15 Free Things to do in Virginia Beach


 

Virginia Beach (VB) is one of those places that will surprise you, first of all, it stretches across a combined 38 miles of sand along the oceanfront and the Chesapeake Bay. Secondly, it is in the Guinness book of world records as the longest pleasure beach in the world. It is no wonder that Virginia Beach attracts millions of visitors each year. Located on the Atlantic Ocean in southeast Virginia this beach town offers more than just fun in the sun. When not relaxing on the beach, you can explore local nature reserves, browse the many museums, or have fun at the various entertainment options for free, it’s little wonder that Virginia Beach is such a popular destination. One of the things that attract people to Virginia Beach is the laid-back atmosphere and slow pace which makes it the perfect place for a relaxing vacation.

That’s why over six million visitors choose Virginia Beach to unwind, relax, and be entertained every single year. The beach is fantastic, but pair that with an amazing food scene, interesting museums and outdoor adventures and it makes for a visit to remember. When you choose VA Beach, you’re not just making a healthy and safe choice for your ocean vacation, you’re also making a fun one. There are so many fantastic free things to do here, no matter the season. This article will start you off on your discovery of this city by taking you through the best free things to do in VB. To help you plan your time we gathered for you 15 free things to do in Virginia Beach that you don’t want to miss.

 

Attend Free Events and Festivals in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a hub of activities and fun things to do from Memorial Day to Labor Day and often beyond. There is always some type of festival going on at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach! Most have free admission and are open to the public. When the weather warms, the beachfront comes alive with free live concerts and theatrical productions.

Spectate the East Coast Surfing Competition

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Image by Unknown Author from Wikimedia

The East Coast Surfing Championships is an annual surfing contest held in Virginia Beach, Virginia on the oceanfront, and is one of the United States Surfing Federation’s major amateur events. The ECSC stretches over a four-day period every year in late August at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Known as the oldest running surf contest in the World. Several hundred surfers from Menehunes to Masters compete for East Coast surfing titles, prizes, history and sheer love of surfing. Other beach-oriented sports and recreation include the Coastal Edge Thrash Bash Skate Bash, the Vans Pro of surfing for both men and women, and a BMX activation to awe guests throughout the event. Surfing competitions are free for spectators in Virginia Beach! This competition is wild because it not only includes surfing but also live entertainment, TVA volleyball tournament and even a Miss ECSC competition.  All are 100% free to the public. Make it a day of cheering on competitors and taking notes on technique. Experience the ECSC excitement at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Whether you’re there to surf or to watch, there is so much to do.

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Live On Atlantic Concert

Free photos of Audience

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

It is a Family-fun entertainment program along Atlantic Avenue at the Virginia Beach oceanfront where musicians perform different styles of music guaranteed to make you smile, dance and sing along as Atlantic Avenue comes alive every evening.  Beginning in May, Live! On Atlantic explodes.  The heart of Live! On Atlantic is along Atlantic Avenue from 17th to 25th Streets. The City of Virginia Beach offers a full array of events, ranging from LatinFest to the Family Great Adventure Series and the American Music Festival. The sidewalks and streets become the stage for performers representing many genres of music, and novelty performers juggling, walking on ropes high in the air and creating magic right in front of your eyes. There is something for everyone and it’s FREE!

Practical Information
Address: IMGoing, 4500 Holland Office Park, Suite 318, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Annual Boardwalk Art Show and Festival

Image by NeptuneFestival from Wikimedia

There are so many free things to do in Virginia Beach, including this amazing Art Festival! The Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show is one of the only outdoor art shows produced by an accredited museum and strives to have the highest caliber fine art in the relaxing setting of the Virginia Beach boardwalk. Ranked as a top 15 Fine Art Show of the Decade by Sunshine Artist magazine, this three-day festival welcomes over 150 juried artists from across the country featuring fine art and contemporary craft across several mediums. Love art? The Va Beach Art Festival is a tremendous display of talent. If you love art you will be pleasantly surprised by Virginia Beach’s longest-running annual oceanfront event. The four-day festival is one of the most popular in Virginia, attracting collectors and artists from across the nation with an average attendance of more than 250,000. The show runs along the boardwalk from 19th Street to 33rd Street, overlooking the sandy beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The show is nationally recognized from its small beginnings in 1952 that to date attracts artists around the US representing 13 fine art and contemporary craft mediums. Hundreds of artists from across the country converge on the boardwalks to display and sell their paintings, ceramics, crafts, jewelry, photography and more. 

