESTAURANT
Heirloom is a creative farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on elevated local recipes from Virginia Beach Chef and Owner, Brent Cowan. With beautiful modern decor, an evolving menu of creative craft cocktails, and a food menu featuring fresh, local ingredients cooked to perfection, Heirloom is a perfect spot for a date night or a nice evening out with the family.
Inland
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- Back Bay Brew House Farmhouse
2- PlantHouse
3- Hunt Club Farm
4- The Founders Inn and Spa
5- Stumpy Lake Natural Area
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Use the QR code for more information about the Inland district.
The ViBe Creative District serves as a vibrant center for various creative industries in the Virginia Beach Oceanfront district and encourages local artists and artisans to inspire each other, their crafts and their community. Locals and visitors can soak in the ViBe at one of the district’s monthly First Fridays to watch homegrown ideas come to life, and experience the weekly Old Beach Farmers Market for unmatched local flavors.
Explore the ViBe
THE VIBE CREATIVE DISTRICT MURALS
Nestled within the Oceanfront area, this district is the cultural-arts enclave of Virginia Beach — a hub for artisans of all disciplines ranging from culinary, music and traditional art to leather working and woodworking. While you can find all manner of artwork within the quaint shops and coffeehouses that comprise the area, the district is a work of art in and of itself. Look no further than its murals, most of which were done by local artists. They fill the ViBe with wonder and color.
Take the ViBe Mural Walking Tour, an easy, 1-mile stroll, to see these colorful murals for yourself.
TASTE THE VIBE
While this eclectic district may be known for its colorful walls and homegrown craftsmanship, the artisan spirit of the ViBe Creative District is present in each of its restaurants, coffeeshops, bakeries and distilleries. From mouthwatering brick-oven pizzas and soul-satisfying baked goods to craft spirits and locally roasted coffee, the palate of flavors in the ViBe is a work of art unto itself.
VIRGINIA BEACH ART CENTER
With art classes, pottery, monthly exhibitions and interactions with local artists through its Artists Gallery, this unique community of artists is excited to introduce you to the art adorning its walls. The center is a volunteer-run organization formed to provide an educational environment to support and inspire all ages and skill levels to experience, engage with and create art.
ViBe District
Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots
1- District murals
2- “Love Works” - Oceanfront Library
3- Maser’s Performing Arts Stage
4- Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
5- 18th Street fence murals
Use the QR code for more information about the ViBe Creative District.
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