See a different side to the city as you explore all of Virginia Beach’s diverse districts!
Your Guide to Our Unique Coastal Community
When you first think of Virginia Beach, your mind escapes to a coastal paradise with our three-mile boardwalk as the centerpiece. The oceanfront resort area provides incredible options for shopping, dining and entertainment. Beyond the beach, our diverse districts provide a deeper look into the unique personality of this destination.
Heart of the Resort Area
A hub for accommodations, dining and entertainment, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the epicenter of your vacation experience. From sunrise to sunset, you’ll see both locals and visitors alike biking, jogging or walking along the boardwalk. Whether they’re getting some exercise, grabbing a bite to eat or listening to live music, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk always has something going on.
Over 100 restaurants tempt your tastebuds, day and night. Nightly entertainment abounds with live music on the Oceanfront parks and stages, as well as street entertainment the whole family will enjoy along Atlantic Avenue. Stop for ice cream at one of the many creameries or hop on an amusement ride and the resort area’s boardwalk fair-style amusement park.
The area also boasts lodging accommodations with incredible
water views. Sleep just steps away from some of the city’s best eateries and attractions.
Sandbridge Beach
Just 15 miles south of the resort area is a quiet retreat comprised of rolling sand dunes on miles of pristine beach. Sandbridge Beach used to be a local’s secret hideaway, but with a number of stunning beach-front properties, it has become a refuge for both locals and visitors looking to escape the bustling boardwalk and even the perfect spot for a second home.
Spend a day at Little Island Park at the southern end of Sandbridge Beach. The 2,000-foot swimming beach will give your family plenty of room to have some fun in the surf and sand. Cast your line off the 400-foot fishing pier, with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, or head to the nearby Back Bay for more fishing and crabbing.
Sandbridge Beach is the perfect place to get your fix of the Atlantic Ocean while relaxing in a more natural setting and experiencing Virginia Beach’s local appeal.
Chesapeake Bay Beach
Just north of the Oceanfront, off Shore Drive, is the Chesapeake Bay Beach area, known to locals as Chic’s (or Chick’s) Beach. From floating in the shallow waters to kayaking or paddleboard through the marshlands, enjoy all of your favorite beach activities right here while also finding ways to dive into history.
Spend the day at First Landing State Park and explore the 19 miles of hiking trails or enjoy an ecological kayak tour. Chic’s Beach also offers historic attractions like the Cape Henry Lighthouse where you can climb to the lantern room and capture sweeping views of the water. Or visit the site where the first permanent English settlers landed in 1607.
Shore Drive is a road filled with dining and shopping options when you visit Chic’s Beach, whether you’re planning to park there by car or by boat. Many restaurants also offer live entertainment making Chic’s Beach a popular spot for local nightlife. Chic’s Beach’s tranquil shore complements the bustling seaside community just steps from the beach.
Just over the Lesner Bridge, the Brock Environmental Center celebrates the area’s pure, coastal setting through sustainability and education. Park at the Brock Center and explore the miles of wooded and beach trails that are free and open for everyone to enjoy. Pleasure House Point Natural Area boasts 188 acres of waterways to launch a stand up paddleboard or kayak into.
Atlantic Avenue
The doorstep to the Oceanfront resort area, Atlantic Avenue is a hub for activity, attractions, shops, restaurants and hotels. Extending from the Jetty, near Rudee Inlet, all the way up to the North End, Atlantic Avenue is the perfect place for visitors to begin their Virginia Beach vacation. Just off the boardwalk, Atlantic Avenue grants access to it all.
Family friendly and full of fun, Atlantic Avenue has attractions and activities for all ages and interests. Visit one of the local museums, housed in historic buildings, with exhibits that will educate and entertain. Entertainment abounds on Atlantic Avenue. During the summer, ending Labor Day weekend, find street performers dotting the sidewalks of Atlantic Avenue. There are also arcades, themed mini golf courses and so much more.
One of the highlights of Atlantic Avenue is the array of dining and imbibing options available. You can have a meal overlooking the boardwalk and ocean, while sipping a handcrafted cocktail or refreshing Orange Crush. Don’t forget to finish your meal with a sweet treat from one of the nearby candy shops or ice cream parlors.
ViBe Creative District
Vibrant, creative and one of a kind, the ViBe Creative District is Virginia Beach’s arts and cultural neighborhood. Just blocks from the Oceanfront, the ViBe District is a playground for local artists and a centerpiece for locally owned restaurants, shops, museums and more. The ViBe District aims to promote, support, connect and inspire Virginia Beach’s arts and creative industries. Click here to read more about the ViBe District.
Town Center
As you drive to Virginia Beach from I-264, it’s nearly impossible to miss the tallest building in the state of Virginia. The Westin Tower stands as a beacon in Virginia Beach’s Town Center. Escape the sand for the tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly streets and modern flair of Town Center.
Browse through chic, locally owned boutiques selling the latest designer wear, an art gallery, family-friendly entertainment center and much more all within a few city blocks. Take in a movie at the nearby theater or indulge in an amazing meal at one of Town Center’s many restaurants. The scene doesn’t quiet down once the sun sets either. Town Center has vibrant nightlife, with plenty of people hopping from place to place. Most guests frequent a cocktail bar, Irish pub, pizza place or comedy club into the wee hours.
Whether you want to spend the day exploring with your family or enjoy a romantic evening with a loved one, there’s so much to do at Town Center. Click here to read more about Virginia Beach Town Center.
Pungo
Simplicity at its finest, Pungo is a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Virginia Beach’s tourist areas. Conveniently located from NAS Oceana and Sandbridge, Pungo is filled with locally cultivated charm. You probably wouldn’t even guess that you are so close to the beach when venturing through the rural land. Amidst the acres of farmland, this area is known for farm-to-table dining, pick-your-own produce opportunities and locally owned shops.
Past the paved roadways are inlets, marshes and plenty of country to explore. Launch a kayak from Munden Point Park, on the North Landing River, or paddle through the marshy wetlands of Back Bay.
Take a day trip to Pungo, in southern Virginia Beach, for homegrown goodness and adventure in this laid-back community.
