The 30 best places to visit for arts and culture in Virginia Beach

$7 is the entrance/parking fee 1- kids & family friendly beach, bay water which means low tide and calm waves. Amazing for kids and people who can’t swim but they need to feel the ocean salty water all over their bodies 🧘🏽‍♀️ 2- They have outside beach shower, and restrooms, so you can shower then go to the restroom to get dressed. 3- I saw people with dogs, which means dogs friendly beach 🦮 4- If you’re looking for not crowded calm beach, it’s here. 5- We passed by the campground and it looks awesome, the campsites look wild between the woods but yet each of them has a parking space, they have grill-fire place, and picnic tables as well.There are special spots for RVs too. 6- The gift shop has some snacks, and soft drinks. The prices are very normal and reasonable. They have ice cream but it’s open certain days not every day. We noticed that they have firewood 🪵 too, for $8. 7- This beach is a starting point for some guided kayak tours. Go there and have fun 😌

Lots of trees and the military jets/helicopters stop by 10 PM. They're not bad. The beach is clean and was deserted on October 29-31. We loved our site 183 pull through, and they have a shuttle stop during high season.

First Landing is such a well-run, beautiful park. Whenever I make the trip down to Virginia Beach, I end up spending most of the day here. I enjoy exploring the beach and trails with my dogs. It’s usually less crowded here and easy to get in and out vs having to drive around trying to find parking by the beach boardwalk. The staff we’ve encountered here are very kind and helpful too!

We keep coming back year after year. We've been making this trip for about 10 years now. Its a quiet clean campground. The beach is a 10min walk. The Chesapeake bay is perfect for kids, the waves are small, lots of wildlife for the kids to explore.

Very helpful staff and plenty of parking. We visited the beach briefly and then walked one of the shorter trails through the woods. Beautiful walk on a very well-maintained trail.

It was a terribly, rainy day when we visited the park. We enjoyed walking through the visitor center, interpretive exhibits and seeing their animal ambassadors. We also visited the center near their trailhead on the other side of the park. Nice park gift shop also. Cabins are currently under renovation and didn’t get to see the campground.

Very cool spot. There was hardly anyone here so it was super peaceful and serene. Walked around and then drove the park and it seemed like a dream.

Nicely organized, friendly staff, and interesting exhibits. My son enjoyed the touch tanks and submarine control room, but it didn’t take long to get through the entire aquarium (about 2 hours moving pretty slowly). Could use something inside that’s more interactive like the seals at the entrance. Penguins would be a great addition. Not sure if the $35+/ticket is justified for another trip if in the area. Not disappointed in our trip, but not sure I would visit again. The gift shop prices are also insane. $70 for a long sleeve shirt tops all prices for gift shops I’ve been in before, and we’ve been to 10+ aquariums. Left without buying anything from the gift shop for the first time.

Very nice staff. Pet the sting rays was cool. Got a little taken back when they started playing, be prepared to get wet should they start to play again when you are near. Didn't eat at the cafe but seemed to have plenty to choose from. Boat ride wasn't available on a Monday I was there. Due to it was after Labor Day. Bathrooms are clean. 10/10

Nice Aquarium we came from up north. Love the seal right outside before you get it very unique touch. I was very surprised to see reptiles but the surprise was pleasant. We did go on a Saturday which was crowded but organized. Only negative was the parking meters had to go to multiple before we found one that actually worked so that definitely needs to be fixed it was a bit of a hassle. Make sure you take the walk on the scenic nature route the the south building where the otter and jelly fish are. Be warned the walk is about 13 minutes from one building to the other then you have to walk the same way back. They also have zip lining you can pay to do in that area a bit pricey but looked fun. Overall it is worth it if you take the scenic walk as well. They did have a theater but they said it was not ready and it was well into the afternoon so that was disappointing. But overall I recommend and it’s worth price ended up spending 2.5 hours which is way more than we planned but fun

Ok, if it your first time to this aquarium, let me start off by saying that there are 2 buildings, a North and a South that you get to by walking through an overhead zip line obstacle course. The path is well marked, but I was surprised by that set up. The staff were friendly, approachable, and informative. There are interact displays in around the buildings that would do a good job of keeping kids (and adults) entertained. We were also able to touch jellyfish and stingrays.

We were in Virginia Beach for a family vacation with the whole family, 10 people ages 12 to 80, and saw the good reviews of this aquarium so we thought it would be a nice place to spend the afternoon on a day with a good chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Overall, it was very disappointing. We have been to a lot of aquariums and this one was by far the least interesting and impressive, and one of the more expensive and crowded. There was not a lot of actual aquarium stuff and it only took about 2-2.5 hours to go through the entire thing, which at $35/person was not worth the cost. Many of the exhibits were closed or missing their animals and we all left disappointed. I wouldn’t recommend it.

I’m a big fan of aquariums and this by far is one of the best ones. We arrived around noon, there was no line to go in. I love how they have everything in separate sections, place was clean, staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We went with 3 little ones and they enjoy every minute of it, being able to touch and play with stingrays was the highlight for sure. Great place for families. I’d definitely recommend. We enjoyed it so much.

After seeing how my baby watched the fish tanks at petco, we decided to take her to the aquarium. She loved it! The animals were all well cared for, staff were friendly, and plenty of parking. We will definitely be coming back to make a full day out of it when she’s older to take advantage of the trails and restaurants outside.

What a cool place! So many planes to see and learn about. Recommend a tour if you can catch one. Lots of extra details and stories you wouldn't get if touring alone! Even the bathrooms have history lessons on the walls.

