Location: Virginia Beach
Top Things to do in Virginia Beach
What to do and see in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA): The Best Nature & Parks
Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort: gorgeous beaches, a lively boardwalk, plenty of restaurants and nightspots, and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids. Sports enthusiasts will find celebrated golf courses in Virginia Beach and the surrounding area, as well as sea kayaking and miles of hiking trails. Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the off-season, when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild.
Restaurants in Virginia Beach
1. Owl Creek
2. Pleasure House Point Natural Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By beachmomto4 - Community, United States
Pleasure House Point is somewhere that I've been meaning to visit for awhile. With the kids tired of being at the house, we decided to embark on a little adventure. There are trails in the woods and along the shore. We walked about 2 miles in total but did not cover all the trails. There were a ton of birds! I will definitely be back in the future.
3. Jerrassic Park
4. First Landing State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,070 reviews
Nature enthusiasts will love this park with 2,700-acres of hiking trails, cypress swamps and nesting grounds for a variety of birds.
Reviewed By Davidgetsaround
Tucked away on the North side of Virginia Beach is a hidden treasure, a beach and campground, nature preserve and set of hiking trails. First Landing is popular, for those who know where to find it. I find myself going there all throughout the year as a way to enjoy a bit of nature in an otherwise urban life.
5. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
This Virginia Beach wildlife refuge offers visitors hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and nature photography in a completely natural environment. The Refuge grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily. The Visitor Center hours of operation are the following: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Tuesday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-4pm Labor Day - Memorial Day: Tuesday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 9am-4pm
Reviewed By clp_1234 - Exton, United States
Well worth the ride to south Virginia beach; walking trails, so much 'nature' it was humbling. Bay side, ocean side, on the water, in the sand dunes, land (and wildlife) in between too. Also had a heated bathroom!
6. False Cape State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Limited to hiking, biking and boating, this state park is formed by a mile-wide barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Reviewed By VirginiaKayak - Norfolk, United States
I’ve been here many previous visits but on this chilly day it was excellent. We saw tracks for deer, coyote, feral hog and raccoon. The air was crisp and the sky clear. The trails crossed dunes, beaches, historic trails, wetlands and amazing trees. We saw no other visitors either on the beach or interior of the Park. It was 37 degrees and sunny.
7. Fort Story Jetty
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By samtrip12345 - Charlottesville, United States
I love lighthouses and the historic one here on the base is one of those, You will need to get inspected to go on the base so have all correct documents on you like proof of insurance, registration and driver's license.
8. Sandbridge Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,434 reviews
Reviewed By BiscottiLady - Herndon, United States
We loved our one week beach rental at BEAUTY AND THE BEACH, 3241 Sandpiper Road, Sandbridge Beach, VA. This was literally a last minute rental with Siebert Realty b/c our original rental with Sandbridge Realty was full of mold and we REFUSED to stay there. Beauty and the Beach was lovely, apparently recently been renovated. The house has 3 levels, 5 bedrooms and 4 baths - lots of room for our family of 6, plus a very tame dog, to spread out (our adult children accompanied us). The house backs to the canal, so it's a couple of blocks from the beach, but that was ok for us. Plenty of driveway space for several cars, a deck on the front and back of the house, a well maintained backyard swimming pool, a small dock to the canal with an available kayak, and a firepit on the side of the house (we made s'mores one night which was fun). This was our first family vacation to Sandbridge and it was great - very quiet and not many people on the beach (we were there Aug 29-Sept 5, 2020). We've had family beach vacations for 30+ years with our kids, who all said this was their favorite beach rental yet. We would rent here again. And many thanks to Siebert Realty for helping us rent at the last minute :)
9. Chick's Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By 843annk - New Hartford, United States
Absolutely fantastic beach for families. Not touristy.... A lot of locals. Calm waves and gorgeous sunsets just over the bay bridge tunnel.
10. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,502 reviews
A 300,000-gallon tank with sharks, rays, and other aquatic species, is the main attraction at this popular aquarium, along with a walk through tunnel featuring sharks, rays, and more. Featuring thousands of animals representing hundreds of species.
Reviewed By ertofu - Alexandria, United States
We took our young kids here with another family with young kids, and we all had a great time. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The aquarium has a variety of exhibits and creatures: sea turtles, ducks, sharks, Komodo dragons, etc. It’s also got a cool boardwalk area outside along the water where you can spot a variety of critters in the wild. It’s a great place to take the family for a few hours.
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