Resort Beach

The iconic three-mile boardwalk, perfect for jogging or biking, is only part of what makes the oceanfront resort area so irresistible. The Resort Beach is where Virginia Beach reveals its outgoing nature, with a park-like atmosphere that goes on for miles, lined with hotels, restaurants, beach playgrounds, souvenir shops, attractions and more. When strolling down the boardwalk, be sure to visit Grommet Island, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, the Old Coast Guard Station and King Neptune, a 34-foot-tall cast bronze statue of the mythological sea god – an ideal spot for a selfie. The area also features a fishing pier, an active inlet and plenty of opportunities for biking, boating, kayaking, parasailing and paddle boarding. Local restaurants range from coastal cosmopolitan to crab-and-oyster shacks.

Chesapeake Bay Beach

For beach-goers looking for kinder, gentler waves, refuge can be found along the scenic Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Beach provides ideal waters for splashing and swimming in the surf, where visitors will find paddle boarding, kayaking, sand-castle building, volleyball and more. The area is home to a marina and multiple dockside seafood restaurants that offer incredible sunset views over the Lynnhaven Inlet. Visitors can catch not only the sunset but also the sunrise from the same shore, thanks to the beach's ideal location. The Chesapeake Bay Beach also carries Virginia Beach history within the Cape Henry Lighthouse and First Landing State Park.

Sandbridge Beach

For a more secluded environment, the Sandbridge area – nestled up against the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge – provides sheer serenity. In lieu of hotels, visitors can stay in breathtaking ocean-view rental homes or condominiums to truly experience an island-like environment in which to unwind. Those craving even more of the outdoors can explore trails, marshes and the open waters of False Cape State Park and the Back Bay by taking biking or kayaking excursions or surfing and paddle-boarding lessons from local outfitters.