Local Food & Fun
Local Breweries
Coastal Virginia is a great place for micro brews! The term local includes a few cities: Norfolk and bordering Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, along with Chesapeake, Suffolk and Smithfield on the south side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and Newport News and Hampton on the north side. So many to choose from!
Bold Mariner is a true Local Microbrewery founded by retired Navy Veterans. If Sailors know one thing - it’s what makes a good beer.
51 locals recommend
The Bold Mariner Brewing Co
1901 East Ocean View AvenueBold Mariner is a true Local Microbrewery founded by retired Navy Veterans. If Sailors know one thing - it’s what makes a good beer.
This is a self pour brewing company with touch screen taps. AmAzIng. Check out covabrewco.com
59 locals recommend
COVA Brewing Company
9529 Shore DrThis is a self pour brewing company with touch screen taps. AmAzIng. Check out covabrewco.com
Young Veterans Brewing Company
2505 Horse Pasture RdBack Bay Brewing Co.
614 Norfolk AveFood scene
My favorite places to eat in “the 757”. Some folks call it Hampton Roads, Coastal Virginia or the 7 Cities
It’s not on the menu - but sometimes they will make them for you - ask about the He-Man Pancakes! They also make an amazing 50/50 burger - half ground beef and half ground bacon. It’s as delicious as it sounds. If you’re in town after the pumpkins are in season - they are famous for their pumpkin pancakes.
35 locals recommend
Sandfiddler Cafe
9561 Shore DrIt’s not on the menu - but sometimes they will make them for you - ask about the He-Man Pancakes! They also make an amazing 50/50 burger - half ground beef and half ground bacon. It’s as delicious as it sounds. If you’re in town after the pumpkins are in season - they are famous for their pumpkin pancakes.
This is a great little cafe - owned by a Navy Veteran in the area. My favorite is their Biscuits and Gravy.
7 locals recommend
Anchor Allie's
357 Independence BlvdThis is a great little cafe - owned by a Navy Veteran in the area. My favorite is their Biscuits and Gravy.
The Pancake House & Grill
7633 Granby StTry the stuffed French Toast or Special flavors of pancakes
This is the place for authentic Mexican Food. My favorite menu item at Jessy’s is their California Burrito. Almost as good as Colima’s in Dan Diego, CA.
77 locals recommend
Jessy's Taqueria
3201 E Ocean View AveThis is the place for authentic Mexican Food. My favorite menu item at Jessy’s is their California Burrito. Almost as good as Colima’s in Dan Diego, CA.
El Rey Taqueria
738 E Bayview BlvdThe Route 58 Delicatessen
4000 Virginia Beach BlvdBest Cheesecake south of NJ. Everything here is amazing.
No Frill Bar And Grill
806 Spotswood AveAmazing brunch menu! www.nofrillgrill.com
Peck & Pour
1310 Colley AveThree words to change your life: Deep Fried Oreos!
Chick's Oyster Bar
2143 Vista CirThe only restaurant here that has drive up window for boats.
CP Shuckers
3232 Shore DrGo for the oysters and stay for the party.
Surf Rider East Beach
9500 30th Bay StSteamed shrimp and broccoli!
Captain Groovy's Grill & Raw Bar
8101 Shore DrMmmm fresh flounder.
Longboards East Beach
4521 Pretty Lake AveThis one is new so idk…
If you’re looking for an authentic Irish Pub - this is the place. Grab a seat by the fire place and listen to some live music - and order the stew!
16 locals recommend
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pubs
2914 Pacific AveIf you’re looking for an authentic Irish Pub - this is the place. Grab a seat by the fire place and listen to some live music - and order the stew!
Hell's Kitchen
124 Granby StGood steaks, better drinks.
Best aged steaks in town - and reasonable. They put Ruths Cris to shame at half the price. Call ahead and ask if they have Tomahawks.
13 locals recommend
Aberdeen Barn
5805 Northampton BlvdBest aged steaks in town - and reasonable. They put Ruths Cris to shame at half the price. Call ahead and ask if they have Tomahawks.
