Headed to VA Beach with my wife and two kids for four days. Staying at a Homeaway in North VA Beach up from the Boardwalk area. I've only been there once - way back in college and remember nothing.
Any recommendations for restaurants, things to do, places to go, etc? Thanks!
Blue seafood and spirits (Restaurant )
Go visit the Aquarium there
Go to Trip Advisor App for other ideas
Have a great time!
Rich
1) If you like beautiful walking trails (especially this time of year), then First Landing State Park is a place you must go to. I will probably be heading over there this weekend for the bike trail.
2) If the kids are a little older and into history, then the Virginia Aviation Museum is awesome.
3) Favorite Historical Home tour - Ferry Plantation House. Super cool. There are others, but this one is my favorite by a wide margin.
4) The aquarium was mentioned. Motorworld is good for kids. Also, IFLY.
5) Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton.
6) If it's still open this late in the year, the Rudee Rocket Speed Boat Cruise is really great.
I can think of more things to do and restaurants if needed. Have fun.
Any excellent - semi-casual- restaurants to suggest?
And what will the beach be like?
Any excellent - semi-casual- restaurants to suggest?
And what will the beach be like?
Temperatures are dropping, so it will be so-so depending on the day. Too cold for swimming now (at least for me). I was there last weekend to ride my bike. There were still people at the beach soaking in the sun, but no one was swimming.
You can also rent bikes and ride the bike path. It starts at 40th street and ends at 2nd street. It's a little shy of 3 miles each direction.
Semi-casual - really more casual - I really like Chick's Oyster bar (mentioned above). It's a great setting and the food is pretty good. Rudee's restaurant and Cabana bar is also very good. That's casual too.
The Yard House at the VB town center is fun, but that will be a 20 minute drive for you. I don't eat all that often right at the oceanfront. I am more familiar with the restaurants that are closer to the VB town center (right near my house). Heading down to Granby Street or Waterside in Norfolk would also be good options. That would be about a 30 minute drive, but it has a very different feel than VB. Granby street is pretty cool on a Saturday night. Plenty of good dining options. It's worth checking out Norfolk one day. The battleship Wisconsin is very cool too.
I love steinhilber's, but it ain't cheap!
PGA! Hey bud. Great to see you! Everything well?
Cool. Enjoy your trip. I love living here. If there is anything else you are looking to do, just ask!
Jessy’s Taqueria - it’s on Shore Drive over by Joint Base Little Creek so out a bit from where your staying. Very legit Mexican food, locals not touristy.
+1 to Rick5’s recs of Il Giardino and Coastal Grill, and a big +1 to Dunedin for the Skrimp Shack in Newport News. They do a Crab Meat & Shrimp Po’Boy that I’ll go well out of my way for.
Going to be great weather for the next week, enjoy!
Three Ships Coffee-very good coffee, and very close to a fun little spot called the world's smallest museum (literally the size of a small foyer filled with fun little kitschy things). But anyway the coffee at Three Ships is very good.
Citrus-nice spot for breakfast
Sugar Shack-their donuts are BALLER. Really good donuts. If you can catch them on the weekend (earlier the better), you might luck out and get fresh fritters. Their fritters are the stuff of legend, in my opinion.
Laser Quest in the Lynnhaven area is a fun place to go play laser tag. Very nice two level arena. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, they have "Iron Man" rounds, where you play for 30 min. per round. Lots of fun.
Baker's Crust-really good food, also a decent choice for breakfast (or anytime)
The pizza scene in VB isn't amazing overall, but Primo Pizza is very damn good. The pros get the meatball parm, though. All time pros get a meatball parm AND a pizza to share. The spinach pie is awesome, regular pies are also very good.
Ghent in Norfolk is also a cool area
My wife and I looked at some oceanfront properties from Hampton (Bay front I guess) to the VB tourist area and are seriously considering purchasing something here.
Jessy’s Taqueria - it’s on Shore Drive over by Joint Base Little Creek so out a bit from where your staying. Very legit Mexican food, locals not touristy.
+1 to Rick5’s recs of Il Giardino and Coastal Grill, and a big +1 to Dunedin for the Skrimp Shack in Newport News. They do a Crab Meat & Shrimp Po’Boy that I’ll go well out of my way for.
Going to be great weather for the next week, enjoy!
When I said they make my favorite sandwich in the world, I was referring to that one. And their shrimp tacos are awesome.
My wife and I looked at some oceanfront properties from Hampton (Bay front I guess) to the VB tourist area and are seriously considering purchasing something here.
Very cool. My wife and I moved here in '99 and our plan was to move back to NY in 3 years if we didn't like it. After 3 years, we had no desire to move back to NY. I think it's a great place to live.
There are tons of transplanted NYers living down here. That's one of the things I like.