Attractions

• Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
• First Landing State Park
• Mount Trashmore Park
• Naval Air Station Oceana/Master Jet Base Tour
• The Old Coast Guard Station
• Ocean Breeze Water Park
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
• Virginia Legends Walk

Specialty Shopping

Boating & Water Sports

CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER OF VIRGINIA: One of southeastern Virginia’s leading art institutions, CAC’s mission is to teach visitors about contemporary art through regularly changing exhibitions, studio art classes, educational programs and special events. Now on permanent exhibition, “Mille Colori,” by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Founded in 1952, CAC has produced the annual Boardwalk Art Show and Festival for more than 50 years. 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. 757-425-0000; Fax 757-525-8186; www.cacv.org Approximate Miles From Oceanfront: 1 mile; Open: Tuesday–Friday, 10am–5pm; Saturday, 10am–4pm;
Sunday, noon–4 pm. General Admission: Memorial Day–Labor Day, $7 adults, $5 students/seniors/military; After Labor Day; $5 adults, $3 students/seniors/military. CAC members and children under 4 admitted free. Motorcoach Parking: Free On-site Parking; Disability Accessible; Gift Shop.

[Top]

FIRST LANDING STATE PARK: Located on the Chesapeake Bay and originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, First Landing State Park emphasizes historical and ecological preservation. As the most visited state park in Virginia, activities include boating, swimming, interpretive programs, hiking, biking, picnic area,
camping with bay access, boat launch, campsites with water and electric hook-ups, cabins, and 19 miles of trails on 2,888 acres. Listed in the National Register of Natural Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. 800-933-PARK (7275) or 757-412-2300; Fax 757-412-2315.
Approximate Miles From Oceanfront: Main entrance 6 miles; 64th Street entrance 1 mile; Contact: Michael Campbell, Chief Ranger; Open: Year-round/Daily 8am–dusk; Parking Fees: $3 weekdays; $4 weekends and holidays Boat Launch: $4; Motorcoach parking: Available; Bus Parking Fee: $15. Restrooms; Gift Shop; Disability Accessible; Special Events; Evening programs; Educational Tours; French Brochures; Group/Event rental areas available for
weddings, receptions, picnics, etc.

[Top]

MOUNT TRASHMORE PARK: Fly kites and have picnics at the city’s most popular park with 165 acres and one of its highest elevations at 68 feet. Once a solid waste management project and active landfill, it now serves as a recreational treasure with playgrounds, State Park and shelters for rentals. 310 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Call 757-473-5237 for information and 757-473-5251 for reservations.
Approximate Miles From Oceanfront: 7; Contact: Harold Barkley; Parks Supervisor; Open: Year-round, Daily 7:30am–sunset, except off-season holidays; General Admission: Free; Self-guided tour: 20 minutes; Advance Notice (For Groups); Skate Park, Playgrounds. Park/First Come Basis, Shelters/4 mos. Motorcoach Parking: On-site (Limited). Restrooms, Rental Space, Vending, Disability Accessible and Special Events. Parks Special Events
Office, 757-427-2990. Additional City Parks/Facilities: Bayville Park, 757-460-7559; City View Park, 757-479-0106; Great Neck Park, 757-496-6735; Little Island Park, 757-426-0013; Munden Point Park, 757-426-5296; Princess Anne Park, 757-427-6020; Red Wing Park, 757-437-4847; Owl Creek Boat Ramp, 757-437-4847; Woodstock Park,
757-366-4538; Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility, 757-460-7590; Lynnhaven Municipal Marina, 757-496-6845; Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 757-427-2990.

[Top]

NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA/MASTER JET BASE TOUR: Home to some 250 jets, including F/A-18 Hornets and F-14 Tomcats, and a variety of other support commands, NAS Oceana is the East Coast’s only master jet
base. The base covers 6,000 acres, has four parallel runways, and is situated in the heart of Virginia Beach. A tour of the base includes military work facilities, entertainment venues, living quarters, Officers Club, and the Aviation Historical Park. The Aviation Historical Park is the only place to get up-close to a Tomcat and Hornet aircraft. There, visitors will see 13 types of aircraft that have operated out of Oceana since its inception in 1943 and visit the souvenir shop. Observation parks are located at the Flame of Hope on Oceana Boulevard. Free of charge and open from 8am until dusk. 1750 Tomcat Boulevard/Oceana Boulevard (Mailing address: Public Affairs Office, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA 23460-2191). 757-433-3131; Fax, 757-433-3156; www.nasoceana.navy.mil
Approximate Miles From Oceanfront: 7; Contact: Mr. Troy Snead, Public Affairs Officer; Open: June–September, Scheduled guided tour; year-round, escorted motor-coach tours, 9am–2pm, reservations required; Closed:
Holidays; General Admission: $7.50 trolley fee, base tour free; Group Admission: Free; Guided Tour: 1 1/2 hour; Advance Notice (for Groups): 1 month; Motorcoach Parking: On-site; Restrooms; Food Service: Restaurant/catering; Disability Accessible;

