While many teens will not admit any interest in going anywhere or doing anything with their families for vacations, there are a few places that pique their interest. One of those is Virginia Beach, Virginia. Most teens perk up and lose their frown at the mention of visiting the Mid-Atlantic City for their summer vacation or Spring Break. While it is a good place for families to visit together, it is also fun for teenagers on Beach Week after high school graduation. Here are 6 reasons why.

Recreation

The beach itself is the true magnet for teenagers. They can enjoy the sun, get a tan, swim, play in the sand and meet new friends. Other popular recreational activities for teenage vacationers include concerts at the local amphitheater, miniature golf, sand soccer, beach volleyball, shopping, Frisbee, arcades, boating, water skiing and surfing.

Festivals

There are many festivals held in Virginia Beach ever year between May and September. Some are at the Oceanfront, while others are in other parts of the city. They include the American Music Festival, GospelFest, East Coast Surfing Championships, Neptune Festival and the Pungo Strawberry Festival. The festivals include food, music and various contests and an air of excitement. From spring through fall, there is some type of entertainment event happening nearly every weekend.

Music

During the summer, festivals are not the only thing that get teenagers going. There are free musical performances at stages up and down the boardwalk on summer evenings. The city also has an outdoor amphitheater that seats 20,000 people. There is a wide variety of musical genres.

Transportation

One of the greatest concerns parents have for teens is transportation. Many parents are hesitant to let them drive at home, much less in unfamiliar territory. The City of Virginia Beach offers a shuttle bus system at the Oceanfront that also goes to the mall. It is inexpensive to ride and the stops and routes are well marked. This gives teenagers a little bit of freedom, and parents a little bit of peace of mind.

Shopping

For teens, no vacation is complete without shopping, pizza and ice cream. The boardwalk is plentiful of all 3 – and then some. Shopping centers abound at the North End of the beach near the Chesapeake Bay. There is also a mall about 10 minutes away. For those who venture down to Atlantic Avenue, there are still more shops to visit.

Accommodations

The Virginia Beach hotels are clean and comfortable. This is exciting for many teens who have never stayed in a resort hotel before. The floors shine, the windows have a pretty view and the hotel staff pay attention to customer service. They have pools, Jacuzzis and workout rooms. Television, coffee and Internet connections abound.