In grade school, I always heard from the other kids about their family vacations to Virginia Beach and Florida; fun-filled destinations with lots of rides, playing on the beach, and junk food. So when I got the chance to visit, I couldn’t jump faster at the opportunity to visit.
Today, Virginia Beach is a classic family-friendly destination for fun, entertainment, beachside restaurants, mini golf and sandcastles, ice cream parlors, and cotton candy machines, Virginia Beach offers a timeless getaway catering to good old-fashioned family values. I mean, where else can you find “no swearing” signs lining the streets?
Eat your way through Virginia Beach in forty-eight hours …
Eating your way through a destination in a short time seems like a difficult feat where stretched waistbands are a necessity. But don’t forget that Virginia Beach is also the longest pleasure beach in the world and one of the oldest parts of America, so there’s lots to do and see—besides these great eateries.
You’ll have tons of time to check out these classic Virginia Beach eateries while being able to visit the boardwalk, Atlantic Avenue, Neptune’s Park, the Virginia Beach Town Center, Back Bay National Wildlie Refuge and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
Stop by Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn (205 Laskin Rd.) for any twenty-three flavors of gourmet popcorn, fudge, chocolate-covered rice Krispie squares on a stick or apple-pie flavored caramel apples. Go to Jodys Popcorn for more.
Value breakfast at Big Sam’s (300 Winston Salem Ave.) for a hearty American breakfast for a really great deal: waffles, pancakes, eggs done any style, biscuits and gravy, sausage links, and bottomless coffee to wash it all down.
Breakfast buffet! For one of Virginia Beach’s newest hotels to lay your weary head and heavy stomach, be sure to check out Springhill Suites (901 Atlantic Ave.), great for families and kids. The breakfast buffet bar is packed with croissants, donuts and pastries; cereals and fruits; oatmeal and coffee and a waffle iron. Free for hotel guests, it’s a great option for families who don’t want to worry about running around for breakfast before the day’s itinerary.
Frozen custard from Khor Bros Ice Cream can be found from the top to the bottom of Atlantic Ave. The frozen custard is a specialty of the franchise, and is like ice cream but thicker and creamer from less churning. Before your stroll down Virginia Beach’s boardwalk, pick up a cone, cup or get chocolate-dipped, if you’re feeling adventurous. Go to Kohrbros for more.
For a fun beachside patio lunch, go to Waterman’s (5th St. & Atlantic Ave.), a local favourite for seafood dishes like crab cakes, she-crab soup, sea scallops, and a daily catch of the day. Part of the Virginia Aquarium’s Sensible Seafood Program, Waterman’s works to ensure that the seafood served at their restaurant is both sustainable and friendly to the seafood ecosystem. Go to Watermans for more.
Grab a late night drink at Catch 31 (3001 Atlantic Ave.), the trendy restaurant at The Hilton in Virginia Beach, where you can sit around a few of the patio’s large round tables featuring roaring fires in the middle, just steps way from Neptune’s Park. Make sure you check out some of their great seafood selection—and their bathrooms, rated number two in American in 2007. Go to 31ocean for more.
The Cheesecake Factory (265 Central Park Ave.) in Virginia Beach’s new budding “Town Center” neighbourhood brings a high-vaulted ceilings, dozens of cheesecake flavours and European train-station bistro styled seating. The non-dessert menu includes salads, pasta, pizza and sandwiches - for those who don’t believe that dessert should be the only part of your meal. Go to The Cheesecake Factory for more.
For the eco-conscious, check out Croc’s 19th Street Bistro (620 19th St.), the first certified “Virginia Green” restaurant, offering cuisine with a sustainable, organic and local emphasis. Their specialty “Green Drinks” menu offers eco-friendly drinks and once a month, local environmentalists meet here at Croc’s to share drinks, laughter and ideas for promoting eco-living in Virginia Beach. Don’t forget to try the gator bites! Go to Crocs 19th Street Bistro for more.
