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Virginia Beach Attractions
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4005 Sandpiper Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23456 USA Phone: (757) 721-2412
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is at 4005 Sandpiper Rd. The 9,000-acre wildlife preserve is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and by Back Bay on the west. Several trails, some decked, are available for hikers and bicyclists; a tram occasionally runs along the trails. A variety of waterfowl and other wildlife can be seen. Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Admission Apr.-Oct. $5 per private vehicle; $2 per person on foot or bicycle. Free rest of year
Attraction Type: Nature trails; Visitor centers; Wildlife sanctuaries
Hours: Refuge open daily half-hour before dawn to half-hour after dusk; some trails are closed seasonally. Visitor contact station open Mon.-Fri. 8-4 (also Sat. 9-4, Apr.-Oct.), Sun. 9-4; closed holidays
Cape Henry Memorial
Virginia Beach, VA 23459 USA Phone: (757) 898-2410
Cape Henry Memorial is within the Fort Story Military Reservation. The stone cross commemorates the Jamestown settlers' landfall in the New World. After exploring the cape, christened after Henry, Prince of Wales, the settlers erected a wooden cross and sailed up the James River. The site is part of Colonial National Historical Park. Two other monuments honor the Battle of the Capes, fought offshore between French and British naval forces in 1781. The British defeat played a key role in Washington's victory at Yorktown a month later.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
2400 Northampton Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23455 USA Phone: (757) 331-2960
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel carries US 13 across the mouth of Chesapeake Bay from Virginia Beach to Virginia's Eastern Shore. This travel convenience and tourist attraction offers a spectacular panoramic view of the bay. The 17.6-mile bridge-tunnel is unusual in its combination of different types of major structures in one crossing, including bridges, tunnels and four man-made islands. The southernmost island features visitor facilities, a restaurant and a fishing pier. After its completion in 1964, the bridge-tunnel was named "one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world."
Admission: One-way toll is $12 for private vehicles
Attraction Type: Bridges; Tunnels
Christian Broadcasting Network
977 Centerville Tpke.
Virginia Beach, VA 23463 USA Phone: (757) 226-2745
Christian Broadcasting Network is off I-64 exit 286B, then .5 mi. s.e. on Indian River Rd. to the Studio Headquarters Building. Highlights include tours of the production studios of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) television shows. A collection of paintings and sculptures depicting biblical scenes is displayed. Visitors also can view the taping of the "700 Club" show. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required to attend taping
Attraction Type: Industrial tours; Radio/TV stations
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5. Tours are given at 10 and 2. Show taping begins at 9 a.m.; seating is at 8:30 a.m.
Francis Land House
3131 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452 USA Phone: (757) 431-4000
Francis Land House is at 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd. Guides in period dress tell the story of six generations of the Land family and their home, which was built by a wealthy planter around 1810. Nature trails are on the grounds.
Admission: Admission $4; over 60, $3; ages 6-12, $2
Attraction Type: Historic buildings/houses; Nature trails
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 11-5. Last tour begins 30 minutes before closing
Ghosts of Virginia Beach Walking Tour
2501 Atlantic Ave.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451 USA Phone: (757) 498-2127
Ghosts of Virginia Beach Walking Tour departs from the Courtyard by Marriott at 2501 Atlantic Ave. This 90-minute walk explores local haunts along the boardwalk and city streets. Stories include the exploits of Blackbeard the Pirate and the Witch of Pungo, the ghostly sentry at the Old Coast Guard Station and the spirits of Ferry Plantation.
Admission: Fee $15; ages 6-12, $7
Attraction Type: Sightseeing tours
Hours: Tours depart nightly at 8, Memorial Day-Labor Day and Halloween. Reservations are recommended
Lynnhaven House
4405 Wishart Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23455 USA Phone: (757) 460-1688
Lynnhaven House is n. on Independence Blvd. (SR 225), then e. to 4405 Wishart Rd. The 1725 English-style, brick house is situated on 5 wooded acres that feature a small cemetery, native plant beds and an 18th-century kitchen garden. Guided tours are conducted by interpreters in period dress. Allow 1 hour, 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Admission $4; over 60, $3; students with ID and ages 5-16, $2
Attraction Type: Historic buildings/houses
Hours: Tues.-Sun. noon-4, May-Oct.; closed holidays. Last tour begins at 3:30
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
849 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451 USA Phone: (757) 422-4444
Ocean Breeze Waterpark is at 849 General Booth Blvd. This Caribbean-themed destination features 16 water slides, a million-gallon wave pool and the Buccaneer Bay water playground.
Admission: Admission $20.95; over 55 and ages 3-11, $15.95
Attraction Type: Amusement & theme parks; Children's attractions; Water parks
Hours: Open Sun.-Thurs. 10-6, Fri.-Sat. 10-8, Memorial Day-Labor Day. Hours may vary; phone ahead
The Old Coast Guard Station Museum
24th St. & Atlantic Ave.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451 USA Phone: (757) 422-1587
The Old Coast Guard Station Museum is at 24th St. and Atlantic Ave. Housed in a restored 1903 lifesaving station, the museum traces the history of the U.S. lifesaving and Coast Guard services. 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 identifies vessels that come into port.
Admission: Admission $4; over 60 and military with ID $3; ages 6-18, $2
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-General; Museums
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5, day after Memorial Day-Sept. 30; Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5, rest of year. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25 and 31
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451 USA Phone: (757) 385-3474
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is 1 mi. s. of Rudee Inlet Bridge at 717 General Booth Blvd. Hands-on exhibits, live animal displays and a multitude of aquariums spotlight Virginia's marine environment. The Norfolk Canyon Aquarium features sharks and other large ocean creatures. Other highlights include a harbor seal habitat, a floor-to-ceiling sea turtle aquarium, a sea turtle hatchling laboratory, an artificial reef touch-tank and an IMAX theater presenting 3-D marine science and nature films. A nature trail skirts the edge of Owls Creek Salt Marsh and includes a river otter habitat, an aviary and other marsh animal exhibits. Whale-watching, dolphin-watching and salt marsh creek boat trips are available; phone for schedule.
Admission: Museum admission $11.95; over 62, $10.95; ages 3-11, $7.95. IMAX films $7.50; over 62, $6.75; ages 3-11, $6.50. Combination ticket $16.95; over 62, $15.95; ages 3-11, $12.95
Attraction Type: Aquariums; Marine attractions; Museums
Hours: Daily 9-7, Memorial Day-Labor Day; 9-5, rest of year. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
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