Three Beaches. One Vacation.

Welcome to Beach! We are so excited to have you! Below are some suggested beaches, must-see attractions and dining experiences. The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Web site, www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com, is the official source for travel information to Virginia Beach. Visitors can also call 1-800-VA-BEACH to request a complimentary vacation guide. The official Facebook page is Visit Virginia Beach, Instagram is @visitvabeach, Twitter handle is @VisitVABch, YouTube account is VisitVABeach, and you can also follow the Virginia Beach Pinterest page.

Please be sure to hashtag your photos with #visitvabeach as well as #VBbaylife, #VBresortlife and #VBislandlife when you're visiting any of our three distinct beaches.

Virginia Beach’s Three-Beach Experience Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the , Virginia Beach promises visitors a unique chance to “Live the Life,” with three distinct beach experiences boasting more than 35 miles of sandy shores for families to discover, suitable for adventure travelers and beachcombers alike. In addition to beautiful beaches and an iconic three-mile boardwalk, the coastal city boasts an energetic downtown district, abundant parks and waterways and mild weather, giving rise to an active lifestyle and flourishing local culture.

RESORT AREA At the Oceanfront Resort Beach, from 1st to 40th Streets, families can enjoy a stroll along the iconic three-mile oceanfront boardwalk, lined with hotels, museums and more. Take a surrey ride along the separate bike path that lines the boardwalk or simply build sandcastles in the sand. When strolling down the boardwalk, be sure to visit Grommet Island, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, the Old Coast Guard Station and King Neptune, a 34-foot-tall cast bronze statue of the mythological sea god – an ideal spot for snapping a selfie or family photo. The area also features a fishing pier, an active inlet and plenty of opportunities for biking, boating, kayaking, parasailing and paddle boarding. Local restaurants range from coastal cosmopolitan to crab-and-oyster shacks.

Suggested Attractions

The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium is the largest of its kind in Virginia and features multiple zip lines and aerial ropes challenge courses, perfect for thrill-seekers ages five and up. 801 General Booth Blvd. 757-385-4947 | 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. weekdays & 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. weekends www.virginiabeachadventurepark.com

Explore the ocean depths at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia’s largest aquarium and one of the most visited in the nation. The Virginia Aquarium chronicles the state’s various aquatic and marine environments throughout time and features more than 800,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, as well as an outdoor nature trail and aviary. View more than 300 species of animals, including the Komodo dragons, exotic cobras, the endangered Tomistoma freshwater crocodile, spotted eagle rays and many more. 717 General Booth Blvd. 757-385-FISH (3474) | Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.virginiaaquarium.com

iFly Virginia Beach, the city’s first indoor skydiving complex, opened January 2015 in the heart of the oceanfront resort area. The $49-million project includes an iFly wind tunnel that provides a safe and protected way to experience the same thrills as a free-falling skydiver. 2412 Pacific Ave. 757-747-8045 | Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m.; Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. 1

www.virginiabeach.iflyworld.com

October through May is a prime time for visitors to go horseback riding on the Resort Beach. During the fall and winter months in Virginia Beach, riders can ride down the scenic shorelines through the Oceanfront resort area and beyond. Beyond the beach, experienced equestrians and first-time riders can explore nature throughout the city during guided trail rides all year long. 31st St. at the Oceanfront on the beach 757-289-5470 | Thurs. - Mon. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. www.virginiabeachhorseback.com/#!services/ckqh

Observe bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat aboard the beautiful 65-foot Rudee Flipper’s dolphin- watching boat trips. Learn about dolphin social behaviors and the latest research studies. The boat tour leaves from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. You must arrive at least 30 minutes before the trip to purchase tickets and make sure you secure your spot on the boat because they fill up fast! 200 Winston Salem Ave. 757-425-3400 | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. www.rudeetours.com

