Beach holidays can be learning experiences, but if the things to do in Virginia Beach are anything to go by, kids won’t be able to tell the difference between learning and fun.
Start your learning experience with some quick background on where Virginia Beach is, and why it’s such a popular family holiday destination. You’ll find this legend on the east coast of the USA, spreading for 38 miles along the Atlantic Ocean where it joins Chesapeake Bay. It’s home to the World’s Longest Pleasure Beach, as well as several very different and equally appealing districts, packed with fun, education and a lot of sand and sunshine.
Speaking of sun, it shines in Virginia Beach most of the year, although the best time to come for beach weather is between May and October. That said, the families who live here happily play by and in the sea year round, and nothing is closed, even in winter: locals claim some of the many Virginia Beach parks are even lovelier in the colder months of the year.
Now you’ve learned where it is, here’s our list of favourite things to do in Virginia Beach with a little learning that your kids are more than welcome to take home with them.
Visiting Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Virginia Beach Aquarium: interactive learning with a side of cute and curious creatures
More than just an aquarium, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is possibly the easiest way to sneak learning into a beach holiday. A visit is certainly one of the most popular things to do in Virginia Beach, particularly with kids.
Thousands of marine animals living in almost 20,000 gallons of water is a big hit to start with, but Virginia Aquarium is all about learning too, so you’ll also find superb interactive exhibits and truly immersive experiences. Everything from finding out about the science of water quality to observing the veterinary care centre is happening here. And when you just want to take five and kick back, head to the outdoor play areas and go wild. In other good news, the aquarium is fully accessible, so everyone gets to have fun.
The Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach
Military Aviation Museum: one of the most thrilling things to do in Virginia Beach
The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach has one of the largest, flying collections of WWI and WWII military aircraft. That’s right, they fly, and you can watch them do just that in fully restored, meticulously maintained magnificence. The museum covers an impressive 130 acres, so it’s one of the things to do in Virginia Beach you want to set a half-day aside for: worth every minute. There are also daily guided tours available, as well as family summer camps and thrilling interactive experiences, like flight simulators. Another Virginia Beach attraction for all, the museum has wheelchair accessible toilets, accessible parking and lifts to the first floor.
Mural, ViBe Creative District, Virginia Beach
ViBe Creative District Art Tour: take a walk with a local artist and be inspired
You could spend an entire family holiday exploring the fascinating ViBe Creative District. Alternatively take one of the excellent walking tours, led by a local creative and get under the skin of the neighbourhood. On the one hour long tour, which covers a mile and is both wheelchair accessible and easy enough for kids, you’ll come face-to-face with stunning murals, learn about the creative thinking behind the sidewalk art, discover the history of the district, and find out all about the artists who make it such a vibrant place to experience.
The original Cape Henry Lighthouse, Virginia Beach
Cape Henry Lighthouse: climb up for a 360° view of Virginia Beach
Who doesn’t love a lighthouse, or two? We certainly do. The original Cape Henry Lighthouse dates back to 1792, is the fourth oldest in the USA, and stands sentinel over the Atlantic at Fort Story on Virginia Beach. It was the first ever lighthouse authorised by the US government and construction was greenlit by none other than President George Washington himself. Visit for all this history and so much more, as well as an astonishing 360° view from the top. The original lighthouse is open to the public, and you can see its newer counterpart, from the outside, nearby.
Boardwalk, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: the wildest tram ride in Virginia Beach
Back Bay Wildlife Refuge has been protecting natural habitats since 1938, so it’s the best place to discover the wildlife and birdlife of Virginia Beach. The refuge covers 8,000 acres and one of the most fun ways to explore is on an open-air tram tour, which gives you spectacular False Cape State Park as an added bonus. The tours run from April to the end of October, but you can see the refuge year round under your own steam either on hiking trails or by bike.
Beach, First Landing State Park, things to do in Virginia Beach
First Landing State Park: the most visited State Park in Virginia
The great outdoors is always an amazing classroom for kids and First Landing State Park takes its role as educator very seriously. Lace up your boots and hike through no fewer than seven eco-systems with kids, learn about the history of the park’s name and explore its carefully protected landscapes from freshwater ponds to Atlantic beaches. As a registered Natural Landmark, it’s also the place for guided programmes, where children can become junior rangers, pick up crabbing skills with local guides or take part in workshops year-round.
The historic Ferry Plantation House, Virginia Beach
Ferry Plantation House: one of the most haunting things to do in Virginia Beach
Ferry Plantation House is made for older kids and teens who like a bit of chill with their history. Considered to be one of the most haunted houses in Virginia Beach – there are quite few jostling for that title – it dates back to 1642 and the first ‘ferry’ service set up to connect the plantations by water. The original property was burned down in the 18th century and rebuilt in 1830, which doesn’t make it any less atmospheric. Take one of the great guided tours to learn about the heritage and the hauntings and also about the famous trial of Grace Sherwood: Virginia’s only convicted witch who was tried by water near to Ferry Plantation House in 1706.
Entrance Virginia MOCA, ViBe District, Virginia Beach
Virginia MOCA: come for the art and stay for the kids’ workshops
Another great reason to visit the ViBe Creative district, Virginia MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) is a spectacular space which curates ever-changing exhibitions celebrating local, national and international art in all its forms. The museum also presents the Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach’s oldest festival. every year in October. Although kids might be more interested in the regular children’s workshops which cover everything from printmaking to mosaic making.
Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, Oceanfront
The Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum: get wrapped up in history and heroics
No surprises to find The Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum on the oceanfront. What might surprise you is how easy it is to get totally wrapped up in the history of everything from local surfing legends and super storms to eery stories of shipwrecks and heroic tales of lifeguards who manned this US Life Saving Station in days gone by: it was built on Virginia Beach Boardwalk in 1903.
18th century Thoroughgood House, Virginia Beach
Thoroughgood House: one of the many free things to do in Virginia Beach
Adam Thoroughgood was one of Virginia’s first colonists and Thoroughgood House was built round about 1719 by his great-grandson, Argal Thorowgood II. Take a tour with kids and immerse yourself in 18th century Virginia, learn about how folks lived back then, what they did for entertainment, who they were and how the house itself evolved over more than 300 years. Tours are free and run year-round.
Now learn how to plan a fascinating family beach holiday in Virginia Beach with Visit Virginia Beach
