Family Travel

5 min read

38 BEST Things To Do in Virginia Beach (Fun For The Whole Family!)

Unlock the ultimate family fun in Virginia Beach with our guide to the top 38 attractions! From thrilling boardwalks to serene nature parks, there's something for everyone. Don't miss out!

Tobi Miles
September 27, 2022

If you select VA Beach for your coastal vacation, you're not only choosing a secure and healthy decision, but also an enjoyable one. Whatever the season, there are numerous incredible things to do here. If you're anything like us, too much rest can rapidly result in monotony. And if you've got kids, it's easy for their boredom to turn into your annoyance.

From the Boardwalk, to amusement parks, Virginia Beach is dotted with things to do for every member of the family, young and old. Take a walk down memory lane by visiting historical museums and monuments throughout the area. Or, take a dive into the marine wildlife.

Because of this, every year more than six million tourists head to Virginia Beach to decompress, unwind, and have fun. There are lots of enjoyable activities here for individuals, couples, and families. Over 100 attractions are listed below that can improve your trip; many of them are free, and they're all entertaining.

1. Enjoy Virginia Beach Boardwalk 

Credit: Bill Barber / Flickr

Map It: Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA, USA | Hours: 24/7 | Entrance: Free

One of the top attractions in the region and the main reason people travel to this portion of the state, particularly in the summer for some outdoor fun, is the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.

The boardwalk stretches north of the neighborhood fishing pier and is bordered by a variety of stores, lodging options, and restaurants. The beautiful and well-known Neptune Statue even welcomes you when you approach the boardwalk.

There are three miles of pleasant, open boardwalk with sturdy pavement for running, strolling, biking, lounging, and even skateboarding.

If you need to take a break, there are plenty of benches accessible, which ties into the boardwalk's laid-back vibe. This makes it even more pleasurable, whether you're exploring or looking for other types of entertainment.

2. Visit The Back Bay Wildlife Refuge

Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr

Map It: 4005 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 | Phone: 757-301-7329| Website | Hours: Thursday - Sunday: 10 am - 3 pm | Entrance: Free

One of the top tourist destinations in Virginia Beach for an excellent, relaxing time spent in nature is Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It's one of the inexpensive activities to do this week in the city with an extremely low entry cost.

There are numerous hiking routes that range in difficulty from basic to moderately complex. These trails wind through a variety of landscapes, including dunes, marshes, seagrass beds, and even pine forests, on its over 9,200 acres of property.

You won't likely run across many other people in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge because of its size, but you will observe a lot of wildlife as you wander through the region, including bobcats, muskrats, deer, otters, and others. Due to the refuge's habitat's excellent protection for migratory birds, they are particularly numerous.

The waters inside the reserve are calm and dependable, making them excellent for paddleboarding. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is close to False Cape State Park if you want to hop elsewhere.

3. Walk Along Sandbridge Beach

Credit: MisterQque / Flickr

Map It: Virginia Beach, VA, United States | Website | Hours: 24/7| Entrance: Free

Sandbridge Beach is close to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, off to the side of the main attractions. If you're visiting during the summer when the entire city is bustling with activities, this is your safest alternative for a tranquil environment because it is quieter and still has the same coastal scenery.

It is five miles long and is teeming with stunning, spotless sand dunes, blue ocean, and breathtaking fauna and scenery. While Sandbridge Beach is a must-visit option if you're looking for a respite from the nervous energy of peak season, the main beach has its pleasures as well.

With all the gorgeous homes that line the shore, you may stop for a picnic, go for a stroll, savor the sand, or go exploring while you're there. You can also engage in activities that involve water, such as swimming, surfing, and other hobbies.

A fantastic treat for one of the city's most beautiful holiday sites, Sandbridge Beach is also among the city's free activities with no entrance price!

4. Take In Nature at False Cape State Park

Credit: Denise / Flickr

Map It: 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 | Phone: 757-426-7128| Website | Hours: Daily: 9 am - 4 pm| Entrance: Free

False Cape State Park is another another activity in Virginia Beach that takes place in a lush and sandy park. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is also close by.

Six miles of natural beaches, sand dunes, marshes, and woodlands make this a stunning location for year-round camping, hiking, and easy biking.

Due to its calm setting and restricted vehicle access, False Cape State Park gives the impression of being extremely far from the rest of Virginia Beach's economic district.

This is one of the last undeveloped areas of the Atlantic Coast's shoreline, where Native American settlers once resided. About 300 people lived in the small village during its peak.

