We love finding somewhere new to go and then discovering it’s all about outdoor adventures, and Virginia Beach family holidays are exactly what we mean. Take a look.
If it’s your first time hearing about Virginia Beach, have a few facts to start with. It’s on the east coast of the USA, right on the spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets Chesapeake Bay, which gives it mile after mile of golden sand beaches. In fact, Virginia Beach is officially the Longest Pleasure Beach in the World.
That in itself should be enough to get you thinking about Virginia Beach family holidays, but if you need a bit more persuasion how about the weather? Sunny most of the year, it’s particularly warm between May and October – although locals report good beach conditions even in winter. And if all that doesn’t convince you completely, then read on to find out why it’s topping our wish list this year for outdoor adventures.
First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach
The best Virginia Beach family holidays start with the parks
Virginia Beach has over 4,000 acres of parks where you’re welcome to play, all year round. You will find your own favourite, but for now, here are four we particularly like.
Family beach day, First Landing State Park
Discover why First Landing is the most visited State Park in Virginia
First Landing State Park covers 2,888 acres, is the most visited park in Virginia and, on top of a long, sandy beach on Chesapeake Bay, it has forest, bald cypress swamps, tidal marshes and dunes to explore. There are almost 20 miles of hiking and biking trails here too, including the family-friendly Bald Cypress trail that will enchant kids no end. You can also swim safely from the designated swimming beach and, if you’re up for a guided kayaking tour, this is the place for those too.
Apart from the beaches, wild birds, untamed nature and endless activities, First Landing State Park is about everyone having fun. The swimming beach is accessible thanks to beach mats on the dunes, as well as four accessible bathhouses and a beach wheelchair to borrow. There’s an accessible playground too, and the Cape Henry Trail is wheelchair friendly.
Great Blue Heron, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
Meet the wildest residents of Virginia Beat at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay Wildlife Refuge rewards keen-eyed – and eared – families with sightings of river otters, white-tailed deer and red foxes, as well as migratory birds and sensational views over the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great fun park to hike and trails like the Raptor Trail – try and keep kids off that one – and the seaside trail are easy on little legs. Plus, Back Bay is the gateway to False Cape State Park, and in summer there are open-air tram tours of both parks.
Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach
Totally recycled Mount Trashmore park is just as much fun as it sounds
As good as its name, Mount Trashmore was literally built out of a landfill site. If you love a redemption tale, this one has the happiest ending in the form of manmade mountains and playgrounds, a skate park, walking and cycling trails and masses of green space to kick balls, fly kites or have a picnic. And, because you’re never far from water in Virginia Beach, the park also has two lakes.
False Cape State Park
Catch a tram and tour False Cape State Park
Like we said you can hop a tram and tour False Cape State Park from Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, and we highly recommend this; not least because the park is on one of the last undeveloped stretches of the Atlantic coast and can only be reached by foot, bike or boat otherwise. The tour is also fascinating, delves into the history of the park and its rare, unspoiled environment, and lets you on in some secrets: older kids will like the story of Wash Woods Church and cemetery.
The world’s longest pleasure beach, Virginia Beach
Beaches are a big deal on Virginia Beach family holidays
You might have already guessed that Virginia Beach is big on beaches: the clue’s in the name. But did you know that its three beaches – Virginia Beach, Sandbridge Beach and Chesapeake Bay – come together to make up the world’s largest pleasure beach? Don’t take our word for it, look at the Guinness Book of Records.
That’s a lot of space for fun and you’ll be pleased to know that making the most of its long, golden sands and spectacular share of the Atlantic is one of Virginia Beach’s greatest talents.
Oceanfront Boardwalk
The Oceanfront: a year-round family playground
Just about everything happens beachfront at the Oceanfront. This is where you can walk or cycle on the lively, three-mile long boardwalk; catch evening entertainment on no fewer than four stages; play for hours at fully accessible Grommet Island Park or just hang and watch surf dudes being impressive in the ocean.
The Oceanfront is also one of the best places to eat in Virginia Beach, especially if you’re in the mood for fresh caught seafood with sea views on the side. No surprise that dining is a favourite outdoor activity, and not just in the warm summer months.
This beachy district loves a festival too and it’s a rare month when something isn’t being celebrated from the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival in spring to Virginia Beach Neptune Festival in autumn and December’s Holiday Parade at the Beach.
Then, of course, there’s the huge and sandy beach itself around which everything from water sports to sand sculpting competitions revolves. Naturally it’s also perfect for just soaking up some sun and there’s plenty of that year-round here, with temperatures at their most beachy from May to October.
Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach
Chesapeake Bay: the laid back district for family holidays in Virginia Beach
The calm waters of Chesapeake Bay set a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand mood for the Virginia Beach district that locals love best. That’s not to say there isn’t a lot happening, it just happens at a gentler pace. So restaurants here aren’t just waterfront, many of them sit overwater, and it’s not unusual to spot dolphins as you eat: most exciting dining companions ever!
Known locally as Chic’s Beach, Chesapeake has a warm, friendly vibe and you can’t help but feel part of a community whether you’re playing volleyball on the beach, building the world’s biggest sandcastle or sharing the awesome experience of a sunset over Chesapeake Bridge.
