Virginia Beach

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A Local's Suggestions on what to do in Virginia Beach

A travel journal to Virginia Beach by Nana

The Chesapeake BayMore Photos

I've always loved the ocean, so one day I packed up and moved to Virginia Beach. There I found a city full of warm sunshine and fun activities to keep me busy. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants and beautiful beaches to make any visit memorable. I have a few suggestions I always make to friends from out-of-town.

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  • 1 story/tip
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A Local's Suggestions on what to do in Virginia BeachBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The Chesapeake Bay
There is always something to do in my town of residence. If you like the beach, art or music, you will be as happy as a clam in Virginia Beach. There are great sunsets over the Chesapeake Bay that will suit the romantic in you. There are also lots of family friendly activities available for anyone with children.

Quick Tips:

Make hotel reservations early if you ever plan to visit Virginia in the high-season (May-September). If you have the time in the Fall, visit in September or October when the crowds are not as large and lodging is cheaper. The beach is still suitable for swimming, and you won't be jostled by a zillion tourists.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will need a car.

ChambordBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "La Chambord"

La Chambord is a quiet place to go with a date. The food is excellent and the wine list is quite extensive. While the cuisine is French, the service will not remind you of the service you would get in Paris. It is much better! The service is never slow, always top-notch, yet a couple can still sit a while and enjoy each other's company in front of the fire without feeling rushed. I would suggest a meal to you, but I always try something new whenever I visit La Chambord. I have never been disappointed by anything on the menu, and the deserts are sinful.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Chambord
324 North Great Neck Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
498-1234

RudeesBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Rudees is a very popular seafood restaurant with locals and tourists alike. You can begin your meal by sitting outside on the sundeck and enjoying the Key West flavor of the atmosphere or you can walk the docks and look at the boats while waiting to be seated. Once inside the restaurant, you will find the food to be tasty with large portions. The menu consists predominantly of seafood, but there are also chicken and steak selections. Rudees is actually known for having the best steamed shrimp in all of Virginia Beach. I have eaten at most of the restaurants in the area, and I concur. While you would enjoy an evening out with a spouse or date at Rudees, families are most welcome.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Rudees
227 Mediterranean Ave Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
(757) 425-1777

Rockafeller'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Rockafeller's is a restaurant that is very popular with both locals and tourists. They have a wonderful prime rib special on Monday nights that I would highly suggest to anyone. Rockafeller's is located at Virginia Beach Marlin Club (also called the Marina) so that you can sit and watch the boats go by while enjoying your meal. Rockafeller's is famous for its homemade desserts, especially the coconut cake. I would say a slice is a must-order upon any visit to this restaurant as the Rockafeller recipe is even better than my mother's (shhh)!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Rockafeller's
308 Mediterranean Ave Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
(757) 422-5654

Various FestivalsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Virginia Beach is ALWAYS having a festival of one kind or another going on somewhere in the city. If you like music, art, or just having a good time, you should check with the vistors' center for scheduled events. In fact, anyone visiting the area should stop by the visitors' center anyway as there is a free book of coupons for local attractions and restaurants available for the asking. My personal favorite is the Neptune Festival in September. There are outdoor music concerts, an art show on the Boardwalk, a wine tasting at an oceanfront park, and even an air show at the nearby Oceana Naval Air Station. I also enjoy the Beach Music Festival. Well known beach music bands perform at a stage built right on the beach so you can drink your beer and shag to the music on the sand!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Various Festivals
Throughout Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, Virginia

Air America ParasailBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

If you're in the Virginia Beach area, you will surely want to take advantage of all of the watersports available to you. While going to the beach is always fun, renting a boat for a day or spending an afternoon parasailing is exciting, too! I remember my first time parasailing. I chose to use a company called Air America Parasail, and I was in for quite an adventure! I was hooked into a lifevest and a harness and then attached to a parasail. The boat moved forward, and I was lifted into the air off the back of the boat. I was pulled along at least 500 feet in the air and enjoyed an incredible view of the water---schools of fish teeming under me---and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront from a wonderfully unique perspective. It was an unforgettable experience. This kind of activity is going to cost you around $60, but you will have made a memory you won't soon forget. I know this is especially true because there is a framed picture of me in my boyfriend's office enjoying my time in flight. Air America takes photos of you (which you may purchase) from the boat as you enjoy yourself in the air.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Air America Parasail
227 Mediterranean Avenue Virginia Beach, Virginia
(757) 428-1240

Miss Virginia BeachBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Miss Virginia Beach is a large vessel that takes people out on the ocean for dolphin watching in the summer and whale watching in the winter. There are guides from the Marine Science Museum who are extremely knowledgeable about the marine life in the area. They also serve as spotters. It is a great thrill to be on an expedition and see a juvenile humpback whale breach completely out of the water. Boats are mandated by law to maintain a certain distance from a family of whales, but my experience has been that our boat has always gotten close enough to experience the true wonders of nature. I would highly suggest this activity to anyone with a family or someone desiring to go out for a pleasant afternoon on the water.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Miss Virginia Beach
200 Winston-Salem Avenue Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
(757) 491-8000

SandbridgeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Sandbridge Beach"

If you want to go to the beach that is not crowded like I often do, you would want to go to Sandbridge. You will not find a lot of the amenities that are available at other places such as jet skis and volleyball, but you will be able to enjoy surf in the sun in solitude. If you walk far enough down the beach you can actually see remnants of shipwrecks. Get a good book, sunscreen, and a beach umbrella to enjoy a nice morning by the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Nana on August 6, 2000

Sandbridge
South Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, Virginia

Rudees Inlet Station MarinaBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

If you happen to have a boat or are arriving by boat to the Virginia Beach area, you should plan to dock your boat at Rudees Inlet Station Marina. All facilities that you would need are available, and all transient boats are welcome. It is within walking distance of the oceanfront, and two of the finest seafood restaurants in the area (Rudees and Rockafeller's) are on the premises. I have met the proprietor as well and find him to be very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I have even known him to give people rides to the grocery store in his truck if they need to go buy food! He goes out of his way to meet any needs of boaters docked in the Marina.

About the Writer

Nana
Nana
Virginia Beach, Virginia

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