Make It a Beach Day
There’s no charge for endless ocean views, sunny skies and sea breezes. Virginia Beach boasts 38 miles of beaches that are free and open to the public (note: some charge for parking). Find your favorite slice of sand in our Ultimate Beach-Lover's Guide, with each beach offering its own unique zest to make each day memorable. For an experience that’s uniquely Virginia Beach, watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean at Sandbridge Beach or Oceanfront Beach, and then see it set over the Chesapeake Bay Beach (known to locals as Chic’s Beach) later that evening.
Enjoy a Free Concert by the Water
Rock out with the Live! On Atlantic free summer Oceanfront Concert Series, which creates a memorable, magical atmosphere at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront all summer long. Throughout the summer, Live! On Atlantic brings nightly entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m., including Flipturn with The Moss, Jefferson Starship with Optimistic Cynics and more. The concert series is just one of many family-friendly activities, as the sidewalks along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk literally become the stage. So grab your favorite fellow music fans and hit the beach.
Peruse a Local Farmers Market
Get a true taste of all things Virginia Beach at a local farmers market. The Old Beach Farmers Market is a homegrown, year-round outdoor marketplace that takes place every Saturday in the summertime. Set up just down the street from the Boardwalk, the market features everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to freshly caught seafood, eggs, coffee, handmade leather goods, soaps, jams and everything in between.
The Virginia Beach Farmers Market is open year-round, seven days a week and showcases seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables and more, and at the Shore Drive Farmers Market on Saturdays, you’ll find everything from Lynnhaven Coffee to flowers, herbs and more.
Take in the Thriving Art Scene
Art lovers rejoice! The ViBe Creative District serves as a vibrant hub for various creative outlets and encourages local creatives to inspire each other and their community and showcase their talents. Soak in the atmosphere at one of the district's scheduled events, from art festivals to First Friday walking tours; check out the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (free for select entrants) to learn about contemporary art through regularly scheduled changing exhibits, studio art classes and special events; or take the ViBe Creative District Mural Walking Tour for a close-up look at a collection of outdoor murals, most of which were done by local artists. Other always-free museums include the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, where maritime history comes alive right on the Boardwalk, and The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, located in the de Witt Cottage, which showcases wildfowl art, carvings, artifacts and photographs of the area.
Hike or Bike Through a State Park
Nature enthusiasts will find a variety of Virginia Beach parks ready for leisurely exploration. A registered natural landmark and the most visited park in Virginia, the 2,888-acre First Landing State Park fronts the Chesapeake Bay and features 1.25 miles of beach, more than 19 miles of hiking trails and one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest community. False Cape State Park features 15.3 miles of hiking and biking trails and six miles of unspoiled beaches in an ocean-to-freshwater bay habitat. The extensive wildlife boasts more than 300 species of nesting and migratory songbirds, shorebirds and ducks, otters, white-tailed deer, red fox, loggerhead turtles, American bald eagles, wild horses and many interesting reptiles.
Meet the Wildlife of the Back Bay
For a day of disconnecting, immerse yourself in nature at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a 9,108-acre refuge made up of barrier islands, dunes, beach woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forests, ponds and ocean beaches. Located on a narrow strip of coastline characteristic of barrier islands along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, most of the refuge marshlands are found on islands within the waters of Back Bay. Here, you can discover hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. It’s a true nature experience that’s not only free, but it’s also priceless.
Explore Cape Henry Lighthouse
History buffs take note. There are two lighthouses located at Cape Henry within Fort Story military base near the northern end of Virginia Beach. While the original Cape Henry Lighthouse is the fourth oldest lighthouse in the country, it was the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government, dating from 1792, and was the first federal construction project authorized by President George Washington after the Revolutionary War. In 1881, a newer lighthouse was constructed 350 feet from the original. Today, you can spend your summer day strolling the grounds and learning more about the lighthouse. If you’re feeling energetic, you can even climb to the top for spectacular views of Virginia Beach.
Fly a Kite, Skate or Play at the Playground at Mount Trashmore
Seeing is believing at the well-known Mount Trashmore Park, which encompasses 165 acres and comprises two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skatepark and vert ramp and multi-use pathways. The main mountain, Mount Trashmore, which is 60 feet in height and 800 feet long, was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil. The park's elevation makes it the perfect place to go for a “hike,” enjoy a picnic in the fresh breeze, fly a kit, or get some skating in on its curvy terrain. If you have littles, the on-site playground is a fun afternoon activity – offering three distinct play areas built on a rubber surface, multiple slides, elevated walkways, climbers and more. Plus, the playground is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so it’s a safe place for everyone to get in some playtime.
Discover Local Legends
From Thomas Jefferson and Captain John Smith to Ella Fitzgerald and Patsy Cline, Virginia is home to many of history's greats. Learn more at the Virginia Legends Walk, which you’ll find at the Oceanfront’s 13th Street Park. This self-guided tour amid archways, paved walkways, beautiful landscaping and ocean views honors Virginians, by birth or residence, who have made a significant contribution to the nation and the world.