It’s also the area for getting out on the water. If you’re confident, then hire a boat and head off in search of secret beaches. Alternatively, take it easy and let someone else do the work on a local sailing or fishing charter.
Also, Chesapeake Bay is where you’ll find First Landing State Park, so if you want to mix beaches with hiking, biking, kayaking or paddleboarding, it’s the Virginia Beach district for all that too.
Sandbridge Beach, Virginia Beach family holidays
Sandbridge: where toes-in-the-sand beach houses can be yours for the renting
If your heart is set on waking up to the ocean every morning, head for Sandbridge and rent a beachfront holiday home. This district is Virginia Beach at its most chill and family-friendly, from crab hunting by torchlight to fat bike riding on the sand and wild exploring around False Cape State Park.
They say nowhere does seafood in Virginia Beach quite like Sandbridge, that might be down to personal taste, but no one can argue with the stunning sea views that its waterfront restaurants serve up as standard.
The big, beautiful beaches are made for kids, but serious surfers love Sandbridge too, and it’s also a bit of a legend with devoted paddleboarders.
Another great day in the great outdoors, Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is one of the healthiest places in the USA!
Virginia Beach is regularly named one of the healthiest cities in the US. That might have something to do with a climate that means paddleboarding in December is a possibility and summer is basically lived outdoors. Although it could also have a lot to do with how just about every bit of space is used for some kind of adventure and quite of few of those are designed to get your endorphins flowing.
Family paddleboarding, Rudee Inlet
Make the most of all that water on Virginia Beach family holidays
You’re never far from water in Virginia Beach, and where there’s water, you’ll find water sports, and here that means anything from parasailing and jet-skiing to paddleboarding and surfing. In more good news, the locals are very keen for you to get out on the water so you’ll find equipment easy to hire, plenty of expert guides and, even instruction, if you need it.
Lace up your boots (big and little) and go for a hike
When you want to stride out, we already mentioned First Landing State Park is hiking heaven and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the place where a walk could bring you face-to-face with loggerhead turtles (at the right time of year). But for the truly adventurous, it has to be remote and untouched False Cape State Park, which can only be reached by foot or boat.
Safe cycling is easy on Virginia Beach family holidays
You can even bike along the ocean-edge on Virginia Beach family holidays
Virginia Beach has over 100 miles of bike trails, and that doesn’t include the three-mile long Oceanfront Boardwalk which can be cycled from end-to-end. You can even ride on the beach, on fat tyre bikes – if you haven’t done this before, imagine cruising along the ocean edge, on the sand, as easily as if it was a well-surfaced path. Local hire companies rent everything from road bikes and children’s bikes to bikes with trailers and, of course, fat tyre bikes.
Family camping, First Landing, Virginia Beach
Camp out under great big, starry Virginia Beach skies
If sleeping under the stars – or as near as possible – is your thing, then you’ll love the great camping-out tradition that comes as naturally to Virginia Beach as summer sun, seafood and days by the sea.
There are several campgrounds in the area and even going off-grid is possible in False Cape State Park. However, if you’re camping with kids you probably want some home comforts and you’ll find plenty of those from great sports facilities and family activities to playgrounds and pools.
Also, you can still camp without going near canvas, as you’ll find cosy cabins to rent which give you all the freedom of the outdoors, effortlessly.
Picking vegetables in Pungo
Pick Pungo for authentic Virginia Beach holiday vibes
It’s not just beaches you can pick in Virginia Beach, you can pick your own fruit here too. Just head inland a little from Sandbridge and you’ll come to Pungo. You can’t miss it, in complete contrast to the coast, this is the heart of the countryside; 23,000 acres of it to be precise. Most of it is farmland and that means fresh produce ripe for the picking in summer and autumn. Kids love the friendly feel of local farms and the fun of filling their baskets with berries. Although, the quaintness of roadside stands selling produce might win them over just as hard.
Coffee flight, Pour Favor, Inland
Head Inland for farmer’s markets and soothing spas
Inland is another off-coast district with a distinctive personality that pairs perfectly with a beach holiday. This is the neighbourhood for serious shopping, great farmer’s markets, local craft breweries and delightfully soothing spa resorts. Off-beat stores mix with browsable malls, independent coffee shops are a local speciality, and if you’ve a craving for decadent cup cakes – or pastries of any sort – you’ll find them at their finest in Inland’s excellent bakeries.
Mural, ViBe district, Virginia Beach
Add some creative ViBe to Virginia Beach family holidays
You don’t need an excuse to stroll around in Virginia Beach’s warm sun, but if you did, the ViBe District Walking Tour would be a good one. At just a mile long the tour is easy enough for kids, and as well as letting you really explore this exciting area, it’s also the chance for an up close and personal look at ViBe’s amazing murals.
But don’t limit yourself to just walking around, take time to meet the locals who give the neighbourhood its creative vibe. Making and doing is the theme here and everything from metalwork to cooking is on the go. Drop into the Virginia Beach Art Center to visit artists’ studios; catch major exhibitions at Virginia MOCA; hang out in cute coffee shops, and don’t miss VB Flea, or the district’s monthly First Fridays and Second Saturdays.