Practical Information
19th–33rd Street on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Virginia Beach Neptune Festival

photos of Neptune's Statue

Image by rlischer from Pixabay

The Neptune Festival is a private, non-profit organization that produces annual events in Virginia Beach. From free concerts and seaside wine tastings to athletic events and a 32-block-long celebration on the boardwalk. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people celebrate the festival’s many offerings. Free daily concerts are scattered along the length of the boardwalk and feature performances from local, regional and national recording artists. On the boardwalk, you can find over 200 artisans displaying handmade work and sand sculptures created by world-renowned international sculptors at Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship. Other weekend events include Neptune’s 8k Race, Grand Parade, Volleyball Tournament, Atlantic Regatta, Youth Art Show, and more! It is one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Virginia Beach attracting thousands of people. In fact, 35 performances from local, regional and national artists are scheduled this year. Inspect sand sculptures created by world-renowned international sculptors. All of this makes the Neptune Festival one of the biggest and best free things to do in Virginia Beach.

Practical Information
Located in: 31Ocean
Address: 3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Hours: Open 24 hours

 

Enjoy the Beaches

Virginia is dotted with many fine stretches of sand, often comfortably sheltered from the elements. Crowds might gather at the more popular beaches at weekends, during spring break and during the summer weeks, but the more the merrier. Beaches in Virginia Beach are all free and open to the public. Experience the sun rising over the Atlantic at the Oceanfront Resort Beach and setting over the Chesapeake Bay on the same day.

Sandbridge Beach

Sandbridge Beach Renourishment

Image by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District from United States from Wikimedia

Located south of the Resort Area of Virginia Beach, Sandbridge is a secluded beach hideaway of 5 miles of pristine sand dunes. It is a  peaceful community where you can truly slow down and relax on your vacation. Clean, calm and beautiful is the correct definition of Sandbridge Beach. This quiet seaside enclave features super sand, excellent parking, showers, vacation houses and condos.  Sandbridge is a hidden gem on the pristine sand dunes. Sandbridge Beach has everything you could ever want and is one of the best vacation beaches in Virginia Beach. There are no hotels at this beach but there are a number of beach houses available for rent. The beach stretches down a sandy strip of owned and rented beach homes. There are free parking lots and ample restroom options, plus foot showers to rinse off sandy feet. The pace is much more relaxed and the atmosphere much more family-friendly than at the oceanfront boardwalk. But other than that this is a big beautiful beach neighborhood with nothing around but the Atlantic Ocean. Sandbridge Beach also offers plentiful opportunities to explore Virginia Beach’s great outdoors as it is close proximity to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Surf at Croatan Beach

15 Free Things to do in Virginia Beach

Image by Lago Mar from Wikimedia

Croatan Beach is a residential neighborhood in the independent city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean south of Rudee Inlet and north of Camp Pendleton near the Virginia Beach oceanfront. With 2 designated surfing areas, one at the north beginning at Rudee Inlet and one at the south at Camp Pendleton it has long been a favorite of local surfers. Lifeguard services are available in season for swimmers and surfers alike and are situated along the entire beachfront. Because of the popularity of the beach, The City of Virginia Beach operates a large parking lot year-round adjacent to Camp Pendleton. Some additional parking is available in the neighborhood, and parking hours are clearly marked. The beach is a hidden, quiet gem, with marked-off sections for boogie boarders and surfers. The waves on this beach are a little higher, making it an ideal spot for beach lovers. Additionally, this beach is a must-visit if you are interested in surf camp or taking a surf lesson. Croatan Beach is clean and has outdoor showers, bathrooms and parking. Parking is free from October 1st through March 31st.  From April 1st through September 30th, there is a fee for parking and the cost is posted at the entrance.

