We love it when holidays grant us the opportunity to extend our weekend fun, and Labor Day brings with it an opportunity to squeeze in one last taste of summer. With plentiful weekend-long experiences sure to fill your (sand) bucket, you won’t lack in options. Whether you visit us for a day, for the weekend or for an extended getaway, we hope you enjoy mixing and matching the experiences of your choice from our picks below.
Friday, September 4
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, and there’s a work week behind you and worth toasting to. So, find your Virginia Beach happy hour and get the long weekend started!
Want to dive right into beach mode? Kick things off in elevated coastal style with handcrafted cocktails, shareable plates and plenty of oysters at The Atlantic on Pacific, or toast to the weekend beachside at Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill.
Plan to wind down your evening at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to enjoy Live! On Atlantic – free live performances and entertainment across various Atlantic Avenue parks.
Saturday, September 5
Kick off your first full day in Virginia Beach with a quintessential VB brunch at Doc Taylor’s, a one-time doctor’s home serving up delicious comfort breakfast and lunch food, bloody Marys and mimosas, right around the corner from Oceanfront beach.
Once you’ve fueled up with some yummy food, paddle out at Atlantic Park Surf, home to the first Wavegarden Cove Surf Lagoon in North America. The lagoon can generate up to 1,000 waves an hour, from gentle one-footers for first-timers to six-foot swells for seasoned surfers – and if you’d rather watch than wipe out, grab a beachside cabana and take in the action.
When you’re ready to swap the surf lagoon for the open ocean, settle in for a day of basking in the sun and easing into the Atlantic’s warm, calm waters. When hunger strikes, head to VB’s favorite local sandwich shop, Taste Unlimited, and order yourself the Northender to lunch like a local. Make your way back to the sand with a ride on a four-wheeled surrey; you’ll burn off some lunch and take in the Virginia Beach Boardwalk in a classic (and fun) way!
When the sun starts to set, the real show begins. This Labor Day weekend, grab your spot on the sand and soak in free live music all weekend long as part of the Oceanfront Concert Series season finale. National acts like Greensky Bluegrass, The Aquabats! and Carbon Leaf take the stage at oceanfront parks Friday through Sunday, filling the night air with everything from bluegrass jams to ska anthems and nostalgic sing-alongs. Bring your beach blanket or chair and settle in for an unforgettable evening of music by the sea – doors open at 6:30 p.m., with shows starting at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 6
Want to change up your beach scene – or your Sunday Virginia Beach scene altogether? We’ve got you covered.
Gear up for the day with an invigorating hike through preserved marshland dotted with Bald Cypress Trees adorned with Spanish moss at First Landing State Park. Then, grab a Honey Cinnamon Latte and a tasty bite at nearby American Brew before strategizing your spot in the sand at the Chesapeake Bay Beach. The Chesapeake Bay offers two miles of beaches to enjoy, spanning from the Lynnhaven Inlet to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, so take your pick! And be sure to leave plenty of time on the itinerary for a seafood lunch (or dinner) at one of the nearby seafood restaurants serving up their fresh menus dockside.
Want to stay away from the beach altogether but still want to enjoy some traditional Virginia Beach fun? Embark on a Mural Walking Tour throughout the ViBe Creative District to take in colorful and thought-provoking murals created by local artists. Prefer to soak up the local culture indoors? Virginia MOCA recently opened a brand-new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University – a quick drive from the Oceanfront – with ever-changing contemporary art exhibitions and free admission for Virginia residents.
In the evening, soak in the uptown vibes at the Virginia Beach Town Center. Enjoy a classic martini at Twist then grab a tasty bite at one of Town Center’s multitude of restaurants and bars, including Three Notch’d Brewery and Craft Kitchen., Cantina Laredo, Bravo! Cucina Italiana, Keagan’s Irish Pub and so much more, before winding down your Sunday with laughs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, which brings a fresh lineup of nationally touring comedians to the stage all week long.
Monday, September 7 – Labor Day
Change up your pace today with a scenic drive through the lush farmland of Pungo and onto Little Island Park in Sandbridge. Lay on the beach, walk along the ocean’s edge on the Little Island Pier or ride fat tire bikes on the sand (you can rent them nearby from Surf and Adventure Co.).
Keep your eyes on the sand while you’re out there – Sandbridge is one of our favorite spots for shelling and beachcombing, with whelks, olive shells and sand dollars often washing up along the tideline. We’ve got all our favorite local shelling and sea glass spots if you want to make a real hunt of it.
We have a feeling this might be one of the most relaxing Mondays you’ve spent yet. Cheers to that!
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