Picture this: a morning sky awash in pastels, a glittering sea with rhythmic waves gently breaking, a flock of pelicans gliding above the ocean’s surface. Suddenly you see a sand dollar glistening in the sand, an early-morning prize. You inhale the fresh sea air and time stands still — if only for a moment — on this picture-perfect morning on your Virginia Beach vacation.
While most tourists flock to the beach in summer, savvy beachgoers know that autumn and spring are also ideal seasons to visit Virginia Beach. With temperatures averaging in the 60s and 70s, it’s still warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities. Yet the busy crowds of summer are gone, and the city takes on a lazier vibe — less hectic, more natural. You’ll find yourself slowing down, connecting with nature, and sharing moments with your loved ones that you’ll cherish forever.
But there’s more to a Virginia Beach vacation than just the shore. Recently Newsweek named Virginia Beach one of the top 25 beach towns, calling it “a quintessential coastal city.” If you love the outdoors you’ll find lots of things to do in Virginia Beach, like hiking, biking, and kayaking to keep you and your family happy, whether you visit in spring, summer, or fall.
First-rate annual festivals, such as Beach Music Weekend and Stars & Stripes Celebration, keep families happy in summertime. But don’t miss shoulder-season events like the NAS Oceana Air Show and Neptune Festival in September and the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival in May. There’s always something going on in Virginia’s largest city!
Natural Encounters
Families love the Virginia Aquarium, where you come face to face with 300 species of animals, including sharks, rays, harbor seals, river otters, loggerhead turtles, and komodo dragons. Besides the variety of exhibits and aquatic life, the aquarium offers scenic trails, an IMAX theater, and a café that promise a fun-filled day of learning about nature with your kids.
For another up-close encounter with nature, plan to visit Virginia Beach’s First Landing State Park, where trails wind past moss-draped cypress trees and over ancient sand dunes. Rent bikes along the boardwalk, pack a picnic, and head north to the park’s entrance at 64th Street. A 5-mile trail, level and well maintained, provides a serene setting for a family bike ride. In early fall and late spring ocean temperatures are mild, so include some chill time on the beach. Swim, splash, take photos, or bring a good book for a relaxing afternoon on the shore. Of course, building sandcastles is part of your Virginia Beach vacation fun.
If you’re ready for a thrill, rent a personal watercraft from Rudee Inlet Jet Ski or fly through the air with Adventure Parasail. Hankering to hang ten? Take a private surf lesson with Surf and Adventure Co. and catch a wave after only one lesson. Or join a kayaking tour along Back Bay’s picturesque waterways, where bald eagles perch among the upper branches of loblolly pines.
Love to fish? Try charter fishing offshore, where tuna, wahoo, sailfish, swordfish, or blue marlin could be among your day’s catch, or head boat fishing, perfect for families.
If you just want to enjoy a leisurely boat ride, join a dolphin watching cruise or sunset cruise, available March through October with Rudee Tours, or if you visit in winter, catch the whale watching tour. Marine wildlife experts accompany the tours, ensuring an educational experience for everyone. It’s one of the top things to do in Virginia Beach.
Whether you’re seeking a laid-back nature getaway or an action-packed adventure, a Virginia Beach vacation delivers family fun.