Things to Do in Virginia Beach, VA to Have a Great Time

The Oceanfront is where most people start, and for good reason. The three mile boardwalk runs along the beach and stays busy with joggers, cyclists, and street performers for most of the year. Restaurants, shops, and hotels line the strip, and a statue of Neptune marks one of the most photographed spots in the city. It gets crowded in summer, but locals still find their favorite quiet stretch or a weekday morning when the crowds thin out.

If you are still figuring out which part of the city fits your lifestyle, our guide to the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach breaks down how areas near the Oceanfront compare to quieter suburbs further inland, which can help you decide how close you actually want to be to all this activity.

First Landing is Virginia’s most visited state park, and it sits right inside the city, which makes it easy to reach on a whim rather than planning a whole day trip. The park has 20 miles of trails winding through cypress swamps, maritime forest, and rare dune habitat, plus 1.5 miles of beach frontage along the Chesapeake Bay. History runs deep here too, since this stretch of land marks where English colonists first came ashore in 1607, long before Jamestown was settled. Cabins and campsites make it possible to stay overnight without leaving the city limits.

Families who are still adjusting to a new home often want low cost ways to spend weekends together, and a state park inside city limits solves that problem well. If downsizing before the move is still on your to-do list, our room by room downsizing guide can help you get through that process before you start exploring your new neighborhood.

South of the main resort area, Sandbridge offers a quieter beach experience with fewer crowds and a more residential feel. Right next to it, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects thousands of acres of marsh, dunes, and forest that attract migrating birds throughout the year. Trails here are flatter and less developed than First Landing, which makes the refuge a good pick for anyone who wants a slower, more solitary outdoor experience. Kayaking through the marshes is a popular way to spend a morning, especially in spring and fall when bird activity picks up.

Some newcomers also compare Virginia Beach against nearby cities before settling in permanently. Our post on things to do in Norfolk is worth a look if you want a sense of how the two cities differ, since they sit right next to each other but offer a fairly different pace depending on which one you call home.

Seafood shows up everywhere in Virginia Beach, and the waterfront restaurants near Rudee Inlet or the Chesapeake Bay side of the city tend to serve the freshest catch. Away from the water, the ViBe district and Hilltop area both have a growing number of local breweries and casual restaurants that draw residents more than tourists. Farmers markets pop up seasonally in several neighborhoods too, giving residents an easy way to get to know their new community while picking up produce for the week. According to Visit Virginia Beach, the city’s official tourism organization, the local food scene has grown considerably in recent years, with waterfront dining now standing alongside the beach as one of the city’s main draws.

All of this is a lot more enjoyable once the move itself is behind you. If you are still planning logistics, our guide to long distance moving costs can help you budget realistically before your move date arrives, so you are free to spend that first weekend at the aquarium or on a Back Bay kayak trail instead of chasing down boxes.

Virginia Beach has a lot more range than its reputation as a summer beach town suggests. Between the state park, the aquarium, a growing arts district, and a packed events calendar, there is enough here to keep both new residents and longtime locals busy well past their first season in the city.