How to Have a Wonderful Vacation at Virginia Beach

My husband was in the US Navy and was stationed in the Virginia Beach area for several years. We've started vacationing here. It's a 5 hour drive from our home in NC. This article lists some things we've found fun to do, places we like to eat, etc. If you do go, please let me know if this article was helpful.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet
• Telephone

1. Pick a place to stay. We stay at Sandbridge. It's a little off the beaten path. They do have many houses for rent, you can choose ocean front, the canal is nice and is less than 1/2 mile walk to the beach. [We take our puppies so it's nice and practical to rent a house]
   There are also some nice hotels in Virginia Beach along their splendid Boardwalk. ** see resources
2. A trip to the VIRGINIA AQUARIUM is well worth the time. It should take about 5 or 6 hours - and it's a day of walking. Adult prices in 2008 are $16.95 [that includes the IMAX movie] - children aged 3-11 are $12.95. VIRGINIA AQUARIUM is located at: 717 General Booth Blvd - Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
3. Next a trip to NAUTICUS. This is located in Norfolk, VA. Take 264 and go west to exit 9. Another long walking trip, but well worth it. Save energy to visit the Battleship Wisconsin and take the 2 hour cruise along the Norfolk Naval Base so you can see the subs, destroyers, aircraft carriers in dock. Adult prices in 2008 are $10.95. Children 4 - 12 is $8.50. The boat ride was $16.50 (for adults), but make sure you pick up some of the coupon books for $2 off your boat ride (which I would highly recommend). NAUTICUS is located at: One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510. Walk through the park for a wide range of restaurants - Joe's Crab Shack, Outback, Hooters, etc. some restaurants have seating overlooking the bay.
4. Okay, one last educational/learning thing. THE MARINER'S MUSEUM is open daily. Adult admission is $12.50, children aged 6 - 17 is $7.25. Being history buffs, we enjoyed the exhibit on the Monitor. They have a wonderful art exhibit, information on the area.
   
   THE MARINER'S MUSEUM is located at: 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606
5. FUN STUFF - Walk along the BOARDWALK in Virginia Beach. There are shops galore, food, it's just a lot of fun!!! MOTOR WORLD has mini golf, go cars, paint ball!!! Right beside of it Ocean Breeze Water Park. OR just go walking along the beach. If you don't stay at Sandbridge take the drive down there. The beaches are wonderful. FISHING - take a boat off of Lynnhaven Marina. They also do dolphin watch trips. If you go from Lynnhaven instead of Rudee's you spend less time riding on the boat to the fishing spots.
6. EATING - CAPTAIN GEORGE'S is an all you can eat buffet. Eat light the day you go. It's expensive $27.99 per person - but worth it, prime rib, shrimp, crab legs. MARGIE & RAY'S CRABHOUSE is located at 1240 Sandbridge Road and it doesn't look like much on the outside, inside it is sheer Heaven. Nothing bad is served there. Get the she-crab soup.
   POCAHONTAS PANCAKE HOUSE & WAFFLE SHOP is just a good breakfast spot.
7. Have fun in Virginia Beach. There is a lot more to do there. Grab one of the Visitor Guides and Coupon books for savings and other suggestions.

Tips & Warnings

• You can't get lost in Virginia Beach. All roads lead back to General Booth / Pacific Avenue.
• Williamsburg is not far away if you want to visit there. Busch Gardens is also closeby.
• If your hotel/house has internet access, take a laptop so you can research places to visit or map them out.
• I take my husband to the marina to fish, then I go get a manicure/pedicure treatment.