I'm giving five stars, because the fact of the matter is the individuals that volunteered here or work here. Actually cared, and we're glad to be there. That's huge for me, because if you're gonna have a place like this, be enthusiastic about it, be glad you're there, which everybody was. Not to mention the information that they had about different things were also plentiful. The hangers could be a little more interactive where you could get up closer to the planes maybe in look into some of them, but they were still very cool. I did disagree with the $350 price tag to get a quick flight in one of the planes, which to me fuel costs are not that high. I mean, who in the world can afford that amount of money? They gotta change that or not. Because that's just outrageous and screams we cater to a certain sect of folk...I mean we the little people are helping keeping this place going to, by buying regular tickets and merchandise, I wanted to go so bad, but oh well... Anyway, It's a pretty big area and we spent three hours there total. It's definitely worth going, and I am a critic as you can see from the things that I review. So again, it's definitely worth going✌🏼

My son and I went to the mseum not knowing what to expect. My son loves military planes, their engines and overall operations. We were so impressed with the quality of the planes and thoroughly enjoyed the staff that were available in the hangers for questions and answers. The free tour to an operations tower and 2 more hangers was amazing! It is a mere $17 for adults but there is also military discount, children and senior rates. The museum operates on donations and grants, so the price is a bargain. The gift shop is small but packed with some great memorabilia. We can't wait to go back, hopefully for the upcoming airshow. Its a must see for the whole family!

We went to the museum for an after hours special event and got to see both of the WWII hangars with the aircraft. It was amazing. There were volunteers there to tell us about the planes. They are all pristine and fully restored. You literally walk amongst these planes around, under and can see them up close! Very cool place!

We drove to VA Beach to check this Museum off our "adventure" list. So glad we did, the staff was great! The gentleman that greeted us was very knowledgeable and gave us a backstory of some of the planes and history. They have quite a few planes there and upstairs is a cool collection of items. We definitely enjoyed our time there and the gift shop has alot of cool things as well!

I stay in Richmond, so more than two hours travel until this Museum. Nice location, very quiet and lot of green grass and tree around. If you want to spend a Sunday with you family or alone, this museum is the right place to visit. Recommended.

The museum is always a good time and the staff there is friendly and really eager to tell stories and share information! We were lucky enough to catch the tail end of one of the guided tours and Tim was an excellent guide who brought us through a section of the museum I hadn't seen before. You could tell he had a passion for what he did, and the final piece of the tour really made the whole experience worth it.

Great place to spend an afternoon. When we visited, we enjoyed an exhibit that had school-aged kiddos' work on display (Included our favorite pieces in my attached pics). The other exhibits were interesting. They were mainly focused on climate changes and the environment. The museum is large and also has a theater within it where I watched a commentary about the pieces on display. They also sell food and beverages which are not permitted in the exhibits.

This museum tries to be historical and artistic at the same time but completely fails at both. The best part was the children’s art section. Clearly art has nothing to do with taste. I want my money back. The chiluly was pretty cool though but i recommend looking at it from the glass outside the building in-order to avoid paying for a ticket.

Wow, what a great show! Just saw the DUKE RILEY exhibit. What a treat. It was the highlight of our visit to Virginia Beach.

Very nice place to go and has interactive activities for children. I thought it was a very cute place to go especially for relaxing. It was free for us to go in since the Virginia Beach City pays for this place to stay open and up. It’s a small but good Museum for your day on vacation when you want to relax and just enjoy art and what it offers to your mind. It had different types of art too, painting, prints, sculpture, and videos! All loved and appreciated. They also have a cute gift shop full of books and stickers! Very nice place and would come back again one day in the future.

My family (children 10 & 13) stopped by here on a Sunday. The building itself is quite pretty, and the staff was just lovely. The entire place takes no more than an hour to go through, but it was a really pleasant hour. Aside from the main exhibit, there was quite a bit of student art on display. There were also three art/crafting stations that we all enjoyed working at as we made our way through the galleries. I think it was a lovely little stop - peaceful compared to the surrounding beach area. We saw people of all ages walking through, including families with young kids. Highly recommended.

Very cool and amazing art. The nice person who acknowledged us when we walked in was helpful in making us feel welcome. This person directed us to start to the right. As we began the children's art was fabulous. Then we proceeded to the main gallery art exhibit.

A lovely collection of contemporary art, including local artists. I’ll keep this on my “must see” list for future visits to VB. Easy parking, free entry, and friendly staff and volunteers. Photography (no flash) is allowed. The space was bright and airy and felt much larger that it looked from the exterior. I loved the benches and chairs tucked here and there, great spaces to enjoy the exhibits or sit with your sketch pad and create. The museum is the anchor to the ViBe Creative District.

This site offers a comprehensive overview of the country's history. The vantage point from the historic lighthouse provides breathtaking views. The stairwells are easily accessible. Interior temperatures can be elevated. Please note that the site is located on a military base. Consequently, all visitors must present a valid driver's license or alternative form of identification. The entry process is expedited. The shuttle service from the entrance to the lighthouse grounds is prompt. We recommend allocating approximately 49 minutes for your visit.😀

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Must-Visit Historic Gem with Stunning Coastal Views Visiting the Cape Henry Lighthouse was a memorable and enriching experience. Located within the secure perimeter of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, it’s important to note that access requires a valid photo ID for everyone over the age of 16. The process is very organized — after a quick ID check at the gate, a shuttle transports visitors from the front entrance directly to the lighthouse area. The lighthouse itself is a beautiful and well-preserved piece of American history. We learned a lot about its significance — it was the first federal construction project authorized by the U.S. government in 1792 and offers incredible insight into early coastal navigation and maritime heritage. The staff and volunteers were friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share fascinating facts about the area and its historical context. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse rewarded us with absolutely breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the perfect spot for photos, reflection, or just enjoying the scenery. Highly recommend this experience for history lovers, families, and anyone looking to soak in panoramic coastal views while learning about early American history. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the climb, and don’t forget your ID

Worth the extra effort to get on the military base. Climb to the top of the lighthouse is not nearly as daunting as it sounds if heights aren't an issue for you, the view is worth it! See where the Jamestown colony landed. Interpretive signs are helpful.

Located on a military base. You must enter at gate 8 and they will escort you to where you need to go. You will exchange your ID for a base pass. There are rules to abide, like where the boundaries are and what you can pictures of. Then you will shuttled back to the lighthouse area. If you pay for the lighthouse there are a bunch of stairs to get to the lighthouse in addition to the lighthouse stairs. You can only climb the older lighthouse (brick), not the newer one (black & white iron). The overview of the Chesapeake Bay & monuments provided some history. Walking in the boundaries could be hot during summer months since there is little to no shade.

