15 Best Things To Do In Virginia Beach, Virginia

You might know Virginia Beach for its classic boardwalk. This is a three-mile-long stretch complete with outdoor dining, surfboard and kayak-rental kiosks, and even an island park playground for the kids. But don't be fooled by the seaside breeze: Virginia Beach, Virginia, is much more than its oceanside attractions. (Though there are dozens of waterfront hotels to choose from if you happen to be craving a beach vacation.)

As the most populated city in the entire state, Virginia Beach has tons to offer including a growing culinary scene, excellent arts and culture, rich history, and lots of family-friendly activities. Each area of Virginia Beach offers a little something different, from the always bustling Oceanfront area to secluded Sandbridge Beach. You can spend the day shopping in Town Center, then stick around for a nice dinner and comedy show once the sun goes down. Or head to the ViBe Creative District to get in touch with Virginia Beach's artsy side. Here are the 15 best things to do in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Head To The Beach

Walk the Boardwalk

Virginia Beach's oceanside promenade promises a lovely sunrise or evening stroll. The Oceanfront District offers plenty of options for shopping, dining, and family-friendly entertainment. During the summer, you'll find live music and boardwalk entertainment on one of the promenade's four open-air stages. Snap a photo with the 24-foot-tall King Neptune statue, which sits on the boardwalk at the entrance of Neptune Park.

Relax in the Sand

Here, you'll also find the city's famed oceanfront resorts and a pristine stretch of sand. Be sure to spend a day relaxing by the water. To avoid the crowds, check out Sandbridge Beach, an equally beautiful, less-trafficked, duned shoreline located just south of the Oceanfront District.

Explore The ViBe Creative District

Catch a vibe in the ViBe Creative District. "The ViBe Creative District, encompassing 13 blocks between the Convention Center and the boardwalk, is a non-profit initiative designed to foster creativity and community in Virginia Beach," writes Brianna Simmons for Southern Living.

See the Murals and Street Art

Thirteen blocks between the Virginia Beach Convention Center and famous boardwalk make up the ViBe Creative District, and every last street corner is covered in colorful murals and bold street art. An easy one-mile walking tour will take you to all the best spots, so you can experience all the incredible artwork and get acquainted with the spirited neighborhood.

Visit the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

There's always something new to see at this free museum that's open Thursday through Sunday each week. Galleries and exhibits change often, and there's even an interactive art space called ArtLab that's suitable for all ages. No matter what you do, be sure to make time to marvel at 14-foot glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling in the sunlit Rodriguez Pavilion. The incredible work of art called Mille Colori, or thousand colors, is an original Dale Chihuly work made of 520 individual glass blown pieces.

Enjoy an Afternoon Refreshment

Though the ViBe Creative District is big on the arts, there's plenty to do outside of gallery hopping and museum touring. When you're in need of a mid-day or mid-afternoon pick-me-up, the diverse food and beverage scene has you covered. Some highlights include the crepes at farm-to-table café Commune, the craft beers at cool bistro Esoteric, and the infused spirits at Chesapeake Bay Distillery.

Check Out the Shops

The ViBe Creative District is the kind of place where you never know what you might find around the next corner. Unique shops and local businesses of all kinds call it home, so there's plenty to peruse. Be sure to see the hand-painted signs and old-fashioned pinstriping at Igor's Custom, find locally made art and gifts at 17th Street Marketplace, and see true artisans in action at North End Bag Company.

Get Outdoors

Catch a wave or bike along the shoreline—Virginia Beach is made for outdoor adventure. The coastal city has plenty of trails for running, walking, and biking, making it entirely possible to go completely car-free.

Visit a State Park

Hike or bike the Sand Ridge Trail in False Cape State Park and the Cape Henry Trail in First Landing State Park. First Landing's unique maritime forest ecosystem, plus miles of easily accessible trails through bald cypress forests and salt marshes makes it one of the state's most visited parks.

Pick Your Own Produce

Nothing tastes sweeter than fruit you picked yourself. Depending on the season, there are dozens of opportunities to harvest nature's bounty in Pungo, an enchanting and unexpected 8,000 acres of farmland just past Sandbridge Beach. Several farms offer u-pick seasons throughout the year where you can take home everything from strawberries and blueberries to apples and peaches.

Go on a Family Bike Ride

Bike-friendly towns are especially sunny because you get exploration and a mode of transportation all in one package. The best way to see Virginia Beach is on two wheels via the Family Fun Tour bike trail, which runs for 6.8 miles and takes riders to landmarks like the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the Virginia Aquarium, and Ocean Breeze Waterpark.

Take a Surf Lesson

As the birthplace of East Coast surfing, Virginia Beach is an ideal place to catch your first wave. The waves are calmer and a bit gentler than the barrels found out west, so you'll have a better chance of hanging ten even if you've never surfed before. Novices to the sport can book a lesson with VB Surf Sessions, Pungo Board House, or Seth Broudy School of Surf to get individual or group instruction.

Eat Local

Fuel Up with Breakafst

Start your morning at Three Ships Coffee, a local coffee roaster with locations in the ViBe District and the Shops at Hilltop. Then prepare to be utterly charmed by The Bee and the Biscuit, a first-come, first-serve cottage restaurant known for its buttermilk biscuit Benedicts and freshly-baked cinnamon rolls (which the daytime joint also offers to-go). Pair your all-day breakfast with a specialty latte in unique flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Lavender, and Lucky Charms. Pro tip: Arrive early to snag a seat in the quaint garden for brunch. For a laid-back vibe, check out Zeke's Beans and Bowls, a local spot for coffee, acai bowls, and Hawaiian poke.

Splurge for a Fancy Picnic Lunch

For a special occasion, indulge in the picnic of your dreams with VB Picnic Co. The local business curates stunning, stylish pop-up picnics at your location of choice. The company provides custom setups in the sand that come complete with chairs, umbrellas, tables, and all the yummy charcuterie your heart desires.

Go Out for Dinner

You can never go wrong with the Cali-style Mexican food at Pelon's Baja Grill—be sure to scope out the happy hour deals. For a classy evening, dine at Orion's Rooftop, which boasts an unbeatable ocean view and a refined Asian-fusion menu.

Save Room for Dessert

Nothing says vacation like an after-dinner treat. And there's arguably no better dessert than a double scoop of ice cream. With three locations sprinkled throughout the city, a scoop of homemade ice cream from Lolly's Creamery is always within reach. For all kinds of frozen and warm creations, visit Gerald's Ice Cream, where in addition to 30 flavors of fresh-churned ice cream, you'll also find a authentic French pastries like croissants, amaretti, and macarons.

Discover Nearby Virginia Beach Towns

Long ago a peaceful fishing village, Chincoteague Island, Virginia, now has its fair share of visitors, welcoming them with the best local seafood, ample lodging, shopping, and family activities. 

On the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore, kids are active on the pier with their fishing rods, locals share stories while hanging out at the hardware store, and the whole place looks as if it tucks in for the night not long after the sun goes down.

Lake Anna isn’t technically on the coast, but it is the the second largest lake in Virginia. It is known for its 17 miles of sparkling water and sandy beaches, so the opportunity to play should not pass anyone by.