If your family loves the great outdoors, Virginia Beach is the perfect destination for your next escape. With 35 miles of beaches, 293 parks and facilities, 29 miles of scenic waterways, and 300 miles of bike paths and trails, spending time outdoors provides an escape from everyday stress, from self-guided bike tours to family-friendly hikes and everything in between. Families should consider getting the Get Outdoors Pass, which offers deals and discounts to visitors to explore local attractions, tour operators, rentals and more.
Back Bay Wildlife Refuge & First Landing State Park
South of the resort area and nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay is a 9,250-acre freshwater habitat home to a wide range of wildlife. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is accessible by marsh trails, bikes, seasonal guide tram service, canoes and kayaks. The refuge protects critical habitats for threatened and endangered species ,such as loggerhead sea turtles.
Make sure to visit First Landing State Park, featuring 20 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore the unique coastal habitat. Travelers can take guided kayak tours through the marshes, bays and lagoons, as well as embrace the maritime forest community and spend the night in one of the climate-controlled cabins, tents or RVs.
Birthplace of East Coast Surfing
James M. Jordan, Jr. and his massive Hawai’ian surfboard launched Virginia Beach as a surf destination in 1912. Today, riders of all experience levels still seek out Virginia Beach’s swell and compete annually in the East Coast Surfing Championship.
Grommet Island Adventure Park
Enjoy a beach day at Grommet Island Adventure Park. This location was built specifically to accommodate wheelchair patrons. The oceanfront beach features plenty of play areas accessible by polymer decking. It also features raised sand tables, hand-operated sand scoop, a sensory board and sway boat that puts kids “on” a surfboard or among a pod of dolphins. This park provides the perfect beach day for everyone!
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedSlideshow
May 16, 20246 Guayaquil, Ecuador, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Guayaquil, Ecuador, with us.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Destinations
May 15, 20243 Alternative Memorial Day Weekend Travel Destinations
According to AAA, Memorial Day weekend travel is expected to be the busiest in nearly 20 years. If you’re among the 43-plus million people planning to hit the road for the unofficial start of summer, consider a visit to one of these alternative long weekend destinations for family travelers.
Multigenerational
May 15, 2024Celebrate International Museum Day with Bloomberg’s 400-Plus Free Guides
Family travelers seeking out the next best museum should look to the Bloomberg Connects app this International Museum Day (May 18). Bloomberg Connects lets users explore a diverse range of cultural institutions from their device, enhancing the on-site visit.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / Europe
May 13, 20245 Reasons for Families to Visit Edinburgh, Scotland
The first place family travelers will want to visit in Scotland’s capital is the majestic castle that commands the landscape from atop its craggy hill in city center. Edinburgh Castle has something for every member of the family. Kids will know they’re in a real castle from the moment they cross the drawbridge and enter through the portcullis gate.
ShareThis