Virginia Beach

[Kirby]

My DH, DD, her friend (both 15) and I are heading to Williamsburg from Manassas on our trip in July. We were wanting to spend a couple of hours at the beach just so the girls could get their feet wet and say that they have been in the Atlantic. Then we are heading back up to Williamsburg for the night and the next day at Busch Gardens.

My question is where would be the best place in Virginia Beach to go? I don't live near the beach and have only been a couple of times. Is there a better place to park? How about a boardwalk? Do you pay to park? Places to eat? Boardwalk and tourist shops for the girls? Any and all tips would be most welcome!

 

[SleepyMom]

Bumping this up for you, I would be interested in the answers as well

 

[hiwaygal]

If you are only going to the beach for a day, your best bet would be to use the new "boomerang" service from the area transit authority.

You can find the info here: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/I-64/shuttle/

Using this service will save you from having to deal with tunnel traffic. On a good day, it would take about an hour to drive from Williamsburg to the beach and at least an hour back...but that is assuming you avoid the traffic snarls at the tunnel.

Unfortunately, it does mean you are there for more than just an hour or two, but I really think it's a better deal (you don't have to worry about parking or directions or anything).

Hope that helps!

 

[Kirby]

That sounds like my kind of deal! Thanks!

 

[Kirby]

After going over our itinerary, we will not be able to take advantage of the shuttle. We only want to spend a couple of hours at the max at the beach and boardwalk. So, I noticed on the map that there are two tunnels. Would it be better to take the western one? I know that it's the longer way around but since it's not the direct route, would it be better?

 

[hiwaygal]

After going over our itinerary, we will not be able to take advantage of the shuttle. We only want to spend a couple of hours at the max at the beach and boardwalk. So, I noticed on the map that there are two tunnels. Would it be better to take the western one? I know that it's the longer way around but since it's not the direct route, would it be better?

The "other" tunnel (i.e the Monitor-Merrimac) can be better traffic wise. But, to be honest, some of that can be dependent on time of day (if you are going Mon-Thurs).

My best guess...if you leave Williamsburg around 8:30am (arriving at the oceanfront around 9:30am) and leave the oceanfront around 2:00pm (no later than 3:00pm) you will arrive back in Williamsburg by 3:30pm (yes, it sometimes takes longer going westbound...weird, I know). That would give you about 4.5 hours at the oceanfront. And you can just take the HRBT tunnel (not the "other" one...the HRBT is faster).

Pay attention to the variable message signs about congestion...they are usually pretty close.

Hope that helps.

 

[ckay87]

We were just at Virginia Beach last week. This is probably my favorite beach and I don't know why. We love the bike path - it's like a freeway of weird vehicles .

I'll try to tell you where we always park. We like this spot because it's right next to the beach. If you enter via 264 you'll be headed straight for the ocean. Go all the way to Atlantic Ave, turn right and head a couple of blocks toward an amusement park on the left. I believe there's a Howard Johnson's on the left also. Anyway, there's a parking lot, also on the left, just before the amusement park. It looks small, but we're always able to park there for some reason. Maybe it's expensive. It was $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday - but we paid ten bucks at Busch Gardens a couple times last week, so we were getting numb to the parking fees.

Parking there - or in that area - will have you in the heart of all the happening stuff. VA beach's "boardwalk" doesn't have shopping like some others (also not made of boards). The shopping is on Atlantic Ave. I like this - less tempting to shell out money all day long!

Good fudge and taffy at a pier around 15th st. It's the only pier around that area with a restaraunt and a shop. Sign says "homemade fudge." Very excellent, but you have to ask for the taffy - she keeps it in the back .

Have fun - I wanna go back!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I have a restaurant suggestion. Try eating lunch at The Raven. It is on the main strip, I can't remember what block, but there should be ads for it or just check in a phone book or ask at a store. It has sandwiches and burgers and other items, they are all good. Very cool place. (There used to be an awesome seafood restaurant-Duck In, but they closed down last year.)

Have Fun!

 

[sunlver]

I live in Va beach. We live about 12 miles from the beach/boardwalk. Parking is always expensive in the summer, expecially on the weekends.I love going to the boardwalk, it makes me feel like I am on vacation ..The Hampton roads bridge tunnel can get very congested at times, but when traffic is running smoothly its an easy drive from the Williamsburg area.

 

[Kirby]

We're leaving Manassas that morning so it will be closer to noon or later before we head to Virginia Beach. It will also be on a Monday so maybe it will be less crowded?

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I wanted to toss Chicks into the fray as a dining spot--DH is from VA Beach and had told me more times than I care to remember about Chicks so when we went there for a few days it was at the top of the list for places to go----Well let me tell you we ended up eating there 3x in as many days and I was surprised by how good it was!

