Lovely Virginia Beach

The state of Virginia stretches from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains and it has a long Atlantic coastline. Virginia Beach is a coastal city located at the point where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Along the oceanfront is a 3-mile boardwalk.

Virginia Beach is a resort city and the most famous beach here is the Resort Beach lined by many hotels. Usually during the summer the beach is crowded.

You can enjoy the wide, paved boardwalk along which people love to walk, run, bike, skateboard or sit on benches looking out at the ocean. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops. On Atlantic Avenue you can find beach stores, fudge and candy shops and dining.

Virginia Aquarium is located on the shores of Owls Creek. The aquarium has scenic outdoor areas and decks that overlook the water. Here you can see such marine creatures as sharks, seals, sea turtles, otters, rays and other sea life. There are also such amazing things like Komodo Dragons.

The large complex has two buildings and you can discover the marine life that inhabits the lakes, streams and coastal areas. Among the highlights are the glass, walk through Red Sea Tunnel, the dinosaur exhibit with mechanical dinosaurs, the otter exhibit and the aquarium has a 3D movie theater.

Between the two buildings of the Virginia Aquarium you’ll find the Adventure Park. This is a fun obstacle course. A popular activity here that can be added to an aquarium visit is a boat trip that will take you to see dolphins and whales in their natural environment.

First Landing State Park where visitors can lie on the beach, hike in the forest, go on the waters, learn about early colonists, camp along the oceanfront or rent a cabin in the woods. This is the place where English colonists first reached the shores of America over 400 years ago.

The park is divided by Shore Drive separating the beach from the forest. Inland of Shore Drive you can find camping cabins and a network of trails that take you along pine trees, cypress trees, sand dunes and Broad Bay. If you enjoy water sports you can jet ski, paddleboard, boat or kayak.

Sandbridge Beach (picture above) is a quieter beach just south of Resort Beach. This is the place where you can get away from the crowds. Walk along the beach, have a picnic and just relax.

Behind this beach is the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offering over 9,000 acres of beach, freshwater marshes, dunes and forested areas. It protects habitats for migratory birds. Visitors can walk the trails or paddle in the still waters. You can see deer, bobcats, otters, muskrats and other kinds of animals.

False Cape State Park is right next door and features an undeveloped beach with dunes, marshes and woodlands. There are plenty of hiking trails and camping areas. You can access the park on foot, by bike or boat.

The Cape Henry Lighthouse has been a long standing landmark on Chesapeake Bay. It was built in 1792 and was the first U.S. government funded light house authorized by George Washington. Visitors can climb to the top for spectacular views. In the late 1800s another lighthouse was built close by and you can see both.

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) features changing exhibitions that include paintings, sculptures, photos and videos. The artworks are by international, national and local artists. The museum also offers classes and other educational programs.

Norfolk Botanical Gardens bloom all year round. There are theme gardens like the Renaissance Garden, the Japanses Garden, and the Sensory Garden.

The Children's Garden is kid-friendly and features interactive and educational natural exhibits.