Virginia Beach area
Around Virginia Beach area
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Greater area · Virginia · 1.9M people
Virginia Beach area
Locals say Hampton Roads · “757”, “Tidewater”
Where the bay meets the sea and the fleet comes home.
Ocean BlueNorfolk State GoldNorfolk State Green
Welcome to Hampton Roads, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic. Whether you're here for the beaches, the seafood, or the naval history, you'll find a laid-back vibe with plenty to do. Get ready to say '757' with pride.
Clubs for Virginia Beach area
No clubs for Virginia Beach area yet.
The room
Virginia Beach area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Hampton Roads's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Hampton Roads. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Virginia Beach area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Virginia Beach Boardwalk A 3-mile oceanfront promenade with shops, restaurants, and street performers.
- Naval Station Norfolk The world's largest naval base, home to the Atlantic Fleet.
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel A 23-mile engineering marvel crossing the mouth of the Bay.
- Cape Henry Lighthouse The first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government, built in 1792.
- First Landing State Park Where English colonists first landed in 1607; now a park with beaches and trails.
- Chrysler Museum of Art Renowned for its glass collection and European paintings.
- Outdoors Surfing at the Oceanfront
- Outdoors Kayaking in Back Bay
- With kids Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- With kids Virginia Zoo
- Evenings Granby Street in Norfolk
- Evenings Virginia Beach Oceanfront bars
- Locals love Seafood shacks and crab houses
- Locals love Marinas and fishing piers
Through the year
- Virginia Beach Neptune Festival September A huge beachfront festival with sand sculptures, music, and a parade.
- Norfolk Harborfest June Celebrates the maritime heritage with tall ships, fireworks, and live music.
- Virginia International Tattoo April A grand military tattoo with bands, drill teams, and bagpipers.
- Bayou Boogaloo May A music and arts festival on the Norfolk waterfront with Cajun and blues acts.
- Stockley Gardens Arts Festival May and October A juried art show in Norfolk's Ghent neighborhood with local crafts and food.
Hampton Roads has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best time to be outside is spring and fall when temperatures are comfortable and humidity is low. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Oceanfront”
- The oceanfront area of Virginia Beach, especially the boardwalk.
- “The 757”
- The 757 area code, used to refer to the region itself.
- “The Peninsula”
- The Virginia Peninsula, including Hampton and Newport News.
- “The Bridge-Tunnel”
- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Getaways
- Elizabeth City, NC A historic riverfront town with antique shops and a relaxed pace.
- Kill Devil Hills, NC The Outer Banks, with wide beaches and the Wright Brothers Memorial.
- Richmond, VA Virginia's capital, with the James River, museums, and a thriving food scene.
- Roanoke Rapids, NC A small city on the Roanoke River with fishing and a historic downtown.
Local flavour
Teams
- Old Dominion Monarchs NCAA Division I (FBS)
- Norfolk State Spartans NCAA Division I (FCS)
- Hampton Pirates NCAA Division I (FCS)
- Norfolk Tides MiLB (Triple-A)
- Norfolk Admirals ECHL
Also rooting for Washington Commanders (NFL), Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Baltimore Orioles (MLB)
Eat and drink
- She-crab soup A creamy, rich soup with crab roe, a local classic
- Chesapeake Bay blue crabs Steamed and seasoned with Old Bay, a summer staple
- Oysters on the half shell From the bay and nearby waters, often served raw
- Virginia ham A regional specialty, often served in local diners
Where people go
- Virginia Beach Boardwalk A 3-mile oceanfront promenade with piers and beach access
- Naval Station Norfolk The world's largest naval base, a defining landmark
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel A 17-mile engineering marvel connecting the region to the Eastern Shore
- Crab houses and seafood shacks Casual spots serving steamed crabs and oysters
- Marinas and fishing piers For boating, crabbing, and watching the fleet
Heritage and traditions
Hampton Roads is proud of its deep maritime heritage, from the first English landing to the world's largest naval base, and its vibrant coastal culture of seafood, beaches, and military tradition.