From the wreckage of the lumber ship the immigrants arrived in, a cemetery, an old church, and numerous homes were constructed.

When Life-Saving Service stations were built nearby, the community of Wash Woods expanded and attracted more servicemen and their families.

The town's population slowly decreased when a severe hurricane hit, and by the 1930s it was little more than a ghost town. However, that only makes it more exciting to visit this weekend!

5. Brock Environmental Center

Credit: Dirtman's Images / Flickr

Map It: 3663 Marlin Bay Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 | Phone: 757-622-1964| Website | Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm| Entrance: Free

The Brock Environmental Center of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is situated in Virginia Beach on a 118-acre plot of land.

The 10,500 square foot building, which is exquisitely covered in naturally resilient cypress, raises the bar for environmentally friendly construction worldwide.

The building restoration supports the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's advocacy, training, and restoration efforts to protect one of the country's most priceless natural resources.

6. Visit First Landing State Park 

Credit: Yoel Garcia / Flickr

Map It: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Phone: 757-412-2300| Website | Hours: Daily: 8 am - 7 pm | Entrance: Free

First Landing State Park is a beautiful combination of nature and history. It is so named because it was here that English colonists made their historic first landing on American soil in 1607.

It is ranked as one of the finest Virginia Beach activities for both its historical significance and the tranquility of the surrounding environment.

The most popular park in the entire state is First Landing State Park, which was established in the 1930s and is located in the center of Virginia Beach.

From here, you may explore the unbroken view of the Chesapeake Bay, trek or bike along more over 20 miles of trails, unwind on the 1.5 miles of beach, and camp in unique locations with a view of the water.

First Landing State Park provides additional things to enjoy aside from being a lovely recreational haven. To have fun on the waves, you could rent a watercraft, such as a Jet Ski.

You can discover the wilderness of sand dunes, coastal waters, pine trees, marshes, and cypress trees, rent a cabin, or discover the area's rich history.

You can try to spot some of the many diverse flora and wildlife species that call upwards of 2,888 acres of land home.

7. Miyazaki Japanese Garden

Credit: hapePHOTOGRAPHIX / Flickr

Map It: 1398 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 2345 | Phone: 757-437-2038| Website | Hours: Daily: 8:30 am - 8 pm| Entrance: Free

Miyazaki Japanese Garden in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is next to Ocean Breeze Waterpark and Virginia Beach Amusement Park, only a short stroll from the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Both Japanese and non-Japanese people can enjoy the gardens there.

Every stage of flower development features lovely floral arrangements. Some are in pots, while others are prepared to be planted in your garden.

There are lovely trees in the gardens that are covered with flowers and other plants, yet this area is not only a Japanese garden. There are plenty of local floral claiming some of the space.

8. Walk Around The Virginia Beach Farmers Market

Credit: Larry Ferdinande / Flickr

Map It: 3640 Dam Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 | Phone: 757-385-4388 | Website | Hours: Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm, Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm, Saturday: 8:30 am - 4 pm | Entrance: Free

There are numerous regional farmers' and seafood markets in Virginia Beach that offer fresh fruit, gifts for the home and garden, plants and flowers, among other things.

There are various markets offering the greatest local ingredients you can find to get your fill of fresh and delectable fruits and veggies at home, such as the Old Beach Farmers Market in the ViBe Creative District or the venerable, year-round Virginia Beach Farmers Market.

You don't have to put your diet on hold just because you're on vacation, whether you have specific dietary needs or are simply trying to eat as healthily as possible. Virginia Beach provides a ton of delectable selections that will keep you motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

9. Visit The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum 

Credit: Bill Barber / Flickr

Map It: 1113 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Phone: 757-437-8432 | Website | Hours: Daily: 10 am - 5 pm | Entrance: Free

The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is a tiny yet entertaining museum that centers on Atlantic Wildfowl, their migratory habits, and their history as they move across the eastern part of the state.

On Virginia Beach's oceanfront, the Witt Cottage, a structure brimming with historical significance, houses the museum.

The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum combines a variety of displays, exhibitions, and artwork, including traditional decoys, lifelike carvings, and dioramas, to better depict the topic under discussion.

A contemporary computer offers immersive and interactive learning experiences on the local wildfowl, and there are even hunting mementos to view.

The cottage itself dates back an additional century, and the exhibition has been operating since 1995.

The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places is therefore not surprising.

The Back Bay Wildfowl Guild built the museum, which has evolved from its modest origins into one of the city's most popular tourist destinations.

