Virginia Beach

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Coastal Virginia Insiders Notes

A travel journal to Virginia Beach by nlnaigle

A locals note about Coastal Virginia and nearby things to do.

  • 9 reviews

Coastal Virginia Insiders NotesBest of IgoUgo

Overview

In Virginia Beach: Farmers Market, Jake's Barbecue, Marine Science Museum & IMAX.

In Norfolk: Nauticus, Waterside, McArthur Mall and McArthur Memorial Museum, the Rover Sailing Cruise--casual--or Spirit of Norfolk--nice dining--(all within walking distance, a fun day), Naval Base Tours, Azalea Gardens, the Norfolk Zoo.

Just 1.5 hours away..the beautiful outerbanks of NC..down 168 bypass and stop at Southland for wonderful homecooking and on the way stop at the Monster Truck Grave Diggers shop!

Only 1.5 hrs west and you are at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA and Colonial Williamsburg!

Quick Tips:

Don't miss an opportunity to venture just an hour or two north, west, or south to lots of other nearby fun.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you are staying at the oceanfront, there is a trolly that will scoot you around the oceanfront, and you could make a fun week without ever leaving there...but I recommend a car so you can venture to some of our nearby exciting spots!

Southland BBQBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Southland BBQ -NC/VA Border"

Southland has a grill in the store or a restaurant with home-cooking. The best Fried Chicken and Country Fried Steak EVER!! Most dinners are around $6-$7 and include 2 veggies and rolls or yummmy cornbread. If you are a smoker you will want to visit the discount cigarette store next door.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Southland BBQ
168 Bypass at North Carolina Line Virginia Beach, Virginia 27958
(252) 435-6247

Jake's Smokehouse BBQBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Jakes Smokehouse BBQ"

Casual...great barbecue. They have a Family Feast that is around $30 that feeds 4. It includes chopped or sliced bbq, ribs, brisket and chicken...along with corn on cob, slaw, beans, bread and a big old basket of fries. Oh, if possible, save room for Banana Pudding!

Jakes is locates south of the oceanfront on General Booth Blvd just past the Kmart. There is a movie theatre nearby. It gets crowded...so go early or late! Oh..one bad experience..if you have a group of over 5 for smoking..it's a problem. They only have booths for smoking, so large parties with smokers will have their smoking friends hanging outside the door. We lived through it..the food was worth it.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Jake's Smokehouse BBQ
1784 General Booth Blvd Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
757-721-7850

Virginia ZooBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Virginia Zoo"

The Virginia Zoo just went through a lot of renovation. Www.virginiazoo.org. It is only about 20-30 minutes from the oceanfront. The new Africa exhibit is exciting, and although this is a small zoo, I think you will enjoy it. While you are downtown...I recommend going down Monticello Dr to Doumar's Drive-In for a bbq or ice cream. Mr. Doumar invented the waffle cone and the original equipment is still out front on the curb. There is inside seating or attendants come to your window and deliver your order. A special sundae called the Ringo is yummy with crushed waffle cones in the bottom. Have a fun day!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Virginia Zoo
3500 Granby Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23504
(757) 441-2374

Ghent Antique Courtyard CafeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Ghent Antiques"

Granby Street is spattered with Antique Shoppes. Some are within walking distance..but we generally scooch the car along the way. After a fun day of antiqueing you could go to the Painted Lady for lunch. A large 3 story row house painted crazy purple and pink is known for its cuisine and tea room. They also have a neat shop on the top floor.

If you are looking for something less formal for lunch...Doumar's on Monticello (east one street over) has great bbq and ice cream, or on 330 West 21st Street the Bakers Crust has the best sandwiches you will ever taste on fresh bread!!

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Ghent Antique Courtyard Cafe
1400 Granby Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23510
(757) 625-2790

Virginia Beach Farmers MarketBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Farmers Market is a great place to stock up on local produce...but we especially like the specialty shops in the Farmer Market circle and in the adjacent row. It looks like one big house or building but is broken up into about 8 shops and a cafe. We always find something interesting. There is also a large specialty candle shop there.

While at the Farmers Market...just across the street is Princess Anne Park..a park for kids that hosts lots of local events. Further west, Princess Anne Road will take you to some retail shops and grocery stores.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Virginia Beach Farmers Market
3640 Dam Neck Road (Princess Anne and Landstown Road) Virginia Beach, Virginia
(757) 385-4395

Fuller School of MassageBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

340.7132 Fuller School of Massage offers one hour student massages for very affordable rates. They have lots of rooms (maybe 12-15??), and they are decorated in themes....relaxing music and trained students are earning their hours towards certification. I have never had a bad massage there! An inexpensive way to pamper yourself after your husband runs you ragged on vacation...heck leave him with the kids for an hour!! Easy to find, too. VB Blvd is the main artery in Virginia Beach. PS...they have rooms with 2 tables if you and a friend want to have it done at the same time!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Fuller School of Massage
3500 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
(757) 340-7187

McArthur MallBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Lots of neat stores like Williams Sonoma for the chef in you, Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, Nordstroms. Don't forget to stop in the Lindt Chocolate store for a free sample. Good places to eat like Cheesecake Factory. Castaldi's is excellent Italian, or dine at the Nordstrom Cafeteria. A fun day of shopping. A movie theatre is on the premises. Also across the street is the McArthur Memorial, or catch a boat cruise walking distance to the Rover 2-hr sailing cruise, the Spririt of Norfolk, or take the ferry over to Portsmouth.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

McArthur Mall
City Hall Drive Virginia Beach, Virginia
(757) 627-6000

Local ShopsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

If you take 64 to the 168 bypass (pay the toll) to the NC line, you can enjoy lunch at Southland Family Restaurant on 158. Proceed on 158 which will take you all the way to Nags Head and the Outer Banks...but along the way there are local produce market stands, the Monster Truck GraveDiggers shop and store, local antique shops, and on the left you won't want to miss the Cotton Gin. The Cotton Gin is a big, old, red building/barn that is full of neat decorating, linens, kitchen, art and clothing. A real specialty type place. If you make it all the way to Nags Head..you can hang a left at the coast and go down to Duck..some beautiful homes and neat little shops and the Sanderling resort...or hang a right towards Kill Devel Hillsa and see the Wright Brothers Memorial or even hang glide from Jockey's Ridge. I prefer to watch! The fishing pier is fun to watch them reeling em in.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by nlnaigle on September 2, 2002

Local Shops
US 158 Virginia Beach, Virginia

About the Writer

nlnaigle
nlnaigle
Chesapeake, Virginia

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