[Top]

THE OLD COAST GUARD STATION: Formerly a U.S. Life-Saving/Coast Guard Station built in 1903, it is the only existing station in Virginia open to the public. Permanent exhibits depict the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, shipwrecks off the Virginia coast, and the impact of WWI & WWII. TowerCAM interactive exhibit features a camera and touch screen computer that enables visitors to sight vessels on the ocean as the Surfmen did from the station tower. Vessels can be identified with the aid of ship silhouettes on the computer screen. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark.
24th Street and Atlantic Avenue (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 24, Virginia Beach, VA 23458). 757-422-1587; Fax 757-491-8609; www.oldcoastguardstation.com
At Oceanfront; Contact: Education/Program Director; Open: Year-round, June–September, Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm and Sunday, noon–5pm; October–May, Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm and Sunday, noon–5pm; Closed: Mondays, October–May, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day; General Admission: $3, $2.50/seniors and active duty Military; Group Admission: Available; Minimum Group Number To Qualify For Discount: 10; Maximum Group Number: 60; Guided Tour: 1 hour; Self-Guided: 1 hour; Advance Notice (for Groups): 1 week; Motorcoach Parking: Satellite Lot; Restrooms; Gift Shop; Disability Accessible on lower gallery only; Special Events; Educational Tours for student groups

[Top]

OCEAN BREEZE WATERPARK: Experience an afternoon or an entire summer in a Caribbean paradise. Our million gallon wave pool, 16 thrilling water slides and delightful water features just for children will let you escape to the islands without leaving Virginia Beach! Whether you are on a family vacation, hosting a corporate function or scheduling some leisure time for a group, this tropical location will make a splash.
849 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. 800-678-9453; 757-425-1241; 757-422-4444
(recording); Fax 757-425-0970; www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com; E-mail: groupsales@oceanbreezewaterpark.com;
Approximate Miles From Oceanfront:1.5; Contact: Group Sales Department; Open: Memorial Day–Labor Day, 10am–7pm Sunday–Thursday 10am–8pm Friday–Saturday (Pre-season and post-season hours may vary during April and May and from Labor Day–October 1); Closed: Winter; Season Passes available; General Admission: $20.95 adults ages 12 and up; $16.95 ages 3–11; Group Admission: $15.95 adults ages 12 and up; $11.95 ages 3–11; Complimentary Group Admission Policy: Escort and bus driver; Minimum Group Number To Qualify For Discount: 15; Maximum Group Number: 2,500 to 5,000; Visiting Time: Full day experience; Advance Notice (for Groups): 48 hours; Motorcoach Parking: Free, On-site; Restrooms; Gift Shop; Food Service: Concessions/Catering/Events; Disability Accessible

[Top]

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER: One of the top aquariums in the country, Virginia’s largest aquarium offers an up-close and personal look at sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, fish, harbor seals and river otters. Virginia’s marine environment is represented by over 700,000 gallons of aquariums, live animal habitats, an outdoor aviary, 10 acres of outdoor marsh habitat, a 1/3 mile nature trail and over 350 hands-on interactive exhibits. Visitors can also experience a “larger-than-life” movie on the giant six story Virginia Aquarium 3D IMAX® Theater. Seasonal museum boat trips are offered including dolphin watching and creek cruises in the summer and whale watching in the winter. 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. 757-385-7777; 757-385-FISH (recording);
Fax 757-385-4976; E-mail: fish@virginiaAquarium.com Approximate Miles From Oceanfront: 1; Contact: Group Sales; Open: Year-round, June–August, daily, 9am–7pm and September–May, daily, 9am–5pm; Closed: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; General Admission: $16.95 for Adult Aquarium and IMAX® movie, $12.95 for Child Aquarium
and IMAX® movie. Group Rates Available. Complimentary Group Admission Policy: for Aquarium Only, School Groups 1/15, Bus Driver and Leader Free. Minimum Group Number to Qualify for Discount: 15; Maximum Group Number: 2,000; Self-guided Tour: 4–5 Hours for Both Buildings; Advance Notice (for Groups): 1 Week, Reservations Required; Free Motorcoach Parking: On-site; Restrooms, Gift Shop, Rental Space, Food Service, Cafeteria/Catering, Disability Accessible, Special Events, Group Tour Memberships; NTA, SYTA, ABA, Evening IMAX® Shows, Educational
Tours for student groups, French and Spanish language brochures available

