Virginia Beach, Coastal resort city in Virginia, United States.
Description
Virginia Beach is a coastal city in the state of Virginia that stretches along 38 miles (61 kilometers) of sandy shoreline between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. A three-mile (five-kilometer) boardwalk runs along the oceanfront, linking hotels, restaurants, and public areas with direct beach access.
History
English colonists first reached this shoreline at Cape Henry in 1607 before moving inland to establish Jamestown. The settlement grew from a small resort town into a major military and tourism center along the East Coast during the 20th century.
Culture
Families and artists gather every September for the Neptune Festival, where sand sculptors work alongside seafood vendors and maritime performers on the waterfront. Local fishers sell their catch directly from the docks, and residents spend evenings strolling the boardwalk where live music drifts from open-air venues.
Practical
The downtown and beach areas are best explored on foot or by bicycle, while more distant nature areas require a car. Summer brings the largest crowds and higher prices, while spring and fall offer quieter conditions and milder temperatures.
Did you know?
First Landing State Park protects 2,888 acres (1,167 hectares) of cypress swamp, maritime forest, and dunes where rare birds nest year-round. The ancient cypress trees stand partly submerged, creating a maze of roots and trunks that visitors can explore by kayak.
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This list presents the 50 most populous cities in the United States according to the official estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau as of July 2024. These metropolitan areas showcase the country's diversity in economic, cultural, and geographic aspects. From New York with 8.48 million residents, a...
King Neptune
1 km
First Landing State Park
7 km
Veterans Ampitheater
14.4 km
Virginia Aquarium
3.3 km
Camp Pendleton
4 km
Cavalier Hotel
2.1 km
False Cape State Park
30.4 km
Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
14 km
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
22.7 km
Adam Thoroughgood House
12.9 km
Ferry Plantation House
12.6 km
Norfolk Botanical Garden
21.1 kmNorwegian Lady Statues
383 m
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal
18.1 km
Broad Bay Manor
7.5 km
Cape Henry Memorial
9 km
Francis Land House
9.2 km
Brock Environmental Center
12.2 km
Adam Keeling House
10.6 km
Ocean Breeze Fun Park
4.1 km
Armada Hoffler Tower
13.9 km
Lynnhaven House
13.7 kmLesner Bridge
12 kmVirginia Museum of Contemporary Art
898 mPeppermint Beach Club
536 m
Upper Wolfsnare
5.6 km
Atlantic Fun Park
839 mNorth Landing River Natural Area Preserve
25.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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