There’s no better classroom than a city where history, nature, science and the arts all share a coastline. Virginia Beach packs every kind of “a-ha” moment into one unforgettable destination — and keeps the fun dialed up the whole time. 

Day One: Colonial Clues and Coastal Competition

The historic Surf and Rescue Museum with a porch featuring a rescue boat displayed prominently in front, under a blue sky with clouds at Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
Come for the fascinating history at the historic Surf and Rescue Museum.

Kick off your trip at the Thoroughgood House, a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest surviving English-style brick homes in North America. Free tours and interactive exhibits bring the colonial era to life.

Refuel with lunch at Topgolf and some friendly competition. Round out the afternoon with a walk through the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum — dedicated to the lifesavers, superstorms and shipwrecks that shaped this coastal city — followed by a visit to the adjacent Naval Aviation Monument Park, which honors three historic eras of naval aviation through striking sculpture.

End the afternoon at Lynnhaven Mall, the largest indoor mall in Coastal Virginia, for some shopping and free time. Then head to Dave & Busters for dinner and a night full of games.

Day Two: Wild Encounters and Wings of History

Four people walking in an aircraft hangar at the Military Aviation Museum, observing vintage planes and propellers under bright lighting.
Spend a few hours immersed in our country’s flying history at the Military Aviation Museum.

Start the morning at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most pristine barrier-island ecosystems on the East Coast. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you explore the trails, or hop aboard the Blue Goose Wildlife Tram, a guided tram tour that takes groups deep into the refuge and neighboring False Cape State Park.

Next, head to the Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the world’s largest private collections of WWI and WWII aircraft, and catch the Summer of Flight demonstration if you’re visiting May through September.

Wrap up the afternoon at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market or a local pick-your-own farm for a hands-on experience. 

End the night at Town Center for dinner at one of its many restaurants, then burn off the rest of that energy at Apex Entertainment for bowling, laser tag and arcade games. 

Day Three: Zip Lines, Dolphins and Boardwalk Vibes

Children observing colorful fish and coral at the Virginia Aquarium through a glass panel.
Where little explorers discover a world beneath the waves at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

Start your morning by diving into the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, where marine life and hands-on exhibits connect the classroom to the coast. After lunch, head next door to The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium for a treetop challenge course with zip lines, rope bridges and trails that deliver unforgettable thrills. 

In the afternoon, catch a dolphin watching cruise to see one of the largest bottlenose dolphin populations on the East Coast. 

End the evening on the Boardwalk at Shack on 8th, an outdoor venue close to the Oceanfront with lawn games and a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for a group to decompress. 

For those who are brave enough, cap the night with a Ghost Walking Tour along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Venture into the haunted past of Virginia Beach and hear spine-tingling local tales that make for a memorable end to the day.

Day Four: Conservation in Action and High-Flying Fun

Three people play in the shallow water at First Landing State Park, enjoying a sunny day with gentle waves and distant beachgoers in the background.
First Landing State Park: gorgeous natural wonders steeped in American History.

Begin the day at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center, where canoe trips, oyster reef exploration and outdoor education bring conservation to life.

After working up an appetite, check out The Back Deck for some of the best fish tacos and lunch with a view right on the Lynnhaven Inlet — and don’t miss The Shellfish Company, their attached fish market. 

In the afternoon, explore First Landing State Park, a 2,888-acre state park with bald cypress forests, coastal trails and structured environmental programs that can be customized to meet your group’s specific educational goals. 

Head to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for dinner and entertainment. Beach Bully BBQ on 19th Street serves crowd-pleasing barbecue right on the sand with an outdoor covered deck that’s perfect for groups.

After dinner, keep the energy going at iFLY Indoor Skydiving for a genuinely unforgettable experience that opens up conversations about physics, airflow and aerodynamics — or race over to Motor World Thrill Park, the largest go-kart complex on the East Coast. 

Day Five: Creativity, Color and Coastal Keepsakes

Two girls run and smile on a sidewalk in front of shops while a group of adults walk in the Vibe District. A wheelbarrow and plants are also visible.
There’s something for everyone in the eclectic, energetic ViBe Creative District.

Save your most creative day for last. Start at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), where beautiful rotating collections and student-focused tours are designed to build observation and critical-thinking skills.

From MOCA, take a short ride into the ViBe Creative District, Virginia Beach’s arts and culture hub just blocks from the Oceanfront, for a hands-on art project or a stroll through its colorful murals. 

Close out the trip at the Mermaid Factory, where every student creates their own hand-painted mermaid to bring home — the perfect Virginia Beach keepsake. Then grab a sweet treat from The Sweet Spot on the Oceanfront to cap off the perfect Virginia Beach adventure.

Ready to start planning? Contact our planning team for assistance with finding accommodations, itineraries and local recommendations.