When you’re traveling with kids, whether they’re toddlers, tweens or teens, travel costs can add up quickly. But there’s a reason Virginia Beach welcomes nearly 14 million visitors per year, many of them families: We offer an incredible range of no-to-low-cost activities and amenities alongside a wealth of affordable accommodations. Here’s how to make it all happen for less.
Top-Value Family Hotels
As every traveling parent knows, there’s a delicate balance to budget-friendly travel and it’s never wise to sacrifice comfort and convenience for cost alone. Luckily, Virginia Beach is rich in best-of-both-worlds accommodations like amenity-rich hotels and resorts with prices that keep your family beach getaway from breaking the bank.
At more economical options like the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront, you and the kids can enjoy daily breakfast for a small fee, plus a dedicated pool for little ones.The Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach even has a lazy river and water slides, so the kids can burn off their extra energy while you cut to the (pool) chaise. For well-appointed rooms just steps from the bustling Virginia Beach Boardwalk, choose a beachfront resort like the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Traveling with a bigger group? The Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront offers two-bedroom suites with bunk beds that can sleep up to eight and a private balcony overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, along with a microwave and fridge to keep the hangries at bay.
Free: Our Beautiful Beaches
With a prime location at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, VB is home to two shorelines covering nearly 40 miles—and that means a wide variety of public beaches. While they’re all clean, easily accessible and free for you and your family to enjoy year-round, be aware that some may charge parking fees during the warmer months.
At the heart of the action is Oceanfront Beach, a swath of golden sand presided over by our iconic King Neptune Statue. Bound by the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, this is the quintessential beach day in our fair city.
Budding groms in your crew? Secluded Croatan Beach is popular with local surfers and surf camps, so it’s perfect for stronger swimmers and makes for excellent people watching. Or, for a day as mellow as the swaying sea oats, try the tranquil Sandbridge Beaches or the family-friendly waters of Chic’s Beach on Chesapeake Bay.
Free: Our Natural Wonders
Looking for an active, affordable day in the sun? Virginia Beach has an astonishing array of natural wonders to explore. First Landing State Park offers 19 miles of varied hiking terrain — all flat and suitable for explorers of all ages — and 1.25 miles of unspoiled coastline. Park admission is free, but expect parking fees during the warmer months.
Just around Cape Henry, you’ll find the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge with 9,108 acres of wetland habitat, including barrier islands, dunes, beach woodlands, freshwater marshes, maritime forests and sandy beaches. More than 300 species make their home here and while wildlife watchers have plenty to see year-round, the refuge is a birdwatcher’s paradise in the fall and winter.
Due southeast of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier spit with six miles of untouched shoreline and over 15 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking trails. In addition to avian life, keep an eye out for otters, red foxes, white-tailed deer, American bald eagles, wild horses and other critters.
Free: More Outdoorsy Fun
If your little ones aren’t wired for birdwatching — but they are, in fact, wired — VB has plenty of urban diversions, too. Despite its humble beginnings as a landfill, Mount Trashmore Park is one of the city’s most popular picnic spots with two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds,a skate park and lots of gentle, grassy slopes tailor-made for rolling.
Stretching three miles from 2nd Street to 40th Street along our world-famous Oceanfront, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk can keep the whole family entertained for days at a time. In addition to countless opportunities for strolling, shopping, snacking and more, it’s also home to Grommet Island Park, a beachfront playground featuring a school of sea-creature climbing sculptures.
Rare is the family without at least one dinosaur-obsessed kiddo making Jerrassic Park an absolute must-see. This beautifully landscaped park, located just outside the entrance to the Virginia Military Aviation Museum, is populated by a life-sized metal dino menagerie. Savor a picnic lunch, then wander the sandy pathways while brontosaurus, velociraptor, stegosaurus, triceratops, pterodactyl and even a woolly mammoth peek out from the lush foliage.
Free Cultural Attractions
Virginia Beach is home to a wide range of museums, many of them offering free admission. Learn about the city’s maritime heritage at the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, located right on the boardwalk and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also on Oceanfront, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum showcases art, carvings, photographs and other artifacts depicting the area’s beautiful avian inhabitants. And children under 12 are free at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, where there’s always something creative and colorful afoot.
There’s also no shortage of wonder underfoot with a variety of ways to learn new things while getting those steps in. In our eclectic ViBe Creative District, you can take a self-guided walking tour of the area’s vibrant outdoor murals. Or head over to Oceanfront’s 13th Street Park to learn about our great state’s hometown heroes, including Thomas Jefferson, Captain John Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline and others , on the Virginia Legends Walk.
Last, but definitely not least, The Cape Henry Lighthouse, located on the active Fort Story Military Base and open to the public seven days a week, is an enduring favorite with visiting families. Standing sentinel over our waters since 1792, the lighthouse rewards climbers of its 191 narrow steps with breathtaking views of the bay. Be sure to check visitor requirements prior to your visit.
Free: Annual Virginia Beach Events
In addition to our year-round offerings, Virginia Beach is the annual festival capital of the Eastern Seaboard — so there’s always something fun happening. Even if you don’t plan around your favorite, check the calendar to see what’s happening while you’re in town. Here’s a few of our top events your family will love:
The Winter Wildlife Festival (January) is a month-long celebration of the natural world featuring a flock of educational, engaging programs for all ages. The Cherry Blossom Festival (March–April) celebrates Japanese culture with garden tours, cultural performances and of course, those beautiful sakura blossoms. The Atlantic Coast Kite Festival (May) fills our skies with kinetic color while Beach Music Weekend (also in May) pays homage to the good old days with nostalgic music and classic cars.
Throughout the summer, Live! On Atlantic Oceanfront Concert Series rocks the Oceanfront with free nightly entertainment, including local, national and international acts. If you’re visiting us forhttps://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/blog/post/july-fourth, you have two choices for fireworks: our Stars & Stripes Celebration on Oceanfront or the July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore.
Every August, waveriders of all ages descend upon Virginia Beach for the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship. In October, the International Sandsculpting Championship brings a uniquely beachy artistry to town. Again, while parking fees are always a possibility, all of these annual festivals have free admission along with opportunities to create special only-in-Virgina Beach memories.
Savings Pass: Stretch Your Budget Even Further
Looking for even more ways to save? Don’t miss the Virginia Beach Savings Pass—a free digital pass offering exclusive discounts at local attractions, restaurants, shops and more. It’s an easy way to get the most value out of your family vacation without spending more.
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.
