That’s a pretty good list. Honestly, I tend to avoid the oceanfront. Don’t like the big crowds, and I’m not a tourist. Beach itself is OK. It’s a broad flat beach, with a nice boardwalk. I don’t know where the guys in previous posts are getting their information, perhaps from 20 or 30 years ago before the city spent tens of millions of dollars fixing things up.
I think a better beach experience is actually up on the Chesapeake Bay, a lot less traveled, a lot quieter. Also, a lot less going on. Depends what you’re up for.
This hotel is really good - a Marriott property.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/orfdb-delta-hotels-virginia-beach-waterfront/overview/ The summer rates are truly outrageous, but hopefully you’re just a bit past the season, so you can get a decent rate. They have a really nice breakfast, and if the weather is nice, eating breakfast out on the patio overlooking the beach is hard to beat.
One of the best places to stay or get dinner near the north end of Virginia Beach is the Cavalier hotel, in particular, either Becca or the Hunt Room. Book early.
Hot Tuna is a couple blocks from my house. It’s across the street from the Delta hotel and next to a really good ice cream shop.
For great Italian, with a view of the Ocean, Isle of Capri, which is actually in the Holiday Inn. For some of the best authentic Italian, Sirena, a bit of a drive from the oceanfront.
https://sirenavb.com/ I recommend reservations there as well, you’ll have to call Fabio on his cell phone, and leave a voicemail.
There are a couple real beach/seafood restaurants in my neck of the woods. I am partial to Bubba’s - I recommend that you sit outside.
https://www.bubbasseafoodrestaurant.com/
It’s a bit out-of-the-way, but one of the best aircraft museums anywhere in the country is actually in the south part of Virginia Beach. It’s a small collection, it was a private collection, and it’s been turned into museum. It’s a whole afternoon.
https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/
Charlottesville is a great town, and well worth a day. Tour the campus, wander downtown. There’s a little downtown area that has things like ice cream, shops, coffee, shops, used bookstores, it’s a university town and so it’s got a really great feel.
Williamsburg, as a historic park, can be done in a day. Definitely tour the governors house, I particularly like the woodworking, cabinet making shop. But all of it’s good and it gives you an idea of what life was like in colonial times.
Williamsburg also has Busch Gardens, and off-season, Busch Gardens is really a lot of fun, if the kids like amusement parks. At least a day for that, it is a great park with some great rides and good food. Won’t be cheap.