OceanView BBQ at its finest! They also make the best red potato salad in town. They have been known to book live bands for Friday and Saturday.
16 locals recommend
Mojo Bones OV
9659 1st View StOceanView BBQ at its finest! They also make the best red potato salad in town. They have been known to book live bands for Friday and Saturday.
Amusement Parks
Outdoor fun for the whole family
Great roller coasters, great food - and lots of fun shows! You can also check out glass blowers and blacksmiths hard at work.
388 locals recommend
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
1 Busch Gardens BlvdGreat roller coasters, great food - and lots of fun shows! You can also check out glass blowers and blacksmiths hard at work.
This will be the highlight of any kid’s vacation - big kids too! Swing from the trees with the greatest of easy. They have an awesome birthday package.
25 locals recommend
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
5537 Centerville RdThis will be the highlight of any kid’s vacation - big kids too! Swing from the trees with the greatest of easy. They have an awesome birthday package.
iFLY VA Beach
2412 Pacific AveIndoor Skydiving!!! Yes you read that right! It’s AmAzIng!
The one time in your life when you won’t get in trouble for bouncing on the furniture. Lol
9 locals recommend
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
2055 Executive DrThe one time in your life when you won’t get in trouble for bouncing on the furniture. Lol
Great food, good beer, family fun! Even if you’ve never played - you’ll love swinging their clubs.
111 locals recommend
Topgolf
5444 Greenwich RdGreat food, good beer, family fun! Even if you’ve never played - you’ll love swinging their clubs.
Kempsville Greens Golf Course
4840 Princess Anne RdThere is more here than just golf - there are also batting cages!
This public golf course is a local favorite and only 5 minutes away.
8 locals recommend
Ocean View Golf Course
9610 Norfolk AveThis public golf course is a local favorite and only 5 minutes away.
If you’ve always want to try fishing off of a pier - here’s your chance. And they just remodeled the restaurant.
49 locals recommend
Ocean View Fishing Pier Restaurant
400 West Ocean View AvenueIf you’ve always want to try fishing off of a pier - here’s your chance. And they just remodeled the restaurant.
Once you get bit by the bug at iFLY - you will want the real thing. Coastal Virginia has some of the best views around - from the south side of a parachute.
Skydive Suffolk
1200 Gene Bolton DrOnce you get bit by the bug at iFLY - you will want the real thing. Coastal Virginia has some of the best views around - from the south side of a parachute.
Virginia Zoo
3500 Granby StIf you’ve never been to the zoo, Norfolk has a really nice one.
Funny Bone
217 Central Park AveSightseeing
Many weekends you may find a farmers market or local art show at the beach park directly across the street from the OceanView Library
24 locals recommend
Ocean View Beach Park
100 W Ocean View AveMany weekends you may find a farmers market or local art show at the beach park directly across the street from the OceanView Library
There are always events at King Neptune Park on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
60 locals recommend
Neptune Statue
3001 Atlantic AvenueThere are always events at King Neptune Park on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
This is an amazing place to take anyone that loves airplanes and flying. All of the planes are functional! You can even pay them to take your for a ride in one!
67 locals recommend
Military Aviation Museum
1341 Princess Anne RdThis is an amazing place to take anyone that loves airplanes and flying. All of the planes are functional! You can even pay them to take your for a ride in one!
This is a really neat place that will transport you back in time to the original colonies and how they lived.
191 locals recommend
Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square
134 N Henry StThis is a really neat place that will transport you back in time to the original colonies and how they lived.
Shopping
Get what you need at a reasonable price
Food Lion is just a short drive to the east. Reasonable prices and good selection.
21 locals recommend
Food Lion
4253 E Little Creek RdFood Lion is just a short drive to the east. Reasonable prices and good selection.
This is a brand new store in downtown OceanView. You’ll pass it on the way if you are coming from the 64. They have an amazing beer and wine selection - and lots of specialty items.
