Over the past several years, Virginia Beach, Virginia has become a more family-oriented vacation destination. With warm beaches and plentiful sunshine in the summer, there are many warm season activities for fun and relaxation in this Mid-Atlantic coastal city. With Virginia Beach hotels and restaurants providing classic hospitality and good food, visitors spend a lot of quality time in this resort area. Here are just a few things to see and do when planning Virginia Beach vacations.

Beach Activities

The most obvious attraction in Virginia Beach is the beach itself. The Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and their tributaries create miles of beach for sunbathing, wading, swimming, boogie boarding, walking and playing in the sand. Special areas of the oceanfront are set aside for surfing, jet skiing, waterskiing and other water sports and adventures. A three mile boardwalk and bike path stretch from Rudee Inlet north to encourage healthy exercise and sightseeing.

Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay

Fishing, boating and crabbing are popular activities on the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. It is one of the many things that makes Virginia Beach a vacation destination. Surf fishing is allowed in certain areas during set times of day. Virginia Beach has a handful of fishing piers, including Lynnhaven Fishing Pier and one on the boardwalk near 14th Street. Charter sea fishing trips are available out of several marinas, including Rudee Inlet and Lynnhaven Inlet. The State of Virginia requires a fishing license, which can be purchased online from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or at nearly any bait and tackle shop for a nominal fee.

Pick Your Own

For those who want to do more than spend time on the beach, but still wish to have fun with nature in this vacation destination, there is Pungo. A green zone lies at the south end of the resort city where agriculture is abundant and pick-your-own farms offer fresh produce and hours of fun. Depending on the season and the farm, customers can find strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, squash, watermelon, pumpkins, greens, lettuce and more. Some feature a wagon ride to the best picking fields from the main entrance. For those craving fresh produce without the physical effort, many of these places also offer pre-picked produce, as well as homemade jams and various pickled fruits and vegetables.

Musical Concerts

Music is a focal point of entertainment in Virginia Beach. There is an amphitheater that seats nearly 30,000. During the summertime, there are several festivals and concerts on Virginia Beach boardwalk stages, including the American Music Festival in early September, GospelFest in April, Latin Fest in June and Beach Music Weekend in May.