A Long Weekend in Virginia Beach
The largest city in the commonwealth, Virginia Beach has so much to offer, making it a popular destination for long weekend getaways. From the finest hotels to the most popular activities, this guide will help you to plan a long weekend break in Virginia Beach.
Where to Stay
When it comes to choosing accommodation at Virginia Beach, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront is one of the most sought-after hotels, mostly because it occupies a prime spot right by the beach. In addition to its convenient location, it also boasts a stunning rooftop bar and infinity pool, as well as a heated indoor pool for the colder months, while its restaurants are known for their delicious seafood dishes, as well as for being the only four diamond steakhouse in Virginia. For those craving even more luxury, Oceanaire is one of the newest beachfront resorts in the area, featuring everything from an oceanfront fire pit to spacious suites with jetted tubs to a tiki bar. If you are travelling with your family, the Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach is worth considering, mostly due to their Splash Kamp for children, as well as the Splish Splash Lagoon and lazy river.
Things to See and Do
Virginia Beach is filled with plenty of attractions, but one of the most popular has to be the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which is famous for being one of the best in the country. Consisting of 59 blocks lined with walking paths, street performers, shops, restaurants and viewpoints, the boardwalk is definitely action-packed, but still much more mellow than others you may have visited. While near the beach, you will come across many outfitters that offer kayak fishing, which is a new craze to hit Virginia Beach, and combines kayaking with fishing. When it comes to learning about the area’s history and maritime heritage, the Old Coast Guard Station is the place to go, as this museum contains over 1800 artefacts, as well as over 1000 photographs, relating to the coastal history of Virginia Beach. If you are looking for some more indoor fun for the day, head to the Virginia Beach Aquarium and Marine Science Center, where you will be able to see over 800,000 gallons of ocean life, from sharks to sea turtles.
Where to Eat
The restaurants that you will find at Virginia Beach are wonderfully diverse, featuring a wide range of culinary styles. Terrapin Restaurant is chic and sophisticated, making the most of locally sourced ingredients, while Steinhilber’s Restaurant is a family-run joint that has been operating since 1939, and boasts spectacular views of the Lynnhaven River. Of course, when it comes to fine dining, the Salacia is not to be forgotten, as this menu is packed with the finest of ingredients. If you are feeling especially hungry, be sure to order the restaurant’s signature steak, which is a 22 oz bone-in rib-eye, topped with asparagus, crab meat and hollandaise sauce. If you are seeking out somewhere more casual, head to Doc Taylor’s Restaurant, which is housed in an early 20th century oceanfront cottage, and serves up delicious comfort food.
Virginia Beach is the perfect destination for a long weekend, and there is definitely enough to do here to keep you busy. Whether you happen to visit in the summer or the winter, this is a year-round destination that is set to continue to grow in popularity.