Warm ocean breezes, clean sandy beaches and rolling surf awaits visitors in Virginia Beach. Add the seaside resort's moderate climate, newly-widened shoreline, oceanfront boardwalk, open-air cafes, state parks and wildlife habitats, manicured golf courses, historic landmarks and quaint museums, and Virginia Beach is the classic American beach getaway.
Recreation and Attractions
Shake the sand off your feet, kick up your heels and explore the vast array of attractions in Virginia Beach. From sites that interpret the city's early sea-faring history to a nationally renowned aquarium, each one proves Virginia Beach is "all kinds of fun" any time of year. Popular mainstay attractions include the wide, three-mile long Oceanfront Boardwalk, the Virginia Marine Science Museum, the Cape Henry Lighthouses and the Old Coast Guard Station to name a few.
Unique ecotourism activities from sea kayaking to dolphin-watching boat trips also provide exhilarating fun. With more than 18,000 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges and 121 navigable miles of waterways, Virginia Beach thrives with opportunities for viewing and enjoying the great outdoors.
No more than an hour's drive from the oceanfront, visitors also can explore regional attractions such as Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.
Events
Outdoor festivals and live music abound in this seaside resort city. During the summer, visitors will discover oceanfront entertainment stages offering free live musical acts nightly once the sun goes down.
This Labor Day Weekend, participants will enjoy the 10th Annual Verizon Wireless American Music Festival in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. The biggest music event on the East Coast, the American Music Festival annually features a blockbuster lineup of national recording acts playing the nation's favorite sounds. Performances take place at the 17th and 24th Street Oceanfront Parks and stages along the boardwalk, as well as at stages located on the sand at 5th and 29th Streets. More than 50 concerts on 10 stages entertain visitors throughout the weekend, all included with the race fee.
Approximately four hours southeast of Washington, D.C. by car, and within a day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population, Virginia Beach is served by most major U.S. airlines and several commuter carriers at nearby Norfolk International Airport, a short twenty minute drive from the oceanfront. The city welcomes more than three million overnight visitors each year. For more information, visit www.vbfun.com or call 1-800-VA-BEACH (1-800-822-3224).
