Virginia Beach??

**Jerseygirl** · 08-09-2002, 04:02 PM

We are exploring our options for a quick week away in September--last year we did Outerbanks, NC, the year before was Cape Cod, this year I'm thinking Virginia Beach. Anyone been there? Any comments, suggestions etc.?

**Rhonda** · 08-10-2002, 10:07 AM

We went to Virginia Beach several years ago and I believed we stayed at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conf. Center. We are used to doing fun-in-the-sun in Myrtle Beach, SC....so Virginia Beach was a very quiet change.

Hope you have a great trip!

Rhonda

**doodlebug** · 08-23-2002, 12:25 AM

We go almost once a year to VA Beach. We always go off-season though. You need to check and see if there are any "big" events taking place during the time you want to go; we ended up there one year during a Shriner's convention and it was pretty crowded, how we ever got a hotel room I'll never know because most stuff was booked solid.

There are no shells to pick up there, everything breaks up before it makes it to the beach; totally different than OuterBanks where there are tons of shells. There's a nice long stretch of beach great for walking and they have a super nice boardwalk for bike riding, roller blading or just walking. I love going up and down the boardwalk

There are also no sand dunes in the commercialized area. If you go during a busy event or on a weekend be prepared for lots of cruisers and some noise even into the wee hours of the morning. There are some nice outlet malls close by if you get a map from the motel or ask where they are, doesn't take very long to get to them. And the Marine Science Museum is wonderful

it is definitely worth the money in my opinion; we really enjoyed it. They have some motels that have efficiency rooms with a stove, small refrigerator, microwave, toaster, dishes, table & chairs, separate BR, fold-out sofa, etc; we usually get one so we can do some cooking and not have to eat out all the time, cheaper that way, and so we can have a room separate from dd who sleeps on the sofa bed.

This is a really good website for VA Beach that I always use to find a motel. We kind of like The Barclay Towers, we've stayed there the last couple times we went.
http://www.va-beach.com

If you go I hope you have a great time!

.

**mustang80** · 08-23-2002, 07:48 AM

If you love seafood, there is a place called Captain George's that has all you can eat seafood. You never saw so much food in your life! It's the best. DH and I waddled out of there, lol. The Norfolk naval base is nearby and also the Cape Henry lighthouse if you're the "tourist" type.

**couponchic** · 06-10-2006, 09:19 AM

My mom, sister, and I are planning a trip in July to Virginia Beach. Looking for any input in addition to what's already listed. Thanks!

**pita1213** · 06-10-2006, 03:49 PM

i live across the river from va beach and up until this weekend my sister lived in va beach. the oceanfront does have a nice board walk now and there are places to rent bikes and such. not sure of the cost of any of that though. there are surf shops there and touristy shops. in addition to the aquarium and marine science center (which is worth the trip) there is ocean breeze festival park (dh says it's ocean breeze fun park) has a water park, mini golf and go carts. i think there is a lifesaving museum out there still about the lifeguards.
there are no shells to pick up. i don't ever remember picking up shells other than tiny clam shells when we would go to the beach as a kid. there is a lot to do in surronding areas as well. busch gardens is on my side of the water as well as water country usa, colonial williamsburg, jamestown, yorktown, etc. you can take the hampton roads bridge tunnel to get to this side of the water (interstate 64) there are also some outlet malls up here.
can't help with hotels or anything because i grew up in portsmouth so we never had to stay in any of the hotels. we took day drips.
one thing about the beaches and going in the water, some of them have been closed for a bit. something to do with bacteria and pollution in the water. the hotel should be able to tell you if the beaches are open and they usually have signs up as well. if they are closed, you can usually walk along the beach but not go near the water.
check to see if there are any events going on like the arts festival, i think they still do that. artists put up booths along the boardwalk. there are some neat things to see, but if you don't like crowds, it's not the place to be when events are going on.

**couponchic** · 06-11-2006, 09:16 AM

Thanks for the reply! In my research, I found that there are some smaller more private beaches in the area, such as Sandbridge Beach. I wonder if these beaches would have shells to pick up. Also, how recently have the beaches been closed?

**Jerseygirl** · 06-11-2006, 09:21 AM

Last year we stayed at Turtle Cay resorts at the south end of VB, great little resort. We actually bought a time share at the brand new Ocean Beach Resort next to the new Hilton further north, we go after season when its a lot quieter.

**pita1213** · 06-11-2006, 03:10 PM

i don't think you are going to find much for shells anywhere you are to be honest. at least nothing whole. we used to go to the duck inn(it's closed now) and take the kids out to the beach to walk and see what they could find. mostly you just find peices of clam shells. near the piers you'll find mussel shells. you may find oyster shells too. the private beaches may have more since there aren't as many people on them, but i still wouldn't expect to find a lot.
i remember hearing on the radio a couple of weeks ago that they had reopened one of the beaches. so it's been that recent that they had been closed. you might look to see if one of the virginia beach websites to see if there is a surfing report. those are usually updated daily and would tell you which beaches are open or closed.

**couponchic** · 06-11-2006, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the info! I don't know that we'll actually be much for going in the water anyways, just some lounging on the beach. I think for any swimming that we decide to do, it'll be in the hotel pool. I'll be sure to check for reports on the water conditions, though.

**pita1213** · 06-11-2006, 05:23 PM

the ocean maybe kinda cold anyway unless teh weather decides to heat up. so far we've had a rather cool spring/summer. sometimes the weather report lists the ocean temps, but i haven't been watching the weather lately. but i would think it's rather cool for this time of year since teh weather has been cool. not to mention there tend to be quite a few jellyfish at some of the beaches.