Virginia Beach Essentials

Beaches

visitvirginiabeach.com/visitors/beaches/

“Virginia Beach is actually three beaches; something for everyone” says a spokeswoman for VisitVirginiaBeach.com. Action-packed Resort Beach is backed by the famous 59-block boardwalk. Chesapeake Bay Beach fronts the tranquil, shore-lapping estuary. Along the southern shore, Sandbridge Beach offers a secluded, rustic environment bordering a wildlife refuge.

The great outdoors

visitvirginiabeach.com/visitors/articles/state_national_parks.aspx.

Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Virginia Beach’s state parks to explore 4,000 acres of rustic greenery, trails, maritime forests and marsh habitats, secluded shorelines, and wildlife refuges, filled with masses of marine life and hundreds of bird species, including bald eagles, piping plovers and a snow geese population of 10,000.

JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park & Playground for EveryBODY

Boardwalk & 2nd Street, jtwalk.org

Josh Thompson, a local surfer battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, inspired this vibrant, handicapped-accessible beach playground with cushioned equipment and beach-access walkways leading to the sea. “Originally, kids were the focus; but it also serves disabled veterans and seniors who have difficulty navigating the sand,” says Billy Ennis of Virginia Gentleman, the park’s foundation.

Military Aviation Museum

1341 Princess Anne Road, 757-721-7767, militaryaviationmuseum.org

Junkers, Avengers, even Spitfires — if Snoopy and the Red Baron got together to reminisce, history buffs would meet them here. This airport-museum exhibits spectacularly restored American, British and German World War I and II fliers; many were flown by the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Daredevils can even schedule a ride.

Kayak Nature Tours

89th Street, 757-480-1999, kayaknaturetours.net

Eco-adventurers braving paddle treks through sea swells out where the Chesapeake meets the Atlantic will be rewarded with close-up encounters with frolicsome bottlenose dolphins. “I’ve been sprayed in the face by them,” says tour guide Kevin Fonda. “And there’s also great wildlife on our sunrise and full moon river paddles.”

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Blvd., 757-385-3474, virginiaaquarium.com

Cownose rays, sand tiger sharks and komodo dragons are some of the 300 species living in Virginia’s largest aquarium, featuring 800,000 gallons of marine exhibits, live animal habitats, native plants, ocean reef and aviary. The Behind the Scenes tour is just one of an array of exceptional programs for every age.

Pleasure House Oysters

3211 Lynnhaven Drive, 757-663-6970, pleasurehouseoysters.com/tours

Take the oyster-farming boat tour on the Lynnhaven River to sample native oysters.

Farmer Chris Ludford leads the touchy-feely Chefs Table tour where, “outfitted in waders, you stand knee-deep at a dining table and reach below the water to harvest fresh bivalves at your feet,” says Ludford.

The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium

801 General Booth Blvd., 757-385-4847, virginiabeachadventurepark.com

Looking for a cool time in the trees? This aerial adventure park offers a variety of treetop trails where thrill-seekers ages 5 and up can coast through the air on zip lines and climb from bridge to bridge, or along elevated ropes courses, ranging beginner level to expert.

Cape Henry Lighthouse

583 Atlantic Ave., Fort Story, 757-422-9421, preservationvirginia.org/visit/historic-properties/cape-henry-lighthouse.

“This was the nation’s first federally funded lighthouse — the first time that our brand-new Congress got together to build something as a government,” says Jennifer Hurst-Wender of Preservation Virginia. From the top, sightseers can catch panoramic views of the first settlers’ passage from the Atlantic Ocean into the Chesapeake Bay.

New Earth Farm

1885 Indian River Road, 757-536-6102, newearthfarm.org

Adults can shear sheep and learn how to make cheese, kombucha, noodles and other dishes using local and seasonal ingredients, while immersing themselves in farm life at this educational working farm. Cooking classes at the farm’s Food Lab are taught by some of the area’s top chefs.