What to do in Virginia Beach

Filled with historical landmarks and fringed by the beautiful and picturesque Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is a spectacular destination for any senior trip or graduation vacation. Even if you're looking for an educational getaway, Virginia Beach has plenty of cultural, artistic, and historical attractions to keep you busy and happy. Read on to discover what Virginia Beach has to offer for groups of all styles and sizes.

1. Virginia Beach Boardwalk

This three mile long amusement pier is a must see in Virginia Beach whether you're in town for business or a relaxing vacation. Here you can visit a wide diversity of attractions from museums and restaurants to the Virginia Legends Walk where you can learn about the state's most famous residents like Thomas Jefferson and Edgar Allan Poe. You'll never be bored at the Boardwalk and you can find something for everyone.

2. Virginia Beach

It would be a pity to visit Virginia Beach and not make a stop at the self-named beach. Spend a day on the shores, soaking up the summer sun and splashing with your friends and family in the cool blue Atlantic Ocean. Take a walk on the sandy shore to the boardwalk, gather shells among the sands, or relax and see the sun set over the golden horizon. This beautiful and pristine east coast beach is the perfect destination for everyone in your group.

3. Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center

Located only a short drive from the beach, this fascinating aquarium is an amazing stop for groups of all kinds. Enter and be immediately greeted by a pool of playful harbor seals and see them fed daily at 10 am and 3 pm. Holding over 700,000 gallons of water, the Virginia Aquarium is home to over 50 different species of fish and a number of beautiful marine creatures. Visit the museum's sharks, loggerhead turtles, native birds, and more!

4. Virginia Air and Space Museum

The official visitor center for NASA's Langley Research Center, the Virginia Air and Space Museum is an imaginative and hands-on science center that applauds the continuing innovation of science. Collections maintain over 100 years of aviation and space flight history and technology with more than 30 aircraft on display as well as a number of interactive exhibits. Explore exhibits displaying the Apollo 12 Command Module and NASA's new Orion space craft. After your tour, stop by the IMAX for a 3D movie.

5. Chrysler Museum of Art

The Chrysler Museum's mission is to encourage an appreciation for visual arts and to "transform lives" by presenting the public with the beauty of artistic expression. Collection highlights at the Chrysler Museum include one of the world's most comprehensive collection of glass art with over 10,000 objects dating back 3,000 years. You can also find artifacts from the ancient world, more than 4,000 photographs of historical and artistic importance, and a lovely collection of Renaissance masterpieces, and more.

6. Lynnhaven House

Like much of Virginia state, Virginia Beach is a historic city dating back to colonial settlements. The Lynnhaven House, built around 1725, remains standing and open to the public as a house museum, a gateway to the past, and a learning center teaching the lives and histories of colonial Virginia. Reflecting traditional early Virginia architecture, the Lynnhaven House, and the Historical Society that operates it, opens its doors to the eager public and teaches about the family that once lived there, life in the 18th century, and more.

7. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Spanning more than 9,000 acres of protected Virginia land, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect recreational destination for groups getting away from the city. Maintaining pristine landscapes, protecting native wildlife, and openly offering recreational venues for the public, the Back Bay Refuge is a beautiful attraction to spend a day touring what Virginia is really like. Several animals are under the park's protection including the American black duck, the tundra swan, and the loggerhead sea turtle which lays eggs along the sandy shores every year.

8. Neptune Park

At once a concert venue, community gathering place, and local landmark, it is hard to miss this attraction featuring the strikingly large statue of the king of the sea, Neptune. This scenic outdoor attraction has perfect views of the ocean and boardwalk, easy access to the area's entertainment district, and, of course, fun. Summer nights bring free entertainment, concerts, and events, making it an excellent nightlife destination for groups of all ages.

9. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Home to the Virginia Symphony, the Sandler Center is a state of the art performing arts center hosting everything from concerts to opera and more. If you're craving a little culture in your vacation, there's no better place to visit than the Sandler Center. Now hosting Broadway productions, this amazing venue is the city's symbol of contemporary culture, societal charm, and artistic expression. See your favorite musicals and plays performed by stunningly talented casts, be a part of a concert, and more!

10. Ocean Breeze Waterpark

Everyone loves a waterpark, especially on hot summer days. Cool off in the wave pools, swim laps with your friends, or plummet down a water slide at the exciting Ocean Breeze Waterpark. Virginia Beach's premier waterpark destination, Ocean Breeze brings to you all of the staples for the perfect summer afternoon from the million gallon wave pool to speed rides, children's playground, and even the "You Do It" Slush Factory and more.

Extra: Virginia Beach is only minutes away from the larger city of Norfolk and less than an hour from the exciting, historically significant city of Williamsburg where you can find the Jamestown Settlement, Busch Gardens, and Colonial Williamsburg. Take a day trip abroad to see more of what Virginia has to offer.