Surfing in the United Kingdom.

Beach like a Local at Chic’s Beach

Free photos of Beach

Image by carollei from Pixabay

Chesapeake Beach, also known as Chic’s Beach or Chick’s Beach is a small beach in a residential neighborhood running on the east and west sides of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. Chic’s Beach, or Chick’s Beach, or Chesapeake Beach, is not the oceanfront where you find all the tourists it is the locals hidden gem. Chic’s Beach is the area in the northern part of Virginia Beach on the Chesapeake Bay offering two miles of beaches to enjoy, spanning from the Lynnhaven Inlet to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Technically, it’s just the neighborhood surrounding the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel. There are no high rise hotels, no boardwalk and no nightclubs. Located off of Shore Drive, Chick’s Beach is a locals’ secret and far less renowned than the Oceanfront. Shore Drive is a long road and almost anywhere along this road, there are beach entrances, which make for endless parking possibilities. A distinctive feature of Chic’s Beach is the calm waters. The waves are not conducive for surfing and boogie-boarding, but the more placid water is excellent for kayaking, floating, small children and timid swimmers. Furthermore, the bay’s calmer waters make it an ideal spot for paddle boarding and kiteboarding. Its proximity to some of the area’s amazing seafood restaurants and bars cements its place as a local hotspot.

The best beaches in Virginia Beach.

Do it all in Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Virginia Beach waterfront

Image by gargola87 from Wikimedia

Virginia Beach is full of so many different places to enjoy the sand between your toes. One of the best things about the beaches in Virginia Beach is that they are all sandy beaches with large shores. VB Oceanfront is the epicenter of the Virginia state seaside recreation scene. It is the leading entertainment and hotel area of the city. During the summer months, the 3-mile-long stretch packs out with sun-seekers who come to bask in the warm sun rays. It can get pretty crowded but since it is so large you can always find a good spot for your friends and family to hang out. Moreover, its famous boardwalk bustles with live performers entertaining the crowds making for a fun and festive feel for the whole family. Jump on a surrey ride down the boardwalk to take a selfie with King Neptune, you can also take surfing lessons or build a sandcastle at Grommet Island. The Virginia Beach pier is superb for fishing, while bikers and hikers will enjoy laps on the lengthy oceanfront boardwalk. The oceanfront destination is home to a variety of arts and entertainment experiences, family-friendly activities and a blossoming culinary scene. Watch out for dolphins in the distance frolicking through the waves, overall, this is the beach to head to for a day of action and fun in the sun, just steps away from your hotel.

Practical Information
Address: 1700 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451

 

Immerse in a Virginia Beach’s Rich History & Culture

Since when early American settlers stepped foot on Virginia Beach it has been a historic melting pot of remarkable events.  make a point of Visiting the lighthouses at Cape Henry or calling on Adam Thoroughgood House home for the day and get to learn the history of Va Beach.

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

15 Free Things to do in Virginia Beach

Image by Theo van Doesburg (1883–1931) from Wikimedia

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA) is situated on Parks Avenue and sits within an award-winning building with a huge 6,000 square feet of space for dynamic exhibitions. Virginia MOCA presents ever-changing exhibitions where communities and cultures are invited to explore our shared humanity, through locally relevant and nationally resonant, contemporary art that’s exceptional. With sculptures, paintings, videos, photos, glasswork, and more from local, national, and international artists, the variety is huge and welcoming across genres and styles! The cultural wonder of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is remarkable.