10. Enjoy The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Credit: kozy and dan kitchens / Flickr

Map It: 2200 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Phone: 757-425-0000 | Website | Hours: Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm, Friday - Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm | Entrance: Free

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art occupies a massive 6,000 square feet of space for constantly-changing exhibitions in an award-winning structure on Parks Avenue.

The variety is enormous and welcoming spanning genres and forms including sculptures, paintings, movies, photography, glasswork, and many more from regional, national, and worldwide artists!

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely a work of culture marvel!

11. Lake Lawson Natural Area

Credit: goneagain2 / TripAdvisor

Map It: Virginia Beach, VA 23455 | Website | Hours: Daily: 6 am - 8:30 pm| Entrance: Free

The Lake Lawson and Lake Smith Natural Area is one of Virginia Beach's most breathtaking natural sites and is regarded as one of the greatest tourist spots in the state.

It occupies 42 acres and 12,000 feet of beachfront in the Bayside Borough. The area is ideal for a variety of activities because it is home to a variety of unique habitats.

There are several water-based activities you can engage in in addition to fishing at the Lake Lawson and Lake Smith Natural Area. Paddle boarding, boating, canoeing, angling, sailing, and other activities are available.

A new boat ramp, adequate parking for boat trailers and cars, shoreline stabilization to combat degradation, ledges for fishermen, a walkway for north-south interconnections, a picnicking shelter, and a playground are among the many beneficial amenities present.

Also, keep a look out for any cool local vegetation.

12. Visit The Dewitt Cottage

Credit: Susan Hamburger / Flickr

Map It: 1113 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Phone: 757-437-8432 | Website | Hours: Daily: 10 am - 5 pm | Entrance: Free

At its best, Dewitt Cottage screams southern vintage beach charm. The magnificent cottage, just feet from the Atlantic Ocean's dunes, is the ideal setting for any festive occasion.

It is the oldest building still standing on Virginia Beach's pier. The very first mayor of Virginia Beach, Bernard Peabody Holland, built it as a wedding gift for his wife, Emily, in 1895.

They raised Walton, their first child, there for a number of years. In 1909, they offered Cornelius de Witt the cottage. The cottage was given a twenty-two-room addition in 1917, and the Dewitt family owned it until 1988.

The Cottage's historical significance and unwavering integrity have led to its inclusion in the City of Virginia Beach, Commonwealth of Virginia, and National Registers of Historic Places. The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is now housed there.

13. Take In The Virginia Legends Walk

Credit: Leo Boudreau / Flickr

Map It: Virginia Beach, VA 23455  | Hours: 24/7| Entrance: Free

The Virginia Beach Legends Walk is situated at 13th Street Park, between Pacific and Atlantic Avenues, not far from the beach. A lovely stone archway makes it simple to see the entry.

There are plenty of additional pedestrian-friendly sites to visit close by, and it is simple to get to this area on foot. The trek is a great experience that is free to enjoy. On a fine day, you can take advantage of the area's paved promenade and lovely greenery. Who doesn't like taking a pleasant stroll?

The Virginia Legends Walk is a self-guided tour in an area honoring notable Virginians from the past and present who have, in some way or another, had a significant impact on our nation. It is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These illustrious Virginians were either born there or lived there for a long enough period of time to obtain the honorific designation of a true Virginian.

14. Explore Surf & Rescue Museum

Credit: Kelly Verdeck / Flickr

Map It: 2401 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Phone: 757-422-1587| Website | Hours: Wednesday - Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm| Entrance: Free 

The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum is committed to safeguarding Virginia Beach's maritime history, statewide Oceanfront communities, and coast guards.

Visitors learn everything about how the Atlantic Ocean and VA Beach connect, from the local culture to the larger relevance of water-related history. There are two galleries in the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum. They chronicle the development of both the Live-Saving Services and the American Coast Guard Services.

The shipwrecks off the Virginia Coast are also included in the galleries. Here, 1,800 objects and much more than a thousand photos are on display.

The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum is housed in a real Life-Saving Station that was built in 1903, which is the museum's most intriguing feature. Oral histories, books, journals, and other resources are available about the subject of the displays at the site's research library. In addition to all of that, it overlooks the stunning Atlantic Ocean and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

15. Visit The Cape Henry Lighthouse

Credit: S. A. Jellerson / Flickr

Map It: 583 Atlantic Ave, Fort Story, VA 23459 | Phone: 757-422-9421 | Website | Hours: Daily: 10 am - 5 pm | Entrance: Free

Visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse, a famous landmark located on the Chesapeake Bay, if you're looking for inexpensive things to do in the Virginia Beach area.

