6 Best Things to do in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Planning a trip to Virginia Beach and wondering what to do? You’re in the right place.

Virginia Beach is best known for its huge stretch of sandy coastline, but there’s much more to do here than just hang out on the beach. We’re talking about kayaking with dolphins, hiking, and discovering spooky stories after dark. Yup, even pretty beach towns can come with some dark lore! 

Of course, with miles of coastline and plenty of attractions spread around the city, it can be tricky to work out what’s actually worth your time. That’s where we come in! In this guide, we’re sharing six of our favorite things to do in Virginia Beach, along with all the need-to-know details for each. 

Virginia Beach at a Glance

Virginia Beach is pretty spread out, so having a car makes getting around much easier, especially if you want to explore First Landing State Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, or beaches outside the main Oceanfront area.

If you’re staying near the Oceanfront, though, you can easily get around on foot or by bike! The famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk stretches for three miles, with a separate bike path that’s perfect for cycling. The seasonal VB Wave trolley and public buses are also options if you’d rather skip driving.

Here are a few things we wish we’d known before visiting!

Important tip: Don’t forget about the beach flags! Always check the warning flags and ocean conditions before swimming. Rip currents can be dangerous, even when the water looks calm!

Summer gets busy: Virginia Beach is a popular summer destination, so expect crowds along the Boardwalk and Oceanfront. Give yourself extra time to get around, especially on weekends.

Explore beyond the Boardwalk: Virginia Beach has so much more than the main beachfront! Make time for scenic nature trails, kayaking, local breweries, and quieter beaches.

Book popular tours early: Activities like sunset dolphin kayaking tours and boat cruises can fill up quickly during peak season, so we recommend reserving your favorites ahead of time.

How We Would Spend 3 Days in Virginia Beach

🐬 Day 1: Trails, Beach & Dolphins
Hike through First Landing State Park, enjoy the beach and Boardwalk, then take an epic sunset kayak adventure and search for dolphins.

🎨 Day 2: Art, Aquariums & Ghosts
Explore the ViBe Creative District and Virginia Aquarium, relax at Sandbridge Beach, then get spooky on an evening ghost tour.

🏛️ Day 3: Step Back in Time
Take a day trip to Williamsburg for a private historical tour and independent exploring, then return to Virginia Beach for your final night.

Want the full plan? Check out our complete Virginia Beach itinerary here!

Things to do in Virginia Beach 

1. Hear Virginia Beach’s spookiest stories after dark 

Virginia Beach may look like all sunshine and sand, but plenty of ghost stories hide behind that cheerful exterior! This 1-hour haunted walking tour takes you along the Boardwalk after dark to hear some of the city’s strangest stories and maritime legends.

The tour starts at the King Neptune Statue, one of Virginia Beach’s most recognizable landmarks, then heads along the waterfront to several supposedly haunted spots. Along the way, you’ll hear about everything from Blackbeard to shipwrecks and some of the darker moments in the city’s coastal history.

One of the most interesting stops is the Norwegian Lady Statue, which commemorates the 1891 wreck of the Norwegian ship Dictator. You’ll also pass the Naval Aviation Monument and the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, so there’s plenty of real history mixed in with the spooky stuff.

That’s what we like about tours like this. Even if you’re not totally convinced by the paranormal side of things, you still get a fun history walk along the Boardwalk and hear stories you probably wouldn’t stumble across on your own.

It also only takes around an hour, so it’s really easy to fit in after dinner or at the end of a beach day. And with plenty of five-star reviews from fellow travelers, it’s clearly a popular way to explore Virginia Beach after dark! Just meet your guide beneath Neptune and get ready for some spooky stories!

2. Watch for dolphins from a kayak at golden hour

If there’s one tour that really screams “Virginia Beach”, it has to be this sunset dolphin kayaking trip. Paddling across the Chesapeake Bay at golden hour while looking for wild dolphins is straight off a bucket list – our bucket list, anyway! It’s definitely one of the most memorable things you can do here.

The tour starts at First Landing State Park, where you’ll get a quick safety briefing before heading out in an easy-to-use sit-on-top kayak. Don’t worry if you’re not exactly an expert paddler! The tour is designed for different ages and skill levels, and the group is capped at just 12 people.

Once you’re out on the water, your guide will lead you along a stretch of coastline where dolphins are commonly seen in small pods. You’ll also get views of the Cape Henry Lighthouses and the huge Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, so there’s plenty to look at even when the dolphins aren’t showing off.

And, of course, they are wild animals, so sightings can’t be guaranteed. But kayaking across the bay at sunset sounds pretty spectacular either way! With HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews, we’d say that your chances are pretty good.

The only thing to note is that this tour sells out quickly! We recommend taking advantage of the free cancellation policy and booking in advance so you don’t miss out. 

3. Walk the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and see the King Neptune statue

You can’t come to Virginia Beach without spending some time on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk! It stretches along the Atlantic, right through the heart of the Oceanfront area, and it’s free to explore. That said, there are great restaurants and bars along the way, so don’t be surprised if you end up spending a few dollars! 

The boardwalk is 3 miles (5 kilometers) long, so you can walk the whole thing or just stroll a short section and turn back. Either way, there’s always plenty going on, especially in summer, with the buzzing beach and seasonal entertainment. We’re talking free concerts, outdoor movie screenings, and festivals; it’s always a good time around here! 

One landmark you definitely shouldn’t miss is the huge King Neptune statue at 31st Street. It’s one of Virginia Beach’s most recognizable sights and a great photo stop or turnaround point if you don’t fancy walking the entire boardwalk.

