3 Days of Fun in Virginia Beach
Looking for a perfect family beach destination? Within driving distance of Washington, D.C. or points south, Virginia Beach offers the perfect beach vacation. With an incredible beaches and bays, as well as proximity to Norfolk, Virginia, families can find something for everyone in this East coast beach town.
Although Virginia Beach is a year-round destination, the city and activities come alive from May through September. While it might be tempting to stay on the beach and jump over the waves or build sand castles, there are so many fun things to do in Virginia Beach. This three-day itinerary offers the perfect balance of relaxing, playing and adventure time.
Day 1: Relax
After unpacking in your hotel, spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the beach, pool and boardwalk. If you are staying at Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, use this time to relax after your trip on the beautiful rooftop pool deck. With both indoor and outdoor pools, a jacuzzi and a bar, the stress of traveling will melt away overlooking miles of beach and oceanfront.
Day 2: Beach and Bay Time
Play on the Beach
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront offers free beach chairs (two per family) on a first-come first-served basis. The wide beach is perfect for building sand castles, riding the waves, taking a long walk or people watching.
Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Virginia Beach
We opted for a two-hour tour of Linkhorn Bay with Atlantic Paddle Source. The tour includes a lesson for anyone new to stand up paddle boarding and guides you through the water past beautiful homes and incredible wildlife.
Although I had tried stand up paddle boarding before, I knew I was not ready for the open water of the ocean and appreciated the serenity of the inlet. For those in my family that had never tried, our instructor and tour guide was exceptionally patient. Because my daughter was too young to paddle board on her own for two hours, she happily rode seated on the bow of our guide’s board. (Typical age recommendation starts at 12-years old.)
Get out of the sun with a movie and dinner
Getting out of the sun can be a good idea during a beach vacation to prevent sunburn and exhaustion. The Beach Movie Bistro provides a perfect alternative to being outdoors if it’s too hot or rainy. With seven different screens, this family-friendly activity feeds and entertains the whole family for a great evening.
Day 3: Be Adventurous
Learn to surf
Learning to surf has been on my bucket list for a long time, and the folks at Surf and Adventure offer private and group lessons in Sandbridge, where there are fewer crowds. There are even surf camps during the summer for children if you are spending a week or longer in Virginia Beach.
The only trick to surf lessons is that they are weather dependent. Sadly, it was too windy for our family to take our lessons, but Surf and Adventure also offers kayak trips and stand up paddle boarding in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Get Up High at Virginia Beach Adventure Park
Visiting families looking for things to do in Virginia Beach with kids can experience the ultimate thrill at the Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium. The aerial ropes course offers adrenaline pumping fun with zip lines and platforms scattered in the trees for year-round fun.
Favorite Restaurants in Virginia Beach
After all of these activities, finding a great meal is key to keeping everyone happy. In addition to the delicious Catch31, one of the restaurants at Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, here are a few of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach:
- Tautog’s Restaurant
- Doc Taylor’s
- Big Sam’s Rawbar
- The Leaping Lizard Cafe, 4408 Shore Dr., featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
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