Tell me about Virginia Beach, please...

[Mom2Em]

DH has decreed that we must take a vacation somewhere besides Disney sometime ... so we have decided on Williamsburg and Virginia Beach...

What hotels would you suggest?
Things to do? or just beach it?
Make me feel better about the tunnel bridge... I hate bridges... what is it exactly?

I am open to any and all suggestions!
Thanks!

 

[snowwhitemom]

I love Va. beach, lived there many years ago, we always stay at the Holiday Inn Sunspree, It is the last hotel on the board walk...the very end..so it is a lil more calmer and quite there, the middle of the board walk seems to be a bit more...well because of lack of a better word..Rough, alot of hoods hang out there, lots of bad language and thugs at night. You must eat at Hot Tuna and MaiMai (I know I spelled that wrong). The lighthouse has a wonderful brunch on the water, the best shopping is at Lynnhaven mall. The bridge is a peice of cake...you don't go over the water but under the water, The tunnel is still one of dd favortie things. The clarion is another good second choice for a resort , however the pool is on roof top, not on the ground and it is at the other end of the BW. If you have any questions I will be glad to help if I can.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I was in VA Beach as a little kid. Didn't like the bridge-tunnel, but I would probably enjoy it now. I remember going to Edgar Casey's library. Haven't been to Williamsburg in many years. But I remember we stayed at a really nice hotel, just don't remember which one. LOL! Can we come with you?

 

[tiggerlover]

DH and I lived there when we first got married (10/86-9/88), and I really enjoyed being there. I wouldn't spend all of my time at the beach, but would visit Waterside in Norfolk, Colonial Williamsburg and if you need your amusement park fix there is Busch Gardens which is lots of fun. Can't comment on where to stay since we lived there, but as far as places to eat we liked the Lighthouse Inn, Captain George's and there were two other places but they escape my memory right now, one of them affords the diners a beautiful view of the bridge/tunnel. If I think of them I will post later. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is a piece of cake, and a pretty view.

 

[Blondie]

There's lots to do at VA Beach, but there aren't any amusement piers (as in the Jersey Shore.)

So far over the years we've stayed at The Capes, Holiday Inn Surfside (twice) and in August at the Holiday Inn Sunspree. They have one of the best beaches on the oceanfront.

How much do you want to pay, and is being oceanfront an important part of your stay?

the middle of the board walk seems to be a bit more...well because of lack of a better word..Rough, alot of hoods hang out there, lots of bad language and thugs at night

They must come out very late at night, because we've never experienced that. VA Beach is one of the safest (in terms of security) that I've ever been too. There are cops patrolling the beach and boardwalk 24/7. Not only in patrol cars, but by horseback, 4 wheelers, choppers, bicycles and boats!

If I can be of any further assitance, please let me know!

 

[snowwhitemom]

Blondie, I am so glad to hear that you guys never ran into that problem. oh there is always alot of policeman around. I just realized that I left out a major part , this is the strip side that I am refering to.I felt safe but just did not like the vibe for lack of a better word. I have not been in a few years however so maybe it is different or different than my experiences I should say. I have gotten hooked on Hilton Head since the Disney resort came

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by Blondie
So far over the years we've stayed at The Capes, Holiday Inn Surfside (twice) and in August at the Holiday Inn Sunspree. They have one of the best beaches on the oceanfront.

I need to correct myself...I meant to say that the Holiday Inn Sun Spree has one of the best outdoor pools! The beach is nice too, but for those who like to spend some time pool side, it's the place to be! Has a nice little poolside bar too!

The brand new Marriot Courtyard Oceanfront North also has a very nice outdoor pool, but it's all squeezed into a very small area off the side of the hotel. I guess there's only so much land to work with!

Snowwhitemom, we're never out on the strip too late at night. I don't doubt that some ruckus can go on, but we've never experienced it. We mainly stick to the boardwalk.

 

[pentex]

We must have stayed in the thug part of town...we stayed at the Hilton on the shore two years ago. We had booked for four nights and left after 1 1/2. There were police around on the streets all the time, and a lot of "thug" like people around even in the hotel. The people in the room next to us were playing rap music on their balcony with horrible language until 2 am, and sat out there smoking pot. Not the best atmosphere for kids.

