6 Jun 2021

Virginia Beach, VA

by | posted in: City Docs | 0

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Virginia Beach, Virginia, sits on Virginia’s gorgeous coast and is home to spacious beaches, a fun boardwalk, fresh seafood, and fruity orange crush drinks. My friend Kara is from Virginia Beach. She shared her favorite spots, activities and restaurants so you can also take on Virginia Beach as a local. Happy traveling!

Travel Tip:
  • You’ll need a car or bike to get around. There are also plenty of Ubers. If you’re staying down at the Oceanfront, you’ll be able to get around with bikes easily. 
One fun thing:
  • If you’ve got the time, Kara highly recommends taking the short one-hour drive to Busch Gardens Williamsburg! You can check out the “world’s most beautiful theme park”, as voted year after year since 1990. There are awesome rides, themed villages, and an epic Oktoberfest celebration. 
  • Airbnb: can be tough because the area is spread out, and you can get a weird spot, so if you do go that route make sure to pick one down near the Oceanfront.
  • The Cavalier: an upscale hotel near the Oceanfront that boasts a beautiful pool, a luxurious spa, two bars, and an incredible restaurant. Most notably, this is where Virginia rapper Pusha-T was married!

  • Visit the ViBe District: a new addition to the Oceanfront, the ViBe district is full of locally-owned restaurants, breweries, art installations, murals, and well…vibes! There’s a silver airstream trailer library that’s fun to explore when it’s open. Wander around and take in all the entertainment and life. 
  • Bike down the boardwalk: rent a bike for the day (but not the multi-person death traps) and cruise down the boardwalk! It’s perfect for a bar crawl or just to people watch. There’s a designated bike lane, so don’t worry about swerving around pedestrians. You’re guaranteed to have a good time taking in the sights at the oceanfront. The boardwalk is 21 blocks, or approximately 3 miles. Hotels and restaurants are right along the paths.
  • Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum: the place to spend your day out of the sun. The aquarium and natural museum are a great way to keep cool and learn about the marine life in Virginia Beach’s surrounding marsh. 

Hit the beach! If you’re planning on staying at the Oceanfront, get to the beach early to stake your claim on a spot before it gets crowded. If you want to hang out with the locals, head to higher streets (above 60th street) of the North End! You’ll be farther from bars and restaurants but you’ll have more space with less hassle. The waves are great out there. Other beaches to explore include:

Biking down the boadwalk
Beach
  • Sandbridge: a beach in a neighborhood, meaning you’ll need to drive around for a parking spot.
  • Croatan: a beach for great views. You may have to pay a few dollars for parking. 
  • First Landing State Park: one of Kara’s all time favorite places in Virginia Beach. There are a few walking trails to get onto the beach. It’s more of an inlet rather than a beach, but it’s awesome. 
  • Chicks Beach: a neighborhood beach great for kids with shallow waters stretching out for a while. There aren’t a ton of waves here.
  • Doc Taylor’s: Every local’s favorite spot. They offer $2 breakfast cocktails and the heart-attack-inducing “The Flatliner” sandwich. The restaurant itself used to be Doctor Taylor’s residence and practice, but it was converted to a wonderful restaurant. It’s a sit-down spot, but they don’t take reservations. They draw big crowds and the wait can be long, but they have a bar next door where you can grab a drink while waiting for your table.
  • Big Sams: You can’t have a true Virginia Beach experience without popping into Big Sams for breakfast. It’s a local watering hole right on the inlet. The drinks are strong and the food is great! It may not seem like much, but once you’re inside, you’ll find yourself feeling right at home with the oceanfront regulars.
  • Rockafellers: If you’re looking for an upscale brunch on the water, look no further than Rockafeller’s Restaurant! With delicious crab cake benedicts and the best bloody marys at the beach, you can’t go wrong.
  • Bad Ass Coffee: a cute grab and go coffee shop. It’s a local spot with delicious coffee, smoothies and tea. 
Rockafellers
  • Graze Kitchen: attached to a health and wellness center, this health-focus lunch counter is women-owned and operated. They’re serving the best soups, salads, and sandwiches in town! Don’t forget to try a local beer or a delicious smoothie while you take in the beautiful view of the North End. It can be a grab-and-go spot, but they also have a counter inside and tables on a wrap-around porch outside.
  • Rudee’s: there’s no better place to enjoy a warm sunny afternoon than in the glider tables at Rudee’s on the inlet! The blackened tuna nachos are an absolute must-have. If you end up lounging around the deck into the evening, you can grab a spot around their fire pits to keep the fun going!
  • The Pink Dinghy: it’s hard to miss this quaint little spot as it is painted light pink with a small boat perched on top. The local wines pair perfectly with their fried chicken sandwiches and Latin American cuisine, and the outdoor seating provides an enchanting spot to hang with friends.
Graze Kitchen
  • Waterman’s: the oceanfront spot to grab a classic orange crush cocktail and fresh seafood. Try the she-crab soup. Outside, you’ll find a patio bar where you’ll witness and participate in a competitive ring and hook game.
  • Esoteric Craft Beer and Restaurant: a favorite spot in the ViBe District. Esoteric grows a lot of their own produce. They have two gardens on the grounds and also buy from local farmers and butchers. Their menu is constantly changing with new, fresh recipes that are sure to be a hit.
  • Mahi’s: a newly renovated sushi spot that’s an old favorite. They serve predominantly seafood dishes and have fantastic sushi chefs, but they also have a few non-seafood items. The sushi is to die for, but make sure you grab a spot on the patio so you can enjoy the summer concerts on the boardwalk! It’s located right next to the 17th Street Stage where you can hear live music from local artists.

  • Lolly’s Creamery: hands down the best ice cream in town! It’s locally owned and offers enough flavor options to make your head spin. Try the strawberry or the cotton candy. It’s the perfect stop after riding bikes down the boardwalk.
  • The Shack: An exclusively outdoor space packed with fire pits, hammocks, loungers, games, and orange crushes. They’re owned by Watermans (see dinner section). The Shack has everything you need for a great night with friends! They have loads of food trucks for a quick bite in between your drinks, lounging and games.  
  • Beachside Social Shuffleboard: for the instagramable content, head to Beachside Social! The environment is incredible, the drinks are delicious, and they even have shuffleboard, board games and card games. It’s all indoor, sitting on the second floor of the building. The retro 50s vibes are accompanied by light pink and white wallpaper and neon signs. It’s adorable AND fun.