By Isabel Prontes
Virginia
beach, Virginia is one of the most popular beach
resort cities on the eastern seaboard. The city's beautiful oceanfront is full of restaurants, shops, hotels and motels. There are a lot of fun things to do while in Virginia Beach, from relaxing in the sun to swimming, checking out historical sites and museums and walking along the bustling boardwalk.
Boardwalk
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is three miles long. It is a vibrant promenade that is full of activity and life. From entertainment, games, cyclists, street performers, dining options and people simply watching people, there is no shortage of things to see and do while spending the day on the boardwalk. During the summertime, there are even stages (facing the ocean) that offer entertainment every night, such as live music and dancing. (2400 Atlantic Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451)
First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park is located near the Chesapeake Bay's mouth--close to the landing area of Captain John Smith all the way back in 1607, when the first English settlement came to life in Jamestown. Because of that fact, this park is a both historically relevant and extremely picturesque. This is by far the most popular state park in all of Virginia, and is full of tranquil, pretty beaches and shoreline. There are a lot of fun things to do at this park, including fishing, picnicking, hiking, swimming and boating. It is located at 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Telephone: (757) 412-2300.
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
The Ocean Breeze Waterpark is the sole water park located in Virginia Beach, and it is full of exciting water rides that everyone is sure to enjoy. Some of the fun attractions at this water park include white water adventures on Jungle Falls, Paradise Pipeline, Little Amazon, Runaway Bay, Hugh Mongous, Grape Escape and many others. There are also a lot of milder rides available for younger visitors, such as the small slides of Kiddie Caverns. The waterpark is at 849 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23451, and the telephone number is (757) 422-4444.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is a popular aquarium that has a massive tank (700,000 gallons) containing creatures like sharks, barracudas and various other forms of marine life. There are a lot of different exhibitions and sections of the aquarium, including the Nature Trail, Marsh Pavilion, IMAX "Larger than Life" three-dimensional exhibit, Bay and Ocean Pavilion and much more. There are hundreds of exciting interactive exhibits at this aquarium. (717 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA, 23451. Telephone: (757) 385-3474.)
Old Coast Guard Station Museum
The Old Coast Guard Station Museum is an unusual museum that displays the history and past of life-saving equipment. It is located in a former Coast Guard service station from 1903 (the only one in existence in Virginia). If you want to learn about Virginia shipwrecks and World War II's Battle of the Atlantic, the Old Coast Guard Station Museum is a terrific place for you to visit. There is also a gift shop at the museum that sells Coast Guard related souvenirs and merchandise. It's at 2400 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Telephone: (757) 422-1587.
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
