The Best Things to Do in Virginia Beach on a Rainy Day

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Oceanfront

Aquatic education meets wide-eyed wonder at this 800,000-gallon trip to the undersea world at The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in the Oceanfront District. Get up close and personal with barracuda, moray eels, sharks, rays, otters, crocodiles and sea turtles as you learn about Virginia’s coastal ecosystems. The Aquarium also offers the opportunity to go behind the scenes with the animals on special additional tours where guests can feed rays, learn all about sharks or get in-depth experiences with sea turtles and Komodo dragons.

If you feel inspired to get out on the water (even with a bit of rain,) the Aquarium also offers boat tours. These tours run during the summer, as naturalists point out different features of the area’s marine life, occasionally pulling up sea creatures so you can feel them for yourself. Guests can also book dolphin-watching tours to see playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins swimming in their natural habitat.

Beachside Social

Oceanfront

 
Once the favorite pastime of retirees in Florida, shuffleboard has seen a huge comeback as a social sport among the newer generations. Virginia Beach gets in on the fun with Beachside Social, a 10,000-square-foot shuffleboard center designed to feel a little like playing on top of a cruise ship. Once you’ve mastered the art of shuffleboard (learning the game takes less than five minutes) you can try your hand at bocce ball on one of Beachside Social’s courts, or grab a board game and post up by the bar for a rousing game of Candy Land or Battleship. 

The “social” part of Beachside Social is a big part of the fun, too, as the' 50s-diner-inspired bar has a full menu of craft beer, cocktails and bar bites. Try the Mule of a Different Color, which features vodka, ginger syrup, lime and fresh berries. Then, settle in for a lunch of pesto shrimp flatbread, brisket sliders or fish and chips.

iFly Indoor Skydiving

Oceanfront

The face-peeling rush that comes with skydiving is a high that’s hard to top without jumping out of a plane. But iFly Indoor Skydiving gets you pretty darned close with its vertical wind tunnel. Strap on a suit and jump inside as you and your instructor fall through winds reaching 180 miles per hour, simulating the same feeling you get hurtling towards the ground. iFly is just a block away from the Oceanfront beach, so plan to grab a bite around the area after you’ve worked up a high-flying appetite.

Beach Cinema Alehouse

Oceanfront

Rainy day movie days are always a trusty default, but they’re even more fun at the Beach Cinema Alehouse, which adds a whole new level to the traditional popcorn-and-TWIZZLERS experience. This seven-screen theater shows a wide variety of recent movies, with a full-service restaurant and bar offering food you can enjoy at your seat.

Museum of Contemporary Art

ViBe Creative District

Adjacent to Oceanfront you’ll find the ViBe Creative District, a creative enclave filled with artists’ studios, independent restaurants and coffee shops, and public art everywhere. It’s a sometimes quirky alternative to VB’s main drag, and also home to the  Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum has been around since 1994, showcasing a constantly rotating collection of modern art from traveling exhibitions. That means every trip to MOCA is going to be a little bit different, so if you’ve visited before, it’s worth checking out again.

The museum is more than just a place to look at art, though, offering master classes with local artists who’ll teach you their craft. Kids can also delve into the world of modern art with MOCA’s Looking to Learn: Art and Storytime programs, where they’ll create their own art based on current exhibits’ themes. Kids can also check out interactive exhibits in the ARTlab, or grab a book from its reading nook and relax with some literature on a rainy day.

Apex Entertainment

Town Center

Even though the weather might not be cooperating, you can still have an active day in Virginia Beach at this Town Center staple. Hit the ropes course running through Apex Entertainment and you’ll get a full afternoon of agility and endurance, with some team building thrown in. After, play a couple of games of laser tag or challenge each other on the Go-Kart track. There’s also bowling, axe throwing, sports simulators, mini-golf and bumper cars to get your blood going. After, reward yourself with a hearty lunch at the Pit Stop Tavern, Apex’s onsite restaurant with a big menu of craft cocktails.

Funny Bone Comedy Club

Town Center

Wayne Colley, @boutiqueiced, Instagram

Does the rain have you in need of a few good laughs? Venture over to Town Center and check out the Funny Bone Comedy Club. It’s the local stop for touring and headlining comics, but even if a big name isn’t in town, you’ll get a taste of the burgeoning comedy scene in Virginia Beach. (Plus, if you think stand-up may be something you’d like to try, check out Funny Bone’s Comedy School, a free class where you’ll learn all the basics.)

Virginia Military Aviation Museum

Pungo

The world’s largest private collection of World War I and II military aircraft lives right here in Virginia Beach, at the Virginia Military Aviation Museum in Pungo. Every plane has been restored to perfect flying order, and you can walk right up to planes you’ve probably only seen in movies like the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and the Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker—better known as the WW1 Red Baron. The museum also hosts frequent flying demos, where you’ll have the rare experience of seeing these planes take to the sky.

Breakout Games

Inland

Playing Clue as a kid was fun, but it’s exponentially more exciting when you have to figure out who killed Mr. Body in real time, with hints hidden all around his mansion. Head inland to Breakout Games and experience the famous board game come to life for you and your team of detectives. It’s one of several themed rooms at Breakout Games, which also offers Runaway Train, Island Escape, Museum Heist and others.    

Surge Adventure Park

Inland

If being inside all day has you and your kids bursting with pent-up energy, book an hour at the Surge Adventure Park. This sprawling trampoline park lets you leap through basketball courts, ball pits, a trapeze, dodgeball and a ninja warrior course. There’s also a climbing wall and video arcade, plus special packages for birthday parties and other groups.   

TopGolf

Inland

More than just a driving range, TopGolf is a tech-driven, social golfing center that’s equal parts competition and party. You and your crew rent out a private bay, where you can compete in different games to see who hits the ball furthest, fastest, or the most accurate. All the while, a server keeps you stocked with bar food and beers, so you’re guaranteed a good time no matter how well you shoot.

Lynnhaven Mall

Inland
 

As the largest indoor mall in Virginia Beach, the Lynnhaven Mall, located about 15 minutes from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, is a perfect destination for all your shopping needs, especially on those rainy or hot days that can sneak up on your vacation. With a variety of premier stores to choose from, inviting outdoor plazas and a newly renovated Food Court, this luxury retail center is a fun-filled way to spend the day for the whole family. With retailers such as H&M, Pandora, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Aerie, Apple, Bath & Body Works, and more, there's something here for everyone. And for those who don't want to shop, don't miss nearby attractions such as Dave & Buster's, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, or the AMC 18 Theater showing the latest new releases.

Breweries

Escape the rain in one of our favorite ways - by pulling up a stool at one of our local craft breweries. The ever-expanding craft beer scene in Virginia Beach is overflowing with unique flavors that we are proud to share with everyone who visits our coastal city. From juicy IPAs bursting with hops to complex barrel-aged sours, there’s a beer, and a brewery, for everyone who visits.