Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach also boasts a long beachfront history. Its first boardwalk was built in 1888 as a five-block, wooden-planked promenade. Improvements over the years have resulted in the current concrete esplanade that parallels the oceanfront from Rudee Inlet to 40th Street. Extending a distance of three miles, the boardwalk is 28 feet wide. There is a separate bike path, and bikes and surrey bikes are available for rental.
“It’s the gateway to an invaluable natural resource,” said Sally Noona, director of convention sales for the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “And not only is the boardwalk adjacent to 300 feet of sand with great ocean views, but there is also beautiful landscaping.”
At Eighth, 17th, 24th and 30th streets are eight-foot wooden walkways that reach the water’s edge. For those with disabilities, accessibility ramps extend from the boardwalk to the beach at every block.
The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is located on 15th Street, and a real eye-catcher and great photo spot is King Neptune, a 24-foot, 12-ton bronze statue at Neptune Festival Park on 31st Street. Visitors with an interest in history can check out the Old Coast Guard Station on 24th Street in a 1903 lifesaving station. Spread over two gallery floors, the museum’s collection includes more than 1,000 photographs and nearly 2,000 artifacts from the U.S. Life-Saving and Coast Guard Services, Virginia shipwrecks and other maritime history.
Also of interest is the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, housed in DeWitt Cottage, the oldest beach house still standing along the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Displays include antique and contemporary wildfowl decoys, shorebird carvings, bird-related artwork and other artifacts.
Virginia Beach’s boardwalk area plays host to numerous special events, such as the Shamrock and the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathons, a nautical holiday-lights show where vehicles drive on the boardwalk, art shows, a beer fest and “Monster Trucks on the Beach.”
Noona said free festivals are held throughout the year, with multiple stages set up along the boardwalk and different blocks catering to different demographics. “You might have symphonic music in one location while another sections caters to a younger crowd,” she said.