George Washington gave the go-ahead for its construction in 1792, making it the first US government-funded lighthouse. It is located at First Landing State Park and a National Historic Landmark. The 55-foot-tall Cape Henry Lighthouse originally served as a highly significant maritime light for Maryland and Virginia coastal trade.

Since it is composed of plain brick and is located on a military installation (Fort Story), you must present identification in order to enter, even though visiting is undoubtedly a fantastic Virginia Beach activity! You'll get to ascend the Cape Henry Lighthouse stairs after that scuffle.

Although it is a reasonably easy ascent, it may be difficult for elderly people, young children, and people with disabilities. However, you'll be rewarded at the summit with breathtaking views of the shore and a direct sight into a nearby lighthouse!

16. Enjoy the Natural Beauty of Norfolk Botanical Garden 

Credit: MisterQque / Flickr

Map It: 6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518  | Phone: 757-441-5830 | Website | Hours: Daily: 9 am - 7 pm | Entrance: $16 per person

You wont regret driving half an hour away from the beach to enjoy the beauty of the largest garden in Virginia. The Norfolk Botanical Garden covers 158 acres and frequently hosts a variety of daily activities.

It's a must for nature enthusiasts and everyone who enjoys a little calm beauty of flowers. It's conveniently located near Hampton Roads.

Horticulturist Frederic Huette and municipal administrator Thomas P. Thompson founded the Norfolk Botanical Garden after acquiring a grant for the site in 1938.

The land at that time covered 75 acres, with an additional 75 acres counting the land on which the reservoir covered.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden was granted to the Old Dominion Horticultural Society in 1958, giving it its current name.

The gorgeous garden was planted with shrubs and trees in just a years span. Upon its grand opening, it quickly became critically acclaimed.

Today, it enjoys the distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to numerous themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, desert biome, and a rose based garden.

17. Enjoy a Date Night at Muse Paint Bar

Credit: Thea Prum / Flickr

Map It: 4500 Main St #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462  | Phone: 888-607-6873 | Website | Hours: Sunday: 11:30 am- 12 am, Monday: 12 pm - 9:15 pm, Tuesday: 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm, Wednesday: 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm, Thursday: 2:30 pm - 9:15 pm, Friday: 2:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Saturday: 11:30 am- 9:30 pm | Price: ~ $35 per person

Muse offers top-notch painting instruction along with a bar and restaurant. Absolutely NO prior artistic training is necessary! You and your group will be entertained while they demonstrate how to paint in detail.

Pick an event from their carefully chosen schedule that features timeless vistas, entertaining themed nights, and fresh seasonal artwork. If you want something a little more VIP, you may even arrange a private event.

Their food menu is designed for people who like to hold a brush in one hand and a fork with the other. The bar selection is chosen to inspire creativity. You've found the best paint and sip experience; there's no need to look elsewhere.

18. Chrysler Museum of Art

Credit: ea5dfv / Flickr

Map It: Chrysler Museum of Art, 1 Memorial Pl, Norfolk, VA 23510 | Phone: 757-664-6200| Website | Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm| Entrance: Free

The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of the most prestigious mid-sized art museums in America. They boast collection of more than 30,000 nationally renowned pieces and one of the greatest glass collections.

The main source of the Chrysler's collection was Walter P. Chrysler Jr. - a passionate art collector who gave the museum thousands of items from his personal collection.

Since Chrysler's passing in 1988, the Museum has significantly expanded its connections with the Norfolk community and improved its collection.

The Museum, which was enlarged in 2014 to include more gallery spaces and visitor amenities, currently boasts expanding collections in several fields. The Chrysler also organizes a full season's worth of exhibitions, educational events, and programs.

19. Go Wine Tasting at Virginia Beach Winery 

Credit: Sheila C. / Flickr

Map It: 1064 Lynnhaven Pkwy #110, Virginia Beach, VA 23452, United States | Phone: 757-995-4315 | Website | Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 12 pm - 9 pm, Friday: 12 pm - 9 pm, Saturday: 12 pm - 6 pm| Price: $5 per person for wine tasting

Renown for their in house production, Virginia Beach Winery offers service seven days a week! This family business crafts their signatures wine in small batches.

Their wines are carefully mulled with imported grapes from Italy or California. Red wines specifically are aged with a variety of oak spirals in stainless steel barrels.

The winery offers scheduled pick-ups, wine tastings, and wine delivery which is free inside of 10 miles and for orders exceeding $100. They love creating the flavors for their parties because they believe wine should be the focal point of every celebration.

