It’s springtime in Virginia Beach, and we’re looking forward to hanging our winter coats in the closet for good, and heading outside for some fresh sea air. With cool, comfortable temperatures and plenty of sun, it’s one of our favorite seasons to get outside and stay outside. There’s no shortage of things to do in spring in Va Beach, but here are some of our favorites.
Pick Your Own Strawberries and Wildflowers
Spring is a time for growth in Virginia Beach. Strawberries, wildflowers, and other spring produce are blooming in Pungo and there are many pick-your-own opportunities. For strawberries, you can't go wrong with a visit to Flip-Flop Farmer or Cullipher Farm Market to fill your bucket . Strawberry season is April - June. While Virginia Beach is the largest producer of strawberries in the state of Virginia, when they’re gone, they’re gone for the year. We recommend going earlier in the season for your pick of the patch. For a unique take on this fresh fruit, head to Three Ship's Coffee in the ViBe Creative District, for their Pungo Latte, which uses fresh Pungo berries, that change from season to season, to sweeten this tasty morning pick-me-up.
Fish for Flounder on the Bay
As the largest natural estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay is home to 348 species of finfish, including sea bass, tautog and the local-favorite, rockfish. While many of these fish can be caught year-round, spring is when the flounders start biting again. The Bay produces nearly 500 million pounds of seafood each year, and fresh flounder is one of our favorites. Head out on a charter boat for some prime fishing on the Bay, or enjoy the catch without the work with fresh caught seafood at HK on the Bay, in the Chesapeake Bay District.
Have a Drink Outside
With it being peak season to break off the rust of winter and return to the great outdoors, you’ll often find us enjoying some suds in the sun at one of our favorite cocktail spots or local breweries. Restaurants such as Lovesong, The Pink Dinghy and Pacifica have an eclectic cocktail menu and great outdoor seating to soak in the Spring sun. Breweries like Commonwealth Brewing Company, Smartmouth Pilot House Brewery, and Back Bay's Farmhouse Brewing have ample outdoor seating where you can enjoy your beer in bliss. Also, don't worry about leaving the fur babies at home, spots such as Pups n' Pints and many of our local breweries are pet friendly.
Fly a Kite
While spring is a great time to fly a kite at any one of our beaches or on the hill at Mount Trashmore Park, the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival takes kite flying to another level. Lifting off at the Oceanfront every spring, this annual event offers flight training and you can even compete for “Longest Flight” and “Best Looking Kite.” With so many kites in the air at one time makes this a great local springtime tradition to experience, whether you plan on taking flight or not.
Go Hiking
Take in the blooming colors of spring and trek out for a hike at one of our state parks. First Landing State Park, with its Spanish moss-adorned bald cypress trees and wide range of hiking trails, is a great place to start. With perfect temperatures that will keep you outside all day, a hike, bike or leisure stroll through False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, is also definitely in order. False Cape and Back Bay can be explored through remote, intermediate level trails that wind through their combined 13,000 acres of untouched coastal habitat. In the warmer months, False Cape can only be reached by hiking, biking, small boats, or their tram-service, so don't plan on being able to park here (Trust us - the unimpeded ocean views are well worth it). With over 100 miles of trails ready to be explored, Spring is the perfect time to pick your trail and go.
Dine on the Water
The water may still be too cold to go for a swim, but that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the water all the same. At favorite local spots like The Back Deck, Bubba’s, and Chick's Oyster Bar, you can enjoy a boundless bounty of fresh seafood and good drinks while sitting out over the water in the Chesapeake Bay District. Grab an Orange Crush, the local's beverage of choice, and look out over Broad Bay for boaters, dolphins, and an unbeatable sunset.
Watch the Sunrise and Sunset over the Water
Out in the distance, where the glimmering water meets the restless sky, the day comes and goes like the rippling tide. To see the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean and set over the Chesapeake Bay, in the same day, is an experience that is uniquely Virginia Beach and the springtime, with a relatively late sunrise and early sunset, is one of the best times to do it. Take in the colors of a sunrise from a chair on the beach and, at dusk, hop aboard a kayak and take in a breathtaking sunset by floating right up to it.
Explore the Cape Henry Lighthouse
Located on the active Fort Story Military Base, the Cape Henry Lighthouse 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. There is no air conditioning or electricity in the lighthouse, which makes spring an ideal time to make the climb. This is the perfect stop after an afternoon Hiking at First Landing park, just across the street. Before visiting Cape Henry Lighthouse, be sure to read additional information on location, arrival, and rules and regulations.
Spring has finally arrived in Virginia Beach, so why not follow suit? Plan your Spring getaway now!