If you’re moving to Virginia Beach, you’ll want to learn about some of the qualities that make the city unique. From festivals and museums to aquariums and parks, Virginia Beach is full of fun activities for people of all ages. Moving to Virginia Beach will be an exciting adventure if you enjoy variety in your life, and it’ll be helpful to know more about the city before you move there. Here are just five highlights of Virginia Beach out of the extensive list of leisurely entertainment the city has to offer.
- It Celebrates Its Own Heritage
Every year, residents of Virginia Beach celebrate the city’s heritage at the Neptune Festival. During the weekend-long festival, you can watch a volleyball tournament, observe the various arts and crafts, and watch The North American Sandsculpting Tournament, and a surfing contest. There’s also live music and food, and it’s free to get in. To top it all off, don’t forget the parade!
- The Weather is Exceptional
Virginia Beach has favorable weather conditions and moderate temperatures, and it’s located in a region that doesn’t experience many intense storms. While the summers are hot, the winters are cool with light snowfall that usually melts almost immediately when the sun’s out. With such ideal weather conditions, Virginia Beach has been commonly referred to as a vacation destination.
- It Has an Educational Aquarium
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach is home to many animals. The center has a series of exhibits that even include some hands-on activities. At the aquarium, you can observe over 300 species of animal! Some of the animals you can see are Komodo dragons, cuttlefish, North American river otters, harbor seals, loggerhead turtles, spotted eagle rays, seahorses and snakes. Take a boat ride and enjoy the Virginia Aquarium’s Sea Adventures where you can learn about the animals and environment from marine educators. You can also take your friends and family to The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, a zipline adventure in the trees.
- It Has Its Fair Share of Historic Sites
Visit what is thought to have once been the home of Adam Thoroughbred, an indentured servant who became a leading name in the community. The Adam Thoroughbred House was listed as a National Historic Landmark and put in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Historic home de Witt Cottage was built in 1895 in Virginia Beach, and a second floor was built in 1917. The de Witt family lived there from 1909 to 1988. You can now visit the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum in the house, featuring bird art, bird decoys, and vintage shotguns.
- It Isn’t Short on Parks and Outdoor Recreation
One of the unique points of interest in Virginia Beach is Mount Trashmore Park. The Park was built on a landfill to reuse the land as a park and recreational area. At Mount Trashmore, you can play volleyball or basketball, go fishing on the lake, have a picnic with your family and friends, or take your kids to the playground. Professional skateboarders such as Tony Hawk have made appearances at Mount Trashmore Skate Park, a portion of Mount Trashmore Park designated for skateboarding.
Another outdoor attraction you’ll want to visit is Pleasure House Point Natural Area which consists of marsh, water, sand and forest. The wetlands are home to some interesting creatures including the Lynnhaven oyster, mollusks, crabs, diamond black terrapin, and fish. You can partake in various recreational activities here such as walking your dog, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Other prominent parks in Virginia Beach include Naval Aviation Monument Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, First Landing State Park, and so much more!