Virginia MOCA’s Boardwalk Art Show is the City of Virginia Beach’s oldest event and one of the only outdoor art shows produced by an accredited museum. The three-day festival welcomes nearly 200 artists from around the US. Virginia MOCA is located in and is a proud member of Virginia Beach’s ViBe Creative District. They have free admission thanks to the generosity of the Goode Family Foundation. Sentara underwrote one exhibition in 2020, PNC took care of the exhibitions thereafter and another local foundation has covered costs from July to 2022. Free admission provides access to people who otherwise couldn’t or would be hesitant to attend. Tickets can be reserved online.

Practical Information
Address: 2200 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Call: +1 757-425-0000
Hours: Thu: 10 am- 8 pm      Fri-Sat: 10 am-4 pm       
                 Mon-Wed: Reserved for schools and private tours
N/B: Visitors are advised to arrive at least 45 minutes before the galleries close.

Ferry Plantation House

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Image by Rlevse from Wikimedia

The Ferry Plantation dates back to 1642 when the “ferry” service was started by Adam Thoroughgood to connect plantations by the waterway. The 3rd Princess Anne Courthouse built in 1735 including stock and pillory once stood on this site. The House that is visited today replaced the Walke Manor house that was built in 1740 and was later destroyed by fire. The Ferry Plantation House is an old brick house that sits on Old Donation Farm and it’s a must-see in Virginia Beach and is named after the Hampton Roads’ second ferry service, which brought passengers to a county courthouse down to Lynnhaven River – or simply to visit other plantations on the water. There are a total of 11 stops along the way and a cannon was used as a signal for the ferry. It is a ten-room, central passage plan Federal farmhouse facing the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River. Near this site was the famous trial of Virginia’s only convicted witch, Grace Sherwood. Grace was tried by water in 1706. This property has a very rich past. Sherwood’s trial is actually reenacted every year and a full tour of The Stroll of Lost Souls is dedicated to those more interested in getting some screams than fixing tan lines.

Practical Information
Address: 4136 Cheswick Ln, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm
                  (The last tour starts at 2:00 p.m.)
Opened: 1830

Best child-friendly museums in Seattle.

Spend Sometime at Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum

 


The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum honors and preserves the history of Virginia’s maritime heritage, coastal communities, the United States Lifesaving Service and the United States Coast Guard along the Atlantic coast. The Museum is housed in a restored 1903 lifesaving station, the museum traces the history of the United States Life-Saving Service, now known as the Coast Guard. Special exhibits chronicle the shipwrecks that occurred off the Virginia coast. An interactive video monitoring system enables visitors to see the ocean and beach from a tower where early lifesavers were stationed. A touch-screen computer system allows guests access to various short videos documenting area history and present-day lifeguard activities. Have a look at fun exhibits like the swivel gun from the HMS Liberty and learn how to tie life-saving knots used by the coastguards. Offered seasonally, 90-minute ghost walks led by a costumed guide explore local legends, ghosts, pirates and shipwrecks. The sea has always been a huge part of life at Virginia Beach. Visiting the Surf and Rescue Museum will give you a fascinating insight into the local maritime heritage and coastal communities.

Practical Information
Address: 2401 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Call: +1 757-422-1587
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 10 am-4 pm

Discover the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum

15 Free Things to do in Virginia Beach

Image by lori05871 from Wikimedia

Sitting just across the road from the beach, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is housed in a 19th-century boardwalk cottage. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy the impressive range of wildfowl artifacts and exhibits exploring the local coastal heritage. In 1974, a group of local carvers formed the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild hoping to showcase the wildfowl art, carvings, artifacts, and photographs of our area. When the City of Virginia Beach purchased the historic de Witt Cottage in 1992, the Guild thought this would be the perfect location for their museum. Together, the guild and the Virginia Beach Foundation converted the 100 year old cottage into a waterfowl museum, gift shop, and home for the Guild. Today, you can view examples of the evolution of the art of decoy carving using primitive tools to the more elaborate and expressive contemporary carvings and artwork of today. Memorabilia of the old hunt clubs adorns shelving throughout the Museum. The Museum has two interactive computer exhibits which provide educational and artistic programs. The Museum houses an excellent variety of original oil and watercolor paintings, along with its award-winning contemporary carvings by nationally known artists. You can watch live wood carving demonstrations and pop into the gift shop on your way out. The best part is that’s its totally free to enter!

