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Things to Do in Virginia Beach (2026)
The three-mile Virginia Beach Boardwalk is the heart of the action, stretching from 2nd to 40th Street. It's perfect for walking, biking, or rollerblading with ocean viewβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Boardwalk
The three-mile Virginia Beach Boardwalk is the heart of the action, stretching from 2nd to 40th Street. It's perfect for walking, biking, or rollerblading with ocean views and plenty of benches. You'll find street performers, outdoor cafes, and the iconic King Neptune statue at 31st Street.
πΏ Explore First Landing State Park
Just north of the resort area, First Landing State Park offers 2,888 acres of maritime forest, cypress swamps, and sandy beaches. You can hike over 19 miles of trails, kayak through calm waters, or camp under the stars. It's a peaceful escape from the boardwalk crowds, and parking costs $7 per vehicle.
π¬ Take a Dolphin Cruise
Several operators like Rudee Tours and Virginia Beach Aquatics run dolphin-watching cruises from the Rudee Inlet. These 90-minute trips cost around $25 for adults and often spot bottlenose dolphins playing in the waves. Sunset cruises are especially popular, so book ahead in summer.
π¨ Visit the ViBe Creative District
Located between 17th and 22nd Streets, the ViBe Creative District is a hub for local art, murals, and indie shops. Check out the colorful street art on 18th Street and browse handmade goods at the ViBe Market on weekends. It's a great spot for unique souvenirs and photos.
π½οΈ Eat Fresh Seafood
Virginia Beach is famous for its seafood, and you can't miss the catch of the day at places like Waterman's Surfside Grille on the boardwalk or Blue Seafood & Spirits in the ViBe District. For a casual meal, head to Chick's Oyster Bar on the Lynnhaven Inlet for steamed crabs and raw oysters. Prices vary, but a seafood platter typically runs $20 to $35.
π‘ Enjoy the Oceanfront Amusements
The boardwalk features family-friendly attractions like the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier (at 15th Street) and the Atlantic Fun Park with rides and games. The pier costs $2 to walk on, and you can fish for $10. For a classic beach-town experience, grab ice cream from Kohr Brothers and watch the sunset from the pier.
π² Ride the Boardwalk by Bike
Renting a bike is one of the best ways to cover the entire boardwalk and beyond. Multiple rental shops like Bikes Unlimited (near 2nd Street) offer hourly or daily rates, starting around $10 per hour. The paved path is separate from pedestrians, making it safe and easy to cruise from the resort area to the North End.
π Catch Sunrise at the Beach
Virginia Beach faces east, so sunrise over the Atlantic is a daily spectacle. The best spots are near the 24th Street Park or the quieter Sandbridge Beach, about 15 miles south. Arrive 20 minutes early to watch the colors change, and bring coffee from a nearby cafe like Three Ships Coffee Roasters.
Solid rundown. If you're into craft beer, I'd add a stop at Back Bay Brewing on 18th Street in the ViBe District. Their outdoor patio is a nice spot to rest after walking the boardwalk, and they often have a food truck parked out front. Also, the locals know to avoid Atlantic Avenue traffic on summer weekends by taking Pacific Avenue instead it runs parallel and moves much faster.
This is a solid list. One thing I'd add is to check out the Cape Henry Lighthouse at Fort Story. You can climb the original 1792 lighthouse for a few bucks, and the view from the top shows you where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic. It's a quick detour on your way to or from First Landing since they're basically next to each other.
Good list. If you're going to First Landing anyway, swing by the Lesner Bridge around sunset. You can park at the lot on the north side and watch the boats come in from the bay, it's way less crowded than the boardwalk and the light over the water is gorgeous.
3 Days in Virginia Beach: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, a 3-mile oceanfront promenade. Begin at 9 AM at the Atlantic Avenue entrance near 2nd Street. Spend the morning strolling paβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Overview
Start your first day at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, a 3-mile oceanfront promenade. Begin at 9 AM at the Atlantic Avenue entrance near 2nd Street. Spend the morning strolling past shops and cafes before heading to the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier at 15th Street.
