Virginia Beach: Unique Travel Experiences |
Posted: November 18, 2014 |
The Perfect Beach AtmosphereVirginia Beach, as the name implies, has a variety of beaches to choose from. The main beach, located along the area locals refer to as “the Boardwalk”, is a great place to meet new people and enjoy an incredible sunrise. The three mile Boardwalk offers wide open spaces to stroll along the ocean, combined with an adjacent bike lane that allows rollerbladers and bicyclists to cruise the oceanfront. There are a variety of hotels and restaurants located along the oceanfront that range in both cuisine and budget. Most hotels offer oceanfront rooms with spectacular views. While looking off into the distance, you’ll be able to see US Navy vessels, cruise ships, and cargo ships traveling to and from the Naval Base and commercial port in Norfolk, VA. If you’re looking for a quieter beach, further away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk, head just north of the main oceanfront area to 42nd street. In stark contrast to the boardwalk, this section of the beach is primarily lined with private homes and allows public beach access. It’s a great area to go for a beach jog, or relax and peacefully listen to the sounds of the ocean as waves gently roll along the sandy beach. Hassle Free Transportation Bring your bike or rent a bike at the oceanfront and enjoy the many bike paths throughout the oceanfront for free transportation anywhere. If you prefer a more relaxing mode of transportation, the red trolleys offer affordable transportation up and down the oceanfront. If you want to travel areas further away from the oceanfront, you’ll want to check out the Wave, a city bus network offering transportation throughout the greater Hampton Roads area. Amazing Winter Specials Looking for an incredible travel experience without breaking the bank? Virginia Beach offers some eye-popping snowbird packages. By booking during the off-season, you can score a get away at nearly 50% off regular pricing. Keep in mind that many of the tourist attractions along the oceanfront may be closed, and the ocean will be a little too cool for swimming, but for those looking for a change of scenery without the hustle and bustle of your normal tourist destinations, you can find an excellent value. A Change of Scenery for Everyone If you’re looking for some oceanfront excitement and relaxation, the boardwalk is the place to be. Virginia Beach, in terms of square kilometers, is one of the largest cities in the United States. The eastern part of the city is dominated by the oceanfront, but also offers First Landing State Park which affords visitors an excellent opportunity to enjoy untouched nature and endless hiking / biking paths. Venturing further inland, you’ll find Town Center, which is like a mini metropolis complete with Pembroke Mall, high-rise offices, and street level restaurants; California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, and Bravos, just to name a few. Further to the West of the Oceanfront and Town Center, you’ll find a rural escape collectively referred to as Pungo; the home of the annual Strawberry Festival (the weekend of May 24th and 25th). While driving through the picturesque farm land, you can visit the Virginia Beach Airport, which is truly a gem for any World War II era history buff. WWII Museum (The Virginia Beach Airport / Military Aviation Museum) Looking to go back to the golden age of flying? While enjoying the jet noise from Naval Air Station Oceana, and the low passes by F18’s taking off and landing, why not step back in time? Mentioned in hundreds of travel reviews, the Military Aviation Museum (WWII Museum) is located in picturesque Pungo (Virginia Beach). Offering visitors an incredible collection of WWII era aircraft and military vehicles, courtesy of the “Fighter Factory”, you might be lucky enough to visit when they take their SpitFire out for a few flights. Yes, all of the aircraft on display are in flying condition, which is part of what makes this collection so incredibly special. Get up close and personal with a German tank, staff car or artillery piece. Learn about the contributions that the Russian Air Force made along the eastern front by actually seeing, feeling and experiencing a variety of Russian fighters. And, of course, don’t forget to stop by the gigantic B-25J bomber; it’s not like you’ll be able to miss it’s dominating position in the center of the second main hangar! Modern Military Adventures No travel review would be quite complete without mentioning the opportunity for modern military adventures. Virginia Beach is home to Naval Air Station Oceana, Dam Neck Amphibious Base, and borders the world’s largest naval base, Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Harbor tours by boat are available aboard the Spirit of Norfolk and the Victory Rover; departing from Waterside in Norfolk (easily accessible via the Wave). Home to three of the world’s largest Carrier fleets, the experience of getting up close and personal with the naval power available for viewing is simply awe inspiring. Naval Air Station Oceana is not open for tours, however virtually the entire city is blanketed by the approach and departure path for US Navy F18’s practicing Combat Air Patrols and other maneuvers before heading to sea with the fleet.
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