Virginia Beach provides an impressive lineup of family-friendly attractions for parents, kids and teens.
Extending from 40th Street to Rundee Inlet, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a great place to take the family. Kids and teens ride beach buggies or rent bikes and roller blades and hit the boardwalk’s separate bike path. Enjoy Italian ices with the family and don’t forget to take a picture with King Neptune, the 24-foot bronze sculpture located at the entrance of Neptune Festival Park on 31st Street — another great destination for family fun.
Families of all accessibility levels head to Grommet Island Park, also known as JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park. This 15,000-square-foot playground is completely accessible for EveryBODY and the first of its kind. All entrances are wheelchair accessible with raised sand tables and sandcastle corners for children at any height. There is a sensory board for the visually impaired and children with autism. Kids play on the jungle gym and make believe on childproof sculptures with the ocean in the background. Beach wheelchairs are provided on loan for families in need.
Cheetahs at Virginia Zoo. Photo: Visit Norfolk
The Virginia Aquarium and Adventure Park
The Virginia Aquarium is a Virginia Beach mainstay, rain or shine. Check out the wide variety of animals and sea life from harbor seals and North American river otters to sand tiger sharks and blue crabs. Take a boat tour around the aquarium, spotting dolphins in their natural habitat.
Head outside the aquarium and zip line through the Adventure Park’s aerial forest adventure course. Climb trees and weave through the 15 trails on the six-acre course. Strap in a harness and zip through the forest or watch the kids swing from tree to tree. After a little adventure and adrenalin, head out in the park with the family and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
Boating and Cruising
Bring the family on the open seas with Captain Jack’s Pirate Ship Adventure. The ship, Lost Pearl, offers a Family Fun Cruise for parents and children ages 2–15 where pirates in training set sail in search of treasure. Grab the older kids and head out on a Rundee Tour. Rundee offers everything from fishing trips and dolphin watching to winter wildlife tours and Rundee Rocket speed boat excursions.
Pontoon Boat at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Photo: Visit Norfolk
Get your 2018 season passes early for Ocean Breeze Waterpark access all summer long. Open May–September, Ocean Breeze Water Park boasts rides for all ages from treacherous water slides to park rides specifically for little buccaneers.
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