5 Experiences You Can Only Have in Virginia Beach

While there are countless reasons to visit Virginia Beach, there are some things you can only experience in our coastal city. Here are some of our favorites.

Patriotic Excursions

With our unique military history as home to many of the country’s largest and most crucial military bases today, it’s no secret that the Navy plays a big role in the maritime environment in Virginia Beach. For an in-depth look at this unique operation, as well as a detailed explanation of our area’s military history, it doesn’t get much better than Patriotic Excursions by Atlantic Launch. Captain Jay and his team will take you out on the water in the same military RIBS (rigid inflatable boats) used today by the Navy SEALs.

Captain Jay provides commentary, as well as patriotic music, as you journey to visit different bases in the area. These boats were made to go 30 mph+ in rough seas, handling even the choppiest of waters with ease, so don’t expect a boring ride. This journey through our military culture is a thrill-seeker’s delight, and you’ll definitely get a little wet as you skip and hop over the waves. 

We’d take this tour for the thrills and military stories alone, but Jay is also an expert at getting you up close to the dolphins of the Bay because these boats sit closer to the water. For an adventure around the entire coastline of Virginia Beach, from the Chesapeake Bay area to the Resort area at the Oceanfront, give Patriotic Excursions a call.

Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E.

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It’s rumored that Virginia Beach’s pristine surroundings and serene spot at the meeting point of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean led legendary mystic Edgar Cayce to choose this as the home for his wellness center, the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), a hub for all things holistic living. Ease in with an ocean-view meditation, inhale fresh air in the meditation garden, ponder life’s mysteries on the stone labyrinth or get a Cayce-inspired massage at the spa. Try the signature Cayce/Reilly Signature Massage, which blends Swedish, osteopathic and neuropathic massage techniques to help stimulate the body and help you relax.

Cape Henry Lighthouse

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As one of the first federally approved construction projects after the American Revolution, Cape Henry Lighthouse on the active Fort Story Military Base is a pillar of our local and national history that is a sight to behold. Although access inside is currently limited, you can explore this sweeping spot where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.

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

King Neptune Statue

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The 24-foot, 12-ton bronze King Neptune Statue that stands at the gateway to Neptune Festival Park on 31st Street was created by acclaimed Richmond-area sculptor, Paul DiPasquale. Reigning over the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the Roman God of the Sea is one of our most popular photo opportunities at the Oceanfront. To capture the perfect photo, we recommend paying him a visit at sunrise.

Mount Trashmore Park

World-renowned Mount Trashmore Park, the nation’s first landfill park, encompasses 165 acres spanning two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skatepark and vert ramp, and multi-use paths. Its main “mountain,” Mount Trashmore, was made by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil to reach 60 feet high and stretch 800 feet long. The smaller mountain is Encore Hill.

The park also features a water-wise garden that boasts xeriscaping, where you can enjoy a beautiful garden that requires minimal water, and two lakes. Lake Windsor (along South Boulevard) holds brackish water fed by Thalia Creek and Lake Trashmore (along Edwin Drive) is freshwater and hosts various species of fish.

Wash Woods Settlement 

Photo Credit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Located at the south end of False Cape State Park near the North Carolina border, Wash Woods is an abandoned settlement that has been unoccupied since 1930. While legend has it the unincorporated town was originally settled by survivors of a shipwreck off the Atlantic Coast centuries ago, by the 20th century Wash Woods was inhabited by fishermen, farmers, hunters and lifesavers who worked the town’s lifesaving station. Today, some remnants of the town still remain, including the steeple of the Methodist Church, and can be explored while hiking or biking through False Cape.