Pictures and Descriptions. (Scroll Down)
I want to take this trip, what details should I know? Details and Trip Planning
Virgina Beach on July 4th.
Ok, Virginia Beach on the 4th of July is not something that would usually appeal to me, but I was looking for someplace to get lost in the crowd and people watch. Bonus points if I didn't have to overthink or over plan it. The Answer? Virginia Beach.
First up, if you are going to the Beach Stay ON the Beach. This goes double if you are going to Virginia Beach with one of the best boardwalks around. As they put it "The Virginia Beach Boardwalk, at the Oceanfront, is a 28-feet wide marvel that stretches three miles from 2nd to 40th Street and features a separate bike path, ideal for strolling, rollerblading and biking.". Double down on this if you go over the 4th of July weekend. Why fight the crowds when you can see the fireworks from your room. Add live music and entrainment events on the boardwalk nightly and this seems less expensive when you consider the room is part of your entertainment cost.
And last but not least, just a shout out for a couple of great Restaurants.
Zoes has incredible steak at a great price. Chix, a fantastic Tuna Steak Sandwich, and if you are going south to the Aviation Museum it's hard to beat the Bee & Biscuit.
Zoes (Steak)
Chix on the Beach (Seafood)
The Bee and Biscuit (Breakfast)
Boardwalk
As I said the Virginia Beach boardwalk is hard to beat. Take a walk, a ride, or see a show.
The King Neptune Statue while impressive is just one of dozens of statues that line the boardwalk and small adjacent parks along its length.
Want to ride bike, or maybe ride with a friend, or a group of friends, or maybe a skateboard, or rollerblades, or a hover board it more your style? Heck, what if you want someone else to do the work, or you are just waiting to see Elvis. Either way, The boardwalk has you covered.
Catch a free show with the "The Wreck of the Dictator" or "1619: When Destinies Collide". If smaller live performances are not your thing then see one of the large concerts just a couple blocks down. Personally I was impressed with the smaller local performances. Amazing what you can just "stumble on" when walking down the boardwalk.
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Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Located about 30min South of the Board walk is the "Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge". If you want to get away from it all, and I mean REALLY get away, this is a great place for some short hikes. It's mostly marsh and sand, so they have some mixed boardwalk and paved trails, but the one that caught my attention was the dunes trail with a new rubberized mat with a distinctive blue color. I can't find any information on it, but I'm thinking it might be for handicap accessibility. In any case it makes for a striking picture and a very pleasant walk to the ocean.
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Military Aviation Museum
A great way to spend a few hours. The draw is how close you are able to get to the planes. Makes photography a challenge but makes for a nice museum.
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Fireworks
Fireworks from your balcony. Hard to beat.
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