Even though we’re blessed with mild weather year-round, there’s still something wonderful about the arrival of spring; the ocean breezes get warmer, our sweet strawberries are in season, and Virginia Beach events start to pick up speed as we saunter towards summer.
If you’re planning a spring weekend in Virginia Beach, you’ll find coastal charm to spare — plus a colorful spectrum of temptations for every kind of traveler. We asked our in-house experts to craft a Virginia Beach Oceanfront itinerary with something for everyone; here’s what they came up with.
Day 1
If you’re staying at a hotel on the Oceanfront, and we genuinely hope you are, you’re already winning — it’s astonishingly easy to get around this area, even without a rental car. Alongside rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber, the $2 VB Wave Trolley’s Route 30 serves Oceanfront restaurants and attractions, with departures every 15 minutes.
A sustainable ride would be the perfect choice for your first stop of the day: a sunrise hike at First Landing State Park, the most-visited natural wonder in Virginia. Thanks to 2,888 sprawling acres of varied habitat — including tidal marshes, cypress swamps, sand dunes and maritime forest, this pristine natural wonder never feels crowded.
As the sun rises over the sparkling Atlantic, you’ll find over 20 miles of hiking trails winding through the ever-shifting ecosystems, and spring is ideal for birdwatching; keep your eyes peeled for great blue herons, great horned owls, screech owls, woodpecker and a variety of migratory songbird species. After your daybreak escape, adjourn to Pocahontas Pancake House, a Food Network “Best Of” series winner, to smash a stack of decadent flapjacks.
In the afternoon, we’ll shift into self-care mode with a visit to the SeaHill Spa, tucked away within the stately walls of the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club. An Oceanfront landmark since it opened in 1927, the Cavalier has hosted presidents and luminaries from every generation along the way — and you’ll certainly get the star treatment at its luxurious spa. Afterwards, make time for a cocktail at the hotel’s legendary Hunt Room, a favorite of both Frank Sinatra and Al Capone.
For dinner, you’ll want to turn up rather than wind down — so mosey on over to The Shack On 8th. Its block party atmosphere, impressive beverage list and tasty casual bites will get you amped up for an evening of live music. There’s always something bumpin’ on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, and if you’re visiting in early May, don’t miss Beachy Music Weekend. This blast from the past is our unofficial gateway to summer, with two days and nights of *free* golden-oldie tunes.
When your feet are back on solid ground, unwind with some fresh seafood, which arrives daily, at Catch 31 Fish House and Bar. Enjoy the Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon and a glass of wine outside by the open-air fire pits, while you watch the last light of day dancing in the cascading surf.
Cap your night off in true local fashion at Waterman’s Surfside Grille. Pull a stool up to the bar and grab a refreshing Orange Crush, the restaurant’s signature cocktail and a local favorite, made with freshly squeezed oranges.
Day 2
This morning, choose your adventure, by land or sea — a morning ride with Virginia Beach Horseback (September though May), or an aquatic adventure with Rudee Tours. The former is seasonal; when our golden shores and frothy surf are empty of sunbathers and swimmers, you and your trusty steed will have them all to yourselves. Boat tours are year-round, of course, but a spring outing gives you a pretty good chance of spotting migrating humpback whales.
Whatever you choose, a hearty brunch awaits you afterward at Doc Taylor’s Restaurant, followed by a bit of retail therapy on bustling Atlantic Avenue, where there’s something for everyone. You’ll find a colorful array of clothing, jewelry and housewares at Sea La Vie, the Beach Nut and Beach Bodies — all drenched in our city’s sun-and-sand aesthetic. For classic Virginia Beach souvenirs and gifts for little ones, try Sunsations or Virginia Gift Shop.
There are more choices on the docket this afternoon — but your travel dates will help you narrow things down. The weekend of May 6–7 boasts the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival; lifting off at the Oceanfront, this annual event offers prizes for “Longest Flight” and “Best-Looking Kite.” And on May 16, the Spring Wine Festival transforms 31st Street Park into a sipper’s paradise, with 70 wines from 8 countries — plus two live bands and our most popular local food trucks.
Traveling in the earlier spring months? There’s a choice for you, too. Waterman’s Surfside Grille may just be the quintessential Virginia Beach Boardwalk day-driking experience, with bragging rights for the original Orange Crush cocktail — and an unbeatable ocean view. As the weather warms up, nothing completes spring day in Virginia Beach like our signature libation.
As your Virginia Beach spring weekend draws to a close, there’s one more important “to-do” left on your list: sample the season’s best seafood. Framed by two distinct coastlines and blessed with one of the world’s most abundant bays, Virginia Beach is a hub for fresh seafood of all kinds, and a springtime haven for two notable regional delicacies: she-crab soup and soft-shell crab.
Every April, the Oceanfront welcomes the Annual East Coast She-Crab Soup Festival, with area restaurants battling it out for the best version of the rich, creamy bisque. Mid-April also kicks off our short-but-sensational soft-shell crab season. You’ll find this crispy, leggy critter in memorable preparations throughout Virginia Beach, including The Atlantic on Pacific — where a perfectly fried whole crab shares the spotlight with a fried egg, all in the same unforgettable sandwich.
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Written by Staci Amend
As a Californian living in Colorado, writer 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 longboarder, she tries to time her Virginia Beach visits with the East Coast Surfing Championships.
