More of a city than a beach, Virginia Beach is among the most popular cities in the State of Virginia, and actually the largest in the so-called Hampton Roads region. Sitting on the Atlantic, Virginia Beach is said to attract over seven million tourists each year, most of them from outside the state and the nation at large.
Sometimes called Neptune City, or the Resort City, Virginia Beach is home to numerous attractions and things to do, from beaches to parks, a historical lighthouse, cultural festivals, museums, aquariums, and even botanical gardens. This is to say that it might take days if not weeks to fully explore this gorgeous city.
But what if you’re visiting Virginia Beach for only a day or two?
Here are some of the best places you can check out to make your short visit to Virginia Beach worthwhile.
Go To a Nearby Flower Garden
Besides boasting 35+ miles of scenic coastline, Virginia Beach is also home to several public parks and flower gardens that lovers of nature might find nothing short of captivating. Talk of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Chesapeake Arboretum, lotus Garden Park, the Red Wing Park, the Gold Petal Farms, and more – lovers of greenery and nature will be spoiled for choice as far as botanical gardens in Neptune City are concerned.
If you happen to be visiting in spring, don’t forget to visit the Greenbrier Farms, which allows you to actually pick tulips. You might just have the chance to duplicate these incredible tulip bouquets available for delivery by the Bouqs Co.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Would you rather spend time exploring and learning more about the wild? If so, the Back Bay Refuge can be a great pick.
Sitting on an 8,000-acre piece of land, a trip to this freshwater refuge can be rewarding and memorable. The 1938-established facility lets you experience the best of sand dunes, wetlands, coastal forests, ocean beaches, and freshwater marshes. It’s just spectacular.
Spend Time on the Beach
As you can tell from the name, Virginia Beach offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the oceanfront life, play water sports, go fishing, sunbathe, and engage in other water activities.
If you’d rather spend your limited time at the beach, there are many ocean and lake beaches in VA Beach to choose from.
Here are a few that might catch your eye and make your visit worthwhile.
- Virginia Oceanfront – Best for beach hotels and ocean life
- Sandbridge Beach – near the False Cape State Park
- Chic’s Beach – Just under 30 minutes drive from Virginia Beach Oceanfront
- Little Island Park – Near Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
- North End Beach – Lots of resorts nearby
Spend Time in Norfolk
Located to the southeast of Hampton Roads, there’s more to Norfolk than just being the planet’s largest naval base. This part of Virginia Beach is home to some of the most captivating art-themed and cultural attractions. Besides offering many places to wine and dine, Norfolk’s waterfront serves as a Waterside Festival Marketplace.
Its two regional shopping malls provide visitors with a chance to make their trip memorable by taking some souvenirs home. This is not to mention the likes of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Chrysler Museum, the Virginia Zoo, and many other attractions located here.
Considering the city’s many offerings to visitors, a trip to VA Beach is worth every minute. But if you don’t have a lot of time to spend in The Resort City, you can still make the trip worthwhile. The above are just some of the many places you can go to make your trip memorable.
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