20. Peruse Around the Hermitage Museum and Gardens

Credit: Whitney Gardner / Flickr

Map It: 7637 N Shore Rd, Norfolk, VA 23505, United States | Phone:  757-423-2052| Website | Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm | Entrance: Free

On 100 acres along the Shawme Pond's edge, you'll find Heritage Museums & Gardens. Internationally significant rhododendron collections can be found throughout the gardens.

Herbs, heather, a complete collection of hydrangeas, hostas, over a thousand different varieties of daylilies, with excessive varieties of shrubs and flowers lining the lovely accessible paths.

A classic working carousel, folk art, and featured special exhibitions are also housed at Heritage's three gallery buildings. They also host an ongoing display of classic American automobiles.

Explore the outdoors and our role in the ecosystem at the family-friendly outdoor discovery area, known as Hidden Hollow.

Sometimes the Hermitage Museum will host multi-media art classes, outdoor concerts, art camps and different art seminars. They even are developing a reputation as a wedding venue!

21. Have a Romantic Dinner at Cooper’s Hawk Restaurant and Winery

Credit: 407apartments.com / Flickr

Map It: 733 Lynnhaven Mall Loop, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 | Phone: 757-213-7777| Website  | Hours: Daily: 11 am - 9 pm| Entrance: Free

Once inside Cooper's Hawk, you'll find a welcoming setting with tasteful décor and attentive service. Choose from a range of international delicacies combined with American cuisine.

Favorites like Pistachio Crusted Grouper, Red Wine and Mustard Short Ribs, and Mexican Drunken Shrimp are made with unique sauces. Each item on the menu has a code to assist you in choosing the ideal wine varietal to go with your meal.

Explore the newest releases from the winery in the Napa-style tasting room. Visit the gift shop to find gourmet foods, wine accessories, and specially made gift baskets.

You can sign up for the wine club, which offers members access to monthly workshops, parties, and events. Private party rooms are available for rent, which are excellent for gatherings, business meetings, and large group meals.

22. Enjoy Some Friendly Competition at GameWorks

Credit: Ryan / Flickr

Map It: 1564 Laskin Rd Unit 172, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone: 757-962-5259| Website | Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 11:30 am - 7:30 pm| Entrance: Free

GameWorks, an esports and entertainment venue, mainly focuses on gaming for fun and competition. It offers a large selection of the newest and most well-liked arcade and video games. They also host esports and other activities in their 35,000-square-foot arena.

Anyone can utilize the entertainment venues, and they also can be booked for business events. Everyone can find something to like at GameWorks.

GameWorks provide excellent food, fun, and competitiveness. The variety of unique entertainment options available at our venues includes esports lounges, redemption games, laser tag, bowling, billiards, and even conventional board games.

GameWorks' innovative esports lounges provide multiplayer video game arenas for players of all skill levels and social circles. They also offer the newest and most popular video game releases for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

The arena includes roomy lounge setups with comfy couches, providing players with a warm, enjoyable setting. Every esports lounge has a full-service bar with food to enjoy while playing or watching.

23. Find Your Favorite Cocktail at Sky Bar

Credit: Alistair Kennedy / Flickr

Map It: 3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone: 757-213-3000 | Website | Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 3:45 - 10 pm| Entrance: Free

Twenty stories in the air on the roof of the Hilton in Virginia Beach, The Sky Bar delivers a singular, one-of-a-kind experience.

This seasonal hotspot offers magnificent views, live entertainment, and outstanding specialty cocktails while relaxing in VIP igloo lounges.

The igloo lounge has a small menu, but it offers traditional appetizers including seafood sliders, a shrimp cocktail, and a distinctive charcuterie board.

Although beer, wine, and cocktails are available, the distinctive Andes mint hot chocolate is high rated. Nothing compares to stargazing in an igloo on top of a hotel complex. It's a really cool experience!

24. Enjoy An Evening at TopGolf

Credit: gabrieldiaz /flickr

Map It: 5444 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States | Phone: 757-544-9217| Website | Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 10 am - 11 pm, Friday - Sunday: 10 am - 1 am| Entrance: ~$40 an hour

The history of Topgolf started in the year 2000 with two brothers honing their swings on a driving range. The brothers were thinking of creative ways to liven up their time on the range while still honing their skills. The  came together.

Featuring over three floors and over a hundred climate-controlled bays, TopGolf is sure to please. High-definition televisions are not only throughout the restaurant and bar but also in the golf bays as well. Their concept of luxury golf is sure to blow you away with self-scoring balls and outfield targets.

