| If you have even a passing interest in the topic of | | | | In comparison with most resorts, there are no |
| Virginia Beach vacationing, then you should take a look | | | | commercial facilities on the "Boardwalk". This means |
| at the following information. This enlightening article | | | | that all of the hundreds of thousands of oceanfront |
| presents some aspects on Virginia Beach vacationing. | | | | rooms have a completely unobstructed view of the |
| For folks living in the Northeastern part of the United | | | | ocean. With every one having its own balcony, each |
| States, a vacation in Virginia Beach may fit every | | | | sunrise finds hundreds on their patio, aiming their lenses |
| need. | | | | at the horizon. Another special treat is to see some of |
| Many residents of Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland | | | | the soldiers from nearby Naval Station Norfolk doing |
| and Pennsylvania find that getting there is a fairly easy | | | | their early morning calisthenics on the beach or jogging |
| drive, ranging from 4 to 7 hours. New Englanders also | | | | the length of the boardwalk. |
| visit Virginia Beach, apparently feeling that a 12 hour | | | | If you don't have details regarding Virginia Beach |
| drive is worth it. (Should flying be preferred, the Norfolk | | | | vacationing, then you might make a bad choice on |
| airport shuttle serves the tourist area in a convenient | | | | planning your trip. Don't let that happen: keep reading. |
| and efficient manner.) | | | | The oceanfront hotels are actually on Atlantic Avenue. |
| The reason that Virginia Beach is so popular is | | | | On the opposite side of Atlantic Avenueare shops, |
| because it offers something for everyone, and any | | | | restaurants, and activities. Since this is a flat city, |
| type of vacation: | | | | walking for even 10 blocks is quite easy. During the |
| With the slogan, "Virginia is for Lovers", it is a favorite | | | | summer season, there are old-fashioned guest trolleys |
| place for couples looking for a getaway. Should they | | | | that travel the length of this resort area for a |
| wish a quiet and relaxing escape, numerous hotels | | | | reasonable fare, and for further travel, taxis are |
| offer private oceanfront balconies, in-room jacuzzis, | | | | available. |
| room service and intimate dining. Single pals traveling | | | | If one has their car, however, it is simple to navigate |
| together will find that dance clubs, bars and karaoke | | | | the roads around the resort area to visit other |
| nights offer fun opportunities to meet new friends. For | | | | restaurants or facilities. The road one block west of |
| those who enjoy the challenge of water sports, | | | | Atlantic is Pacific, and there a guest will find additional, |
| activities such as parasailing, jet-skiing, windsurfing and | | | | less expensive lodging and additional eateries. About 5 |
| boogie boarding easily fill up the day; all are available | | | | minutes west, a visitor will discover shopping centers |
| for rent (as are beach chairs and umbrellas). | | | | with chain stores, groceries and gas stations-appearing |
| Sunbathers will find this beach to be the cleanest on | | | | like any typical suburb. |
| the eastern seaboard; in fact, one of the newer trends | | | | In every hotel, and on almost every corner, are free |
| is to go onto the sand after the machines have swept | | | | visitor magazines which list maps, places of interest, |
| the beach at sunrise and write large messages in the | | | | religious worship, local rules, emergency numbers, and |
| sand for friends and families whose rooms overlook | | | | coupons. The locals' southern hospitality and |
| the beach! Those with younger families can easily find | | | | approachability should put one's mind at rest that |
| hotels and motels that have separate wading or baby | | | | guests are indeed welcomed and respected-and not |
| pools, within walking distance of fast food and pizza | | | | only during the summer season. |
| shops. For this younger crowd, evenings can be filled | | | | There are events planned during every month of the |
| with visits to an amusement park, miniature golf | | | | year, and two of the more exciting ones are the |
| courses, arcades and, in the summer, entertainment by | | | | Neptune Festival in September and the Nautical |
| jugglers and magicians. Older children and teens enjoy | | | | Christmas Light Display over the holidays. Sand |
| outdoor music, the fishing pier, and private offerings | | | | sculpting contests, music festivals, parades, arts and |
| such as the Va. Beach Ghostwalk and Pirate | | | | craft shows-there is always something happening in |
| Adventure cruise, while older adults may prefer a | | | | Virginia Beach, either on the beach or at the |
| dinner cruise. Men may especially enjoy deep sea | | | | convention center. |
| fishing charters and professional quality golf courses, | | | | Oceanfront hotels during the summer season usually |
| and shoppers of all ages will be in heaven visiting the | | | | start around $200 per night, US. The rate is discounted |
| countless shops which offer everything from | | | | after Labor Day, and some facilities offer deeper |
| inexpensive trinkets to fine jewelry. | | | | discounts during mid-winter. Hotels on the other side of |
| The resort area is, primarily, a 2 mile stretch whose | | | | Atlantic Ave.are less costly. There are many smaller |
| blocks are easily numbered from 1 to 32. There are | | | | motels that offer inexpensive prices even during the |
| many accommodations and restaurants off this | | | | high season, but they are usually several streets back |
| beaten path, utilized by those who wish to keep a | | | | from the beach, and may be rather inconvenient if |
| distance from the crowds, but it's in this section that | | | | traveling with children and related beach paraphernalia. |
| the majority of hotels and facilities are located. Along | | | | Although quite hot in summer, Virginia Beach does not |
| the eastern side are the Atlantic Ocean, the beach, | | | | enjoy those temperatures all year, although it usually is |
| and a strip of cement between the beach and the | | | | about 10 degrees warmer than the Northeastern U.S. |
| hotel lawns. This is what is known as the "Boardwalk", | | | | Attire is beach casual, and although some folks do |
| and although there are no boards, it's where the millions | | | | change into sporty casual at night, it's not the place |
| who visitor Virginia Beach walk, especially at night. It | | | | where one feels the need to "dress to impress". |
| actually consists of two paths, providing one for | | | | Everything a person may need, or have any desire to |
| bicyclists and surrey drivers, and one for walkers, | | | | do, can be done in Virginia Beach in a clean, safe, fun |
| scooters, and skateboarders, separated by lovely | | | | and pleasant atmosphere. Sea, sun, shells-it's all there, |
| landscaping. (The wisdom behind this becomes evident | | | | along with so much more! |
| when a child tries to maneuver a bike around a 6 | | | | Knowing enough about Virginia Beach vacationing to |
| person surrey!) | | | | make better plans cuts down on the fear factor. |