Accessible Offerings in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive and meaningful travel experiences for visitors of all abilities. From the moment you begin planning your trip to the day you arrive, you’ll discover we’ve gone the extra mile to make exploring easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

We know that accessibility goes beyond mobility to include visual, hearing, sensory and cognitive considerations. Think of this page as your planning hub, connecting you to accessible attractions, accommodations and services so you can plan with confidence and focus on what matters most: making memories by the water.

Beach and Boardwalk Accessibility

The Virginia Beach Oceanfront ranks among the East Coast’s most accessible shorelines. Its three-mile Boardwalk offers a smooth, paved path along the Atlantic Ocean, making it easy to take in ocean views, dining and attractions. Here’s what to know:

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

• Ramps at every beach access point, from 1^st to 58^th Streets
• Extended wooden walkways at 8 ^th, 13^th, 17^th, 24^th, 30^th, 36^th and 40^th Streets
• Accessible public restrooms at 2^nd, 17^th, 20^th, 24^th, 30^th and 31^st Streets
• On-street accessible parking along Arctic Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Rudee Loop and Atlantic Avenue cross streets from 2^nd through 37^th Streets
• Accessible beach parking in municipal lots and garages across the Oceanfront

Beach Wheelchairs

• Free beach wheelchair rentals are available along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk on a first-come, first-served basis. To inquire, contact a Beach Ambassador by calling 757-439-9565.
• Little Island Park in Sandbridge also offers free beach wheelchairs. Contact the park office for details.

Year-round daily and weekly beach wheelchair rentals are available through the following providers: Beach Power Mobility,Money$worth Beach Equipment & Linen Rentals (Sandbridge only) and Hudson’s Wheelchair Rentals.

Grommet Island Park

Situated at 2nd Street along the Boardwalk, Grommet Island Park is a fully accessible oceanfront playground thoughtfully designed for visitors of all abilities. Features include:

• Elevated sand tables for sandcastle building at wheelchair-accessible heights
• A sensory play panel for children who are autistic or have visual impairments
• Accessible sculptures—such as dolphins, a surfboard and a wave—that spark imaginative play
• A hand-powered sand scoop designed for easy use from a seated position

JT’s Camp Grom

Rooted in the same inclusive vision as Grommet Island Park, the YMCA carries that mission forward through JT’s Camp Grom. Adaptive summer camps welcome children ages 5 to 12 who benefit from additional physical, social or emotional support. Campers enjoy archery, fishing, cable water sports and more in a supportive environment that encourages every child to participate, grow and have fun.

Sensory-Friendly Beaches

The sound of waves and the feel of sand can be both soothing and overstimulating for autism families. For a more relaxed beach outing, consider Little Island Park, which features a playground alongside easy beach access.Chesapeake Beach is another favorite, known for calm bay waters and gentle surf. TheNorfolk Autism Center offers helpful guidance on quieter area beaches and the best times to avoid crowds—such as early mornings and midweek—along with a sensory-friendly beach kit checklist, including comfort items and sensory regulation tools, like noise-canceling headphones.

Beyond the Beach: Accessible Attractions and Experiences

Accessibility in Virginia Beach extends well beyond the shoreline. Museums, parks, hotels, restaurants and music venues offer inclusive features that support a wide range of needs.

Attractions and Museums

Virginia Beach museums and attractions welcome visitors of all abilities. Many provide accessible parking and restrooms, sensory-friendly programming and assistive services, like audio tours and large-print materials.  

The Dome by Rutter Mills

Accessible entrances, seating and restrooms are on-site. Assisted listening devices, sensory bags and ASL interpreters are available. See website for full accessibility details.

Ocean Breeze Waterpark

Offers discounted admission to guests with disabilities, zero-depth entry beaches for wheelchair access and welcomes service animals. See website for full accessibility details.

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Provides accessible parking and seating, along with hearing loop assistance, which allows for clean, clear sound. See website for full accessibility details.

Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

Offers accessible seating, restrooms, parking and concessions. Guest Services can provide assisted listening devices and sensory bags. See website for full accessibility details.

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Certified sensory inclusive, free sign language interpreters and complimentary wheelchair rentals available. See attraction website for full accessibility details.

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Offers portable gallery chairs, first-come, first-served wheelchairs, large-print labels and sensory bags. See museum website for full accessibility details.

Outdoor Adventures and Parks

From nature preserves to state parks, Virginia Beach offers outdoor experiences for all. Accessible trails, boardwalks and ramps make it easy to explore the area’s natural beauty at your own pace.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Features accessible trails for all abilities, plus one all-terrain beach wheelchair for shoreline access. Contact the wildlife refuge at 757-301-7329 for details.

First Landing State Park

Offers free first-come, first served beach wheelchairs, an all-abilities playground and viewfinders for colorblind visitors. See the park website for full accessibility details.

Owl Creek Landing

Fully ADA-accessible, with ramps, accessible sections of the Treetop Trail Canopy Walk and activities designed for visitors of all abilities. See attraction blog for accessibility details.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Many Virginia Beach hotels and resorts offer accessibility features such as roll in showers, shower seats, pool lifts, wheelchair-width doorways and Braille signage.

Contact hotels directly to confirm specific accommodations or use a specialized accessible travel platform, like Wheel the World. The platform lets you filter by features most important to you, like accessible bathtubs, and guarantees listed accessibility accommodations.  

For vacation home rentals, our search tool allows you to filter for properties classified as ADA Compliant and Accessible, helping you find a home that fits your specific needs for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Dining and Entertainment

No Virginia Beach vacation is complete without exploring the vibrant local food and music scenes. Many restaurants, bars, cafés and performance venues have wheelchair-accessible entrances, spacious layouts, adaptable seating and accessible restrooms to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.

Staff at many establishments are prepared to accommodate special dietary or service needs. For Oceanfront venues, calling ahead is a good idea to confirm specific accessibility accommodations.

Transportation & Parking

Getting around Virginia Beach is convenient for travelers with mobility or accessibility needs.

From mid-May through Labor Day, Hampton Roads Transit’s VB Wave Trolley and Bayfront Shuttle serve the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Rudee Inlet and First Landing State Park. All trolleys and shuttles are wheelchair-accessible and well-behaved service animals are welcome. The fare is $4.50 per day or $2 per single ride.

Accessible parking is available in municipal lots, garages and on-street along Arctic Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Rudee Loop and Atlantic Avenue cross streets from 2^nd through 37^th Street. Vehicles displaying a valid disabled parking placard or license plate may park at on-street metered spaces at no cost for up to four hours.