π Morning Beach Time
From 10 AM to noon, enjoy the sand and surf at the main resort beach. Rent an umbrella and chairs from the concession stands near 10th Street for around $30 per day. The lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 AM to 6 PM, so swimming is safe.
π½οΈ Lunch on the Boardwalk
Grab lunch at Waterman's Surfside Grille, located at 415 Atlantic Avenue. Their famous crab cakes cost about $22, and the outdoor patio offers ocean views. Expect a 15-minute wait around noon on weekends.
ποΈ Afternoon Culture
Head to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) at 2200 Parks Avenue, a 10-minute drive from the boardwalk. Admission is $12 for adults, and the museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Spend an hour exploring rotating exhibits of modern art.
πΆ Evening Stroll
Return to the boardwalk for a sunset walk around 6 PM. The 3-mile path is perfect for people-watching, and you can stop at the Neptune statue at 31st Street for a photo. Grab ice cream from Lolly's Creamery at 509 18th Street.
π Day 2: Sandbridge
Drive 20 minutes south to Sandbridge Beach, a quieter alternative to the resort area. Arrive by 9 AM to secure parking at the lot near Sandbridge Road. Spend the morning kayaking in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where rentals cost $40 for two hours.
π Seafood Lunch
Eat at Blue Seafood & Spirits at 2181 Upton Drive, a 10-minute drive from Sandbridge. Their fish tacos are $16, and the outdoor deck overlooks the water. Reservations are recommended for weekends.
πΏ Afternoon Nature
Visit First Landing State Park at 2500 Shore Drive, a 15-minute drive north. Entry is $7 per vehicle, and you can hike the Cape Henry Trail for 2 miles through maritime forest. The park is open until dusk.
π» Day 3: Town Center
Spend your final day in Virginia Beach Town Center, a 15-minute drive from the oceanfront. Start at 10 AM with coffee at Three Ships Coffee Roasters at 500 19th Street. Then browse the shops at the Pembroke Mall area.
π Afternoon Arts
Visit the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts at 201 Market Street for a matinee show. Tickets start at $30, and the box office opens at noon. Check their website for 2026 schedules.
π Getting Around
Use the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) bus system for $1.75 per ride, or rent a car for about $50 per day. The resort area is walkable, but you'll need a car for Sandbridge and Town Center. Parking at the oceanfront costs $10 per day in public lots.
π‘ Money-Saving Tips
Buy a Virginia Beach CityPass for $45 to get discounted entry to MOCA, the aquarium, and a dolphin-watching cruise. Many restaurants offer early-bird specials from 4 to 6 PM, with entrees under $15. Avoid peak season (June-August) for lower hotel rates.
I've done this exact itinerary a few times and it works well. For day 1, if you're at MOCA around lunch, walk two blocks east to Zeke's Beans and Bowls on 19th Street. Their acai bowls are $10 and they roast their own coffee, way better than the boardwalk coffee spots. For day 3, skip Pembroke Mall entirely and walk over to the ViBe Creative District instead, it's a five minute walk from Three Ships and has a bunch of local artist studios and murals that are more interesting than a regular mall. The citypass is worth it if you do the dolphin cruise, which leaves from the Rudee Inlet marina at 9th Street, just make sure you book a day ahead in summer.
Solid plan, but I'd tweak the town center day a bit. Three Ships is great coffee, but if you're there around lunch, the butcher shop next door sells killer sandwiches for like $10. For the Sandler Center, check if they have a free lobby concert that day, they do those sometimes and it's a good way to see the space without dropping $30. Also, the Cape Henry Trail at First Landing is nice, but the boardwalk trail on the bay side is flatter and less crowded if you want an easier walk.
this is a solid plan honestly. one thing i'd swap is day 2 lunch - blue seafood is good but if you want something even more lowkey and cheaper, hit up the sandbridge market deli right on sandbridge road. their softshell crab sandwich is like $12 and way less crowded, plus you can eat it on the beach. also for day 1, skip lolly's and walk a few blocks south to kiko's on 14th street for ice cream - their salted caramel is better and the line is usually shorter. the citypass tip is solid, just make sure you actually use the aquarium part or it's not worth it.