If sandy beaches are your idea of vacation bliss, don’t miss a trip to Virginia’s only oceanfront beach town. For a waterfront vacation just hours away from NoVA, check out these places to stay and things to do in Virginia Beach.
Where to Stay
Check in at The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, a restored 1920s landmark that comes with access to a private beach club and its own distillery and spa. You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical getaway under a private cabana by the infinity pool looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. It also has a pool bar and beachside menu for your convenience. For a lively atmosphere, the Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a winner, and it’s close to The Dome Virginia Beach, an indoor-outdoor music venue that opened in May and hosts big-name music and comedy acts. It’s located inside Atlantic Park, a brand-new, 10-acre, $350 million mixed-use development backed by music artist and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams. It includes a 2-acre surf lagoon that can generate up to 1,000 surfable waves per hour.
Outdoor Adventures
For waters on the gentler side, head to the Chesapeake Bay side of Virginia Beach. The calm bay beaches are ideal for families with young children. And the little ones won’t forget a Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour. Operators like Chesapean Outdoors run the two-hour excursions that get you up close to wildlife while pointing out local landmarks like the Cape Henry Lighthouse, the fourth-oldest lighthouse in the country. Epic views can also be found at The Nautilus Tower at Owl Creek Landing, another new attraction. The fully ADA-accessible outdoor climbing structure circles to 65 feet and features the nation’s largest steel slide that brings you back down to Earth.
This story is part of our July Explore Virginia by Train issue. Check back as we share additional weekend trips in Virginia that are just a train ride away.
Feature image courtesy Visit Virginia Beach
This story originally ran in our July Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
