Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of one of our favorite seasons – Summer – and it is just around the corner. To celebrate the three-day weekend in Virginia Beach, we’ve rounded up 12 must-do sights and activities you won’t want to miss.
Bike the Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Opt for a ride with the whole family on a classic beach surry or go with one of the local favorite’s – a beach cruiser. Visitors can even enjoy the leisure bike tour along the 3-mile boardwalk or the brunch and bike tour from Beach Bike Tours.
Visit the Military Aviation Museum and spend the day in Pungo
While you’re in Pungo for our strawberry season, head to the Military Aviation Museum. It holds the largest private collection of 65 planes from the first 50 years of military aviation, and most of the aircraft have amazingly been restored to their original flying condition. Don’t leave Pungo without picking some fresh wildflowers and, of course, strawberries, which are in peak season this time of year.
Spend the afternoon outside at Ocean 27 or The Shack on 8th
The Shack on 8th and Ocean 27 are both fully open air bars at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, stocked with lawn games like corn hole, bocce ball, and giant beer pong, making them the perfect place to enjoy a few Orange Crushes, a signature Va Beach summer cocktail, on a nice day.
Have a nice night out at Terrapin
For the past decade, Chef Rodney Einhorn has helmed this James Beard-recognized, AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, serving contemporary American Cuisine with a creative use of locally sourced, seasonal farm-fresh ingredients at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Terrapin Restaurant, which has been credited for launching the farm-to-table movement in Virginia Beach, offers a warm, elegant dining room with an open view into the kitchen, giving visitors a glimpse of how the culinary magic comes to life. Local’s tip: we recommend starting off with the beet salad, a signature dish commonly known to the staff as a “salad of love” – an homage to the Chef’s very own love story with his wife, Amanda.
Climb to the top of the Cape Henry Lighthouse
Newly reopened after an extensive restoration project, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, located on the active Fort Story Military Base, is a pillar of our local and national history which you can explore first-hand. Climb to the top of the lighthouse (which was the first federal construction project under the new government after the Revolutionary War) and take in an unimpeded view of where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Before visiting Cape Henry Lighthouse, be sure to read additional information on location, arrival, and rules and regulations.
Kayak with dolphins in Chesapeake Bay
Dolphins are frequent visitors to the calmer inland waterways off of the Chesapeake Bay, making for a perfect opportunity to kayak alongside some of our favorite locals. Get into the water with Tula Adventure Sports, located in the Chesapeake Bay District.
Take a hike at First Landing State Park
Head down Shore Drive, in the Chesapeake Bay District, to First Landing State Park for a morning hike through preserved marshland dotted with towering Bald Cypress Trees adorned with Spanish moss. Opt for the Bald Cypress Trail, a 1.5 mile through and around the cypress swamps. There are many boardwalks and overlooks that offer unbeatable views of the enchanting swampland.
Enjoy a local breakfast at Doc Taylor’s
For soul-satisfying fare that gives a nod to our Southern culinary roots, look no further than the Oceanfront, where you’ll find Doc Taylor’s. This one-time doctor’s home serves up delicious comfort breakfast and lunch food, Bloody Marys and mimosas. This spot is such a locals’ favorite, that the menu even features several items named after some of their regulars.
Zipline at The Adventure Park
Take your holiday weekend to new heights with a highflying endurance test at The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium. With 15 different treetop obstacle courses, at varying degrees of difficulty, this is no walk in the park. Somewhere among the nighttime climbs up in the illuminated trees, zip-lines across Owl’s Creek and the resolve-testing leaps of faith from what seems like a mile up, you’ll forget that you’re at sea level.
Salute the Summer
Rock out with three days of free live music by local and regional bands, honoring the men and women of the military at Live! on Atlantic’s Salute to Summer, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. A “Heroes Walk’ display will stretch from 16th Street going north with original essays from local high school students honoring these service men and women.
There no shortage of ways to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in Virginia Beach, and get your summer started the right way. Plan your Memorial Day Weekend getaway now!
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- Museums
- Summer
- Things to Do
Written by Sarah Etinas
As a full-time freelance travel writer and editor, Sarah Etinas is always on the lookout for her next adventure. With a passion for exploring new destinations, she's covered everything from the vibrant food scene in Hawaii to the stunning outdoor landscapes of Florida. Her work has been featured in renowned publications like TimeOut, TripAdvisor, Thrillist, and Lonely Planet. When she's not writing, Sarah practices what she preaches by hiking to beautiful waterfalls, visiting local markets, and dining on the most unique dishes she can find.
