Top 10 Things to Do for 2 Days in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is where military history collides with beach party vibes, and you can literally watch dolphins while eating world-class seafood. It somehow manages to be both a spring break destination and a sophisticated coastal city.
Welcome to Virginia Beach, Virginia where 35 miles of coastline meet a surprising depth of culture, history, and culinary excellence. This isn’t just another beach town where the biggest decision is which sunscreen SPF to choose. Virginia Beach seamlessly blends military heritage with resort amenities, offering everything from world-class aquariums to ghost tours in centuries-old lighthouses. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in this coastal city that’s way more interesting than its reputation suggests.
Day One: Beach, Bay, and Beyond
1. Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Resort Beach
Start with the obvious, the 3-mile concrete boardwalk that defines Virginia Beach’s resort area. This isn’t some rickety wooden walkway. It’s a legitimate promenade lined with hotels, restaurants, and shops. The beach itself stretches for miles with lifeguards, rental equipment, and enough space that you won’t be sitting on your neighbor’s towel.
The boardwalk comes alive at night with street performers, live music venues, and a surprisingly sophisticated dining scene. Neptune’s Park at 31st Street offers amusement rides and mini-golf, while the boardwalk art show (weekends during summer) showcases local and regional artists.
2. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
This isn’t your typical small-town aquarium. It’s actually a world-class facility that rivals anything you’ll find in major cities. The 800,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon Aquarium houses sharks, rays, and sea turtles in a stunning walk-through tunnel. The outdoor Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion lets you explore native Virginia wetlands without getting your feet muddy.
The aquarium also offers seasonal boat tours for dolphin watching and whale spotting. Yes, you can actually see wild dolphins from Virginia Beach, it’s not just a marketing gimmick.
3. First Landing State Park
Virginia’s most visited state park sits where the Jamestown colonists first landed in 1607, making it literally where American history began. The park offers 19 miles of hiking trails through diverse ecosystems, from beach dunes to ancient bald cypress swamps.
The Bald Cypress Trail is an easy 1.5-mile loop through trees that are over 600 years old, these giants were already ancient when Columbus sailed to America. The park also offers kayak rentals for exploring the quieter waterways away from the ocean crowds.
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Day Two: History, Heights, and Hidden Spots
4. Cape Henry Lighthouse
Two lighthouses for the price of one! The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792, was the first federal public works project authorized by Congress. Climb the 191 steps to the top for panoramic views of where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
The “new” lighthouse (built in 1881) still operates today and offers its own climbing experience. The contrast between the two structures tells the story of American engineering evolution, plus the views are Instagram-worthy.
5. Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
The 1,200-foot Virginia Beach Fishing Pier extends into the Atlantic and offers fishing, sightseeing, and a surprisingly good restaurant. You don’t need fishing experience—equipment rentals and bait are available, and the pier staff will help beginners.
Even if fishing isn’t your thing, walking to the end of the pier provides a unique perspective on the coastline and often offers dolphin spotting opportunities. The Pier House Restaurant serves fresh seafood with ocean views that justify the slightly touristy prices.
6. Military Aviation Museum
Virginia Beach houses the world’s largest collection of warbirds in flying condition. This isn’t a static display, many of these World War I and World War II aircraft still take to the skies regularly. The collection includes rare planes like the only flying Curtiss P-40N Warhawk and multiple operational Spitfires.
The museum offers flight experiences in vintage aircraft for serious aviation enthusiasts, though simply walking among these beautifully restored machines is impressive enough for most visitors.
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Culinary Adventures
7. Catch 31 Fish House and Bar
Located at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Catch 31 elevates beach dining beyond the typical fried seafood standards. The restaurant focuses on locally sourced ingredients and creative preparations that let the seafood shine. The outdoor deck offers ocean views, while the raw bar showcases the region’s exceptional oysters.
Their she-crab soup is legendary among locals, and the daily catch preparations demonstrate why Virginia Beach’s culinary scene deserves respect beyond tourist traps.
8. Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Virginia Beach sits at the heart of Virginia’s wine country, with over a dozen wineries within 30 minutes of the resort area. Mermaid Winery offers tastings in a beautifully restored 1940s aircraft hangar, while New Kent Winery combines wine tasting with stunning rural views.
Many wineries offer tours that explain Virginia’s growing reputation as a serious wine region. The climate and soil conditions here produce wines that consistently surprise skeptics.
Unique Experiences
9. Ghost Tours of Old Coast Guard Station
The Old Coast Guard Station Museum transforms into something much spookier after dark. These guided ghost tours explore the building’s history of shipwrecks, rescues, and unexplained phenomena. The museum sits directly on the beach where countless ships met their fate, creating an atmosphere that’s genuinely atmospheric.
The tours blend legitimate historical information with local legends and reported paranormal activity. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories of maritime disasters and heroic rescues provide fascinating insight into Virginia Beach’s maritime heritage.
10. Sandbridge Beach
Escape the resort area crowds at Sandbridge, Virginia Beach’s “outer banks” located about 15 minutes south of the main tourist zone. This quieter stretch of coastline offers pristine beaches, vacation rental homes, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge borders Sandbridge, providing opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The area feels like a different destination entirely, more secluded coastal retreat than busy beach resort.
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Ready to Plan a Weekend Trip to Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach succeeds where many beach destinations fail by offering substance beyond the sand. Yes, you can spend two days lounging on the beach and eating fried seafood, and that’s perfectly valid. But you can also explore centuries of American history, watch dolphins in their natural habitat, climb historic lighthouses, and taste wines that rival anything from more famous regions.
The city’s military heritage adds an interesting dimension often missing from typical beach towns, while the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region provides outdoor adventures beyond the obvious ocean activities.
Virginia Beach doesn’t try to be the Hamptons or Miami Beach—it’s comfortable being itself, which turns out to be a sophisticated coastal city that happens to have fantastic beaches rather than just a beach town with a few extra amenities.
Come for the ocean, stay for the history, and leave with a deeper appreciation for a destination that’s been pleasantly surprising visitors since 1607.
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