27 locals recommend
Harris Teeter
179 W Ocean View AveThis is a brand new store in downtown OceanView. You’ll pass it on the way if you are coming from the 64. They have an amazing beer and wine selection - and lots of specialty items.
Total Wine & More
536 W 21st StThey literally have everything...
VA State Liquor board only permitted hard alcohol sales at their own stores up until very recently. Grocery stores haven’t gotten around to selling anything outside of beer and wine - so you’ll want to find an ABC Store for the hard stuff.
Virginia ABC
7862 Tidewater DrVA State Liquor board only permitted hard alcohol sales at their own stores up until very recently. Grocery stores haven’t gotten around to selling anything outside of beer and wine - so you’ll want to find an ABC Store for the hard stuff.
This Rite Aid is on the way if you need to stop for something quick. It’s right next to Harris Teeter
Rite Aid
1101 E Little Creek RdThis Rite Aid is on the way if you need to stop for something quick. It’s right next to Harris Teeter
Walgreens is only 5 minutes to the east on the corner of OceanView Ave and Little Creek Blvd
10 locals recommend
Walgreens
810 W 21st StWalgreens is only 5 minutes to the east on the corner of OceanView Ave and Little Creek Blvd
This Target is a little further than the one on Military Highway - but it’s definitely nicer.
18 locals recommend
Target
1245 N Military HwyThis Target is a little further than the one on Military Highway - but it’s definitely nicer.
Neighborhoods
Norfolk is divided into different areas. OceanView sits on the Chesapeake Bay facing north from the beach. Naval Station Norfolk sits just inside the Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Elizabeth River. Downtown Norfolk and the Waterfront is around the corner on the Elizabeth River, facing Portsmouth on the other side.
Ocean View has a small town feel with houses right on the Chesapeake Bay, several local parks, a Fishing Pier and miles of family-friendly sandy beaches with very mild wave action.
Ocean View
Ocean View has a small town feel with houses right on the Chesapeake Bay, several local parks, a Fishing Pier and miles of family-friendly sandy beaches with very mild wave action.
Concrete boardwalk that spans the length of the Virginia Beach Coastline. Walk, jog, bike, roller-blade or even take a peddle cart down to the pier. Be sure to stop and get your picture with King Neptune
https://www.tripsavvy.com/things-to-do-virginia-beach-boardwalk-4172036
https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/blog/post/july-fourth/
170 locals recommend
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Virginia Beach BoardwalkConcrete boardwalk that spans the length of the Virginia Beach Coastline. Walk, jog, bike, roller-blade or even take a peddle cart down to the pier. Be sure to stop and get your picture with King Neptune
https://www.tripsavvy.com/things-to-do-virginia-beach-boardwalk-4172036
https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/blog/post/july-fourth/
Visit the boardwalk in December and you can drive through a winter wonderland of Christmas lights! They even have their own soundtrack!
170 locals recommend
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Virginia Beach BoardwalkVisit the boardwalk in December and you can drive through a winter wonderland of Christmas lights! They even have their own soundtrack!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Over, under or around water!
Roadways in Virginia are almost never in a straight line. At some point you will be going over, under or around a decent sized body of water... but never drive THRU it! Coastal VA does have quite a few roads that flood during the rainy season. The local saying is “Go around, don’t drown.” The house @WhitsEnd is well above the flood waters though - so you’re safe with us!
Getting around
East and West is a relative term driving on the 64
Hampton Roads - aka Coastal VA is built less on lines going N-S, E-W - and more like a wagon wheel with spokes in every direction. The sign will say 64 east starting up in Richmond - but you will definitely be pointed south as you head past Newport News and Hampton, over/thru the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and into Norfolk.... and it will continue to take you south between Norfolk and VaBeach until it curves back around to the west again - taking you toward Chesapeake and Suffolk. It’s a good idea to sit down with a map before you get on the road so you know what to expect.
Getting around
Shore Drive
If you’re going to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront from OceanView area - Shore Drive is the most scenic - and sometimes faster than the 264.
Don't miss
VB Activities
Check out this website for the latest Info https://beacheventsvb.com/