Yorktown vs. Virginia Beach

[Kirby]

We leave in just four days. Yay!!

Anyway, still trying to make a decision on Virginia Beach. As I've stated in another thread, we are staying in Williamsburg and thought we would take a drive down to VB after we check in to our hotel.

I am concerned with the comments I've read here and on tripadvisor about the traffic through the Hampton Roads tunnel.

I have heard that there is a small beach in Yorktown. Now, it's not VB but does anyone know what it's like? Would it be worth going there instead of risking the stay in traffic? I am interested in more than just beach time. I know the girls will want to do some window shopping.

Also, if the HR tunnel is quite congested, what is the Monitor-Merrimac tunnel like? Is it as busy? Is it too out of the way to drive through there to get to VB?

I know that I have a lot of questions. Any information you give me is greatly appreciated!

 

[Pop Daddy]

go where the action is

 

[Kirby]

 

[sunlver]

I live inVa Beach. The HRBT does tend to get backed up, depending on what time a day you through it. Normally on a week day, mornings before 9 are bad, and around 3-4pm get bad as well. We dont go up to that area much, but when we do its the weekends and we dont have any problems with the tunnel.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Well, I commuted from Norfolk to Williamsburg for about 8 months. I don't wish it on anyone!!

Also while I actually lived in Williamsburg I would drive down to see my DBF in Chesapeake a lot.

The Yorktown beach is much nicer after they added the showers and the area with shops and restaurants, but there isn't really comparing it to Virginia Beach. VB is almost like the Jersey shore in some aspects (with a concrete boardwalk instead of a wooden one). There are all kinds of people, shops and restaurants. Yorktown beach is essentially sand and water and that's it. I love Yorktown and we used to go there when I was in college just to have a beach to go to, but it doesn't compare AT ALL to swimming in the ocean at VB.

The worst time to take either tunnel going towards Va Beach is on a Friday or Saturday anytime after noon or 1pm. The beach traffic is incredible because everyone is making their way down to VB and the Outerbanks. The Monitor Merrimac has less traffic but is much more out of your way and will add 20-30 minutes to your trip in distance alone if you're going to Va Beach (it adds about 15-20 minutes to my trip home to southern Norfolk).

What time and day of the week are you planning on going down to VB? I could give you a better idea of the traffic that way. 64E from Williamsburg to Newport News can be a bear too just because it's only 2 lanes in each direction and an accident can block things up for MILES.

If you want the ocean and a real beach- VB is definitely the way to go. You just have to time it right.

 

[Kirby]

We'd be heading to VB somewhere between 12 and 3.

 

[KarenAylwood]

We'd be heading to VB somewhere between 12 and 3.

On... a weekday? Weekend? Friday? You said you leave in four days so I'm guessing it would be Wednesday (or Tuesday if you're counting today as a day).

The best would be to leave by 12ish, but even at 3 I think you'd be ok. During the week is not half as bad as the weekends. If you're returning from Virginia Beach you'd be better off going through the tunnel sometime after 7. Of course no matter what if you hit an accident on 64 before it widens or one at the tunnel, you could be in for a long haul. Turn your radio to 610 am in order to get any traffic advisories for when you leave.

There are some great restaurants down in VB you could have dinner at- my favorite is Mahi Mah's. It is on Atlantic Avenue and is part of the Ramada Inn. It was voted best Ramada restaurant in the world and has amazing food. They specialize in sushi and seafood but you can get other food as well I'm sure. They are right on the boardwalk too which is fun.

The Monitor Merrimac won't save you any time unless the backup at the HRBT is 40 minutes or more.

It's a great area down there. You could make a few days out of Virginia Beach if you wanted to. The Virginia Aquarium (Marine Science Museum) is great too.

All in all, there's NO comparison between the Yorktown beach and VB. If you want a beach beach, go to VB. Have fun!!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I currently live in Williamsburg, I agree with the other poster that the traffic on the HRBT is pretty bad and it goes both ways. If you are looking for a beach, I have another suggestion, in Yorktown there is a bridge (Coleman Bridge), just go over the Coleman Bridge to Gloucester. There is beach there as well and it is a very nice family beach.