Images provided by ViBe Creative District
Situated between the sandy Oceanfront and inland Virginia Beach is vibrant neighborhood bursting with color and personality. The ViBe Creative District, stretching from 16th to 22nd Streets, is a cultural enclave of restaurants, artists, craftsmen, fitness, shops and more. Local artisans are inspired by this creative community and look forward to sharing their passion with you.
The ViBe District embodies Virginia Beach’s eclectic spirit. You’ll quickly discover this as you stroll along the one-mile ViBe Mural Walking Tour. Over two dozen wall murals, created by local artists, decorate the buildings of the ViBe’s local businesses. This easy walking tour not only gives you a chance to soak up the aesthetic of the ViBe District, but will also make for great backdrop in pictures. With each step you take, you’ll be surrounded by lively art on the crosswalks, roads and sidewalks.
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s always something happening within the ViBe District. Stop by on the first Friday of the month for First Fridays, an event featuring artist pop-ups and special events. Browse homegrown and handmade goods at the weekly Old Beach Farmers Market. Visit a local gallery for a show or a nearby restaurant for happy hour.
Image courtesy of Chesley De Leon
The Face of ViBe
The ViBe Creative District has revitalized an area of Virginia Beach that’s been too long forgotten. Businesses that have made their home in the ViBe are as colorful and creative as the 45 public art murals that now decorate the fence line of 18th Street Parklet. And since 2015, 24 new businesses opened in the District.
Since ViBe is an arts district, what would the area be without incredible art! The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, exhibits some of the most significant and impactful art of our time, offering a diversity seldom found in the arts community. These modern pieces offer insight into the age we live in. ViBe also houses smaller studios, like The Artists Gallery. This location is an artists’ cooperative, managed by the creative tenants themselves.
However, the creativity extends beyond the visual into the palatable. Creative restauranteurs have anchored themselves within the District, offering exciting dining and imbibing experiences. ViBe has become a mecca for local foodies.
Start your day at Mary’s Kitchen. A local favorite, Mary’s Kitchen has been dishing out home-cooked favorites, for breakfast and lunch, for over 60 years. Craving a high-quality, handcrafted burger? Barrel 17 serves mouthwatering wagyu beef burgers piled high with an array of toppings for you to choose from.
The area is buzzing with locals and visitors dying to try craft beers, incredible spirits and delicious cocktails. Chesapeake Bay Distillery creates incredible spirits, with the craftsmanship you’d expect from a ViBe resident.
Bad Ass Coffee and other coffee roasters have made the District a go-to destination for some of the best coffee in Virginia Beach. ViBe also contains mainstays you’ll recognize, like Zero’s Subs. Zero’s began making oven-baked subs in 1967 and has become an institution in Virginia Beach.
Yet the variety of businesses is not limited to arts and dining. You can find everything from antiques to fine jewelry at Superior Pawn. There are also charming boutiques and shops where you can purchase handcrafted products. Shop unique items with bohemian flair at Gypsy Soul Boutique. This is the perfect place to shop if you’re looking for something to wear for a day on the beach or a night out.
Find all of your home improvement needs, as well as bikes for peddling the boardwalk, flowers, plants and more, at Best Value Hardware.
The ViBe Creative District is bringing diversity and vitality to the Oceanfront. Talk a walk off the beaten path and you’ll find the creative renaissance of the ViBe.
For more information on the ViBe Creative District, visit ViBeCreativeDistrict.org.
