The shopping in Virginia Beach is as diverse as its coastline, offering everything from high-end boutiques to beachfront souvenir shops. Whether you’re browsing the stylish Town Center District, treasure-hunting along Atlantic Avenue or exploring the artsy ViBe Creative District, you’ll have no problem indulging in some retail therapy. Here’s your guide to the best shopping spots in Virginia Beach.
Atlantic Avenue
When you’re at the beach, Atlantic Avenue is your go-to for all your Oceanfront shopping needs. Running parallel to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, this bustling stretch is packed with casual beachwear, souvenirs and ice-cream shops. As a bonus, you’ll also find beach rentals, like bikes and boards.
Stop by Sunsations, which has multiple locations on Atlantic Avenue, for last-minute beach essentials, like beach towels, flip-flops and sunblock. Atlantic Surf Shop and Beachwear for Less also sell budget-friendly gifts and gear for the shore.
At 31 Ocean, you’ll find a mix of shopping and dining, including Kitty Hawk Kites for high-flying kites, as well as resort wear, sweatshirts and jewelry. Buffalo Wild Wings is a great choice to refuel after a fun day spent in the sun.
The Artery District
The Artery is one of Virginia Beach’s newest shopping districts, stretching west from the King Neptune Statue on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk along Laskin Road. It’s a favorite shopping hub among both locals and visitors.
There are more than a few must-visit shops along Laskin Road. Several of note include Lemon Cabana for upscale women’s clothing and beach-inspired décor, as well as Beach Up for casual coastal wear. You’ll also find plenty of well-known national brands like Talbot’s and Athleta.
Regency Hilltop Shopping Center offers even more retail options with stores like Running Etc., Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar Tree. Cracked your phone screen while on vacation? No problem. This outdoor shopping center is home to Phone Repair Guy.
ViBe Creative District
In the artsy ViBe Creative District, which is splashed with colorful murals, you’ll find art galleries, museums, studios and independent retail shops for one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items. There are artisans of all kinds too, from small-batch coffee roaster Fathom Coffee X Roastery to creatively sweet Lolly’s Creamery, which is absolutely beloved for its classic (and very blue) Cookie Monster flavor.
For meticulously handcrafted leather and canvas bags, visit North End Bag Company or pick up garden-fresh floral arrangements and gifts at Wisps of Willow. For a caffeine kick, settle in at Three Ships Coffee or Java Surf Café & Espresso Bar.
A must-visit spot is the Old Beach Farmers Market, where you can shop for fresh produce, organic meats and farm-fresh eggs. This popular market is held alongside the Old Beach Art & Eco Market, which features upcycled clothing, handcrafted jewelry and all-natural soaps.
The Shops at Hilltop
A short drive from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, the Shops at Hilltop is an outdoor shopping center with more than 120 shops, restaurants and specialty services. You’ll even find banks, gift shops, salons and home stores, like Ethan Allen and California Closets.
For fashion finds, there are well over a dozen clothing boutiques, like The Parlor Room, Monkee’s of Virginia Beach and jody g. For adorable children’s clothes, look to Mom & Me and Sprout. Need a self-care day? Don’t we all. Book a manicure at 757 Nails and a haircut at Escape Blowdry Bar & Salon. You can even get an oil change at Jiffy Lube at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking.
Hungry? Savor international flavors at Nawab Indian Cuisine, Baladi Mediterranean Cafe or Blue Fin Japanese Restaurant. For quick bites on-the-go, head to Baker’s Crust Bagel, Five Guys Burgers & Fries or Roast Rider Coffee + Café.
Town Center District
For shopping in a vibrant, walkable setting with local boutiques, national retailers, restaurants and live entertainment, like local bands and stand-up comedy, the Town Center District of Virginia Beach is the place to go. From home décor at Pottery Barn to skincare at Bluemercury, you’ll find it all here.
Locally-owned favorites include Merriment on Main for unique baby gifts and Macaron Tart for from-scratch macarons and tarts. Book lovers will find the latest reads at Barnes & Noble, while bargain hunters can score deals at Five Below. For stylish denim, look to Madewell.
Need a shopping break? Grab a pint at Keagan’s Irish Pub & Kitchen or a creamy milkshake from Shake Shack. Maybe even a scoop from Gelati Celesti. Town Center also hosts events year-round, like wine tastings, happy hours, trivia nights and pop-up markets.
Lynnhaven Mall
For a classic indoor mall experience, Lynnhaven Mall is the largest shopping center in Hampton Roads. When you’re ready to shop, or if you’re faced with a rainy afternoon, it’s the perfect destination thanks to an outdoor plaza, an 18-screen movie theater and a renovated food court.
You’ll find major retailers, like Aeropostale, Old Navy, H&M and Macy’s, as well as specialty shops for everything from skincare to sneakers. Whether you need a new phone, a pair of running shoes or the latest cosmetics, let’s just say that Lynnhaven Mall has it all.
Food options abound too, from quick bites at Chick-fil-A, Popeye’s and Sbarro to sit-down meals at Cooper’s Hawk, Carrabba’s and Maggie McFly’s. For fun that goes well beyond shopping, check out Dave & Buster’s for arcade games or catch a first-run movie at AMC Lynnhaven 18. If you’re feeling adventurous, bounce off some energy at Get Air, which has more than 50 trampolines.
Cover image: @samkittrell & @northendbagco
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Written by Erin Gifford
Erin Gifford is a Virginia-based travel and outdoors writer. She especially enjoys writing about road trips, outdoor recreation and national parks. Her credits include Parents, The Washington Post, Thrillist, TIME and AFAR.com. She has written three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides and has created a hiking website, GoHikeVirginia.com. She also runs half marathons and is working toward completing one in all 50 states (so far, she has checked off 36 states).
