No matter the time of year, Virginia Beach is always cooking up ways to help you get more bang for your buck. There is always a wealth of activities that are easy on the budget - from exploring the parks and wildlife to lounging on the sun-drenched beaches. Here are some of our favorite free things to do this summer.

 

Enjoy Our Beaches

 

Little Island Park Sandbridge

Sandbridge Beach, Chesapeake Bay Beach and the Oceanfront Resort Beach are all free and open to the public. Experience the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean in Sandbridge or at the Oceanfront Resort Beach, and set over the Chesapeake Bay, in the same day, for an experience that is uniquely Virginia Beach.

 

Fly a Kite at Mount Trashmore

 

Mount Trashmore Kite Flying

@twoflounders, Instagram
 

The world-renowned Mount Trashmore Park encompasses 165 acres and is comprised of two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skatepark and vert ramp, and multi-use paths. The main mountain, Mount Trashmore, now 60 feet in height and 800 feet long, was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil. Recognized for its environmental feat, this former landfill features a water-wise garden that boasts xeriscaping, where you can enjoy a beautiful garden that requires minimal water. The elevation of the park makes it the perfect place to fly a kite.

 

Hike or Bike Through our State Parks

 

First Landing State Park Hiking

First Landing State Park is a 2,888-acre park that fronts the Chesapeake Bay and features 1.25 miles of beach and more than 19 miles of interpretive hiking trails. A registered Natural Landmark, First Landing is the most visited state park in Virginia and contains one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest community.

The trail center, accessed through the south entrance off of Shore Drive, is the main hub for accessing the trails that run through the park. Hikers can choose from nine hiking trails through the park’s seven distinct ecosystems, including the Cape Henry Trail. This six-mile trail is the park’s longest, stretching from the northern border to the southernmost entrance off of Atlantic Avenue, and is the only trail accessible to both hikers and bicyclists. For a scenic hike through the enchanting cypress swamps, Bald Cypress Trail offers a 1.5-mile loop, including several boardwalks and platforms overlooking the low wetlands, making for several great photo-ops.

False Cape State Park features 15.3 miles of interpretive hiking and biking trails, as well as six miles of unspoiled beaches in an ocean-to-freshwater bay habitat, including dunes, woodland, farm fields, salt marsh, maritime forest and wooded swamps. The extensive wildlife boasts over 300 species of nesting and migratory songbirds, shorebirds and ducks (inclusive of a returning snow geese population of 10,000), otters, white-tailed deer, red fox, loggerhead turtles, American bald eagles, feral pigs, wild horses, and a number of interesting reptiles.

 

Explore the Wildlife of the Back Bay

 

Back Bay Wildlife.jpg

The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 9,108-acre refuge that is made up of barrier islands, dunes, beach woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forests, ponds and ocean beaches. The refuge is situated on a thin strip of coastline typical of barrier islands found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The majority of refuge marshlands are on islands contained within the waters of Back Bay.


 

Explore the Cape Henry Lighthouse

 

Cape Henry Lighthouses

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 4th oldest lighthouse in the country, it was the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government, dating from 1792. In fact, it was the first federal construction project authorized by President George Washington after the Revolutionary War, for an original contract amount of $15,200 (an additional $2,500 was required to finish the lighthouse). In 1881, a newer lighthouse was constructed 350 feet from the original.

Before visiting Cape Henry Lighthouse, be sure to read additional information on location, arrival, and rules and regulations.

 

Take in a Free Concert by the Water

 

Neptune Park Oceanfront Free Concert

Rock out with the Live! on Atlantic Free Summer Concert Series, which creates a memorable, magical atmosphere at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, all summer long. Beginning in May, Live! on Atlantic returns with nightly entertainment throughout the season, from 7:00 pm - 11 pm. The concert series is always family-friendly, as the sidewalks along the boardwalk literally become the stage.

 

Check Out the Old Beach Farmers Market

 

Old Beach Farmers Market ViBe Creative District

The Old Beach Farmers Market is a homegrown, year-round outdoor marketplace, set up just down the street from the boardwalk, which takes place every Saturday in the summertime. From seasonal fruits and vegetables pulled straight from the Virginia Beach soil, to freshly caught seafood, eggs, coffee, handmade leather goods, soaps, jams and everything in between, the farmers market is connecting locavores with the area’s family farms, watermen, chefs and businesses for a celebration of all things Virginia Beach.

 

Check Out our Art Scene
 

"Art is a Weapon" by Charles Rasputin ViBe District Mural

"Art is a Weapon" by Charles Rasputin
 
The ViBe Creative District serves as a vibrant center for various creative industries in Virginia Beach and encourages local creatives to inspire each other, their crafts and their community. Locals and visitors can soak in the ViBes at one of the district's monthly First Fridays and check out the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to learn about contemporary art through regularly scheduled changing exhibits, studio art classes, and special events. Take the ViBe District Mural Walking Tour while you’re there. You won’t want to miss this collection of murals, most of which were done by local artists, that fill the ViBe with wonder and color and can all be explored by foot in an easy one-mile walking tour.

 

Discover the Local Legends

 

Virginia Legends Walk Virginia Beach Oceanfront

From Thomas Jefferson and Captain John Smith to Ella Fitzgerald and Patsy Cline, Virginia has been home to many of history's giants. Check them out at the Virginia Legends Walk, at the oceanfront 13th Street Park.