BEACHES

Virginia Beach has a total of 56 kilometers of beach for couples to discover, complete with an abundance of activities for any type of traveler. At the Resort Area, from 1st to 40th Streets, enjoy a stroll along the three-mile oceanfront boardwalk, lined with hotels, museums and more. Bike ride along the separate bike path that lines the boardwalk, and if relaxation is your idea of a perfect getaway, relax with your toes in the sand. Live concerts, performances and theatrical productions abound during the summer and throughout the year on various stages along the beach.

Visitors seeking a quieter beach vacation will enjoy a visit Chesapeake Beach, known to the locals as “Chick's Beach” and preferred for its tranquility along the scenic Chesapeake Bay. Swimmers will enjoy the bay's protected shallow, calm waters. For a more secluded environment, the Sandbridge area on Virginia Beach's southern shore is the perfect place to park the car and stay on bikes. Just 20 minutes away from the resort area, Sandbridge features  breathtaking ocean-view rental homes that border Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, along with local shops, restaurants and outdoor outfitters.

WHERE TO STAY

Revamped Oceanfront Hotel Scene – The Virginia Beach resort area has seen a number of renovations recently. The historic and iconic Cavalier Hotel, built in 1927, is currently undergoing a $300 million renovation and when it reopens, it will offer a gorgeous resort on the North End. A number of new hotels opened along the oceanfront in the past few years that are perfect for a couple's getaway, including the ultra-high-end Oceanaire Resort Hotel and Ocean Beach Club Resort, and major city beautification projects are further enhancing the boardwalk area.

Beyond the Boardwalk – Couples preferring a quiet beach getaway can opt for a room or private house on the secluded sands of Sandbridge Beach, often called “Virginia's Outer Banks.” If you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path, Virginia Beach offers many options beyond the beach, such as the regal, Georgian-style Founders Inn & Spa, which hosts monthly Mouthwatering Mondays, a six-course themed wine pairing meal prepared by a guest chef from a featured region, or the quaint Church Point Manor, a B&B housed in a refurbished 1860's farmhouse.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Although Virginia Beach beckons to sunbathers and sandcastle-builders, the resort city is a wonderland for outdoor activities that are perfect for couples to enjoy together. Explore First Landing State Park, the most-visited state park in Virginia, and witness the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest community. Take a guided kayak and paddleboard tour through the calm waters of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge or learn to shred the waves during a surf lesson.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS PERFECT FOR COUPLES

•             Dare to brave Virginia Beach's new Adventure Park . Slated to open in June 2014, the Adventure Park will be the largest of its kind in Virginia and feature multiple zip lines and aerial ropes challenge courses, perfect for thrill seekers.

•             iFly VA Beach, the city's first indoor skydiving complex, is expected to open in Fall 2014 in the heart of the oceanfront resort area. The $49 million project will include an iFly wind tunnel that will provide a safe and protected way for individuals to experience the same thing as a free falling skydiver as well as 147 adjacent luxury residential apartments.

•             Virginia Beach has seen a boom of artisan brewers over the past few years. The newest brewery, Young Veterans Brewing Company, was founded by two Iraq veterans and opened in August 2013 with six brews with names drawing inspiration from the armed services. These include the Double IPA “Jet Noise,” Hefeweizen “Pineapple Grenade” and Honey Blonde Ale “New Recruit.” Additionally, San Diego-based brewer Green Flash Brewing Co just announced plans to build a second brewery and tasting room in Virginia Beach.

•             Enjoy a massage with the one you love while relaxing at the Founders Inn's Flowering Almond Spa. Let your mind, body and spirit be transformed with any number of indulgent offerings. After your treatment, enjoy the indoor pool, peaceful conservatory or a spa lunch. 

•             The Virginia Beach Town Center offers plenty of options for a romantic evening. Share a bottle of your favorite vintage at Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro, catch a show at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, cuddle up in Havana Nights' jazz lounge or dip into exquisite chocolate fondue for two at The Royal Chocolate. 

•             Explore the ocean depths at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia's largest aquarium and one of the most visited in the nation. The Virginia Aquarium chronicles the state's various aquatic and marine environments throughout time and features more than 800,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, as well as an IMAX® 3D Theater, outdoor nature trail and aviary. View 367 species, including Komodo dragons, exotic cobras, the endangered Tomistoma freshwater crocodile, spotted eagle rays and more.

•             Hop aboard the Rudee Flipper and take a Dolphin Watching Boat Trip (offered spring through the fall months) or a Winter Wildlife Boat Trip (offered during the winter months) for a chance to see dolphins, humpback and fin whales off the coast of the Atlantic.

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