[Top]

VIRGINIA LEGENDS WALK: Virginia Legends Walk, at the 13th Street Park between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific
Avenue, honors Virginians, by birth or residence, who have made significant contributions to the nation and the
world. Celebrated Virginians include Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Ashe, Patsy Cline, Thomas Jefferson and Captain
John Smith. 13th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach; 757-491-SUNN/

[Top]

Specialty Shopping

HILLTOP SHOPPING AREA
A variety of shopping centers with a range of popular merchants, from K-Mart to Williams-Sonoma and Talbots. Includes the shops at Hilltop East, West, and North, Hilltop Square, Regency Hilltop, and La Promenade (the “Rodeo Drive” of Virginia Beach). Laskin and First Colonial Road.

LOEHMANN’S PLAZA
A unique collection of stores, including Off Broadway Shoes, Lillian Vernon Outlet, Golf Galaxy, Linens ‘N Things Outlet and more. Virginia Beach Boulevard and Stepney Lane.

LYNNHAVEN MALL
One of the largest malls on the East Coast, featuring five department stores,
over 160 specialty stores, services, eateries and movie theaters. 701 Lynnhaven Parkway; 757-340-9340.

MACARTHUR CENTER
Flagship department stores and 150 extraordinary stores and restaurants, the Center offers world-class shopping, fashions for you and your home, amenities, an 18-screen theater Megaplex, eateries and an indoor amusement park. Downtown Norfolk; 757-627-6000; www.shopmacarthur.com

PEMBROKE MALL
Virginia Beach’s first mall is still a favorite, with several large department stores as well as specialty shops, restaurants and eight movie theaters. Virginia Beach and Independence Boulevards; 757-497-6255; www.pembrokemall.com

THE TOWN CENTER
For dining, shopping and entertainment, The Town Center of Virginia Beach and Pembroke Mall are in the center of it all. Premier restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, PF Chang’s and California Pizza Kitchen along with retail stores are in the shadow of the landmark 24-story office tower, eleven miles west of the oceanfront. Pembroke Mall, Virginia Beach’s first mall, is still a favorite, with large department stores as well as specialty shops, restaurants and eight movie theaters. Located only 11 miles from the oceanfront. Virginia Beach and Independence Boulevards; 757-497-6255; www.towncenterofvirginiabeach.com

[Top]

Boating & Water Sports

AMERICAN ROVER TALL SHIP CRUISES
Norfolk Harbor Sailing Tour for up to 135 guests. Two – 3-hour cruises depart daily. Waterside Marina. To make your group reservation, call 757-627-7245.

RUDEE EXPLORER
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s pontoon boat, the Coastal Explorer, provides a glimpse of the Owls
Creek salt marsh, the last underdeveloped salt marsh in Virginia Beach. During half-hour trips, Aquarium educators
narrate the natural dramas of the creek as they unfold. From ospreys diving to catch fish, to herons stalking their prey in the cord grass, passengers will have the opportunity to see marsh life up close and personal. Passengers will also learn about the history and ecology of Owls Creek, as well as conservation efforts. 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. 757-437-4949; 757-425-FISH.

CARRIE B HARBOR CRUISES
Take a tour on the reproduction 19th-century Mississippi riverboat that provides cruises on Norfolk’s historic harbor.
The Waterside, Norfolk, and Portside, Portsmouth. The End of Bay Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 757-393-4735.

RUDEE INLET CHARTERS
Sightseeing cruise highlights the beautiful oceanfront, playful dolphins and fascinating shore birds. See what you can see on the sea. Full and half-day fishing charters available. Virginia Beach Fishing Center, Rudee Inlet, 200 Winston Salem Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-422-5700; www.rudeeinletcharters.com

SPIRIT OF NORFOLK
Bring your group aboard and relax on our climate-controlled decks. Experience freshly prepared food in a nautical setting. Dinner cruises feature lively dance bands. Lunch cruises include a narrated tour of the historical harbor and the world’s largest naval base – you’ll see submarines, aircraft carriers and more. 109 East Main Street, Norfolk; 757-625-1463 for groups; Fax 757-625-1321.

VICTORY ROVER
Enjoy a 2-hour cruise and narration of the Hampton Roads region and its impact on naval history. A great way to see naval Station Norfolk. One Waterside Drive. Call 757-627-7406.

[Top]