This place is pretty neat! We love history, so we were excited to explore this site, which was touched by Washington and Hamilton. It's worth it to walk all the way up the lighthouse, for a great 360° view. It's also worth it to take the civilian walk to the shoreline area. One item of note is, this is located on an active navy base. You have to go through a checkpoint and a briefing. What you take with you to that briefing is ALL you can take with you to the lighthouse. That briefing clears you to take the shuttle that will take you to the lighthouse area. If you go through the briefing, then remember you need something else in your vehicle (which you leave at that parking lot), you have to go through the briefing again. So make sure you bring everything you need, the first time, to help you and your family avoid the hassle of going through the briefing multiple times. We did not know this when we were there, as it was our first time, and NO ONE, not even the military people at the checkpoint, prepared us for that. All they said was, "Park there, walk into that building, get briefed, then you wait for the shuttle." THAT was all they said. We left our backpack, waistpacks, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, everything, in the vehicle, and went to the lighthouse without anything except what we carried into the briefing building. Not the most informative crew at the vehicle entrance checkpoint. So now you know. Other than that, it was a good day trip!

The staff here are amazing, passionate, and knowledgeable about the facility as well as the greater lighthouse ecosystem around the country! A truly memorable and enjoyable experience of our summer! Please note, the lighthouse is located on an active military site so please check requirements before hand and it will be an worthwhile visit!

A must go if you're in the area. This is a truly magnificent structure that you can climb all the way to the top. The history on this lighthouse and how long ago it was built is very surprising. A park guide will explain the history. There's even a bucket that simulates the oil that had to be carried up to the light each day and you can pick that up and carry it.

Quaint little museum for anyone interested in the history of fowl hunting and the rifles and wooden decoys used in the past. Clean restrooms. Never any wait or crowds. May be a few families walking throughout during peak summer months, but never crowded. Nice walkway for handicap access and rocking chairs on the wooden front porch facing the Atlantic Ocean. Also a the Dewitt Cottege is adjacent & sometimes has good local live music very visible from the porch of the museum. Recommended if you enjoy the museum topic, want to learn about it, or just enjoy sitting in a rocking chair staring at the sea.

Initially, I went for the Gingerbread House Competition. It was fantastic to see all the entries and work each competitor put in to their creations. The museum's wildfowl memorabilia and other artifacts were interesting. I think this most certainly has to be something you're interested in to get the full benefit of visiting.

Cool stop along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The museum is free and they have lots of hand carved decoys on display which are pretty interesting as well as the building being a historic cottage from the 1800s. I recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

Free, interesting museum with a beautiful garden in back. On the 2nd floor there is an informative video about the history of Virginia Beach, along with a lot of old photos. Friendly staff members.

Built in 1895, beautifully restored almost 100 years later in 1994, the de Witt Cottage features a large collection of wildfowl decoys, as well as a wide variety of old photographs, newsclips, and antiques. Lower floor free, $2 donation requested for upper gallery, which is accessible via stairlift for those who may have difficulty climbing. Video lecture provides a brief history of the Virginia Beach boardwalk. Great lens back in time for those interested in the area's history. Curator was knowledgeable and gregarious without being pushy. Souvenir postcards 3-for-$1. Gift shop also featured books, art, jewelry, and (of course!) decoys. Purchase came with complimentary reusable state-branded canvas tote. Would recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

Small cottage house where a family used to live. They were having a gingerbread house competition so you could see all the displays. All free so if you're in the area it's a neat place to visit.

Carvers were on site and shared interesting information, but the decoy display was being rotated, so only a few were out. Crazy how thus is in the middle of busy Virginia Beach. Parking can be hard to find.

Came here to visit all the way from Jersey. Beautiful park has a playground a nice dock to walk on as well as a long staircase and beautiful grass area. Expected there to be more to do. It was Saturday morning so a medium size crowd. Overall nice little stop if needed to kill time or looking for a nice quiet place to walk

The park was clean the sheltered was reserved tables were set up. The park and planning personnel was very helpful Brenda Torkilsome very professional and easy to work with. My only complaint a little cumbersome for senior to walk to shelter. We had shelter 1. The park ranger did come to try to accommodate some seniors.

Needs to be a national landmark for our country. It is so nice to see how one city made a decision to make somebody else's trash into a goldmine for kids and families. The park does need more cleanup after the cute little geese, as they come to the highest part of the mountain, and play with their families too. But in the evening the views are over a lake on one side and a highly viewable play area for kids on the other side of the mountain. There is a track the runs all around both sides of the mountain as well. Park is equipped with separate public bathrooms. Covered picnic table /barbecue pavilions, a skate park, and a stage for outdoor concerts too. Ample free parking. This is a PET FRIENDLY PARK. Closes at or around sunset. Great place for outdoor fun and I highly recommend it.

This is a great place to take your family to get in some exercise. There is a kids playground that will keep them entertained and exercised. Alot of nice people there walking and running. I came from Elizabeth City just to walk there

My 2 year old loves the playground at this park! Kids cove is So cute and fun. Always plenty of kids, but so much variety you never have to wait to play. Every visit has been a fun filled, memorable experience. Kids and parents are kind and considerate. The grounds are clean and well kept.

Beautiful park with restrooms, vending machines, and water bottle filling stations and water fountains. Stunning views from atop the mountain that is hard to believe is filled with decomposing trash. Walking trails are pavement. There are alot of steps leading up to the mountain. I think my kid counted 70 or so steps

What a cool way to reuse the land! Great space to picnic, exercise, and to let the kids run off some energy!

Stopped in to mose around and ended up learning a lot. A very knowledgeable volunteer gave us a brief tour of the museum. Then we took our time browsing around.

An awesome free museum with an array of Virginia and Coast Guard history of the area. The staff was nice and gave great additional information as well. I loved the ghost stories. They are pet friendly and had a bowl of water out front for my guy to get a drink on the hot day. The rocking chairs were also a great addition to take a break while talking to the staff.

I love this place..so much information from the early days of Virginia Beach up thru current times..I remember taking my grandkids there one time for a children's program on pirates..also a nice gift shop thete.

The HRMHS, a history society, before the museum even opened, offered donations of appropriate and interesting items, and volunteered to help man the museum and give talks. We emphasized the history of lifesaving in Seatack and offered souvenirs for display. We were absolutely snubbed and the woman in charge refused to even speak to us other than to solicit cash and a truck.