Suggested Dining Experiences

Big Sam’s, a local favorite located right on Rudee Inlet next to the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, is perfect for a casual, delightful breakfast, lunch or dinner. They specialize in seafood, breakfast specials, happy hour specials and appetizers, in addition to daily chalkboard specials. 300 Winston Salem Ave. 757-428-4858 | Breakfast, Open daily 7 a.m. – 2 a.m. www.BigSamsRawbar.com

Since 1989, Rockafeller’s Restaurant has been one of Virginia Beach’s favorite dining landmarks - beloved by locals and tourists alike for its casual elegance and simply fresh local fare. Relax in rocking chairs on their covered decks or try out their extensive oyster bar. 308 Mediterranean Ave. 757-422-5654 | Mon. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. & Sun. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. www.Rockafellers.com

Enjoy an early dinner at Waterman’s Beachwood Grill, where you will get a gorgeous view of the Atlantic. Dine on fresh seafood straight out of Waterman’s legendary Hardwood Grill. Family owned and operated since 1981, Waterman’s Beachwood Grill is certified by Virginia Green and offers a sustainable seafood round table meal. 5th St. and Atlantic Ave. 757-428-3644 | Lunch 11 a.m. - 4pm, Dinner 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. The bar stays open later than the kitchen, depending on volume of business. www.watermans.com

CHESAPEAKE BAY BEACH For beach-goers looking for kinder, gentler waves, refuge can be found along the scenic Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Beach provides ideal waters for splashing and swimming in the gentle waves. The area is home to local hotspots, oyster farms and dockside seafood restaurants that offer incredible sunset views over the Lynnhaven River Inlet. Visitors can catch not only the sunset but also the sunrise from the same shore, thanks to the beach’s ideal location. The Chesapeake Bay Beach also carries American history within the , the first lighthouse commissioned 2 by George Washington, and , where the Jamestown colonists first landed when they arrived in the New World.

Suggested Attractions

Visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse, located on Fort Story, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It is the first lighthouse structure authorized, fully completed and lighted by George Washington and the U.S. federal government. Adults 18 years and older must present photo identification at Fort Story’s Main Gate. 583 Atlantic Ave. 757-422-9421 | Open daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.preservationvirginia.org/visit/historic-properties/cape-henry-lighthouse

Although Virginia Beach beckons sunbathers and sandcastle-builders, the resort city is a wonderland for outdoor activities that are perfect for families. Explore First Landing State Park, where 100 English settlers landed on April 26, 1607 before pushing up the James River to found Jamestown. The 2,888-acre park fronts the Chesapeake Bay, features 1.25 miles of beachfront and more than 19 miles of interpretive trails through protected salt marsh habitat, freshwater ponds, beach, dunes, forest, tidal marsh and cypress swamp. A registered Natural Landmark, First Landing is the most visited state park in Virginia and contains one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest. 2500 Shore Dr. 757-412-2300 | Grounds and trails open daily - 8am until dusk www.visitvirginiabeach.com/visitors/articles/first_landing_state_park.aspx

Suggested Dining Experiences

As one of the first seafood restaurants in Virginia Beach, Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant & Crabhouse has a long- standing history of delivering fresh and succulent seafood dishes. Bubba’s Marina is an institution on Shore Drive, with its open porch overlooking the Lynnhaven Inlet. This is one lunchtime view you won’t want to miss. 3323 Shore Dr. 757-481-3513 | 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. www.BubbasSeafoodRestaurant.com

Chick’s Oyster Bar is a favorite “dive” of locals and residents alike for some fresh Lynnhaven oysters. At Chick’s, enjoy tranquil views of the Lynnhaven Inlet while watching boaters cruise by. The restaurant even offers boat-side service – guests can tie up their vessel and enjoy Chick’s famous dockside service. Known to have some of the best seafood in the Mid-Atlantic and a seemingly unending supply of oysters, sit back and relax on the covered decks to enjoy the view and delicious, local flavor. 2143 Vista Circle 757-481-5757 www.chicksoysterbar.com

