Cruising into the Port of Norfolk? A key hub for Carnival Cruise Line and other major operators, Norfolk is a popular point of embarkation for seagoing journeys to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. But did you know: it’s also just minutes from another sought-after beach vacation destination?
Just minutes away, Virginia Beach is the perfect pre- or post-cruise escape for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re into beaches, food, adventure, or relaxation, there’s something here for you. Stay oceanfront, explore hidden gems, or indulge in coastal flavors. However you vacation, Virginia Beach sets the tone for smooth sailing.
Where to Stay in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach welcomes more than 14 million travelers a year with a wide range of accommodation options spanning over 100 different properties. If you’re traveling with kids or a larger group, most Virginia Beach hotels are family-friendly; the Hilton Vacation Club Oceanaire enjoys a prime Oceanfront location and even has a dedicated wading pool for the little ones. And, speaking of wading, the Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront is right on the Chesapeake Bay: one of the most peaceful and picturesque spots to dip your toes.
If a more historic property is just your speed, Virginia Beach is home to heritage hotels spanning a variety of eras. The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club has been eliciting oohs and ahhs for nearly 100 years; after a 2018 restoration, the property strikes the perfect balance between old-world grandeur and modern luxury. Adjacent to it, the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort provides contemporary accommodations with ocean-view balconies and rooftop dining. For a family-friendly option, the Embassy Suites by Hilton™ features luxury suites with ocean views and first-class amenities. Together, these properties offer a unique blend of history, luxury and oceanfront relaxation.
Fans of mid-century modern architecture will love the Blue Marlin Inn & Suites and Beach Carousel Motel — both listed in the National Register of Historic Places. And if only a newer hotel will do, here’s a roundup of our latest properties in VB.
The Beach Lover’s Bucket List
Thanks to an enviable geographic position with access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach has two sparkling shorelines covering nearly 40 miles — and that means a wide variety of beaches to enjoy, each with its own unique vibe.
At the heart of the action is Oceanfront Beach, a wide swath of golden sand bound by the bustling Virginia Beach Boardwalk and presided over by our iconic King Neptune Statue. Hoping to tire out the kids? Grommet Island Park has got your back; this 15,000-square-foot beachfront playground offers a friendly school of sea-creature climbing sculptures, plus sandcastle tables and a shaded seating area for family members.
For a day as mellow as the gently swaying sea oats, try tranquil Sandbridge Beach; to slow the pace even further, try the calm, family-friendly waters of Chic’s Beach. If you want to hang ten, you’ll find the best breaks at secluded Croatan Beach — popular with local surfers and surf camps alike.
The Outdoorsy Type’s Bucket List
If your speed is set a bit higher than sunbathing, Virginia Beach has plenty to keep you busy — and whether you stick to the coastline or venture inland to explore, you won’t have to go far to find mile after mile of breathtaking wilderness. First Landing State Park, the delightful anchor of the Oceanfront wilderness, offers nine trails covering 19 miles of varied mild-to-moderate terrain.
In nearby Sandbridge, the 9,108 acres of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a paradise of barrier islands, dunes, coastal woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forests and sandy beaches; keep an eye out for the 300+ species of seabird and other critters that make the refuge home. Due southeast from the Refuge, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier spit with six miles of quiet, unspoiled coastline and nine miles of easy-to-moderate hiking trails.
Want to get out on the water in your own craft? The waters just off the Boardwalk are the perfect environment for small-scale immersion. VB Surf Sessions offers stand-up paddle board and surfing lessons, tours and rentals, and will even bring the equipment to you! If you’re feeling the need for speed, Rudee Inlet Jet Ski Rentals has the horsepower to fuel a REALLY fun day. And if you’re looking for a different perspective, Rudee Inlet Parasail & Watersports offers single, tandem and triple rides up to 500 feet in the air.