My DH went out to buy sandwiches one evening and saw two guys getting arrested on the strip in front of Subway's. That's when he came back and said, "We're leaving". We left on our second evening and never looked back.

Don't know if we picked bad luck timing (4th of July weekend) or bad placement on the strip but it was such a bad experience, we will never return to VA Beach. Sad because we used to love it there.

 

[Blondie]

Yes, you were in the middle of the action...which is why we choose to stay at the northern end of the beach. It's very quiet.

That Hilton you stayed at is now a Quality Inn!

 

[snowwhitemom]

Now that Pentax mentions it ...It was the 4th of July for us as well, So sorry I left out that part and when I lived there I was tooo busy with work and life to get to go to the beach.

 

[becka]

Sorry I can't help you. I don't know anything about Virginia Beach except for the fact that DH was born there.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We went to Virginia Beach in August, 1994 where we rented a house which was right on the water. We went with my Brother and his family and my oldest Sister and her family.

The house itself was around $1200 for the week, which was affordable since there were 3 families that were splitting the costs.

I, personally, would never rent a house again . . .I rather stay in a hotel and have someone come in every day and clean my room and make the bed. It didn't feel much like a vacation.

We went to "the strip" every night. We had a blast! I didn't see any thug like people, mostly tourists . . .there was this Haunted House located in a warehouse which was pretty fun. We also went to Busch Gardens and one day we went to this HUGE mall because it was raining.

I, too, was actually thinking about driving back down to Virginia Beach this coming Summer and this time heading over to Williamsburg which I think would be pretty cool!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We love the Cavalier! It is past the end of the Boardwalk (not too far). It is a "resort" with an oceanfront tower and a historic hotel. I've only stayed in the oceanfront tower. It is a great resort, they have live entertainment on the oceanfront deck, a nice oceanfront outdoor pool, and a great little cafe. The staff is wonderful.

 

[atlnewf]

What about little kids? Would a 4yo enjoy the boardwalk area?
(I know he'd love Busch Gardens, but I don't think I'd spend a week there..)

Ashley

 

[polyfan]

The ocean has terrible rip currents. Red flags seem to be up half the summer. There has been alot of work done to make the beach area larger, and there are more activites now.
We have lived here for 16 years. Busch Gardens is nice and clean.

 

[CindysGusGus]

Glad to see all the good reviews about Va Beach, usually people have something negative to say. I grew up there and now live 4 hours west. There is a lot to keep you occupied. I do want to warn you though about the Holiday Inn Sunspree. It is a great hotel but find out how much of a hold they will put on your credit card if you plan on using it for anything else on your trip. We stayed there last December and I put 2 rooms on my Visa check card. The total for 2 nights 2 rooms was 450 something. They held 800 on my card (which was Christmas money for shopping that weekend). They told me that it was just in case I wanted to eat their food or make a few calls. It would have been nice to be told up front for the hold on my account. So just a warning if you stay there. Have fun and Enjoy!

 

[abaldacci]

Stay to the north end. 30th and above. My FIL had a condo there at the Oceans and it was at 40th and atlantic very nice down that way. Eat at Ravens and The jewish Mother Their is also a place that has great food Taste unlimited. great chicken salad. And cookies. They have lots of things to do Ice skating and water park. Malls go to the pottery too. If you have any questions you can PM me. I like it there alot, but i have only stayed at the condo, Goodluck The cavilier next door always looked nice.
I know you would not have any probelms there.

 

[Mom2Em]

You guys are giving me some great ideas!!

To answer a couple of questions... DD is 5, we really want something oceanfront but are planning our trip for Spring or Fall, during DD's intersession at school... swimming probably won't be a priority because of temps but we definitely would love to relax looking out at the ocean.

 

[*Flower*]

Lynnhaven Fish House has GREAT she-crab soup, and their hush puppies are the best I've ever had!!

We lived there for 20 years, and had plenty of off the beaten track haunts.
The Lighthouse restaurant has gotton kind of touristy, but their Pineapple Rum Slush drink is GREAT!!

Taste Unlimited does sandwiches to order, and always have a good selection of take out entrees. Their Onion Rye bread is baked in the shop(all their breads are), and DElish!!

Happy Planning!!!