How to Spend the Weekend in Virginia Beach

With its many miles of sandy shores and wholesome attractions, Virginia Beach is widely recognized as a stellar family vacation site. Superb seafood, some noteworthy nature sites and a handful of mesmerizing museums are all part of the ideal itinerary.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. A hiker’s paradise awaits at First Landing State Park on Shore Drive, where almost 20 miles of paths and trails ramble along Chesapeake Bay and through lush woods and dells. Cycling and picnicking are also popular here, and for a rustic weekend retreat cabins and campsites are available.
2. Kids and adults will enjoy the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center on General Booth Boulevard, which hosts everything from terrifying tiger sharks to happy harbor seals. The Center has an IMAX theater, and also conducts seasonal oceangoing excursions, for those anxious to see some humongous whales up close and personal.
3. To feast on some of the region’s stupendous seafood, consider making reservations at Lynnhaven Fish House Restaurant, located on Starfish Road. Live lobster, steamed littlenecks, colossal crab cakes, jumbo shrimp cocktails are just a sampling of a huge menu that also includes plenty of steaks and salads; sweeping vistas of the Chesapeake Bay add to the ambience.
4. It might sound like it’s for the birds, but the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is actually a charming little attraction located near the beach on Atlantic Avenue. Housed in a whimsical old home—-the historic de Witt Cottage—-the museum houses a nice little collection of carved decoys, plus some impressive paintings of ducks, geese and other feathered friends.
5. An excellent evening of drinking and dance can be had at Abbey Road, a fun bar with good patio seating and plenty of live entertainment. Begun in 1982, the tavern is located on 22nd Street and offers 101 international brews.
6. When visiting Virginia Beach’s bounty of beaches be sure to spend some time on the boardwalk—-actually a three-mile long concrete walkway alive with cyclists, joggers and roller-bladers. The boardwalk winds past countless superb vistas, refreshment stands, benches for resting and other diversions.
7. For a superb example of ancient architecture stop by the Adam Thoroughgood House, a circa 1680 Colonial home on Parish Road. One of the oldest standing Colonial structures in the state, the old residence is open to the public six days a week (closed Mondays).

Tips & Warnings

• The closest major airport to Virginia Beach is Norfolk International, about a twenty-minute drive west.