Plus if any in your group is a big wing fan they will love this place!

It is right on the main road and very easy to find

 

[luv2nascar]

We prefer to just go on down the road to Sandbridge when we go for the day. Quiet local beach not full of tourists and not too crowded. We will be there 4th of July weekend. My parents go everyweekend. We park right at the beach walk like 20 feet to the sand. The boardwalk is not there.

PS. My favorite dive to eat in is Mother's. I hope it is still there best matza ball soup and they have a salad with three big ice cream size scoops you can pick I believe. I always get chicken salad, potato salad, and egg salad.

Have a good time.

 

[hiwaygal]

We're leaving Manassas that morning so it will be closer to noon or later before we head to Virginia Beach. It will also be on a Monday so maybe it will be less crowded?

Monday won't be as bad as Friday...and especially going eastbound (toward the beach). But coming back (toward Williamsburg) could be slow...if you avoid the interstates during rush hours (which tend to start a little early around here because the military usually gets off work around 3:30-4) you should be okay. After 6pm you most likely won't have problems, again, just keep an eye on the variable message boards. They'll give backup information if there is any.

If I may make a dining suggestion, I would highly recommend Tautogs on 23rd Street...fabulous seafood! http://www.tautogs.com/menu.cfm

 

[Kirby]

Thank you for all the suggestions! I am so looking forward to this excursion!

 

[ozarkmom]

I don't have any suggestions I just wish I were going. I spent a big chunk of my childhood there (dad was in the Navy and was stationed there twice). I haven't been back in 20 yrs. so I know it's changed but I would love to go and take my DH and kids.

 

[tiggerlover]

Another Virginia Beacher here. I live 2 miles from the beach and about 7 miles from the strip. Parking can be a challenge at the beach depending on when you are coming, if there aren't any special events going on and since it is a Monday it shouldn't be too bad. There are a few parking garages which are nice because it puts your car in the shade, I think it runs $7, but I am not sure.....we usually go after 5pm when it is $1 for residents. There are also several parking lots that charge daily rates, I think the ones right on the beach are around $10-12, but don't quote me on that. There is also metered parking which you can use for up to 3-4 hours I believe and you get 20 min. per quarter.

The Raven that was previously mentioned does have good food, they are located on Atlantic Ave and 12th St. If you are looking for a restaurant on the boardwalk, Waterman's at 5th St. is pretty good and I have also heard that Mahi Mah's is good. If you want to go on the Inlet side on the water there is Rudy's Inlet and Rockerfeller's which is good, but slightly higher in price. I have heard good things about Dirty Dick's Crab House, but have never been and that is located there too. (Take 5th St. cross over Pacific to the end and they are all on your left).

Sandbridge is less crowded, but there really isn't anything there (ie: boardwalk, stores, restaurants, etc.) The strip has it all and then some, including surry bikes, stores, restaurants, putt-putt etc.

If you want to check out what is going on at the strip during your visit try visiting www.beacheventsfun.com for more information.

Have a great visit, Virginia Beach has a lot to offer!

 

[RachelEllen]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I'm interviewing for a job in Viriginia Beach next week. If any of you locals have any thoughts about what it's like to live there, I'd love to hear from you. (where to live, schools, weather, anything...)

Rachel

 

[isyne4u]

Another virginia beacher here...all good suggestions you have been given. I second Waterman's and rudees they both have good food.

RachelEllen....As for living in VB...I've lived here since 1978 (I was 7 when we moved here) and I love it. We have lots of great restaurants, shopping, and places to visit.

Enjoy your VB visit!! come back...we love your money!!

 

[tiggerlover]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I'm interviewing for a job in Viriginia Beach next week. If any of you locals have any thoughts about what it's like to live there, I'd love to hear from you. (where to live, schools, weather, anything...)

Rachel

RachelEllen, without a doubt Virginia Beach is a great place to live. I am a native NY'er (NY State) and travelled the world/US with DH a career Navy man and for 20 years I always said that I would move back to NY when DH retired......well that didn't happen because we chose Virginia Beach. We have lived here for 2 years and are very happy with our decision. (We also lived here for a couple of years in the 80's). The cost of living here is far better than NY, the weather is great most of the year, the schools here are top notch (2 local HS's are on Newsweek's top 100 schools in the US), the beach is great, the things to do here are never ending, the shopping, entertainment and restaurants are plentiful and you aren't far from many places to visit (Williamsburg, the mountains, DC, etc.)

Good luck on your interview!

 

[Divamomto3]

I tore my ACL at Virginia Beach. I was there for literally 2 or 3 minutes. The first wave knocked me over and my leg went the wrong way and it was a real Joe Theismann moment.

Thanks for the flashbacks.