An awesome little museum that is free! I learned a ton about lifeguards, the origins of it, as well as lots of stuff about the ocean. I love the chart showing all the ships that have gone down and the exhibit on surfing.

The name of this place undersells it. The subject matter, while surf & rescue for sure, is more complex than the "baywatch"-esque themes that spring to mind just passing by it. This museum covers the long history of shipwrecks in the Cape Henry area of Virginia and how the US Lifesaving Service served the crews of those ships - but it also covers the Lighthouse Service, the Coast Guard (including their role in WWII), U-boats along the Virginia coast, Maritime disasters, the Weather Service (predecessor to NOAA), and actual surfing. It's easily accessible from the oceanfront on foot. The main exhibit is on the first floor, which covers shipwrecks, surfing, and the Lifesaving Service. The second floor is undergoing a redesign of sorts, but with docent escort they'll let you up there on request. That was my favorite floor - everything up there was about the Coast Guard, Lighthouse Service, and the impact of World War II. In a nutshell I'd say the first floor is for the lightly interested visitor, the second floor is for the more serious maritime enthusiast. Access to the actual watch tower is restricted to special events. The one thing that this museum could benefit from is artifact-level interpretation - there are lots of interesting items on shelves that have their manufacturer's mark (i.e., gyroscope) so the viewer can generally tell what it is, but the history of the item (i.e., ship it came from, era, how the museum came to have it) would go a long ways towards instilling the importance of the artifact. As constructed, there are anchors and timbers and lanterns and all sorts of instruments that are grouped together to make aesthetically interesting displays about a topic, but as an artifact-phile, I was constantly wondering the history of those items themselves. A special mention is warranted for the macro artifacts on display outside - those are really neat. There are a couple WWII-era navy anchors (wonder what those have seen!), a freighter steering wheel, a life car, a couple capstans, a WWII USCG propeller (probably off USCGC Cherokee), and then multiple anchors, a boiler, and a buoy lantern salvaged from the ocean. And don't forget - the building itself is an artifact! The historic lifesaving station, while not particularly rare, is increasingly an uncommon sight and is very well kept. I spent an hour and a half here, pouring over every item, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended, and tip of the cap to the folks who keep this place running. No admission fee, but donations can be given at the desk and they give you a receipt for tax purposes.

Such a nice hidden gem right along the boardwalk. Past it quite a few time before we finally visited, but so happy we finally stopped. We walked around without a tour guide, but you can also get a guided tour. Price was very reasonable about $5-$10.

Visited in mid-April and were fortunate enough to have cool weather and a nice sunny day to enjoy the grounds and Thoroughgood House. While waiting to take a tour with Ethan there is a small museum in the visitor center that references some general Virginia history (period clothing, some artifacts) and gives a little overview of the Thorowgood family. Prior to walking the grounds and home there is a nicely informative video which goes into a little more detail on who the family is and their history from Britain to the colonies. During the tour our guide Ethan was able to answer many questions and I felt was very good at sharing knowledge in a historical context while connecting it to modern sentiments. It made the tour more relatable as opposed to just hearing recited facts from a placard (which there are no placards, so a tour is absolutely recommended and free!). The grounds and home are well maintained and the visitor center was clean. For a location that is free and has such a connection to the area I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

Loved it! Guide is friendly and warmly knowledgeable without being long-winded. Appropriate for school aged kids who can go up and down steep steps. There's a little musuem - visitor center and clean restrooms.

I had a pretty good time at the ice cream event. It was a little rushed but I appreciate the after hours accessibility and free ice cream! The staff was nice and I would love to have longer tour and explore the grounds further in future visits.

I love history. Seeing how life was lived in the past gives insight but it also makes me very appreciative of what I have now. To see how upscale life was so much "less than" average life is now makes you think. Knowing this was a plantation with enslaved people was also food for thought and weighing of the past.

Lovely historic home and garden tucked in a neighborhood. I attended a Dyeing program and it was very informative and well done.

The Thoroughgood House is a well-preserved historic site that offers a fascinating look into early colonial life. The architecture and guided tours provide rich insights into the history of the area and the people who lived there. It’s a peaceful and educational place, perfect for those interested in heritage, architecture, and local culture.

So glad we stopped to visit The Thoroughgood House. We had a great tour and learned a ton! Very interesting and really neat to see such a historic home.

Like many other visitors, we explored the grounds and saw the house from the outside, though we couldn’t go inside due to ongoing restoration work. I’m not sure how much longer the restoration will take, but it’ll be great once the house is open for tours. The visit itself was peaceful, as we had the place to ourselves and could take our time soaking in the atmosphere. While a few areas and items are clearly in need of some restoration and upkeep, it remains a charming stop for anyone interested in the local history. There was ample parking, likely since it is closed. Just a heads-up if you're visiting early in the morning—be prepared to walk through quite a few spider webs!

The building itself is closed, but the property is gorgeous & I still had a great time walking around it. It's a beautiful location & the building is in excellent shape. Very fascinating to see. Original stained glass windows are still intact.

Went inside as part of a restoration tour last month. Although it looks the same as ever on the outside it has been totally gutted inside as part of the restoration work. Was a big surprise and hurt my heart to see it look that way, since I used to work here as a volunteer in high school. Hope they can get it fixed up soon and opened once again to visitors and school groups.

Very cool to walk and look at the building. That being said wish we could have went inside. My kids went with me in the walk they didn't know anything about the place we was looking at but my daughter got anxious when we got to the back yard and rushed to leave.

I love this house! I was the first person to work here when it opened to the public . I honestly believe the house is older than 1725 because papers were found stating Ann and Seville Gaskins purchased the property and built a home/tavern on the property in the early mid 1600s. Either way , the house has so much charm and a sad yet warm feel about it. I occasionally go there and walk around and still feel a connection to this wonderful home.

Only five star because of it shrouded mystery of past history! It was a great place when I was a kid and we used to take field trips there now it's never open which is a historical house I and a bit put back by why the restoration is still uncomplete but nevertheless it's beautiful.

