Activities & Adventures Activities, Attractions and Things To Do in and Around Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is one of the most unique and exciting vacation beach destinations in the world. An intoxicating blend of entertainment, history, and natural beauty make Virginia Beach one of the few vacation spots that easily offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

You can spend your days relaxing in the warm glow of our coastal sunshine. Or, if you want a little excitement, Va Beach offers water sports galore – some just steps from our resorts. Choose parasailing or boat trips in the morning, jet skiing after lunch, or decide to surf or go fishing all day. There are boat tours that take you to fish, watch dolphins, whales or simply see the sites -- all from right here on the va beach oceanfront. And of course, the famed Virginia Beach Boardwalk is just outside your door so you can walk or bike to all the best shopping, dining, and amusement on the oceanfront.

Of course, for the ultimate Virginia Beach vacation experience, you’ll want to go beyond the beachfront. Once you venture out, you’ll discover the wonderful Virginia Aquarium, the fun of Ocean Breeze Water Park or Motor World, or spend a relaxing day roaming one of our numerous museums or historic sites. If there is an outdoor adventure enthusiast in you or your family, don’t miss First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge – beautiful and one-of-a-kind settings for hiking, biking, and kayaking!

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

From Grommet Island Park to 40th St.
Virginia Beach,
VA 23451

Ramada on the Beach is located near the south end of this engaging strip of retail, dining and parks. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which runs for three miles along the beach, offers surfing, swimming, parasailing, jet ski and bicycle rentals, and plenty of sand. This free attraction is home to many of the top things to do in Virginia Beach, including annual events, live music and much more.

Neptune's Park

Atlantic Ave. and 31st St. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Neptune’s Park is an essential Virginia Beach destination. Live music fills the air above the bandshell as the ocean breeze blows past the statue of King Neptune. Families enjoy an evening on the expansive lawn as cyclists glide by on the boardwalk bike path just outside Catch 31, an upscale seafood restaurant.

31Ocean

31st St. and Atlantic Ave. The boardwalk area’s best shopping and dining is available at 31Ocean, a new complex that combines the coast’s top restaurants and most popular boutiques. Sip a Starbucks beverage while shopping the wares of local favorites like Beecroft & Bull, the Sterling Seahorse and Beach Gallery, or sit down for an oceanfront dinner at Salacia or Catch 31.

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 385-3474
Families in search of educational-yet-fun adventures should head to Virginia’s largest aquarium. The center includes 800,000 gallons of exhibits, many of which contain species native to the Atlantic, Chesapeake Bay and Virginia marshes. The aquarium provides an up-close, hands-on look at rare fish, sting rays, sharks, sea turtles and more.

First Landing State Park

Located by the Chesapeake Bay, First Landing State Park offers an abundance of outdoor fun such as boating, swimming, nature and history programs, hiking, biking, picnicking, cabins and 20 miles of trails on 2,888 acres. The park is also home to campsites with water and electric hook-ups.

Beach Events

The hotel is conveniently located on the oceanfront with easy access to beach events like live music, the Boardwalk Art Show and a myriad of festivals. There is never a shortage of entertainment along the boardwalk.

Ocean Breeze Waterpark

849 General Booth Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 422-4444
Ocean Breeze Amusement Park is a family-friendly Caribbean paradise home to 16 waterslides, the 1 million-gallon Runaway Bay wave pool, the Buccaneer Bay Water Playground and other wet and wild attractions.

Military Bases in Virginia Beach and Norfolk

Virginia Beach and nearby Norfolk are home to several military bases and related attractions, such as Norfolk Naval Base, the largest naval base in the world, and Battleship Wisconsin. The area also boasts the Training Support Center Hampton Roads, the Joint Expeditionary Base East located at Cape Henry and NAB Little Creek in Norfolk.

Virginia Beach Sportsplex

2181 Landstown Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 427-2990
The Virginia Beach Sportsplex is primarily home to the defending champions of the United Football League, the Virginia Destroyers. It has a permanent seating capacity of 6,000, on two decks of seating, though it can be expanded upwards to 17,000 for football games.

Nauticus

One Waterside Drive
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
(757) 664-1000
This maritime-themed science center in Norfolk offers interactive and educational displays for children about the economic and naval power of the sea. Nauticus is also home of the esteemed Battleship Wisconsin.

Norfolk Botanical Gardens

6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk, VA 23518
(757) 441-5830
Adjacent to the Norfolk International Airport, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens encompasses 155 acres of themed gardens, including a children’s park, the Bristow Butterfly Garden, the Colonial Herb Garden, the Conifer Garden, the Flowering Arboretum and much more.

Virginia Zoo in Norfolk

3500 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23504
(757) 441-2374
Just 15 miles away, the Virginia Zoo offers 53 acres of wildlife. Enjoy close encounters with elephants, lions, kangaroos, meerkats and many more animals. More than 100 years old, the zoo also boasts beautiful horticulture in addition to various species of animals.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

One Busch Gardens Blvd.
Williamsburg, VA 23187
(800) 343-7946
Part theme park and part zoo, Busch Gardens provides educational and white-knuckle fun for the entire family. Head out on a zoo tour or enjoy one of the park’s thrill rides. Rides at the park include roller coasters like Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot and the Loch Ness Monster. For the little ones, be sure to check out the Sesame Street Forest of Fun for life-sized Sesame Street character shows, a mini water park to splash in and plenty of kid-friendly rides.

Colonial Williamsburg

301 1st St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 229-1000
Just 45 minutes away, Colonial Williamsburg takes you back into America’s storied past. Walk along the path of freedom and linger in the footsteps of the ordinary men and women who created a new country.
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