Virginia Beach Travel Guide

I'll admit I don't take many true "vacations." Typically I go on trips which are planned out and full of adventure. But after planning a long weekend getaway with my best friend from college I couldn't wait to just lay on the beach or by the pool with a drink in hand. We decided on Virginia Beach as it was an easy flight for us and a short drive from where our friends live in northern Virginia. It ended up being a great choice and we had a sunny, relaxing time together.

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Where to stay

SpringHill Suites by Marriott

When looking for a place to stay, our top criteria was a hotel with ocean views and direct beach access. There are no shortage of lodging options to choose from, and we ended up booking three nights at Springhill Suites by Marriott. This was one of the most affordable options and ended up being a great choice. The lobby and suites were spacious and modern and we had our own balcony overlooking the ocean. This was also one of the most affordable options we found and included free breakfast which helped save on costs. We also lucked out in that three of our favorite bars and restaurants of the whole trip were just a short walk from our hotel. The three mile boardwalk stretches the entire hotel district and you can easily access other shops and restaurants with a longer walk. In addition to the beach, you can also enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools and poolside bar at the hotel.

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Where to eat/drink 

Waterman's Surfside Grille 

I have to start with my number one pick! This restaurant was so good we actually went here for dinner twice because we liked it so much. They have delicious seafood dishes, as well as ribs, burgers, and more if you have folks in your group who aren't big seafood fans. I had the fish tacos and Waterman's original pasta and loved both dishes. More importantly, Waterman's is home to the original crush - a famous drink in Virginia Beach made with crushed ice and fresh squeezed orange juice (they have multiple different flavors in addition to orange) which pair perfectly with dinner after a hot day on the beach. Expect there to be a wait here but you can head upstairs to the attic to grab a drink or visit their adorable boutique gift shop while you wait for your table. 

Chix on the Beach

Operated by the same owners of Waterman's this is another great dinner spot with a beautiful outdoor patio. The menu is similar to Waterman's but they do have different dishes including the signature seafood boils. I had the greek salad as I was craving something light and also tried the crab dip - both were 10/10! I also switched things up with the ruby red crush here (made with grapefruit juice) and it was my personal favorite. 

The Shack 

This is the third location owned by the same folks as Waterman's and Chix so we knew we had to visit. It's also located across the street from Springhill Suites. Here you'll find a large outdoor patio with lots of different seating areas including a large section of picnic tables. We ordered orange crushes here as well (honestly not our favorite after trying other spots) and the menu is primarily Mexican dishes and we all had burritos and the burrito bowl. We ended up coming back here a second time later at night to play bocce ball (they also have corn hole/bags). Definitely a great hang out spot and it got very busy with a younger crowd on Saturday night. 

Bay Local

If you're a fan of brunch, Bay Local is the place to be! We sat outdoors on their tented patio but the inside decor is also super dreamy. They have a great selection of brunch cocktails. I ordered the raspberry sorbet mimosa and our friends tried one of their famous bloody Marys which you can add a variety of toppers to including an entire soft shell crab. We were all pleased with our meals. I had the crab cake benny and highly recommend the garlic Parmesan tots on the side. 

The Bunker 

We actually stumbled upon this place while driving back to our hotel and what caught our eye is that they served Young Veterans Brewing Company as we had just tried it at Top Golf and really liked it. It ended up being a great stop for beers and apps before we headed to dinner! I had the raspberry kolsch and my husband loved their peach IPA. We also tried the shrimp egg rolls (super unique) and the loaded waffle fries. They have a stage in back and have live music on certain days as well as trivia. It's a bit farther away but we did walk from our hotel. 

Back Bay Brewing

Trying local brews is one of my favorite things to do while visiting a new city so walked down the street to check out Back Bay. Their ocean front location is a rather small taproom with only a few tables to sit at (they also have a Farmhouse location located a few miles out of town) and we enjoyed beers and board games to end our evening. They had a number of fruity/sour beers on draft which I love in addition to the traditional IPAs which my husband loves. 

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What to See/do

Visit the Beach

You can't come to Virginia Beach and not go to...the beach! We loved having a hotel right on the ocean which made it easy to just walk out and put our toes in the sand. There is plenty of shoreline to enjoy so it never felt crowded and there were lifeguards every few hundred feet. While we were there there was a beach volleyball tournament going on which provided some additional entertainment. 

Cheer on the Norfolk Tides

The Tides technically aren't located in Virginia Beach but Norfolk is only a short 25 minute drive away. We hadn't been to a sporting event in over a year so this made for a fun day trip. Tickets are very affordable and their speciality hot dogs from the Hot Dog Stand were also surprisingly delicious for lunch. 

Stroll the Boardwalk

The 3 mile boardwalk is paved and spans the oceanfront hotel district. There is also a dedicated bike path that runs parallel and there are several places you can rent bikes if you prefer to ride. We walked 1.5 miles from our hotel one morning and it was a very peaceful way to start the day. In addition to the sound of the waves, the landscaping along the way is beautiful and there are a lot of fun ocean-themed sculptures to enjoy and benches if you need to sit and take a break. 

Say Hello to King Neptune

The main reason for our walk along the boardwalk was to see the famous King Neptune statue located near Neptune's Park. The detail on the sculpture is amazing and it's much larger than I expected. Definitely a fun photo op to remember your trip by! 

Take a Swing at Top Golf

This is another activity located a short drive away in Norfolk but one of our favorite activities to do while visiting new cities. You can reserve a bay for free online or grab a drink in the bar while you wait. The thing I love most about Top Golf is you really don't have to be good at golf to have fun and score some points. They also have food and drink service at your bay if you come hungry. 

Go Mural Hunting in Vibe Creative District 

I love finding murals on my travels and the Vibe Creative District is full of colorful walls. It's a very walkable area and there is a new mural on nearly every corner. We stopped at "Broken Current" (corner of Pacific Ave. and 17th Street) on our way to grab drinks at the Bunker which is a tribute to the city's surfing culture and located next to a blue steel sculpture called "Barreled."