25. Escape From Black Cat Escape Rooms

Credit: Green County Public Library / Flickr

Map It: 2697 International Pkwy 2, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, VA 23452, United States | Phone: 757-572-3760 | Website | Hours: Friday & Saturday: 12 pm - 10 pm, Sunday & Monday & Wednesday: 12 pm - 8 pm | Price: $40 per person

When you enter Black Cat Escape Room, you will immediately feel as though you have entered a new planet.

They are Virginia Beach's only escape room where you get to pick the level of difficulty. For each of the room themes, you can choose the Standard, Intermediate, or Advanced degree of difficulty.

Black Cat was ranked as the seventh-best escape room globally. Take advantage of their Hollywood-caliber sets, cutting-edge riddles, and hidden passages.

26. Try Something New at All Hands Pottery Studio 

Credit: Yelp

Map It: 164 S Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23502, United States | Phone: 757-453-4093| Website | Hours: Monday: 10 am - 1 pm, Tuesday: 1 pm - 9 pm, Wednesday: 6 pm - 10 pm, Friday: 1 - 4 pm, Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm, Sunday: 10 am- 4 pm| Price: ~$50 per person

At All Hands Pottery Studio, you can use this delightful hands-on medium to develop your creativity in their fully furnished pottery workshop. For any tossing or hand-building job, the studio has ten wheels, a slab roller, an extruder, and many other instruments.

Their qualified educators will advance any student's potential. With clay, you may combine physical sculpture with color and painting. Learn how to create by hand and throw clay on a wheel.

Every skill level is catered for in the classes. Clay, glazes, and firing are included in the course fee. Every course includes free time in the studio for students to work on assignments in between lessons.

27. See a Film At Cinema Cafe

Credit: Cinema Cafe

Map It: 1220 Fordham Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, United States | Phone: 757-523-7469| Website | Hours: Daily: 10 am - 10 pm| Entrance: ~ $7 per ticket

The Movies was the original name of Cinema Cafe Pembroke. It originally only had two screens, but after being purchased, it received a third screen and underwent a name change to Cinema Drafthouse.

Once more under new management, the restaurant is now known as Cinema Cafe Pembroke and has franchise locations all around Hampton Roads.

The movie theater and restaurant combined are known as Cinema Cafe. They blend watching movies with full-service cuisine at a casual dining establishment.

There are numerous menu options, including freshly made burgers, homemade pizzas, chicken sandwiches, wings, french fries, and appetizers. In addition, they offer alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and mixed cocktails.

The theater seats range from leather motorized recliners with high backs and cup holders to classic movie theater chairs with high backs and liftable armrests. The most recent projection technology, along with DTS digital audio, is available in every theater.

You can purchase traditional concession fare, including sodas, sweets, and freshly popped popcorn. There is never a need to leave your seat or miss a single second of the movie because their complete wait service is provided as standard in all auditoriums during all featurettes.

28. Visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Credit: Arlington Magazine

Map It: 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone: 757-385-3474| Website | Hours: Daily: 9 am - 5 pm| Entrance: $25 per person

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, which is rightfully referred to as one of the top vacation attractions, is among the top enjoyable locations in Virginia Beach. Here, visitors have the opportunity to spend a fantastic, thrilling day by the water without being on the sand.

It is located near Owl Creek, south of Rudee Inlet, and is well situated to offer picturesque decks and outdoor spaces that look out over the lake.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is home to more than 12,000 animals from 700 different species in 300 exhibits. It's so big that it's divided between two structures and is jam-packed with interesting things to see.

A 3D movie theater, an Adventure Park with an endurance challenge and zip-lining, a boat trip out to see whales and dolphins, as well as a dinosaur exhibit with moving mechanical dinosaurs are available.

The Red Sea Tunnel is made of see-through glass, allowing you to walk through an aquarium as marine life swims across you. Exabits include coastal locations, streams, lakes, and other biomes where you can see sharks, rays, seals, sea turtles, and more.

You may see these creatures as closely as possible to their original home thanks to habitats like the Harsh Pavilion, Bay and Ocean Pavilion.

29. Enjoy the Simple Pleasures of Hickory Ridge Farm

Credit: Yelp

Map It: 2928 S Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23322, United States | Phone: 757-560-6763 | Website | Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 am - 7 pm, Saturday & Saturday: 10 am - 7 pm | Entrance: Free

Chesapeake is home to the family-run Hickory Ridge Farm. What started with two goats turned into a local produce staple.

You can visit the farm to pick strawberries from the spring until June. You can find eggs, shrimp, seasonal produce, and homemade creations from then until August.

