Are you thinking about visiting Virginia Beach, Virginia? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Virginia Beach worth visiting?
Virginia Beach is worth visiting for five to seven days so that you can explore everything that the coastal city has to offer. Virginia Beach is a popular beach destination in southeastern Virginia. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and a fun boardwalk. The beach is lined with hotels and condos and it can get a bit crowded during the peak summer months. If you come later in the season you'll find the water is still warm and the crowds are less. During our first trip to Virginia Beach in 2008, we fell in love with its family-friendly beaches and relaxed atmosphere. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more.
Virginia Beach
Reasons to Visit Virginia Beach
Nightlife
While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.
Resorts
Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.
Beaches
The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.
Authenticity
Virginia Beach has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Virginia Beach worth visiting in the Summer?
The weather in Virginia Beach is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 26°C (79°F). But it can get as warm as 31°C (87°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
The peak season for travel is summer in Virginia Beach, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat popular with travelers, and in the high season it's busier than usual. Summer is the most popular time to go to Virginia Beach. Crowds will be big so reservations well in advance are recommended.
This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, enjoy the amenities of a resort, and dance the night away.
Summer Weather in Virginia Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 26°C (79°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| August | 25°C (78°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| September | 22°C (72°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
Is Virginia Beach worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Virginia Beach. Even though Virginia Beach is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 16°C (62°F).
You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery.
Autumn Weather in Virginia Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 16°C (62°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| November | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| December | 7°C (44°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Virginia Beach worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Virginia Beach. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals. Winter is the quieter to to experience Virginia Beach.
The weather in Virginia Beach can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 4°C (39°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the nightlife.
Winter Weather in Virginia Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| February | 5°C (41°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| March | 10°C (49°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Is Virginia Beach worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 14°C (58°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Virginia Beach, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. Even though Virginia Beach is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.
This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy an evening out.
Spring Weather in Virginia Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| June | 24°C (74°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Virginia Beach
Food: Virginia Beach doesn't top the list for most foodies. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Virginia Beach might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Virginia Beach here or see if Virginia Beach is expensive here.
Related
What is Virginia Beach most famous for?
Virginia Beach is most famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. People visit this impressive coastal city for its great nightlife, resorts, and beaches. It is often described as relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled.
What is the most famous sight in Virginia Beach?
The most popular sight in Virginia Beach is its Beachfront Boardwalk. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Virginia Beach on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for its Beachfront Boardwalk and other attractions here.
How touristy is Virginia Beach? Is it a popular coastal city to visit?
Virginia Beach is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
- Wetland Zip Tour: $65
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
- Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
- Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Kayak Dolphin Experience in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
How long should I spend in Virginia Beach?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Virginia Beach is at least five or as many as seven days. Since Virginia Beach has activities such as resorts, beaches, and nightlife, most people visit for up to seven days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Virginia Beach?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Virginia Beach?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Virginia Beach?.
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