Sure, summertime gets all the love, but wouldn’t it be great to sneak away for a little “mini-break,” as the Brits call it? There’s plenty to do in Virginia Beach, and winter brings a cozy, “you’re one of the locals” vibe. Not to mention, you won’t be too cold since temps are on the milder side compared to more northerly points. The average high temperature in Virginia Beach is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months, climbing to around 58 degrees in March and a pleasant 67 by April. Perfect for exploring, no? Here’s some inspiration for a wonderful winter weekend in Virginia Beach.
For the museum-hopper:
What better time to hit an attraction or two when steamy beach days are in the rearview mirror? Virginia Beach has a slew of enticing, enriching options.
Colorful glass sculpture hanging in a large, bright atrium with tall windows and a high ceiling.
Four people walking inside an aircraft hangar, surrounded by large vintage airplanes.
Aviation…
Meanwhile, the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo is one of the top Virginia Beach attractions, holding one of the largest flying collections of World War I and World War II-era military aircraft on the planet. Even if your aviation knowledge begins and ends with Snoopy and the Red Baron, you’ll enjoy it.
A man holding a young girl looks up at an aquarium ceiling, surrounded by fish and glowing blue light.
Aquatic life…
Who doesn’t love an aquarium? Head inland to Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center—a great option for families and anyone who loves a close-up look at toothy reptiles, playful sea otters and the rest of the crew, representing hundreds of species.
For the thrill-seeker:
From world-class surfers who master the waves to the Amphibious Forces in the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, Virginia Beach has always appealed to adventurous souls. Come along and share the vibe.
A person in a blue flight suit hovers in an indoor skydiving chamber, giving a thumbs-up, while an instructor in black assists. Observers watch from behind a glass wall.
Take flight…
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Nope, it’s you, skydiving! Well, kind of. Indoors. At iFLY Virginia Beach in Oceanfront, a vertical wind tunnel from four mega-fans generates 1600hp of air, creating a safe float-zone, no parachute or tether needed. C’mon, you know you want to.
Solve a crime…
Rather use your head than your flailing appendages? An escape room offers all of the mystery, and no actual murders (we hope) of an actual who-done-it. At Breakout Games, you and your bunch will have 60 minutes to work out brain-testing clues to solve a kidnapping, uncover ancient relics and more adrenaline-spiking fun.
Be a ninja…
If the idea of dodgeball doesn’t evoke awkward childhood moments, may we suggest Surge Adventure Park? It’s an indoor trampoline park and then some—think basketball courts, ball pits, a trapeze, a ninja warrior course and, yes, dodgeball.
For the nature lover:
Winter in Virginia Beach is perfect for exploring nature parks without breaking a sweat—or a snow shovel. Take a “hike-cation” at First Landing State Park, where the trails are cooler than your favorite beanie. Or wing it at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where birdwatching is a “tweet” escape from holiday stress.
Take a hike…
Psst, hiking is really just walking in a pretty place, and it’s especially nice in winter when the VB landscape is cool and sparkly. Tune into the glories of First Landing State Park, Virginia’s most-visited state park, featuring seven distinct ecosystems. Nineteen miles of hiking trails skirt 1.25 miles of Chesapeake Bay beachfront and snake through protected salt marsh, freshwater ponds, dunes, tidal marsh and cypress swamp, even rare maritime forest. Your Instagram posts never looked better.
A heron stands in shallow water surrounded by marsh grasses, casting a clear reflection.
Practice your bird calls…
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, one of the last remaining undeveloped places on the East Coast and a Virginia Beach must-visit. More than 300 species of birds have been identified here, a prime stopover for migrating birdlife. Other resident critters include river otters, deer and foxes.
A humpback whale breaching the water with its body partially above the ocean surface against a serene sky background.
Play ‘spot the humpback’…
A great reason to bundle up: winter whale watching. The cooler months are actually the best time to see migrating whales in the waters off Virginia Beach. Rudee Tours is a well-known operator for these boat trips; the major thrill is spotting humpback whales, engaged in whale behaviors like breaching, flipper slapping and tail lobbing.
For the foodie:
Due to years of witnessing peeps snapping pics of their entrees at restaurants, we’re all foodies now. If food is your love language, the vibrant dining scene in Virginia Beach will make your palate happy.
A metal crate filled with muddy oysters and a small wooden tool on top.
Fresh seafood…
For seafood so fresh, you’ll think it flipped out of the water and onto your plate, VB is the place. December and January are peak seasons for rockfish (striped bass,) striper, black sea bass, flounder, speckled trout and blueline tilefish, snagged in nearby waters.
A gourmet dish of colorful beetroot portions arranged on a rectangular plate, garnished with greens and onions, next to a wine bottle and a vase with pink flowers.
