Attraction of the Week: The Gorgeous Virginia Beach Boardwalk

The Virginia Beach boardwalk is a beautiful 3 mile stretch of land along the Atlantic Ocean. Mike and I recently took a vacation to the area over spring break. Riding our bikes along this beautiful boardwalk was the highlight of our trip. Coming from the Greater Boston metro, we had been cooped up for months on end, and we were ready to enjoy some fun-in-the-sun. As we were driving, we saved a lot of money and brought our own bikes. We booked a hotel with direct beach access (the Best Western).

Visiting during the spring months is a great idea as you will be able to enjoy the benefit of fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. One of my favorite aspects about this path is that there is a separate walking and bike path, which eliminates the hassle of trying to bike around crowds of people.

This boardwalk is one of the cleanest and most well-maintained I have ever visited. I also love the fact that the boardwalk is lit up at night, which makes it feel safe to bike or walk around. We felt completely safe both day and nice although we did visit during the slow period so I can’t comment on what the summer vibe feels like.

While the springs months are a bit quieter and quite boring (most festivals take place during the summer), the relaxing atmosphere and feeling that you get to enjoy the beach all to yourself is a nice trade off! We enjoyed biking and walking along the beach without noisy tourists. Since the Boston area is so busy, we enjoyed this break from the tourism and crowds. The weather is still considerably cold by us and there are no leaves on the trees, so it will be a few months before we can take the bikes out again!

The vibe was pleasantly relaxed. At this time of the year, we enjoyed carefree biking, quiet waterfront meals, and uninterrupted sunrises and sunsets. The peace and quiet was a fair trade off for the lack of activities in my opinion. While it was much too cold to swim, it was the perfect weather for beach walks and bike riding.

The Neptune statue

The most notable boardwalk attractions is a 34 foot tall bronze Neptune statue.  Neptune Festival Park is a popular spot for spring and summer events. During the warmer months, the boardwalk hosts various concerts and festivals. Many of these events are free, so be sure to take advantage if you are in the vicinity.

Popular events include the Neptune Wine Festival, The Virginia Beach Music Festival, and the Crawlin Crab 5k. Visit the official beachwebsite for a full lineup of events.

Activities are not limited to the boardwalk – there are options for everyone no matter your preferred sport. Other fun-in-the-sun activities include: horseback riding on the beach, parasailing, dolphin kayak tours, and boat rides.

Everything looked like so much fun, although we were on a limited time frame with the 10 hour drive. I have always wanted to parasail, but then I hear about freak accidents and get turned off. Dolphin kayak tours sound amazing though and horseback riding on the beach is a unique experience I’m sure.

Best time to visit

I definitely recommend planning your trip in the spring. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed the mild weather. I appreciated the separate biking and walking paths. Whether you are a jogger, walker, or cyclist, you will love this path and the accompanying views. The are plenty of spots for awesome photo opportunities. This city offers a great beach atmosphere without being overly congested or overpriced.

Planning tips

The weather here can be unpredictable during the spring months, so I recommend checking the forecast and packing layers just in case.  Also, because of the multitude of activities in the area (many which require advance booking and/or different types of clothing and essentials) you are best off planning activities in advance. I wish I would have packed better for my trip! Being prepared can make all the difference in the quality of your trip.

Check out a few of my tips below to ensure you are fully prepared for your best vacation!

*Plan out your trip activities and attractions in advance – It’s much easier to organize your suitcase and account for all necessities needed for each activity.

*Plan outfits incorporating lots of layers – The temperatures can range from the 50’s-80’s during the spring months. One day it can be in the 80’s, and the next afternoon the temperatures can dip into the 50’s! I wish I would have brought more layers like light sweaters, a cardigan, etc. Also don’t forget to bring jeans; it isn’t always warm enough to just wear shorts!

*Bring a raincoat/umbrella – Storms are super common during the spring months. Not having these items on hand could hinder your daily plans.

*Do pack all your beach essentials – Flip flops, beach towels, reading materials, etc. – you don’t want to waste your trip shopping for these items!

* Pack 2 bathing suits – This will give you you a choice of outfits depending on your mood. Also, you can wear the alternate suit while your other is hanging up to dry!

*If driving, bring a case of water bottles – These came in handy when heading over to the boardwalk. We were able to grab a few quick water bottles for our bike rides, runs, etc without having to stop on the way.

*Opt to bring your own bike if you are driving – Bike rentals are expensive and can only be rented out for a limited period of time. Same goes for any other activity you are planning to do – rollerblading, tennis, etc. Another advantage of bringing your own equipment is that you can use it multiple times without paying to rent again. Luckily, we were driving so we brought our own bikes and saved a lot of money.

*Don’t forget about workout clothes and gym shoes for beach exercise activities – You will be more likely to ride a bike or take a walk if you have comfortable clothing available on hand. Toe shoes are also great esp. if you plan to do a lot of jogging. I brought mine with – I love jogging along the sand with them as they are light on my feet and waterproof.

*Remember to pack regular shoes, not just flip flops – Even though it is a beach area, it still gets cool enough in the morning and at night. Plus, the weather is unpredictable this time of year.

*Bring with enough sunscreen – It was very sunny for the majority of our trip. You are going to need a lot of sunscreen if you are outside at the beach all day. A good pair of sunglasses will also come in handy and make your outdoor activities more fun!

*An extra bag for dirty laundry comes in handy – This will keep wet bathing suits from ruining unused clothing. It also helps to easily separate between dirty and clean clothing, which means less work for you when you get home.

*Bring with at least one dressy outfit – We wanted to take a dinner cruise one night on our trip but unfortunately forgot to bring with our dress clothes. I always recommend planning activities in advance so you have the right outfits packed with you.

Affordable beachfront lodging

You will find no shortage of beachfront hotel properties, ranging from basic budget options, to 4 star luxury resorts. The advantage of visiting during the off season is definitely the low rates! We stayed at the Best Western Plus Oceanfront for a mere $100 a night.

Amenities included: great oceanfront views from a private balcony, a decent breakfast buffet, a scenic onsite restaurant, and direct access to the beach. The pool area and lobby are much more modern and colorful. You still get to enjoy the perks of free self parking and direct beach access which is part of what made this hotel so fantastic. UPDATE: This resort is now closed.

Beachy dining options

There are plenty of restaurants located along the boardwalk, the majority being located inside the various hotels. I recommend stopping by Shoreline Grill located inside the Best Western. They offer great happy hours specials from 4-6pm. The views from the dining room are fabulous. The food is tasty and the portions are large. The bar has a fun relaxed, beachy atmosphere. A great stop for comfort food! UPDATE; This restaurant is now closed.

More popular boardwalk dining options:

• Tulu Seaside Bar and Grill – Great views, lots of healthier options
• Ocean House – Known for their specialty drinks and live music
• Chix on the Beach – A seafood haven, known for their “steamer bags”

I would definitely vacation here again, if anything just to enjoy the fabulous views from the bike path again. It is definitely a great spring getaway destination from any of the dreary northern cities. While I love the winter and snow, by March or April, I am ready to get out there and exercise again and enjoy leafy green trees and a bit of sunshine.

You will find a bit of everything in this beach town – sandy beaches, oceanfront resorts, a fabulous beachfront boardwalk, plenty of outdoor recreation, a great aquarium (I recommend visiting the Virginia Aquarium to escape the heat), great restaurants, beautiful parks, and so much more. There is a bit of something for everyone, whether you are a beach bum or an avid cyclist.