Had a wonderful time at the plate painting class! Very well organized, just the right amount of people and the instructors were very knowledgeable and sweet. Can't wait for the next class!

Ferry Plantation House is rather interesting. It sits in the middle of what is now a subdivision along the banks of the Lynnhaven River. You can schedule a tour ahead of time. The pricing is by group size, not per person. The tours are given by volunteers who are very knowledgeable.

An awesome tour, chandelier started shaking and no one was moving that made the hair rise on our arms. With 11 known spirits and 1 cat it's possible to have an encounter. Most of the house felt relatively normal but the upstairs bedroom to the left there wasn't a good vibe coming from that room. I'd say definitely worth the tour and if you get an opportunity to stay the night, it'd be once in a lifetime.

Great little Fall Festival, some amazing artisans selling their crafts, great way to start early Christmas shopping, then there was a tour of the house. It was beautiful and the story of its former owners was very interesting. Love to learn a little local history. There is a amazing city park path right next to it. So beautiful and peaceful, great for biking or walking. Hidden gems in VB.

This is a really neat place to visit, so much history! Lots of unique vintage items can be found throughout the house, and the tours are amazing. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and you learn something different every time you visit. The story of how the Witchduck area got its name is neat, just ask the guides to fill you in. Annual membership is a bargain to help preserve this historical gem, and you get a really nice, lengthy newsletter filled with more interesting info about the house and it's prior inhabitants. Hoping one day to see one of the many ghosts that are said to haunt here. If you're a history buff and want to learn more about the area, or like historical houses and antiques, this is a great place to visit year-round.

Ferry Plantation House is a beautifully preserved historic site that showcases early American architecture and local heritage. The guided tours share fascinating stories from the past, offering insight into the people and events that shaped the region. It’s a peaceful and educational place, perfect for history lovers and those interested in cultural preservation.

Ferry Plantation My daughter and I are homeschoolers so we go on frequent field trips together. This was our absolute favorite!! A must see! I really loved how this landmark is very hands on, and I love to touch everything! The last place we went to was strictly hands off, no touching of anything so this was a much welcomed change. The tour guide we had was Cody Green. Cody is an amazing person who is so fun to be around and is just an absolute plethora of knowledge! He taught us so much from common phrases and their origins to other random oddities and behind the scenes perspectives! My daughter Kaiya is a self proclaimed history buff and this definitely fit the bill. It is a house that was built by slaves. I learned that many masters during that era were very unkind to their slaves but at ferry plantation, it is unique that they highly valued their slave. So much so that they even had her at the front of the family photograph which was unheard of at the time. Unfortunately where the slaves lived was not accessible, for I was most excited to see how the slaves lived but it is still in process of being restored. We really enjoyed the part of the tour where we got to see the huge tree that had been hallowed out, yet is somehow managing its survival with new strong roots. I also loved the linen they used for clothes. I was intrigued to learn that the ferry plantation has been confirmed ‘haunted’ by numerous ghost hunter groups. You can find videos on YouTube. Our tour guide Cody, informed us though not to be scared as their spirits are not harmful and very positive energy. We also enjoyed seeing how they baked bread in crevices made near the oven so that the oven heat bakes the bread. One of the most unique and emotion provoking pieces I saw was on the wall, there is a ‘H’ carved into the wall where Henry the slave carved his name into the wall marking his bedroom. Henry lived until his 80s and the family allowed him to live there until he died. I hear they have future plans for having Poe readings. I will have to get more info on that. I highly recommend this place. It’s very affordable and worth every cent! Please go, you won’t regret it!

The tour guides were amazing. This house has an eerie yet comforting presence to it. Tons of history. Check out Thomas Jefferson’s fortepiano. Make sure that the ghost cats brush up against your leg. It might just happen.

It's such a most memorable place to visit the Virginia beach boardwalk.

All across the Atlantic back in our homeland, her sister stands. They are faced so they look at each other.

Erected after the wreck of the Dictator, a Norwegian ship which fell victim to the Graveyard of the Atlantic off the shore here in the 1890s. The brave Coast Guard and other Virginia Beachers helped save as many as they could, and the Norwegian Lady stands as a memorial to those who passed and to honour those who were brave enough to save them. Moss, Norway has the same exact statue that has the same inscription facing out to sea there as well. Located right by the Naval Aviation Memorial, you can consolidate visits easy. Cheers.

20250410 Beautiful Memorial.

Good to see the Norwegian flag in Virginia Beach.

Poignant reminder of the perils of sea travel.

The story of sister cities that came together to watch over both countries!!! I am also Norwegian which adds more meaning to it.

I am always on the hunt for beautiful street art. Was so pleased so find a whole Vibe arts district where street art is celebrated.

Loved all the beautiful art work here!

A fun place to walk around if you want a leisurely stroll. Recommend starting at the Museum of Contemporary Art to check out the latest exhibit and then walking to one of the many coffee shops or cafes before exploring the art galleries and shops. The murals are nice, but spread apart so if you aren’t in good health you may want to skip this.

I was there off season on a Tuesday. A lot was closed. If your really into checking out murals Def worth a trip. If not, just a dingy downtown w a lot of murals.

Murals are fun here! It was nice little walk. Definitely must go if visiting VB area.

Beautiful art and creativity! The entire city is full of it, so don't limit your mural viewing to just this one area!

Nice art scenery

Talented artists who work in many mediums. The Art Center hosts new art exhibitions every first Friday of each month. Come in and visit all the beautiful art available.

I joined one of the 8 session pottery classes, and I am so happy I did. The instructor was super helpful, and had great suggestions on how to improve my technique. I am new to pottery, but no one made me feel like I couldn't catch on. Everyone was so supportive, and had nothing but positive things to say about my *ahem* abstract pieces (they're so bad, but they're mine). The price for the classes is equivalent to or less expensive than other local studios.

The Virginia Beach arts center is THE place for anyone who wishes to purchase local art and take an art or pottery class. It is a 901(c)3, nonprofit organization, established to support local art through community programs, classes, and monthly exhibitions that are all open to the public. Support VBAC in anyway you can; we all need good art to brighten our lives.

