Category: Virginia Beach

ViBe Creative District

By Kelsey Thomas

You can’t miss the ViBe Creative District that is nestled near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and surrounded by unique neighborhoods that are full of personality and charm. Perhaps the area stands out to you for its bright, colorful and artistic appearance or maybe for its surrounding street names, like Baltic and Mediterranean to name just a few, that make you feel like you’re driving along a Monopoly gameboard. Whatever it is that you notice first, it’s no secret that the area will certainly grab your attention. 

The ViBe District embodies an electric spirit intertwined with the laid-back attitude of the Virginia Beach resort area, showcasing vivid and locally crafted art while presenting itself as a small business gateway made up of beachy vibes. Boasting tons of restaurants and eclectic shops lining the streets, you can’t ignore the over two dozen wall murals that were designed by local artists and decorate the many buildings of small businesses. Consider taking part in the one-mile ViBe Mural Walking Tour to learn about the area and admire the various murals. It’s also the ultimate place for Instagram-worthy photos, with pops of color that make for the perfect backsplash in any picture. The area also hosts many events throughout the year, like the weekly Old Beach Farmers Market, various art shows, pop-up shops and some of the city’s best happy hours. 

Get to know the ViBe… Read More!

The Green Energy Capital of the East Coast

By Kelsey Thomas

Something is definitely in the water in Virginia Beach. In fact, that something is so powerful that it is expected to provide energy for up to 660,000 homes, create at least 1,100 jobs and bring the region closer to achieving our net-zero emission goals. Virginia Beach is now home to the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm, owned by Dominion Energy, that has giant wind turbines stationed 27 miles off the coast.

The Program
Currently two turbines stand in the Atlantic, towering at 600 feet above the water line and an additional 201 feet underwater and below the ocean floor, making them impressively taller than the Washington Monument. The pilot program is expected to host 180 turbines by 2026 that stand at 800 feet above the water line and will produce 14 MW of electricity each, according to Dominion Energy’s eastern region policy director, Bonita Harris.

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project is committed to delivering clean and renewable energy and avoiding carbon dioxide emissions. While this is only the second offshore wind project in the nation, it is the largest and the first wind farm in federal waters and the only one to be owned and operated by a United States utility company (Dominion Energy). 

The Perks
It’s no surprise that the project plays a major role in steering us in the right direction environmentally. With all 180 expected turbines, 8.8 million MW of wind power per year will be generated to the grid, all with zero carbon emissions. That means greener and cleaner air. 

The location of the turbines in the ocean also brings the benefit of more marine life, attracting fish and the development of marine life on the structures, further boosting the recreational fishing communities that are so vital to Virginia Beach. 

The project even brings an incredible number of new jobs to the area, as about 150 full-time Dominion Energy employees will be needed to operate the wind turbines. It is also expected that there will be an annual average of 900 additional jobs for the construction and 1,100 new jobs for the operation, according to the Magnum Economics Study commissioned by the Hampton Roads Alliance. 

Locals and tourists alike can marvel over the sight of the giant towers when they venture out on the open waters by boat or on a tour to see the incredible phenomenon. With the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm living in the Atlantic, it’s safe to say that Virginia Beach is destined to become the green energy capital of the East Coast.

Learn more at DominionEnergy.com.

Come SEA beyond the surface at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and encounter the region’s most beloved residents while learning to preserve and protect wildlife and the marine environment. Catch a selfie with a friendly sea turtle or be awed by magnificent sharks swimming directly over your head. Meet eye-to-eye with Komodo dragons or peek below the water to find endangered Tomistoma. Try one of our many hands-on exhibits or take a short stroll on our nature trail along Owls Creek and surround yourself with Virginia wildlife.

Book a behind-the-scenes tour for the most exclusive experience at the Virginia Aquarium. Guided by experienced educators, walk behind the exhibits to get a closer look at the animals and state-of-the-art technology and learn about the team’s animal behavioral training techniques and the vital role it plays in animal care. Peer above the exhibit to observe aquarists conducting behavioral training with our sea turtles, watch Komodo dragon feedings behind the scenes, or learn about the water quality process and filtration systems behind the Chesapeake Bay aquarium, a 50,000-gallon aquarium that cycles 600 gallons of water per minute.

If you are seeking more adventure, reserve your spot on an Aquarium Boat Tour. Come aboard for an unforgettable excursion in search of Virginia’s most common and charismatic marine mammal, the bottlenose dolphin. As you search for dolphins feeding and playing along the surface, learn from our knowledgeable educators about other coastal animals like majestic seabirds, curious sea turtles, and unique fish species.

Reserve your timed entry today. Reservations can be made online at www.VirginiaAquarium.com.

By Kelsey Thomas

Virginia Beach is lucky to be a city that is always growing and evolving. Whether it be with new developments or new attractions, the area thrives off refinement and restoration.

Virginia Beach Sports Center
The recently completed multi-sport complex is the East Coast’s newest and largest indoor sports complex and is expected to drastically impact off-season tourism in a positive manner. With youth sports, adult sports, various events and tournaments, state-of-the-art facilities and more, the Virginia Beach Sports Center attracts both local and traveling sports teams. 

The complex is located less than a mile away from the resort area and features a 200-meter indoor hydraulically banked track, 12 hardwood basketball courts that can transform into 24 volleyball courts, versatile meeting and flex spaces, concessions and seating for up to 5,000 spectators. It also houses several competitions throughout the year, like the Neptune City Classic that will take place June 11-12 and the Feast Jam and Sneaker Slam happening Oct. 29-30.

The AVE Program Colored the Oceanfront
The pilot program called The AVE, standing for “Activate, Visit, Experience,” is dedicated to helping the city of Virginia Beach make improvements that benefit both locals and tourists alike. One of their major projects included sprucing up the resort area while also making the designed spaces more functionable for businesses and the public. 

Artists flooded Atlantic Avenue between 17th and 20th Streets to paint murals down the commercial strip. New walking and bike paths can be found beaming on the sides of the road and vivid parklets, or outdoor entertainment spaces, now serve as a brilliant multi-purpose area where visitors can rest or enjoy outdoor dining.

The Laskin Road Bridge Replacement & Widening Project

With construction that began in 2019 and expected to be completed by spring 2023, this project maintains efforts in enhancing roadway safety and increasing capacity of both drivers and pedestrians. 

Starting at Republic Road and extending through the First Colonial Road intersection, the Hilltop area is a heavily traveled spot, as it is just minutes from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and boasts restaurants, small businesses and high-end stores. The improvements will open the road into an 8-lane highway, with 3 lanes accommodating bikes and two wide sidewalks on each side.