Places to See: Virginia Beach
- Angela Umphers Rueger
- Apr 5, 2017
- 4 min read
Virginia is for Lovers, that's what they say. It is certainly a wonderful place to visit and an amazing place to live. I lived in the city of Virginia Beach as a teenager and have been to the coast on numerous occasions. In fact, my husband and I spent the first night of our honeymoon in an oceanfront hotel, compliments of some dear friends of ours. Some of the photos here on my website were taken at sunrise at Virginia Beach, which we had turned into a fun family outing. Unfortunately, on the day we chose for our photo shoot, the sky was heavily overcast. It was pretty, but not stunning. Even so, I took several photos, and we enjoyed our morning, watching the seagulls, letting the waves lap over our feet, and going to Krispy Kreme for some Hot Now doughnuts when the camera was full.
So, what is there to do in Virginia Beach? If you like the oceanfront, then you will love this city. Virginia Beach lies where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. A three-mile boardwalk stretches along the coastline, giving tourists and residents easy access to scores of hotels, restaurants, and gift shops. How about a closer look at marine life? Head over to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center to see their ocean life exhibits which include sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Die-hard shoppers, bring your wallet and check out the sales at any number of chain and local stores, as well as Virginia Beach’s three shopping malls: Lynnhaven Mall, Pembroke Mall, or the Shops at Hilltop. And history buffs, take heart: Virginia Beach has a remarkable history as well, for it is home to the First Landing State Park, which marks the location of the 1607 arrival of the Jamestown colonists from England. You can also learn more about our military history at the Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the world’s largest private collections of WWI and WWII-era military aircraft. In addition to a guided tour of the museum, you can also see an air show or flight demonstration. My daughter and I stumbled upon this place on our way home from a 5K run one morning. We were at first taken in by the “Jurassic Park” situated right up by the road. We turned in to get a closer look, and that’s when we saw the museum. While we were there, a biplane taxied to a grass runway, took off, circled around for several minutes, and returned for a smooth landing. We went inside the museum and spoke with some of the folks there, all of whom were very friendly. We even met a young man whose father had served on an aircraft carrier in the same rate as my dad. Due to a schedule conflict, we did not get to return for the air show, but it was great just getting to see these old war birds up close and personal. (The Jurassic Park was pretty cool too!)
And who doesn’t love to eat? Do I need to tell you about all the amazing seafood you’ll find in Virginia Beach? Of course, there’s food of all sorts to satisfy whatever you’re hankering for, but their fresh crab dishes are the bomb! And if you happen to be in Virginia Beach on Memorial Day weekend, be sure to visit the Strawberry Festival in Pungo. You’ll also find farms where you can pick your own strawberries. Since my birthday is in the spring, it was our tradition to go
strawberry picking, and then my mom would make an angel food cake for my birthday, and top it with those fresh strawberries and whipped topping. Delicious! And what fond memories....
Another place you don’t want to miss is the Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market. Open all year long, here you will find plenty of homegrown fruits and vegetables, local raw honey, fresh meats and seafood, awesome ice cream, a candy store, bakery, florist, and a full-service restaurant. In addition, local artisans await your visit with amazing hand-crafted items perfect as gifts or souvenirs. The Farmer’s Market also hosts craft fairs and monthly family-friendly special events, including live entertainment by local musicians. In case you hadn’t noticed, the Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market is one of my favorite spots in this city. In fact, I worked there for a summer in high school. Some of the vendors, like Creekmore’s Place, have been around since long before I found it some three decades ago.
Can you smell the salty air yet? Great! So what are you waiting for? Don’t take my word for it, go see Virginia Beach for yourself. I’m actually on my way there again myself. In fact, I’ll be there Saturday, and I hope to see you there too. But first check out their website so you'll know how to plan your visit. There’s ever so much more to see and do than just what I wrote about here. I only wanted to whet your appetite, but it’s up to you to satiate it. Have fun, and then check back here to leave a comment below about your Virginia Beach experience.
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