If you’ve been thinking about doing a week-long trip but are having a super hard time figuring out exactly where to go, Virginia Beach is the perfect place to refresh, reset, and revitalize. The coastal views will blow your mind away: the savory whiff of the salty sea breeze and the sparkling sunsets are unmistakable. Virginia Beach has the most vibrant nightlife, so you can either dance the night away in a club or enjoy a couple of drinks while you laugh away the evening; your nocturnal adventures will be just as thrilling as your daytime explorations. And while the hotels and restaurants aren’t super fancy, who needs them to be, anyway?
Virginia Beach is just 3 and a half hours south of the nation’s capital and within a short driving distance of many eastern, southern, and central U.S. cities. It’s the most populated city in Virginia, which gave us some of the most striking pop culture figures, like Michael Vick, Missy Elliot, Sandra Bullock, and Arthur Ashe. Virginia was almost home to its own Disney theme park, but it never came to be, so if you want to be a “worthy” parent, order a Loungefly pin backpack bag for each of your kids to ensure they won’t be missing anything or be upset about your derailed vacation plans.
Perhaps you’re wistfully longing for a meaningful travel experience – you want to learn, discover, and experience culture. Turns out you’re lucky because Virginia Beach is where expression thrives through visual art and lively stages.
These are the top cultural experiences to add to your bucket list:
Stop By the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
It can be both an educational and entertaining activity, so be prepared to be impressed, shocked, and inspired. Get away from the mundane everyday routine to effortlessly soak in information by stepping inside a historical, modern, and traditionally preserved establishment that tells intriguing stories of local pride. The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art changes exhibitions from national to local artists every now and then, so you get the chance to admire the sculptures, paintings, ceramics, glass, and photography produced by people within the community. You’ll discover art that’s out of the ordinary, that’s to say, perpetual, on edge, and to die for.
Learn About Virginia Beach’s Rich History of Past Hauntings
Depending on where you’re headed, you might come across some of the original inhabitants of Virginia Beach. They were here first and outlived everything else. The stories of the past talk about pirates, witches, and other ghosts that come out to play as the day fades away, bent on scaring the living, breaking their sense of what’s real and what’s not. As one of the oldest colonial settlements in America, not to mention one of the original 13 colonies, Virginia has plenty of ghost stories that continue to live on, tales of unexplained phenomena that linger in the collective consciousness to be forever remembered.
The Princess Anne Country Club is by far one of the most haunted places in the coastal city, and this spooky location is worth your time, whether for its beautiful architecture or fascinating history. As the story goes, the spirit of a bride haunts the premises, and you can hear music from the 1920s in the country club’s halls. Whilst renovation work was being done, construction workers swore they could eavesdrop on the sounds of” clinking” glasses and silverware being set in the dining room, feeling a ghostly presence that sent shivers down the spine. If there’s nothing you love more than a scary story, go on a ghost tour and explore the spooky side of history.
Explore The Cultural Value of the Street Art on The Oceanfront
Street art is a surprise in that you don’t know the artist, but you can feel their emotions because artwork conveys their specific narrative, often eliciting a similar emotional response in the audience. You can’t stand but awe at the extraordinary murals nestled in the Oceanfront area, a much-needed arts enclave that draws in artisans of all disciplines. To see the unique art forms in all their splendor, embark on a leisurely, one-mile tour – it’s a must for anyone visiting. Discover the beloved K-9 mural on 21st Street and Atlantic Avenue, but avoid spring break or summer weekends when there are too many crowds.
Go To a Play and Support the Local Theatre
Going to the theater is a one-of-a-kind experience you can’t replicate at home, so immerse yourself in the art and culture because it’s far too easy to lose sight of just how magical life can be. Right next to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, there’s the Zeiders American Dream Theater, an integral part of the local community that provides audiences, young and old, various artistic experiences. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the show would be great. Events include plays, musicals, concerts, cabarets, and community events (e.g., open mics for spoken word or music).
While in Virginia Beach, you might as well stop by the Little Theatre of Virginia, which stages the works of talented young writers and selects plays based on artistic merit only. It’s conveniently situated a few miles from the boardwalk, sitting at the intersection of 24th Street and Barberton Drive. The theater is open from Friday to Sunday all year round, with 5 productions in the regular season. Don’t miss the chance to see The Murder at Haversham Manor, written by Susie H.K Brideswell and put on by the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, if you’re looking forward to hours of gut-bustling laughs in great seats.
Wrapping It Up
Virginia Beach has some of the best cultural venues and experiences, and it’s a destination that won’t break the bank, so you can live large while living out your travel dreams. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to capitalize on the cultural offerings of the city you’re exploring, this one’s definitely for you. How would you rate Virginia Beach’s culture scene? In case that wasn’t clear, it has something for everyone, so roll out your suitcase and start prepping for your next trip.
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