You might know Virginia Beach for its classic boardwalk. The three-mile-long stretch is home to outdoor dining, surfboard and kayak-rental kiosks, and even an island park playground for the kids. But don't be fooled by the seaside breeze: Virginia Beach is much more than its oceanside attractions. (Though there are dozens of waterfront hotels to choose from if you happen to be craving a beach vacation.)
As the most populated city in the entire state, Virginia Beach has tons to offer including a growing culinary scene, excellent arts and culture, rich history, and lots of family-friendly activities. Each area offers a little something different, from the always bustling Oceanfront area to secluded Sandbridge Beach. You can spend the day shopping in Town Center, then stick around for a nice dinner and comedy show once the sun goes down. Or head to the ViBe Creative District to get in touch with Virginia Beach's artsy side. Here are the 14 best things to do in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Head To The Beach
This $350 million entertainment district just launched in Virginia Beach, and it's the proud new owner of North America's first Wavegarden surf lagoon. Open year-round, Atlantic Park combines world-class surfing with dining, music, and new gathering spaces, all envisioned in partnership with hometown celebrity Pharrell Williams. Catch between 10 to 15 waves with a session at Atlantic Park Surf, a state-of-the-art facility generating up to 1,000 waves per hour. Browse new restaurants and stylish boutiques before unwinding with live entertainment at The Dome, the area’s restored indoor–outdoor venue. By fall 2025, you can also rest your head at the park's 20-room boutique lodge.
Virginia Beach's oceanside promenade promises a lovely sunrise or evening stroll. The Oceanfront District offers plenty of options for shopping, dining, and family-friendly entertainment. During the summer, you'll find live music and boardwalk entertainment on one of the promenade's four open-air stages. Snap a photo with the 24-foot-tall King Neptune statue, which sits on the boardwalk at the entrance of Neptune Park.
You'll also find the city's famed oceanfront resorts and a pristine stretch of sand. Be sure to spend a day relaxing by the water. To avoid the crowds, check out Sandbridge Beach, an equally beautiful, less-trafficked, duned shoreline located just south of the Oceanfront District.
Explore The ViBe Creative District
Thirteen blocks between the Virginia Beach Convention Center and famous boardwalk make up the ViBe Creative District, and every last street corner is covered in colorful murals and bold street art. An easy one-mile walking tour will take you to all the best spots, so you can experience all the incredible artwork and get acquainted with the spirited neighborhood.
There's always something new to see at this free museum that's open Thursday through Sunday each week. Galleries and exhibits change often, and there's even an interactive art space called ArtLab that's suitable for all ages. No matter what you do, be sure to make time to marvel at 14-foot glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling in the sunlit Rodriguez Pavilion. The incredible work of art called Mille Colori, or thousand colors, is an original Dale Chihuly work made of 520 individual glass blown pieces.
virginiamoca.org; 2200 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451; 757-425-0000
Though the ViBe Creative District is big on the arts, there's plenty to do outside of gallery hopping and museum touring. When you're in need of a mid-day or mid-afternoon pick-me-up, the diverse food and beverage scene has you covered. Some highlights include the crepes at farm-to-table café Commune, craft beers at cool bistro Esoteric, and infused spirits at Chesapeake Bay Distillery.
The ViBe Creative District is the kind of place where you never know what you might find around the next corner. Unique shops and local businesses of all kinds call it home, so there's plenty to peruse. Be sure to see the hand-painted signs and old-fashioned pinstriping at Igor's Custom, find locally made art and gifts at 17th Street Marketplace, and see true artisans in action at North End Bag Company.
Get Outdoors
Catch a wave or bike along the shoreline—Virginia Beach is made for outdoor adventure. The coastal city has plenty of trails for running, walking, and biking, making it entirely possible to go completely car-free.
Hike or bike the Sand Ridge Trail in False Cape State Park and the Cape Henry Trail in First Landing State Park. First Landing's unique maritime forest ecosystem, plus miles of easily accessible trails winding through bald cypress forests and salt marshes, make it one of the state's most visited parks.
Get a bird's eye view at the top of Virginia Beach's new observation tower. Doubling as a treetop trail, this 65-foot structure features a canopy walk, a treehouse playground, and the longest stainless steel slide in the United States called "The Whorl."
Nothing tastes sweeter than fruit you picked yourself. Depending on the season, there are dozens of opportunities to harvest nature's bounty in Pungo, an enchanting and unexpected 8,000 acres of farmland just past Sandbridge Beach. Several farms offer U-pick seasons throughout the year where you can take home everything from strawberries and blueberries to apples and peaches.
Bike-friendly towns are especially sunny because you get exploration and a mode of transportation all in one package. The best way to see Virginia Beach is on two wheels via the Family Fun Tour bike trail, which runs for 6.8 miles and takes riders to landmarks like the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the Virginia Aquarium, and Ocean Breeze Waterpark.
As the birthplace of East Coast surfing, Virginia Beach is an ideal place to catch your first wave. The waves are calmer and a bit gentler than the barrels found out west, so you'll have a better chance of hanging ten even if you've never surfed before. Novices to the sport can book a lesson with VB Surf Sessions, Pungo Board House, or Seth Broudy School of Surf to get individual or group instruction.
Eat Local
Start your morning at Three Ships Coffee, a local coffee roaster with locations in the ViBe District and the Shops at Hilltop. Then prepare to be utterly charmed by The Bee and the Biscuit, a first-come, first-serve cottage restaurant known for its buttermilk biscuit Benedicts and freshly-baked cinnamon rolls (which the daytime joint also offers to-go). Pair your all-day breakfast with a specialty latte in unique flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Lavender, or Lucky Charms. Pro tip: Arrive early to snag a seat in the quaint garden for brunch. For a laid-back vibe, check out Zeke's Beans and Bowls, a local spot for coffee, acai bowls, and Hawaiian poke.
While you roam Atlantic Park, grab the famous chicken and waffles at Milk & Honey, a Southern-inspired restaurant owned by Chopped winner Sammy Davis Jr. Or enjoy Cali-style Mexican food at Pelon's Baja Grill—be sure to scope out the happy hour deals. For an upscale evening, dine at Orion's Rooftop, which has an unbeatable ocean view and a refined Asian-fusion menu.
Nothing says vacation like an after-dinner treat. And there's arguably no better dessert than a double scoop of ice cream. With three locations sprinkled throughout the city, a scoop of homemade ice cream from Lolly's Creamery is always within reach. Handcrafted cookies (part cookie and part brownie) are the speciality at Cookie Plug, located near Town Center. For all kinds of frozen and warm creations, visit Gerald's Ice Cream, where in addition to 30 flavors of fresh-churned ice cream, you'll also find a authentic French pastries like croissants, amaretti, and macarons.
Discover Nearby Virginia Beach Towns
Once a peaceful fishing village, Chincoteague Island, Virginia, now has its fair share of visitors, welcoming them with the best local seafood, ample lodging, shopping, and family activities.
On the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore, kids are active on the pier with their fishing rods, locals share stories while hanging out at the hardware store, and the whole place looks as if it tucks in for the night not long after the sun goes down.
Lake Anna isn’t technically on the coast, but it is the the second largest lake in Virginia. It is known for its 17 miles of sandy beaches where you can stroll, splash, or just soak up the sunshine.