This wonderful art center showcases a rich and diverse variety of art. The Artist Gallery at the front has a new exhibit each month! The Pottery is an amazing space with all the equipment any potter would need. Classes of all levels are offered for both The Pottery and The Artist Gallery. Check it out! A great experience and a remarkable place in the Virginia Beach Vibe District!

The most unprofessional place for developing artists. I came here to do an internship for my art degree and at first everything was fine I was sitting in classes and declined other internship offers. On my second day, Mrs Valentina told me it was ok for us to work together. Therefore I went home created lesson plans and sent them to her just for her to say she’s done enough for me by answering my questions and changed her mind about working with me. So 30 minutes later you change your mind? That’s so UNPROFESSIONAL and the fact that she couldn’t tell me to my face that she didn’t want to work with me is off putting. MRS VALENTINA YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME AND GOT FREE LESSON PLANS I MADE FOR YOU! Don’t ever come here thinking this place is a safe space for developing artists. Just exploitation and people who will waste your time. Thanks for that :)

The instructor was great,I learned so much. The gallery is small but beautiful. You can visit with the artist as they work. And the art you can purchase is fantastic.

Such a warm and friendly place, the artists are knowledgable and the art so varied in subjects and mediums. From pottery to jewelry, paintings and photography, even art on scarves, all are priced to sell. I highly recommend visiting to buy art from local artists!

We love this venue. Drive down from Lancaster PA. See the show, have a nice dinner and drive back the next morning. Never seen a bad concert there. Look forward to many more

I visited the space for a beauty paegent. The space was well maintained with a great stage and lovely tiered seating.

I received a warm welcome by event staff when I entered the building. The building is clean and seating is comfortable. You can see from any seat in the building. There was only one drink line. But be patient and kind because most of staff is volunteers. I would recommend closing doors 15 minutes after the show starts and not letting reentry until intermission. I attended the Hip Hop Orchestra and attendees were late and walked the entire show. No show etiquette at all. I will try to support this venue in the future.

What’s a beautiful facility. The large stage provided the student plenty of room to put on a great show.

This is one of the best places to see a wide and diverse variety of shows, plays, ballets and concerts. There are literally no bad seats. The sound is great. The center itself is quite nice. They have original art in all different genres and mediums from local artists on the walls for sale upstairs. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. My husband and I both agree this is our venue of choice for great evening of entertainment.

Everyone at that theater is absolutely awesome. Had such a great night.

Love this venue!! I play here regularly with Symphonicity and really appreciate the friendly and professional staff/employees. The atmosphere is ideal for an audience member as well - great acoustics, seating and stage. Definitely well worth it to attend a show here, highly recommend!

For many years, I have studied Edgar Cayces readings and find his legacy fascinating. We were in Virginia so of course, had to visit the headquarters. I could spend weeks in the library. The gift shop had some interesting things as well. All the staff were friendly and helpful too.

We liked coming back to Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. this morning and visiting the bookstore there. Although the meditation room upstairs still was closed as of today, it was good to see others in the bookstore supporting the good work that Edgar Cayce helped to start many decades ago. There are several books that I liked, and one of them I bought with a discount because of my membership. It’s wonderful to support the good work that this organization does!

Very interesting place to go. I’m not the type that would really put my interest into this type of stuff, but it was very interesting learning about Edgar Cayce’s life and his abilities to help people and tell them remedies of what they need and or tell others about loved ones. The library after the tour of the place was very insightful and cool to go through. I bought two photography books, since Edgar was into photography just like I am which is special to me. It was very interesting learning about Edgar’s life and his potential of his abilities.

We visited the library on the second floor and saw the complete holdings of the Cayce works, as well as many rows of shelves with relevant subjects. I could have pitched a tent there and remained!! The gift store is on the first floor. Mediation room on third floor. Spa is in a nearby building. Ample parking. Easy access. Friendly helpful staff. I bought four books in the store.

Ohh so awesome. Had a passion/psychic reading done today by Samantha Weaver. Was awesome. So spot on and revealing. Confirmed information from other sources and history. Great place , including the library

The library was closed today still cool place to visit

Very warm and friendly and I love the educational programs. All kinds of different points of view so you can figure out what it is you think and believe.

Pretty good venue, ticket prices were very reasonable. (Concessions were quite expensive, however...) Parking was included, but getting around and figuring out where the entrance was, etc., was a bit confusing. There are "reserved seats" and lawn seating. You can rent a lawn chair - apparently you can't bring your own Restrooms are ample, and clean. All in all, I was pleased - I got to see The Doobie Brothers and the Coral Reefer Band for a reasonable amount and had a good time!

I was there last night the parking is very efficient, just have patience. The staff are great and friendly. The drinks are a sticker shock though. We paid $62.00 with tip for 2 adult drinks. The food and snacks are also up there. I would suggest if on a budget to eat before the show. We saw Judas Priest and Alice Cooper, we were running late so missed the pre show.

We came here for the first time with our kids for their first concert, and it was a great experience. The staff was polite and helpful. Guest Services made it extra special by giving out keepsakes like a ticket with the date and band name, along with a fun photo cutout. They also offer a bag of fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and other items if needed. Parking was easy, and getting in and out of the venue was smooth.

I had seat tickets to see pierce the veil here. I would say as a plus size woman - or even a woman with wider hips - should be wary of the seats. They are super small (like smaller than airplane seats) and I was uncomfortable in mine. My husband was even having issues sitting in the seats and he is very skinny so we decided to sit on the lawn. The lawn view was okay, but we skipped out on renting chairs because it was way too expensive to justify it. The prices for food and drinks were highway robbery. If you wanted a mixed drink, expect to pay $20 minimum. The beers started at $16.50. A small burger comparable to a McDouble and a small fry with it was $20. All of the food options are also premade so expect your burger or anything soft to be hard and crusty from sitting under a heat lamp. I would recommend eating a big dinner and drinking lots of water before coming to a show here to avoid the food prices. Merch was also very expensive but this is the case for every concert, so that is not the venue’s fault. Overall, my experience with the music was great, but the venue leaves a lot to be desired.