Autumn is the Fall Festival. There's pumpkin picking, hayrides, cider donuts, ponies and various activities for children.

Sunflowers are another highlight at the Hickory Ridge Farm, and they are available throughout the year for picking by the stem. Photographers can use the sunflowers as a set for a fee, even for sunset shoots.

30. Go Parasailing Together at Adventure Parasail

Credit: Yelp

Map It: 300 Winston Salem Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone: 757-422-8359| Website | Hours: Daily: 9 am - 5 pm | Price: $80 per person 

Adventure Parasail are the finest and first water sports facility in Virginia Beach. They have the most seasoned parasail captains in the state and by far the friendliest crew.

They have a perfect safety record and have been in operation since the 1980s. All of their captains and crew are familiar with the resort region and can give you the inside scoop on what's popular and what isn't.

Adventure Parasail the only place in Virginia Beach where you may rent parasails, jet skis, boats, kayaks, and charter boats for inshore and offshore fishing. Every member of your family can participate in an activity.

31. Partake in a Dolphin Kayak Tour

Credit: Chesapean

Map It: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA  | Website | Hours: Tours around 9:30 am| Entrance: $65 per person

On the dolphin kayak tour, Broad Bay is where the First Landing State Park trip starts. You'll paddle through the park's breathtaking and storied marine woodland. This is among Virginia Beach's top locations to catch a sunset!

Although this is a flat water tour, occasionally you could paddle through some choppy water. Dolphins frequently stop on your kayak tour departing First Landing State Park. The host tries to offer you the best possibilities to view dolphins, the favorite locals!

On tour, you can see ospreys, bald eagles, sea turtles, sting rays, pelicans, herons, egrets, and many other animals.

Several different Bald Eagle families live in First Landing State Park. People can watch eagles flying, fishing, and relaxing on their perches beside the water every day.

They provide a thorough history of the Native Americans who formerly navigated these same waters, the English settlers, and exciting information about the distinctive features of this ecosystem.

32. Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse

Credit: Yelp

Map It: 2941 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA | Phone: 757-481-9393| Website | Hours: Monday - Friday: 4 pm - 10 am, Saturday & Sunday: 11 am - 11:30 pm

When Shorebreak Pizza, a local favorite in Virginia Beach, approached Ionic to design a new flagship location, they knew the building had to be distinctive while blending in.

The final layout resembles a barn that one would feel at home in the area, with lots of windows for natural light and adaptable outside seating possibilities.

The owners are focused on great food, exciting sports, and developing a family atmosphere. Local teams and families have been filling the 8000 sq ft restaurant religiously.

Shorebreak has firmly woven itself into the fabric of Virginia Beach with a strong eye for giving back to the community and backing several philanthropic causes.

The menu has received countless awards for seafood, tacos, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. The adults can have a beer while younger members enjoy a game room designed for kids.

33. Admire Neptune's Park 

Credit: Virginia Beach

Map It: 3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone: 800-822-3224| Website | Hours: 24/7| Entrance: Free

The King Neptune Statue, which is located at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk's entrance, merits the distinction of being listed among the city's tourist attractions on its own.

It rises out of the Atlantic and looks down over Neptune Park at a height of 34 feet with beautiful bronze construction.

The Neptune Festival, a yearly celebration regarded as one of America's best festivals since 1973, raised the funds required to build the King Neptune Statue.

The monument is so huge that you can view it both from a distance and up close. A pair of dolphins, each measuring 15 and 17 feet in length, provide the King with a striking backdrop.

The statue's strength in its well-defined muscles, its intimidating triton, and its firm hold on a massive loggerhead turtle spanning 11 feet all add to its jaw-dropping beauty.

34. Tarnished Truth Distilling Company

Credit: Yelp

Map It: 4200 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone: 757-965-9652| Website | Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 11 am - 8 pm| Entrance: Free

Virginia Beach natives Josh Canada and Andrew Yancey founded the Tarnished Truth Distilling Company in 2013 with the assistance of another state resident, Bruce Thompson.

The distillery is the only one of its kind in America to be located within a hotel. It is housed inside the legendary Cavalier. It is a really interesting and entertaining location.

The master distiller at Tarnished Truth Distilling Company has over 40 years of education and experience. He uses cutting-edge handcrafted machinery to create everything from straight bourbon whiskey to Rye Bourbon.

You can visit the gift shop at Tarnished Truth Distilling Company once you've finished your tasting. You'll be able to buy many different kinds of products here, including barware, company-related items, bourbon candles, and bourbon maple syrup.

