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What to do in Virginia Beach this Father’s Day

A man and woman sit on a picnic blanket, eating. Another man and woman play catch with a frisbee in the background. A lake and trees are visible in the distance.

Father’s Day 2025

From flying high above the world aboard his shoulders to the genuine, full-belly laughter provoked on by one of his terrible jokes, the reasons for celebrating our fathers are endless. This year, skip the neckties and aftershave and give him something he can’t buy for himself at a store: quality time. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite ways to show our dads a good time, in true Virginia Beach style, that are sure to have him feeling the love this Father’s Day.

  1. Go Zip-Lining
  2. Bike the Boardwalk
  3. Surf
  4. Fish
  5. Grab Some Grub
  6. Get Outside
  7. Go Camping
  8. Take Him To A Brewery


Take Him Zip-Lining

People navigating a high ropes course in a forest, using platforms, ropes, and nets among tall trees under a sunny sky.
People navigating a high ropes course in a forest, using platforms, ropes, and nets among tall trees under a sunny sky.

Zip-lining in the Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium in the Virginia Beach Oceanfront District

Adventureworks is offering a more traditional zip-lining experience to guests of all ages. This Father’s Day Weekend, fathers zip for free with your paid admission. Register online at www.adventureworks.com/vb and use promo code “Dads2020” Guests will enjoy nine zip lines, up to 1,000 feet in length, including their popular tandem zip line, all nestled within 60 acres of maritime forests in the Oceanfront area.

Located just down the road from the Adventureworks, the Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium is the largest park of its kind in Virginia and features multiple zip lines and aerial ropes challenge courses, perfect for thrill-seekers ages five and up. Zip through the air, up to 150 feet up, through a variety of leveled courses. Look up to see platforms in the trees connected by cables, wood and rope, that are forming bridges. Climb from bridge to bridge and experience a variety of challenges, outdoor fun and self-discovery.

Bike the Boardwalk

Person riding a bike on a path lined with grass and shrubs, near tall buildings and lampposts.
Person riding a bike on a path lined with grass and shrubs, near tall buildings and lampposts.

Bike Path at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk was built with cyclists and walkers in mind. With separate biking and walking paths, cyclists can ride their beach cruisers along the coast without having to dodge pedestrians or cars, which makes it a safe place to explore for younger riders.

The 3-mile long Boardwalk is also our favorite place to break out our favorite beach cruiser bikes. You can even find tandem beach cruisers for a more challenging cooperative experience beside the beach. Whether you opt to ride the entire length of the Boardwalk or just ride your bike from stop to stop, this is one of our favorite Virginia Beach experiences.

Surf

Silhouette of a person holding a surfboard, standing at the shoreline during a colorful sunset.
Silhouette of a person holding a surfboard, standing at the shoreline during a colorful sunset.

Surfing at Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach

Considered by many to be the birthplace of East Coast surfing, the spirit of surfing runs deep in Virginia Beach. Whether you’re a novice, a “grommet” or a seasoned pro, catching one of our swells is a local experience you need to try.

Depending on the season, scoping out the ideal surfing conditions in Virginia Beach has become an art form. As many of our resident wave-riders will tell you, riding the perfect wave here comes at the cost of patience, tenacity and a little bit of luck – and that’s just how we like it. For those hopping on a board for the first time, Virginia Beach often offers the right conditions to safely ease into the action.  

Fishing

Two people on a boat, one holding a fishing rod and the other standing beside him. Buildings are visible in the background across the water.
Two people on a boat, one holding a fishing rod and the other standing beside him. Buildings are visible in the background across the water.

Take a Fishing Charter from the Rudee Inlet

Virginia Beach and its neighboring waters are home to a multitude of freshwater, brackish and saltwater fishing opportunities. With the food-rich Chesapeake Bay adjoining the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach, a long list of fish, including croaker, spot, flounder, striped bass, tautog, sea bass, trout, bluefish, skipjack, cobia, mahi-mahi, Spanish and king mackerel, puppy and red drum, yellowfin and bluefin tuna, white and blue marlin, amberjack and wahoo are abundant at various times of the year. 

Throwing a line over the edge of a fishing pier, such as the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, or simply sticking a pole in the sand and letting out some line are both great options for the land dwellers looking to test their luck without setting sail. If you are looking for further adventure, also explore the Rudee Inlet for fishing charters off of our coast.

Dine

A family of four enjoys a meal at an outdoor table in front of a pink restaurant during evening.
A family of four enjoys a meal at an outdoor table in front of a pink restaurant during evening.

The Pink Dinghy in the Virginia Beach ViBe Creative District

From and abundance of seafood options, to an endless list of restaurants offering outdoor dining, the restaurants in Virginia Beach are serving up the very best local flavors and coastal vibes this season. From clean spaces to the freshest food, there’s a lot to love about our food scene this Father’s Day.

Enjoy Our Parks, Beaches and other Natural Areas

Four people walking on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by greenery, under a cloudy sky.
Four people walking on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by greenery, under a cloudy sky.

Family Walking at Mount Trashmore Park in the Virginia Beach Inland District

Here in Virginia Beach, we’re lucky to have some of the best beaches and parks right here in our backyard, ready to be explored.

Coastal waters, beautiful parks and great fishing make Virginia Beach the ideal vacation for any outdoor lover. Home to one of the last great salt marsh habitats on the East Coast with hundreds of miles of inland waters, thousands of acres of parks and countless trails, and the largest estuary in the US in the Chesapeake Bay, this is much more than a seashore vacation. Whether you’re on one of our beaches or deep within the canopied forest of our state parks, paddle, bike, hike, surf and swim your way to your best vacation yet.

Go Camping

Three people sit around a campfire in a wooded area. A man and a child sit on a log while a woman roasts a marshmallow. Camping gear is visible in the background.
Three people sit around a campfire in a wooded area. A man and a child sit on a log while a woman roasts a marshmallow. Camping gear is visible in the background.

Family Camping in First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach is home to five campgrounds containing more than 1,800 campsites and nearly 70 rustic cabins, with amenities including restrooms/showers, guest laundry, bicycles, playgrounds, pools and boat ramps.

First Landing State Park offers tent, RV and cabin camping accommodations. The park has campsites both with and without water and electrical hookups and comes equipped with a picnic table and fire-grill. All tent and RV sites are located just steps from the Chesapeake Bay, offering campers close to water access. On the southern end of Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park features 12 primitive camping sites and an extensive environmental education program. There are no cabins, but campsites are open year-round and are located in four main areas – Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean.

Explore Our Beer Trail

Four glasses of beer in a wooden flight holder on a table.
Four glasses of beer in a wooden flight holder on a table.

A Flight of Beer at Back Bay Brew House Beach House

The ever-expanding craft beer scene in Virginia Beach is overflowing with unique flavors that we are proud to share with everyone who visits our coastal city. From juicy IPAs bursting with hops to complex barrel-aged sours, there’s a beer, and a brewery, for everyone who visits. The Virginia Beach Beer Trail is about celebrating all of our great local breweries and brews, from the Chesapeake Bay District to the Oceanfront, one pint at a time.

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