Practical Information
Address: 1113 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Hours: Everyday 10am-5pm
Call: +1 757-437-8432

 

Score Great Deals at Local Markets

Farmers market and locals’ markets are a wonderful way to do something good for your health and the community. Buying local produce and products goes a long way in helping small business thrive.

Virginia Beach Local Farmers’ Market

 


Farmers’ markets are at the top of our list of free things to do in Virginia Beach. The City of Virginia Beach Farmers Market is committed to preserving and celebrating the city’s rural heritage. Shop at the Market 7 days a week & year-round for: Fresh, local produce, Handmade baked goods, Fresh meats and Seafood, Ice cream and daily products, Unique craft, florist, garden and gift shops, Full-service restaurant, Daily and Weekly Artisan Vendors. Visit the market family fun activities like seasonal craft shows, Hoedown performances, and Agriculture Tours for children and adults. Merchant hours vary, but generally speaking, they are open for business 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday- Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Bring the kids to a variety of special events held March thru December. Founded in 2008, Old Beach Farmers Market is run entirely by volunteers as an independent 501(c)6 organization. W

Practical Information
Address: 3640 Dam Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Call: +1 757-385-4388
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5pm                    Sat: 8:30-4pm             Sun: 10am-4pm

The Old Beach Farmers Market

This beautiful outdoor market is located smack in the middle of the resort area in VB. Thje market has a multitude of fruits and vegetables. Located just 6 short blocks from the ocean, the Old Beach Farmers Market is a certified Virginia Green Market supporting local family farms, water workers and VA wineries. It offers a wide range of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, seafood, cheeses, a wide assortment of baked goods, artisanal breads and culinary creations from local chefs (pasta, sauces, salsas, salads and tamales), soap and flowers. The market also offers seasonal specials and is a great place to find healthy, delicious products for your consumption. Bring the kids and collect an assortment of good food for an impromptu picnic on the sand. Founded in 2008, Old Beach Farmers Market is run entirely by volunteers as an independent 501(c) 6 organization. Taking place every Saturday in the summertime the farmers market connects locavores with the area’s family farms, watermen, chefs and businesses for a celebration of all things Virginia Beach.

This is the the best time to visit Virginia Beach.

Practical Information
Address: 620 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Hours: Saturday: 9am-Noon
Order: souplovevb.com

June Military Owned Market

 


The Military Owned Market is Virginia Beach’s only curated market centered around veteran, spouse, and active duty owned businesses. Support your community, local businesses and military by shopping at the market. The Military Owned Market is Virginia Beach’s only curated market that showcases the best Military Owned businesses in our area. The market takes place once a month at 1701 Coworking, in the heart of the ViBe Creative District, blocks away from the Oceanfront. Small businesses are the heartbeat of the ViBe Creative District and events like this foster relationships amongst neighboring businesses and loyal customers. Keep your dollars local, support small and support Military owned they have a wide range of vendors, everything from hot sauce to plant studios, coffee to tactical gear. We have something for everyone. The mission is to support military-owned businesses, build community, and drive awareness to military centered non-profits. Live music, delicious food & baked goods, fresh cut flowers, cigars, pottery, wood working, and so many more amazing finds will be waiting to be discovered by you!

Practical Information
Address: 1701 Baltic Ave Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Free Parking on Street & 18th Street Lot
Hours: 9am-1pm (Once a Month)

All the activities listed above are free things you can do while in Virginia Beach, but perhaps the best one is a stroll on the boardwalk. The first thing you should do in Virginia Beach is hit the boardwalk and enjoy a refreshing walk along the Oceanfront. Breathe in that fresh sea air and pose for photos beneath the iconic King Neptune statue. Virginia Beach Boardwalk is three miles long, so pause for refreshments at one of the charming outdoor restaurants. You can never get enough of it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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