Virginia Beach, Virginia

Overview

Virginia Beach, Virginia, a coastal haven of 450,000, pulses with an offbeat charm where quirky attractions, hidden boardwalk gems, and historic oddities draw adventurous travelers beyond the sandy shores, attracting over 19 million visitors yearly. Founded in 1887 as a resort town, this Atlantic gem sits 110 miles southeast of Richmond and 210 miles south of Washington, D.C., cradled by the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Beyond beachfront hotels and surf shops, Virginia Beach offers eccentric treasures like a museum of nautical folklore, a hidden mermaid-themed speakeasy, and vibrant street art in the Oceanfront Arts District. It’s an offbeat seaside playground where colonial maritime history, quirky creativity, and coastal grit collide, perfect for those craving unique adventures over tourist staples.

Top Attractions (Decoys, Mermaids & Marshes!)

Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum

Located in a historic 1895 cottage, this museum showcases intricate decoy carvings and quirky duck-hunting lore.

Oceanfront Arts District Murals

Discover colorful street art where mermaids and nautical themes paint the walls of 17th Street in the ViBe district.

Cape Henry Lighthouse

Climb the first U.S. federal lighthouse, a quirky 1792 beacon, for stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay.

Mermaid’s Hideaway

An oceanfront speakeasy serving creative cocktails in a nautical nook hidden behind a seafood shack.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A 9,000-acre marsh where you can take quirky tram tours to spot ghost crabs and other coastal wildlife.

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Explore rotating exhibits of surreal installations and quirky, thought-provoking art from local and national artists.

Unique Stories & Facts (Mermaids, Ghosts & Decoys!)

• Wildfowl Quirks: Some of the 1800s duck decoys in the Wildfowl Museum were carved with secret compartments for smuggling.
• Mermaid Myth: The Mermaid’s Hideaway speakeasy is a nod to a local legend that claims mermaids once lured sailors to the shores of Cape Henry.
• Lighthouse First: The 1792 tower at Cape Henry was the very first public works project authorized by the new U.S. government under George Washington.
• Marsh Ghosts: The tram tours at Back Bay pass by dunes that are said to be haunted, with locals reporting ghostly lights from shipwrecks.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Visit Virginia Beach!)

Popular Activities (Beyond the Boardwalk!)

• Decoy Touring: Explore the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and handle quirky, hand-carved duck decoys from the 1800s.
• Mural Strolling: Wander through the Oceanfront Arts District, where the mermaid-themed art on 17th Street shifts seasonally.
• Lighthouse Climbing: Ascend the historic 1792 Cape Henry Lighthouse for quirky and beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay.
• Speakeasy Sipping: Slip into the Mermaid’s Hideaway for creative cocktails in a hidden, nautical-themed nook.
• Wildlife Tramming: Take a ride on the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge's tram to spot ghost crabs and quirky marsh birds.
• Art Browse: Visit MOCA to see surreal installations and other contemporary works that are designed to spark wonder.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

For gaming, head across the water to the **Rivers Casino Portsmouth** (30 miles), a large, urban gaming hub with 1,400 slot machines and 80 table games. It is the closest major casino to the Virginia Beach area.

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - VB's Quirky Side!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Ghosts of the Coast!)

• Adam Thoroughgood House (5 mi):** The ghost of a servant girl is said to haunt the hearth of this historic 1719 colonial home.
• Lynnhaven House (7 mi):** Phantom footsteps are often heard echoing from the attic of this preserved 1725 home.
• Cape Henry Lighthouse:** The ghostly keeper of the 1792 tower is said to relight the lantern on particularly stormy nights.