The Foodie’s Bucket List
The vibrant Virginia Beach culinary scene deserves its own post — but we’ll hit the high points for you. The best days start with a memorable breakfast; we’re big fans of The Pink Dingy, where you can whet your appetite on a selection of daily housemade doughnuts before tucking into your “real” breakfast. Just a few miles inland from Oceanfront, The Bee & the Biscuit in Pungo oozes Southern charm like honey; if it’s busy, you can sip a mimosa in the garden before adjourning to the 1919 cottage for a memorable meal.
Given our double-shoreline location, we’re swimming in top-notch seafood; while it’s hard to go wrong, we recommend sticking to the classics if you’re short on time. That means Waterman’s Surfside Grille for a fresh catch and iconic Orange Crush cocktail, or Margie & Ray’s Seafood Restaurant Crab House & Raw Bar for soft-shell crab. If it’s a gorgeous view you’re after, try Orion’s Roof (atop the Cavalier) for sweeping Atlantic vistas or The Porch on Long Creek for intimate Chesapeake Bay perspectives. Spending a day on the Boardwalk? Adjourn to Calypso Bar & Grill for fresh, lively fare accompanied by live music.
The Lifelong Learner’s Bucket List
For you folks who collect knowledge like seashells, Virginia Beach is flush with opportunities to add new wrinkles to your brain. If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to add The Cape Henry Lighthouse to your itinerary; its rich heritage dates back to 1792, but you can make personal history by climbing the 191 narrow, winding steps to the top.
At the Virginia Military Aviation Museum, you’ll find one of the largest private collections of World War I- and II-era military aircraft in the world. Spanning several hangars, this international collection includes 70 planes from the first 50 years of military aviation — many of them restored to original flying condition. Just outside the Museum is Jerrassic Park, an absolute must-see if you’ve got kiddos in your crew! This free, beautifully landscaped park is populated by a life-sized metal dino menagerie, including brontosaurus, velociraptor, stegosaurus, triceratops, pterodactyl and more.
Also great for families: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. With nearly 20,000 gallons of water and more than a dozen species of sharks, rays, eels and reptiles — PLUS harbor seals and North American river otters — there’s education and awe around every bend. And finally, for a dose of culture and creativity, hit up the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art; in addition to rotating exhibitions, there are amazing educational programs to inspire visitors of all ages.
The Hedonist’s Bucket List
Attention, girls’ trippers: does your ideal itinerary involve shopping, a spa treatment and a sparkling cocktail? Yes. Yes. And yes. We recommend you start at Town Center, where you’ll find everything you need for a fabulous shopping spree. Pop into Lululemon for the latest athleisure trends or Anthropologie for unique, boho-chic fashion. For stylish everyday threads, Madewell and Free People are must-visits. Whether you’re hunting for new threads or a special gift, Town Center has something to keep every shopaholic’s heart happy.
Now it’s time to set down your shopping spoils and relax! At the Flowering Almond Spa at Founders Inn, you’ll want to try the Brown Sugar Scrub: a skin-stimulating treatment employing six hydrating oils and heavenly essences of vanilla and orange. At the Cavalier’s SeaHill Spa, you can’t go wrong with any of their signature Quartz Soak & Sand Rituals — each of these unforgettable, ultra-relaxing treatments takes place on a table of warm Gharieni quartz sand and features a variety of essences, emollients and exfoliants.
Next, let cocktail hour be your kickoff to a perfect evening. If you’re already at the Cavalier for your treatment, you won’t have to go far — it’s home to two of the city’s most celebrated watering holes, The Hunt Room and Tarnished Truth Distilling Company. But for those of you hoping to maintain those Girls’-Day-Into-Night-Out vibes, we recommend Love Song, for its funky aesthetic and mercurial cocktail menu — or Tiki’s, for its darkly tropical ambiance and true-to-form tiki cocktails.
About Our Writer
As a Californian living in Colorado, Staci Amend takes a “why not both” approach to the whole mountains vs. oceans debate. She covers travel, nature, beauty and fashion for a variety of publications and brands — and is happiest when surrounded by hand-painted tile, struggling to pronounce her next meal. A Huntington Beach native and enthusiastic longboarder, she tries to time her Virginia Beach visits with the East Coast Surfing Championships.