This venue is rad as hell during summer, The opposite was true tonight multiple people said that they usually don't do shows this late in the year the employees were cold and shivering they had the small heater that barely can warm your hands for the employees. (VIP lounge/ package)at 35$ a person for winter could use some love no propane heaters in the lounge no cameras of the stage while waiting in the lounge but the ambiance is nice and the bathrooms are clean the audio that comes through the speakers could for sure use some upgrades. The wait staff did not frequent our table we were stopped in on maybe once or twice within an hour and a half, so we ordered from the bar. the food and drinks are on the pricey side to say the least is for sure a gouge the quality was mid to be honest my chicken sliders did also have a hair in them but they made it right and got me another order and apologised but it still took another 10 minutes to get, the average mixed drink is 23$ that goes up to 40$ the average food plate is 19 and goes to 40$ for 10 wings that is more expensive than Dodgers stadium in LA.... The way the venue is set up is super creative and has a really good vibe.

I love this place. And of course I love twenty one pilots’s concert♥️. The main thing is the roof so if even rain the concert doesn’t cancel. Employees are so nice and helpful.

Came here for Pierce the Veil and lived the place. Easy quick parking that's included with your ticket. I loved that there is a walking path around the lawn and seats so you can go walk and listen as well. Vendors are great and quick, pricey, but it is an amphitheater so you expect that. All around great place.

As a local, it’s easy to walk past this monument without giving it much thought, but it’s truly worth taking a moment to stop and appreciate. This well-maintained monument is a beautiful tribute to our Navy SEALs and is situated in a prime location. If you’re just coming to see the monument, parking nearby might be a bit tricky to find. However, if you're already strolling along the boardwalk, make sure to pause and honor the bravery and dedication of our Navy SEALs. It's a meaningful stop that deserves recognition.

Such a neat and educational monument; the lifesize statue really brings an element of connection to the work they were doing. A quick but valuable stop on your boardwalk adventures!

Very well put together monument, it's nice to see how the youngest SOF has come so far. Thank you all operators past, present, and future.

Always a great place to visit. Glad I got to take my beautiful woman there to experience this with me.

My grandfather was a frogman with UDT in WWII. This is a very nice memorial for all those who gave their service and lives for all of us. Very nicely done at the end or beginning, depending on where you're coming from, of the VA Beach Boardwalk.

Pretty cool monument dedicated to Navy seals, the unsung heroes who have died in service to our country, often on missions that were not in public knowledge. You can find it close to 38 1/2 street near the Courtyard Marriott.

Beautiful memorial paying tribute to our Navy SEALs. Can't thank them enough for putting this up there.

Beautiful place to visit. Coffee, dinner, a little shopping if your into what is available. Parking is hard to find and limited time to park when you want to enjoy the day and worry about 15 min or 2 hour parking.

Great area to stay in that's not too far from the beach, it offers alternative entertainment and restaurant access in addition to some late night bars & breweries.

Excellent! Plenty of GREAT entertainment, restaurants, boutiques, just walking around on date wuth your lady...it is just a cool area! Oh... theater performances live bands play outdoors! Beautiful place to knock your day out!

Great place to grab some food and snap some pictures at. Not much to do other than that, but has beautiful architecture, high public areas and fantastic views from them. I’ve got a few of my photos attached to here if you don’t have the time to see them for yourself.

I'm loving what they're doing in this area of VA Beach. They have live bands in the plaza regularly, and there are plenty of places to eat, shop, have recreational activities, and park for free. VA Beach is stepping up for its locals.

New Year's 2023 was the best New Year's I've had. The movement was playing for a free concert I wish they would come every year and every year after that!

I live in Town Center and is an amazing spot to walk around and shop. It’s always a clean and very safe area. Free public parking too!

Went here for a track meet for our youngest brother. The facility was really nice and look modernized. The event was really interesting because the competition was fierce. All the schools competing to be champions. The restaurant inside was great and, it was cool to see that they have a variety of options. The sports plex houses multiple events which is really neat. The place was very clean and organized. The negatives are the food at the restaurant is over priced and the sloped track (some athletes are running uphill more than others and I don't think the extra distance and effort are accounted for properly).

I enjoy this venue. Large space, convenient area. Parking is ok. They could have more parking. Concession stand was actually decent and reasonable.

Great space and location. Just needs vending machines since concession stand was closed when we went. Overall amazong place for sports event.

Indoor AAU Track and Field National Championships. This Arena was lg enough for this volleyball tournament. Cheer leading. We spent 12 hours here so bring your credit cards because they don't except cash. And if your lucky there will also be food and coffee trucks.

Great facility. Came here for a weekend volleyball tournament. The sports center was clean, bright and spacious. Even though there were a lot of people the facility never felt cramped or tight. There is bleacher seating for spectators and a nice food court serving standard fare, such as, burgers, pizza, to-go items, coffee, etc. There was sufficient parking as well.

Went to a gymnastics competition here, it was spacious and had more than enough seating. Don't know if it was just because of the limited workers but not all the food options were available, but they had enough to satisfy. The competition was on a Friday and it started at 8 am, so that could also be the reason the food area was limited.

Atmosphere is awesome (great positive energy) throughout the entire day 🏐

What is not to love about Hilltop East?! Literally loaded with store after store of unique and high-quality goods as well as some very nice dining. I love almost every shop here and you can spend an entire afternoon walking and shopping. Parking is plentiful and it legit has a steakhouse, melting pot, breakfast place, sandwich shop, coffee shop as well as some ladies high fashion stores, an outdoor store, a plant store, a shoe store, a baby store, etc. etc. Really, there is everything - even children's dental and barber shops. One stop shop - for real!

Easy access to all the places where I go. Parking lot is appropriate for the traffic, even with some construction going on. Street access entrances seem to be adequate most of the time.

Killer sandwiches and drinks. Always a perfect place to meet a friend for a quick lunch.

Great food, I am a sucker for a great sandwich

So many varieties of shops and restaurants. Great place to window shop. Lots to choose from.