Bay Local, the newly opened shabby chic restaurant, specializes in breakfast, lunch and brunch made from locally sourced ingredients. The modern, oceanic feel is an added bonus. 2917 Shore Dr. 757-227-4389 | 6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. www.facebook.com/baylocalvb

SANDBRIDGE BEACH

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For more secluded shores, Sandbridge Beach – nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge – provides sheer serenity. In lieu of hotels, visitors can unwind in breathtaking ocean-view rental homes or condominiums and experience an island-like lifestyle. Those craving even more of the outdoors can explore trails, marshes and the open waters of and the Back Bay by taking biking or kayaking excursions through the wildlife refuge or surfing and paddle boarding lessons from local outfitters.

Suggested Attractions

Take a tram tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a 9,108-acre refuge made up of barrier islands, dunes, beach woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forests, ponds and ocean beaches. 4005 Sandpiper Rd. 757-721-2412 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/back_bay/

Take a trip with Surf & Adventure and experience beautiful Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge by kayak. Enjoy the pristine waterways and catch glimpses of raccoons, opossums, grey and red foxes and muskrats. Encounter herons, osprey, bald eagles, kingfisher and colorful birds throughout the marshes as turtles and snakes sun themselves along the waterway banks. See the wonders of nature at their very best. 577 Sandbridge Rd. 757-721-6210 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. www.surfandadventure.com

Take a tour of New Earth Farm, a sustainable and educational working farm, offering chef-led harvest & cooking classes as well as Food Lab classes where attendees learn how to make cheese, noodles, kombucha and more. 1885 Indian River Rd. 757-373-3219 | Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. www.NewEarthFarm.org

Take a tour of the Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the largest private collections of WWI and WWII era military aircraft in the world. The museum’s ongoing mission is to preserve, restore and fly these historic aircraft and to give a new generation the experience to learn what their fathers, grandfathers and great- grandfathers might have endured on the lonely airfields and in the skies so very far from home. Group tours of the museum can be led by a veteran pilot or Rosie the Riveter. Your tour will take approximately two hours. The museum closes at 5 p.m. 1341 Princess Anne Rd. 757-721-7767 www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

Suggested Dining Experiences

Watch the sun go down while munching fish tacos or other delicious bites at Baja Restaurant, a staple of the Sandbridge Beach oceanfront for nearly 40 years. 3701 Sandpiper Rd. 757-426-7748 | Wed. - Sun. 5 p.m.; Sun. Brunch 10 a.m. www.bajavb.com

Blue Pete’s, located in Pungo on the beautiful Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, is a local favorite offering guests the opportunity to kayak or canoe to the dock, then enjoy a crab boil or whole hog BBQ with live music. 4

1400 N Muddy Creek Rd. 757-426-2278 | Mon. & Tue. CLOSED; Wed. - Fri. 5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 12 p.m. www.bluepetespungo.com

Have lunch at Margie & Ray’s, which was established in 1964 as a small country store and tackle shop which was owned and operated by Ray and Margie Blanton. The store was passed on to their son Thomas in 1997 when it was renovated into a small seafood restaurant. Over the past several years, Margie & Ray’s has become known as one of the top seafood establishments in the southern end of Virginia Beach. 1240 Sandbridge Rd. 757-426-2397 www.margieandrays.com

DOWNTOWN DISTRICT Virginia Beach Town Center, spanning 17 city blocks, is always buzzing thanks to a fun mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. Grab a bite to eat a local eatery, shop upscale boutiques and enjoy world-class performers at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. www.towncenterofvirginiabeach.com

Indulge a little at a chocolate tasting at The Royal Chocolate. The locally owned shop offers a great assortment of sweets including their own line of Royal Chocolates and Gourmet Apples. 164 Central Park Ave. 757-557-6925 | Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. www.TheRoyalChocolate.com

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We hope you enjoyed your visit to Virginia Beach! Come back to see us soon!

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