I don’t know about you, but I’m SO ready for the summer. After months and months of cold, and ice, and snow, and more snow I’m ready for surf, sand, and lots of sun (with sunscreen of course!).
I’m planning a few trips in the coming months for work, but I’m most excited to plan two family getaways for the summer. One for my family, and a girls only trip for all the girls on my side of the family (my mom, me, my sister, and between us we have 5 daughters!).
One place that instantly came to mind was Virginia Beach, VA. Over a decade ago we visited Virginia Beach, and I still remember some of the fun things we did. After a little exploring and research I came up with a fun and family-friendly plan for a visit.
One of the big draws is the beach! Did you know Virginia Beach is in the Top 5 beaches in the United States? It ranks #4 to be exact and with good reason. Not only are the beaches gorgeous, but they also happen to be free to the public! With 14 miles of beaches from ocean to bay you’re sure to find some surf and sand to enjoy.
Family Friendly Vacation Ideas for Virginia Beach
Where to Stay:
From bare bones ‘landing pad’ motels or a beachfront mansion you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Virginia Beach for your family vacation. Prices range based on the dates you travel-with great prices and lovely weather before the official ‘beach season’ starts and after Labor Day. There are also lots of locations-if you prefer to be in the center of it all you can find hotels and condos in the Town Center, or you can head further out to areas like Sandbridge which are quieter and get in touch with nature while still enjoying the beach. Find more info on accommodation options here.
What to Do:
Beach Fun: Other than the typical beach visits for free fun including sandcastle building, jumping in the waves, you could try parasailing or surf lessons to add to your surfside fun!
Kayaking: Since Virginia Beach is right near the Chesapeake Bay there are tons of places to go kayaking or tour the area’s park lands from a kayak.
Fishing: Fishing is a fun family favorite! We’d love to do pier fishing, but you could also rent a boat to fish in the ocean or even do surf fishing!
Golf: For the golfing enthusiasts in your crew there are kid-friendly options and tons of mini golf places to visit as well as more grownup courses for the teens and adults on your trip.
Sidewalk Entertainment: One part of being somewhere new is just taking in the sights and sounds. During the summer there is sidewalk entertainment you can enjoy between browsing local shops. 7 nights a week you’ll find bands, jugglers, magicians, and other entertainers along Atlantic Avenue from 17th to 25th streets.
Free Festivals: There are so many fun and free activities in the Virginia Beach area. Look for free festivals for the whole family which will include live music, food, dancing, and so much more.
Virginia Aquarium: Head indoors for a break at the Virginia Aquarium. It’s an amazing place to visit and check out the local aquatic life. Open everyday 9am-5pm it’s an affordable and educational visit for families and you’re sure to learn about the local waterways.
Exercise: While sandcastle building or chasing kids may be enough exercise for you I always find it’s fun to take in the area on a run or via a bike ride. You can run the boardwalk for some early morning exercise or take to the bike path. If you didn’t bring your bike (or don’t want to) you can always rent a bike from a local shop.
Go Exploring: There are all kinds of places to explore, but the one I want to visit the most is False Cape State Park. It’s one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast!
Cook: I love to cook (especially if I have helpers to clean up!) so heading to The Old Beach Farmer’s Market for lots of fresh, local food is my idea of fun. Of course there’s sure to be some fun treats there as well like fresh baked goods, pies, and so much more!
Restaurants: Of course you can’t miss the local food. You’ll find some of the freshest seafood around in Virginia Beach! It’s been many years since we’ve been-so most of the places are new to us, but I’m intrigued by the food tours that are offered. For adults only I think these would be perfect for date night or a night out with my mom and sister.
Pirate Adventure: A pirate adventure on the high seas would be so much fun for the kids! Captain Jack’s Prate Ship Adventures offers fun tours for kids including water cannons, treasure hunt, and more.
For More Info:
For more information and to keep up with the latest from Virginia Beach follow them on social media.
- Facebook: VirginiaBeachVA
- Twitter: @VisitVABch
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Now who’s ready for a vacation?
Kelly
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virginia Beach via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.
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