35. Visit Mount Trashmore

Credit: Visit Virginia Beach

Map It: 310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States | Phone: 757-385-2995| Website | Hours: Daily: 7 am - 7 pm | Entrance: Free

Among Virginia Beach's tourist attractions, Mount Trashmore is a bit different. How did it come to have such an awful name? Suffice it to say that the title is not an exaggeration! Clean dirt was used to crush several layers of trash to create Mount Trashmore's parkland.

With two mountains, two lakes, and a variety of walking trails, it is family-friendly, frequently used as a skate park, and spans 165 acres.

Although it doesn't smell unpleasant and appears to be the ideal place to unwind when looking for Virginia Beach activities, there is a little bit of a mystery there.

Flag poles are made to double as vents so methane gas can be discharged safely, and if you dug below, you'd discover tons of nasty trash! A thick rubber coating covers the area immediately beneath the surface to prevent water from entering the track beneath.

36. Visit the Hunt Club Farm

Credit: Our Community

Map It: 2388 London Bridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, United States | Phone: 757-427-9520 | Website | Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 11:30 pm| Entrance:  $18 per person

One of the most enjoyable places for families to visit in Virginia Beach is Hunt Club Farm. It covers an area of 35 acres.

It is a stunning place that played a key part in Virginia's agricultural history. It is a family-owned, community-based business that focuses on educating and enthralling people of all ages and walks of life.

You can get up up and personal with farm animals like goats, chickens, alpacas, llamas, geese, pigs, peacocks, and more at Hunt Club Farm.

A wide range of diverse activities are offered, including a BirdWalk Aviary, a Petting Farm, pony rides, a TreeWalk Adventure, and more.

Regular seasonal events include the Halloween Haunted Hunt Club Farm and the Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival.

37. Peruse the Military Aviation Museum

Credit: Youtube

Map It: 1341 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23457, United States | Phone: 757-721-7767 | Website | Hours: Daily: 9 am - 5 pm | Entrance: Adults: $15 per person, Children: $7.50 per person

The Military Aviation Museum is exactly what it says it is: a hip and intriguing museum devoted to planes used by military organizations around the globe.

One of the best things to do this weekend in VA Beach is to check out the around 60 different aircraft, the most of which are flight-ready World War I & II.

It's interesting to note that the Military Aviation Museum also works to restore any aircraft they find so they can be flown again, whether for airshows or to give visitors rides in some of them.

The museum is also home to one of the greatest private collections of historical aircraft in the world, making it a fantastic destination for both history buffs and curious tourists.

The Military Aviation Museum, which has four hangars and a sizable museum area in Virginia Beach, is constantly adding to its collection of meticulously restored aircraft.

An Albatross DVA, a MIG, a Bleriot XI, a Spitfire, an F/A-18 Hornet, and a Super Hornet fighter aircraft are just a few of the planes you'll see there. You can also take a tour of Master Jet Base NAS Oceana while you see pilots and crew at work.

38. Enjoy the Sun at Atlantic Fun Park 

Credit: Jason Betzner / Flickr

Map It: 233 15th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States | Phone:  757-422-0467 | Website | Hours: Friday: 4 pm - 11 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm - 11 pm | Entrance: Free Admission

One of Virginia Beach's top family-friendly attractions is the Atlantic Fun Park, so if you have kids, you should put it on your list of things to do.

It is a traditional amusement park with timeless attractions for guests of all ages and the kind of delightful tradition you won't find in a Six Flags location.

It serves as a fantastic reminder that things don't need to be extremely technologically advanced to be a ton of fun; what it lacks in technology, it makes up for in purity of heart and joy.

At Atlantic Fun Park, there are 16 types of rides, numerous Midway Arcade Games, and excellent abundance of food.

The Skyflyer, which flies to a height of 100 feet, the Gravitron, Flying Bob's, Sea Dragon, and other rides will get your heart racing.

There are also traditional, kid-friendly rides like the Kiddy Elephants and the city's biggest Ferris Wheel, which provides breathtaking views of the coastline.

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
March 28, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
Find me on Twitter

You may also like...

SWEEPSTAKES

Win a $500 Flight!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
*Terms apply. To participate, enter your email to sign up for the newsletter . You must be 18+ and be a resident of the US. No purchase necessary. Begins January 1st  and ends February 28th, 2024. Winner announced on March 31st. For full rules and regulations, visit our Terms & Conditions page. Data  processed according to our Privacy Policy.
Enter Sweepstakes