The finest fine dining…
One bite, and you’ll see why these restaurants are perennial award-winners and featured on every Virginia Beach ‘best’ list: James Beard-recognized Terrapin specializes in creative twists on classic dishes; Chef Rodney Einhorn is a leader in the local farm-to-table movement. Then there’s Zoës Steak & Seafood, where a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list matches the perfectly cooked protein. At Orion’s Roof Garden & Dining at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, fabulous Asian-fusion cuisine meets amazing rooftop views. Meanwhile, The Atlantic on Pacific, a mainstay in Oceanfront, is a haven for fresh seafood. It’s worth a visit just to watch them swiftly shuck oysters at the raw bar. (Name-drop alert: VB native Pharrell Williams pops in from time to time!)
A bowl of salad with a fried egg on top, accompanied by a cup of tea on a wooden table.
Where breakfast rules…
If you agree that breakfast is the best meal of the day, we have the spot for you: Commune. Located in the ViBe Creative District, this beloved hole-in-the-wall makes everything from scratch, sourcing over 90 percent of its ingredients from local farms and producers. So, so good. For the ultimate breakfast-slash-comfort food, nothing beats a pancake. The fluffy goodness of a pancake at the fun and funky Pocahontas Pancake House is unparalleled; even the Food Network was impressed.
For romantics at heart:
We see you dashing off text messages filled with heart emojis. You’re the poster kids for Cute Coupledom, looking for the next cozy spot to canoodle. We have a few suggestions.
Aerial view of a sandy beach bordering ocean waves. A row of hotels and buildings line the shore under a clear sky.
Long walks on the beach…
Like John Legend songs, long walks on the beach ooze romance. Virginia Beach makes it easy-peasy. The views are gorgeous in any season.
Two women walk and laugh together, followed by a man and woman. They are near a building with bold exterior art.
An art-splashed ramble…
Another fun place to walk hand-in-hand is the ViBe Creative District. Within a 15-block span, you’ll encounter 63-plus pieces of public art, from murals to…painted parking meters. For real. Download a map and get ready for the most colorful ramble ever. When you get chilly (or hungry,) pop into one of the many coffee shops and eateries in this hipster district.
Elegant hotel lobby with plush seating, chandeliers, and checkerboard floor. Artwork and soft lighting create a warm atmosphere.
Bunk up in style…
Hey, we’re just getting started with the mushy stuff! Book a room at the Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club and immerse yourself in the upscale. The city’s classic hotel hosted legends Judy Garland and Bing Crosby in days gone by. Now, it’s modern and posh, with the fabulous SeaHill Spa (or check out more VB spas!) and Tarnished Truth Distilling Company, the only hotel-based distillery in the U.S.
Two people are sitting in a cozy, dimly lit setting, holding branded cups and smiling at each other.
Share an Orange Crush with your crush…
Speaking of adult beverages, you’d be crazy to come all the way to Virginia Beach and not toast your true love with an Orange Crush, the city’s signature libation. Why not go directly to the source, Waterman’s Surfside Grille, the O.G. of this delicious orange vodka-spiked cocktail?
A dish of stuffed pasta shells with spinach, cheese, and garnished with crispy prosciutto, served in a white oval dish on a wooden table, with bread and olive oil in the background.
Indulge your pasta cravings…
As romantic settings go, a cozy Italian restaurant is tough to beat. (Maybe all those viewings of “Lady and the Tramp” at a tender age, or that Billy Joel song?) For “a bottle of red, a bottle of white,” and all the delicious hand-made pasta you can handle, try Sorella’s, an Italian eatery located Inland.
For fun-loving families:
Did somebody say ‘winter break’? A trip to Virginia Beach is an easy-going escape for a week or a weekend.
A family observes aquatic creatures in a touch tank. A staff member, wearing a mask, gestures towards the water. The dimly lit environment has a calming atmosphere.
Commune with a Komodo dragon…
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is one of the city’s top attractions for small fry. Displays of fresh- and saltwater habitats are populated by intriguing denizens of the deep–300-plus species in all. Plan to see a show at the National Geographic 3D Theater, and before you go, download our scavenger hunt to make the visit even more fun and kid-friendly.
Person lounging on a pink inflatable pool float, wearing sunglasses, under a pergola with palm trees nearby.
Find a cool pool…
There’s one unbreakable rule when traveling with kids: Gotta have a swimming pool! Little ones love a pool, and they’ll really love the pool situation at Holiday Inn & Suites Virginia Beach-North Beach: an indoor pool with a lazy river. Bonus: Kids aged 18 eat for free when sharing a room with their grown-ups.
Satisfy your sweet tooth…
Unlike ice cream, candy has no season. Ask an expert (aka a Virginia Beach kid) and they’ll direct you to the sweetest spot in the city: Forbes Candies. Since 1935, they’ve captured kids’ hearts and allowances with rainbow shades of saltwater taffy. For a real taste of summertime—it will be here soon enough—there’s nothing like a sky-blue blob of taffy!
East Coast-based writer D. Chérie Bair covers travel, food, and outdoor recreation for newspapers, magazines, and online travel sites. She has contributed to several guidebooks for Fodor’s, Michelin, Lonely Planet, and Frommer’s. A global traveler, Bair admits she is “besotted” with Virginia Beach. Her favorite things to do there include paddling with dolphins in Rudee Inlet and loading up on taffy at Forbes Candies.
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