This time of year in Virginia Beach area
- Oyster season Fall-Winter Fall and winter are prime for oyster roasts
- Virginia Beach Restaurant Week October Multi-course meals at local restaurants
- Portsmouth's Olde Towne Ghost Walk October Historic ghost tours and storytelling
Say it like a local: “The Oceanfront” — Refers to the oceanfront area of Virginia Beach
Festivals
- Hampton Jazz Festival June Summer jazz and R&B concert series
- Virginia Beach Restaurant Week October Multi-course meals at local restaurants
- Norfolk's Something in the Water April Music festival founded by Pharrell Williams
- Portsmouth's Olde Towne Ghost Walk October Historic ghost tours and storytelling
- Chesapeake's Crab and Beer Festival August Local crabs and craft brews
- Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show June Juried art exhibits along the oceanfront
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Monroe National Monument Historic fort and refuge for enslaved people during Civil War
- Cape Henry Lighthouse First lighthouse built by the federal government
- First Landing State Park Site of first English landing in 1607
- Chrysler Museum of Art Renowned glass collection and art exhibits
- Olde Towne Portsmouth Historic district with 18th- and 19th-century homes
- Hampton's Fort Wool Island fort in the Hampton Roads harbor
Food traditions
- Oyster roasts Steamed oysters on a table, often with melted butter and crackers
- She-crab soup Creamy soup with crab roe, a local delicacy
- Chesapeake Bay blue crabs Steamed with Old Bay, picked and eaten with friends
- Virginia ham Country-cured ham, often served at holidays
- Peanut soup Colonial-era dish revived in local restaurants
Music and arts
- Neo-soul and hip-hop scene Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes put Virginia Beach on the map
- Jazz and blues Historic jazz clubs in Norfolk and Portsmouth
- Military band performances Navy and Army bands often play free concerts
- Glass art Chrysler Museum's glass studio and local glassblowing
A little history
- 1607 First English landing in North America at Cape Henry
- 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads, first ironclad ship battle
- 1917 Naval Station Norfolk established as major base
- 1964 Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel opened, connecting Eastern Shore
- 1920s-1950s Virginia Beach became a resort city with boardwalk development
Rivalries
- ODU vs. Norfolk State Local college basketball rivalry with bragging rights.
- Peninsula vs. Southside A friendly tug-of-war over which side of the water is better.
- Virginia Beach vs. Norfolk City pride battles over beaches vs. nightlife.
- Game day Norfolk Tides baseball games
- Game day Old Dominion Monarchs football
- Outdoors Surfing at the Oceanfront
- Outdoors Kayaking in Back Bay
- With kids Riding the Ferry to Portsmouth
- With kids Splash pads and playgrounds on the Boardwalk
A coastal Virginia accent with some Tidewater drawl; locals often drop 'r' sounds in words like 'water' and say 'Warshington' for Washington. Military jargon and nautical terms (e.g., 'port' and 'starboard') are common.
Only here
- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is 17.6 miles long and a marvel
- Naval Station Norfolk is the world's largest naval base
- The Virginia International Tattoo is a military tattoo festival unlike any other
- First Landing State Park marks the site of the first English landing
New here? A few tips
- Learn to navigate the bridge-tunnels; they're a way of life
- Expect summer humidity and occasional hurricanes; have a plan
- Try she-crab soup and an oyster roast early on
- Use 'Hampton Roads' for the area, not 'Virginia Beach' alone
- Military presence means some roads close for convoys; be patient
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Areas in Virginia Beach area
Nearby
Every areaEdentonNorth CarolinaQuiet waters, deep history.Roanoke-ChowanNorth CarolinaWhere the rivers meet the fieldsFranklinVirginiaWhere the peanuts grow and the Nottoway flows.Inner BanksNorth CarolinaWhere the rivers meet the soundWashingtonNorth CarolinaRiverfront charm, southern soul.GreenvilleNorth CarolinaThe heart of Eastern CarolinaRoanoke RapidsNorth CarolinaWhere the Roanoke River runs through small-town heart.Eastern ShoreVirginiaWhere the bay meets the sea and time slows to a tide's pace.
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake, VA-NC CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.