Beach Events and Attractions

Boardwalk

The sounds of waves crashing on the shore, children laughing, music playing in the distance; the sight of happy people biking, jogging, rollerblading or taking a leisurely stroll; the feel of a cool ocean breeze on a warm summer night. This is the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, truly a piece of Americana. Free entertainment at the 24th, 17th and 7th Street stages. Walk.  website

Beach Street USA

Along the sidewalks of Atlantic Avenue, between 17th and 25th Streets, enjoy theme performances June through August. In addition, there are over 100 days of entertainment at the oceanfront, along with special events and festivals throughout the city year-around. 757-425-3111 • 800 822-3224 website

5th, 17th, 24th and 31st Street Stages & Ampitheater

Take a walk down the Boardwalk to these stages and catch live entertainment, wine & beer festivals in the park and other great attractions throughout the year. website

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Museum

Explore the mysteries of the deep (and the shallow) at one of the top marine science museums in the country. It features a huge open-ocean aquarium, live sharks, over 100 hands-on exhibits, a giant sea turtle aquarium, a loggerhead turtle hatchling lab, plus the amazing six-story-high IMAX 3D Theatre. The newest attraction at the aquarium is the 78 million dollar exhibit, The Restless Planet.  3 miles 757 425-FISH website

Boat Trips Sponsored by the Virginia Marine Science Museum

• Coastal Explorer: Half-hour pontoon boat tours through Owls Creek Marsh. 
• Dolphin Watch: Two-hour ocean excursion to observe bottle-nose dolphins in their natural habitat.
• Ocean Collections: Professionals trawl the ocean floor for samples of sea life to bring on board during this 90-minute boat trip.
• Reservations required. 757 437-6000

Oceana Naval Air Station

See the Navy's most sophisticated aircraft in action at Oceana, home of the F/A-18 Super Hornets and occasionally the USAF  F-22 Raptors training here form Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.  The famous US Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team has a show every year in late Summer or early Fall.  Tours are seasonal call 757 433-3131.  For 2010 season contact Oceana to check status of tours.

Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater

Enjoy concerts and other special events. 9 miles – by trolley or car. For concert schedule: 757 368-3000 website.

Golf

Between our year-around sunshine and over 20 challenging area golf courses (designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nickolas, Rees Jones, Pete Dye, Curtis Strange, Fred Couples and Gene Bates), Virginia Beach is fast becoming one of the top golf destinations in the southeast. Courses are from 4 miles to 60 miles away. 757 491-7866 • 800 822-3224 website

Tennis

Close to 200 free public tennis courts throughout the city. Most courts are lighted.
757 219-2695. Courts are from 4 blocks to 4 miles away. Walk, trolley or car.

Guided Kayak Tours

Miles of scenic waterways to explore, plus, trips to deserted beaches and dolphin watching. Tidewater Adventures, 757 480-1999 • 888 669-8368 website

Fishing and Oceanfront Cruises 

Deep sea fishing excursions and sightseeing cruises from Rudee Inlet. 757 422-5700.
2 miles – trolley, bus or car. website

Water Sports and Equipment Rentals

Information on surfing, boogie-boarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, para-sailing, scuba diving, canoeing, sailing and more. Most equipment can be rented near the beach.
757 491-8000 • 800 822-3224.

First Landing State Park

Virginia's most visited state park is also famous as the site of the landing of the first permanent English settlers in 1607. Today, this National Natural Landmark features 19 miles of hiking trails, a bike trail, boat ramp and picnic areas. 757 412-2300 website

Chesapeake Bay Center

Informative visitor centre features aquariums, environmental and historical exhibits and displays, classroom space and information on nature-based tourism activities in the area. 757 412-2316  Main entrance on Rt. 60(Shore Dr.) is 10 miles away – car only. The back entrance on 64th Street is 3 miles from "Beach Spa Bed and Breakfast" – walk, trolley, bus or car. 

Association for Research and Enlightenment

Library and conference centre and international headquarters for the work of the best-documented psychic of modern times, Edgar Cayce. 757 428-3588 • 800 333-4499
3 miles – walk, trolley, bus or car. website

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A 7700-acre beach, woodland and marsh refuge for a wide variety of migratory birds, endangered species and other wildlife, including snow geese, marsh hawks, red foxes, loggerhead turtles and American Bald Eagles. Bike, hike or take the tram. 757 721-2412 Car only - 45 minute drive.  website

False Cape State Park

A pristine, ocean-to-freshwater bay habitat. See white-tailed deer, wild boar, and horses on six miles of unspoiled beaches and miles of hiking and interpretive trails. 757 426-7128 www.dcr.state.va.us/parks – then click "False Cape".  Car only - 45 minute drive. For information or reservations on the TRAM RIDE through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge to False Cape State Park, operated by the Back Bay Restoration Foundation, contact 757 426-3643 or website.

Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Centre

It's a fantastic vaulted structure, and host to a number of events including theatrical and musical performances, meetings, craft shows and trade shows. 757 437-7600 1 mile – walk, trolley or car.  http://www.vbfun.com Contemporary Art Center of Virginia: Don't miss this center which focuses on 20th-century art and features an incredible hanging exhibition of American and international artists. 757 425-0000  5 blocks – walk website

Old Coast Guard Station

Built in 1903, this museum vividly depicts its own life saving and Coast Guard History, as well as the many shipwrecks off the Virginia coast. 757 422-1587 website