Love sandwiches and great beer for lunch

I went to a restaurant called The Melting Pot excellent people excellent food I would recommend to anyone anytime. A man named Andrew owns the restaurant and he was very good very attentive and believe it or not hands on I say it again he was the owner not a staff member and I had no complaints whatsoever but he was very attentive to me in my group personally I thank him very much and all of his great staff for the wonderful job they done for us

The Neptune Statue on the Virginia Beach boardwalk is iconic and world renowned. It’s easily one of the most recognizable landmarks in Virginia Beach. Probably the most photographed point as well on the boardwalk. With the ocean in the background, it’s an amazing scene. It’s very close to the 31 Ocean mall and restaurants. Must visit when you are down in the area

A fun beach and boardwalk. Not your traditional board walk with tons of novelty shops. More hotels and just the beach. The statue was huge and very neat to see!

When you are in Virginia beach, you must visit Neptune Statue. Very impressive!!! Best boardwalk attrection!!!

Awesome place to visit and take a picture pretty coo!! And there is great food in the area!! You Definitely gotta try Pocahontas pancakes!! Not too far from this location.

Beautiful! On the beach and free to view. Great restaurant adjacent

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a a great place to walk, bike, people watch, grab a meal, access or overlook the ocean.

Absolutely stunning! The statue is absolutely beautiful and very intricate. Lots of placards with various info, as well as lots of detail to look at up close. The statue is surprisingly large, and depending on the time of day the lighting can accent the details perfectly to make it even more awe inspiring. Overall, would recommend if you are walking the strip at VA beach.

Such a fun and memorable activity! I brought two visitors from out of town and it’s great they are able to bring a homemade souvenir home with them. We had so much fun painting, glittering, and blinging our mermaids and manatee! Pricing is $25 for the mermaid with a $7 studio fee plus additional for bling you add. $5 additional for a seasonal animal such as the manatee (available for April!) Each of ours ended between $35 and $45 for reference.

My daughters and I just visited and it was the best thing we’ve done in a long time!!! We were able to get super creative and couldn’t be happier with the outcomes of our work. Ms. Nessa is an angel of a woman and was so helpful and kind. We are already talking about our next visit!

We had the BEST time at The Mermaid Factory! The space is fun, creative, and full of positive energy, perfect for all ages (my youngest is 5 and did such a great job)! Julia went above and beyond to make sure everyone in our group had a great experience, and the whole team was equally kind, helpful, and engaging. From painting to personalizing our pieces, the experience was not only relaxing but also incredibly fun. It’s such a unique activity and a total hidden gem. Highly recommend for a day out, birthday party, or any time you want to spark some creativity and joy. Thank you, Julia and the staff at Mermaid Factory, for making it so special. We’ll definitely be back! 🧜‍♀️✨

We had gone to Virginia Beach on a sisters trip and decided to stop in. Julia got us situated and gave us our instructions and encouragement and off we went. It was so much fun! Vanessa got us all checked out and packed our treasures up for the trips home! Stop in if you’re in the area and create your own masterpiece from VB! We loved it!!

Julia was incredible! 10/10 We had a great time! Definitely will be back when we come back.

This place was so fun, it was my second time coming! Until the younger lady working at the desk, was distracted when her friend walked in. My grandma went up to get glitter for her mermaid, and the younger girls friend would keep doing weird faces behind her back. She was non stop talking about boys and distracting her friend. Other than that, it was a great time

Wonderful relaxing time with my sister. The manager was extremely friendly, helpful and personable. I live out of state and will definitely come back.

This gallery is Hampton Road's best kept artistic secret. The nonprofit offers a place for artists to display their work in a relaxed environment while networking with other local talent. It's beautifully curated, fitting in lots of pieces without feeling crowded. The open mic nights and painting sessions are amazing. It's unbelievable the amount of skill in the 7 cities. Plus, they're a good time. Raeesah, the owner, is open to ideas. Just go into the back and see the murals and the in-progress dome to get an idea of the love being poured into this place. It's a community effort with a great message: help your fellow man thrive, in our neighborhood and across the globe.

Excellent vibe. Studio is equipped with space for collaborations, music production, showcasing, drawing/painting, and even has a kitchen. Vegan options here are prestine. Not to mention the "backyard" has a live stage and is welcoming to anyone interested in community gardening, and educating themselves on holistic health.

Amazing art, went for an open mic and got way more than I had imagined! Exceeded my expectations, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Jam session with a few other artists, walked away with amazing food and coffee from culture coffee and tea bar and some art from one of the local artist/photographers I'd met.

Utopia Feni is the bomb. Such a great place for community and art. Check it out and join as a member to get the inside scoop on all things art on this side of Virginia Beach! Everyone is so friendly and there's so many neat vendors in the shop.

Intimate setting with high vibrations & beautiful Souls preparing and sharing positive energy through their food and spirit. Plant-based eaters please enjoy this gem in Virginia Beach.

This is a great place for creatives to come together, network, socialize, inspire, and encourage one another. It's also a wonderful place to purchase items which support our local artists.

What an amazing gallery! They've got this great DIY concept, they have small events often and they have a great mission! Such an unconventional and fresh art gallery.

Best men's shop

Very informative. If you are interested in the history of education in the black community before and after segregation in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. This museum is a must

This is a hidden gem. So much history...we were/are landowners!

The history of the school has been kept for other generations of African Americans to view. Very impressive.

All I know the SCHOOL was GREAT for BLACK PEOPLE I LOVE IT ❤

Love their selection of local artists pieces!! the beautiful magnolia trees in the back yard are the perfect setting for any special event! Pungo living at its finest!!

Great local art scene.

I remember when the last Dewitt daughter lived in this house. She was elderly, and the grass would grow tall. I was told she would not sell. Everyone around her had sold out to hotels. I loved her spirit, and that she stayed. I sit on the porch in the rocking chair in the morning when I come to the beach. It’s always a pleasant place to be, with many sweet memories for me. I thought she donated the property to Virginia Beach; but the sign says they bought it in 1990.

I booked this venue for my wedding so we could have a ceremony on the beach and a venue right next to it for the reception! The reception was supposed to be outside in a tent, but Hurricane Ian came out of nowhere and the tent pulled out. Martha and Mr. Hightower were very accommodating and understanding when we needed to quickly change the venue for the reception. They still allowed us to get ready for the ceremony on site, because the weather ended up being nice just for the day! The venue is so beautiful, and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves to be by the beach! I hope to use it in the future when there are no hurricanes in the forecast!

Beautiful place to play music in the summer