Virginia Beach: The Hidden Gem of Virginia
Seafood lovers will be in heaven with the abundance of fresh blue crab, soft shell crab, tuna and catfish that are pulled from the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean daily. Adventurous travelers can also fish and crab for themselves in the waters of this area. Rent a boat or kayak or even book a fishing tour for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Wildlife lovers can choose from the many dolphin watch cruises offered from the beachfront.
There are many other things to do in Virginia Beach besides ambling along the waterways in a kayak or fishing boat. Popular area attractions, aside from the boardwalk, include the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park, Virginia Marine and Science Museum, the Cape Henry Lighthouse and the Nauticus in Norfolk. Quick day trips from this area include Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, Assateague Island, Chinqueteague and Norfolk. Many of these attractions have hands-on activities for children such as petting stingrays and horseshoe crabs at the Virginia Marine and Science Museum or taking a ride on the new Boomerang Bus downtown to Williamsburg and learning a skilled trade as an apprentice for a day.
If you are looking for the perfect place for a family getaway near Virginia Beach be sure to check out nearby Sandbridge. Staying here will give you a chance to really experience the area in luxe accommodations. This area has many beautiful homes for rent that can accommodate a small family of four to a gathering of 20. You can choose from ocean front homes, semi-ocean front and homes that are adjacent to the Back Bay. The people that populate this area are friendly and gracious and you’ll feel right at home from your first day on the inlet. Sandbridge remains untouched by sprawling suburbia. You won’t find any fast food franchises or strip malls here, just a few local businesses that sell ice cream, fish or necessities for the beach. Be sure to visit Margie and Ray’s for the best She crab soup in the area.
After you have stayed at Virginia Beach you may find it difficult to leave. Many travelers purchase homes and cottages here so they can return year after year. If you must leave, plan to exit either late in the afternoon after rush hour or in the evening. The tunnel that you have to go through becomes congested during rush hour and you can be delayed in traffic for up to an hour.
Travel information, upcoming events as well as a beach cam can be found on the Virginia Beach website, www.va-beach.com.