We think the best time to come depends on the vibe you want. Early morning is perfect if you want a quieter vibe, while sunset is much livelier. Even if you only spend an hour here, the Boardwalk is the perfect place to soak up that classic Virginia Beach atmosphere, so don’t miss it! 

4. Turn your beach day into a professional photo session

Have you ever come home from a trip with hundreds of photos clogging your camera roll, only to realize most of them are wonky or straight-up unflattering? Well, you won’t have to worry about that with this private professional photoshoot!

Choose between a 30-minute or 1-hour session, and because it’s completely private, the whole shoot focuses on you and your group. Your photographer will take you to scenic spots around Virginia Beach, from the beachfront to lesser-known local locations, and you can also request a specific place if you already have somewhere in mind.

We think this is an amazing option if you’re celebrating something special in Virginia Beach, and it also works well for groups because everyone gets to be in the best photos! 

And don’t worry if you’re not someone who naturally knows what to do in front of a camera. The photographers are there to help you feel comfortable posing. After all, the key to a good shot is to loosen up and have fun with it (or so we’re told). 

The 30-minute session includes 20 edited, high-resolution photos, while the full hour gets you 45. They’re delivered through an online gallery within around four to five business days, so you won’t be waiting weeks to see them. We think this would be especially lovely for any trip where you want to come home with something a little more meaningful than another beach selfie!

5. Hike through First Landing State Park 

If you need a break from the busy Boardwalk, First Landing State Park is one of our favorite places to get out into nature around Virginia Beach. There are about 20 miles (32 kilometers) of trails, so you can go for a hike or take one or two of the shorter routes.

What we really like about this park is how varied the scenery is. One minute we were strolling through a shady maritime forest, and the next we were walking across boardwalks over wetlands and swamps—it was so cool! We also spotted plenty of birds and wildlife along the way, and we loved the views of the famous Chesapeake Bay. 

And because this is Virginia, there’s some history thrown in as well! English colonists landed in this area in 1607 before continuing toward Jamestown, which is how the park got its name. Parts of the park were also developed by an African American Civilian Conservation Corps crew during the 1930s.

About 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) of Chesapeake Bay shoreline runs through the park, but we don’t really recommend swimming. Some parts of the water have strong currents, particularly around the Narrows, so hiking is definitely the bigger draw for us.

One thing we really recommend is getting here early, especially on a summer weekend. Parking can fill up, and once the park reaches capacity, they may turn cars away.

We think this is such an underrated side of Virginia Beach. It’s easy to think of this city as all sand and oceanfront hotels, but First Landing State Park shows a completely different side of the area, so it’s worth exploring. 

6. Create your own custom candle

If you fancy doing something a little different in Virginia Beach, this candle-making experience sounds like SO much fun! You’ll spend around two hours creating your own signature scent and turning it into a custom candle to take home. How cool is that?

You can choose from more than 40 fragrances, or blend a few to create something totally your own. Then comes the fun part: pour your candle, make a matching room spray, and design a personalized label for both.

We love that you don’t have to wait days for your candle to be ready either. You can take it home the same day, so it feels like a proper souvenir from your trip rather than something that arrives after you’ve forgotten about it.

The class is beginner-friendly, and the group is capped at 12 people, so it should feel relaxed rather than like a huge workshop. You’re also welcome to bring your own food or drinks if you want to make it more of a social activity.

We think this is such a fun break from the beach. It’s especially good for a rainy day, date night, birthday, or girls’ trip, and you get to leave with something you’ll actually use instead of yet another fridge magnet!

Where to Stay in Virginia Beach

For these activities, we definitely recommend staying in the Oceanfront area. You’ll have the beach and boardwalk right on your doorstep, plus plenty of restaurants nearby. It also puts you in a convenient spot for driving to the different places we visit over these three days.

Luxury – $$$

If you’re looking for somewhere special, the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort is our luxury pick. It sits on the beach at the quieter northern end of the Oceanfront, so you get those gorgeous coastal views without being right in the middle of the busiest section.

The hotel feels bright and modern, and the big draw is definitely the beachfront setting. There are indoor and outdoor pools, plus multiple places to eat and drink, including Orion’s Roof. Since that’s where we’ve planned our final dinner, staying here would make the end of day three especially easy! Check availability and book the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort here!

Mid-range – $$

For something a little more affordable, Coastal Hotel & Suites Virginia Beach is a great mid-range option. It’s right beside the boardwalk, so you’ll still get a fantastic Oceanfront location without paying luxury hotel prices.

We especially like that all of the rooms and suites face the ocean, and there’s an indoor pool and hot tub for days when the weather isn’t playing ball. Breakfast is included too, which is always a nice way to save a little money while traveling! Check availability and book Coastal Hotel & Suites Virginia Beach here!

Budget – $

If you’re trying to keep accommodation costs down, check out the Four Points by Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. You’re still right by the beach and boardwalk, so choosing our budget option doesn’t mean sacrificing that all-important Oceanfront location.

There’s an indoor pool and an on-site restaurant, and rooms have private balconies so you can make the most of being by the coast. We think this is a solid choice if you’d rather save your money for all of the activities we’ve packed into this itinerary! Check availability and book Four Points by Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront here!

For more great options, check out all the hotels listed for Virginia Beach here!

Thanks for Reading!

Who knew Virginia Beach had so much more to offer than sand and sunshine? From kayaking with dolphins at sunset to hiking scenic trails and hearing spooky stories after dark, there’s plenty to keep you busy! We especially loved exploring the Chesapeake Bay and First Landing State Park, and we hope you have as much fun here as we did!

Before you go, why stop at Virginia Beach? We’ve got plenty more USA travel guides filled with exciting activities, beautiful destinations, and helpful tips for your next adventure. Or keep planning with a few of our favorite blogs below!

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