There’s more to Virginia Beach than sand and waves. Now, travelers can explore the treetops at Owl Creek Landing. The city’s new outdoor attraction boasts the longest steel slide in the U.S.
Owl Creek Landing officially opened over Memorial Day weekend, but construction delays pushed back the slide opening until mid-August.
The Whorl Slide measures more than 170 feet long from top to bottom. Adventurers climb up the Nautilus Lookout Tower, which stands at 65 feet tall, to find the entrance of the twisting slide.
The slide isn’t the only adrenaline pumping activity at the outdoor adventure attraction. In addition to the slide and lookout tower, which is ADA accessible, guests have access to the Canopy Walk, treehouses, walking paths, and education stations.
Before you make your way to the top of the tower, explore the Canopy Walk. The suspended trail is 30 to 40 feet above the ground, giving guests a new perspective to the tree-covered grounds. The treetop trail also leads to the Children’s Treehouse Village, designed for children 2 and older.
Daytime visits offer amazing 360-degree views overlooking 38 acres of woods. But don’t sleep on visiting after the sun goes down. At night, the trails are illuminated with a special display and will also include seasonal light shows.
Owl Creek Landing is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located behind the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s South Building. General admission is $13 for children ages 3 to 9, $18 for children ages 10 to 13, and $28 for ages 14 and older. Tickets also include unlimited access to the slide, but riders do need to be at least 55 inches tall to ride. Parking is $5 when visiting between April 1 and October 31; it’s free when visiting during other months. 801 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach
Feature image courtesy Owl Creek Landing
