Virginia Beach’s Best Experiences:
The top rated Experiences in Virginia Beach, VA are:
- First Landing State Park – is Virginia’s most-visited state park offers many recreational and educational activities
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – provides an educational experience in the unique marine environment of Virginia Beach
- Military Aviation Museum – is home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II-era military aircraft in the world
- Ocean Breeze – is a family-friendly island-themed destination that features over 30 rides, slides, and attractions
- Motor World – is the largest Go-Kart Complex on the East Coast providing fun and excitement for all ages
First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park offers recreational activities in the independent city of Virginia Beach. The Seashore State Park Historic District at First Landing is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Virginia’s first planned state park. In 1607, English colonists made their first landing in the park. It’s Virginia’s most visited state park, and it’s a haven within the city limits of Virginia Beach.
The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy beach frontage on the Chesapeake Bay. First Landing offers a variety of recreational and educational opportunities as well as a variety of unique environments, such as bald cypress swamps, lagoons, and maritime forest, as well as rare plants and creatures.
Products/Services:
Park
LOCATION:
Address: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 412-2300
Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov
REVIEWS:
“Nice park with an interesting landscape and beautiful trails along the water, through the forest, and over swamps. It’s perfect for jogging and biking. The trails are easy to walk and they range from very less than a mile to more than 8 miles. Also super quiet and calm and not crowded at all during winter. In winter it’s basically free, in summer it costs a couple of dollars admission and parking.” – Max B.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers educational opportunities for visitors to learn about Virginia Beach’s unique marine environment. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a partnership between the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation and the City of Virginia Beach. The City of Virginia Beach owns and maintains the aquarium’s buildings and grounds, as well as provides administrative support for accounting and human resources.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation is responsible for the acquisition and upkeep of the Aquarium’s collections, which include fish and animals, habitats, and interactive exhibits. The Foundation is also in charge of all of the Aquarium’s mission-related teaching initiatives, as well as yearly and capital fundraising, the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation, and scientific research endeavors.
Products/Services:
Aquarium and Science Center
LOCATION:
Address: 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 385-3474
Website: www.virginiaaquarium.com
REVIEWS:
“This is a great place for family fun. Well facilitated and fun courses. I have visited Virginia Beach many times, but this is the first time. Pretty impressive. It’s not a small aquarium, nor a big one. Good to take young kids here and I believe they will have great fun before they get tired or lose focus. It also features a 3D underwater tunnel display and you can touch the manta from the pool. A+.” – Peng H.
Military Aviation Museum
Military Aviation Museum houses one of the world’s greatest private collections of military aircraft from World War I and World War II. Each of these planes has been painstakingly restored to its pre-war state, with authentic parts used whenever possible. The majority of the planes are airworthy and are flown throughout the year at the museum for flying demonstrations and air shows. Some were the final flight-ready planes of their era, and they were all one-of-a-kind.
Many family-friendly activities are available at the Military Aviation Museum. You may participate in a dinosaur scavenger hunt, fly in a vintage plane, learn about WWII and WWI aviation, and much more.
Products/Services:
Aviation Museum
LOCATION:
Address: 1341 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Phone: (757) 721-7767
Website: www.militaryaviationmuseum.org
REVIEWS:
“Brilliant collection of 70 pre World War I and World War 2 military aircraft. This private museum has authentic English artifacts and a reconstructed hanger and air control station. Extremely knowledgeable guides, many of whom are former military pilots. 40% of the planes are routinely flown. Highly recommended.” – Linda S.
Ocean Breeze
Ocean Breeze is a family-friendly, island-themed park with over 30 rides, slides, and other attractions. Ocean Breeze Waterpark opened in 1974 with three mat slides and the distinction of being Virginia Beach’s only waterpark. After 47 years, the park has expanded to include over 30 slides, rides, and attractions, and it continues to aim to be the family destination of choice for both locals and visitors.
Products/Services:
Waterpark
LOCATION:
Address: 849 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 422-4444
Website: www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com
REVIEWS:
“So much fun. We bought season tickets and they were definitely worth it. We went as often as we could. My boys are 10 and 12 and they love everything. We took a trip to Great Wolf Lodge this summer as well, and honestly, my boys were disappointed in the wave pool and lazy river bc they had been spoiled by Ocean Breeze. Of course, you’re paying for the room and everything too, and Great Wolf has its own benefits, but when it comes to variety, thrills, and overall fun nothing tops Ocean Breeze for us. We will be buying season tickets as Christmas gifts for our boys to use next summer.” – Robin L.
Motor World
Motor World is the East Coast’s largest go-kart complex, offering thrills and excitement to visitors of all ages. Motor World has 11 Go-Kart tracks, 250 Go-Karts, and 16 different Go-Kart styles. Check out the most challenging shipwreck mini-golf courses, bumper boats, and kiddie and thrill rides in Virginia Beach. There are 11 different go-kart tracks to pick from. You’ll have lots of alternatives with a big range of 250 karts in 16 different styles of Go-Karts.
Products/Services:
Kart Tracks, Mini Golf, Rides & Amusement
LOCATION:
Address: 700 S Birdneck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 422-6419
Website: www.vbmotorworld.com
REVIEWS:
“Great variety of karts and tracks. Very empty mid-afternoon on a Wednesday off-season. ≤$10 per race for most tracks in some cases that seemed a little high, in other cases, it seemed like a steal, so I’m considering it fair overall. Staff was friendly, ran their tracks well, and we’re happy to chat and recommend other tracks.” – David K.
Mark has lived in Detroit, MI his whole life. He has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and True Dakotan. As a journalist for Kev’s Best, Mark covers national and local businesses.