As a long, harsh winter started to finally come to an end, I had a craving for warm weather and refreshing ocean breezes. So at the last minute, I booked a flight to Virginia Beach, which is known for its stunning beaches and laidback coastal town vibes. On my way to this coastal paradise, I couldn’t stop daydreaming about the warm Virginia sunshine and the pristine, white sand beaches. I was so wrapped up in my daydreams, though, that I forgot to book accommodations in this popular beach town. Fortunately, I was able to book a great last-minute hotel in Virginia Beach as soon as I landed by checking out HotelTonight’s website.
With my hotel room booked, I headed to the hotel to check in, drop off my bags and slip into my swimsuit. While I definitely wanted to spend time lounging on the beach and soaking up the sun during my stay in Virginia Beach, I’m not the type of person who can visit a new city and not explore the area. So before relaxing on the beach, I headed out to see all that the charming town of Virginia Beach had to offer.
As the most-visited park in the entire state of Virginia, the First Landing State Park is a must-see for anyone visiting Virginia Beach. This park, which was formerly known as the Seashore State Park, is the spot where the Jamestown colonists first landed in 1607 in the New World. While this location certainly played an important role in the country’s history, it’s not just a boring, museum-like park. Rather, it’s a large park where visitors can explore nearly 3,000 acres of beautiful, scenic land. I started my Virginia Beach getaway with a nice, long hike on one of the trails in First Landing State Park, which ended with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Virginia Beach’s boardwalk is iconic, and this traditional wooden-plank boardwalk stretches for 59 blocks along the shore. This Boardwalk is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, as it provides great entertainment, activities and ocean views. From the street performers to the great selection of restaurants and shops, there’s no shortage of things to do and see on the Boardwalk. And, compared to many more touristy boardwalks, such as the ones in Ocean City or Coney Island, the Virginia Beach boardwalk is calmer, cleaner and much more beautiful.
After a fun-filled morning of exploring Virginia Beach, I decided to relax on the beach. With a good book in my hand and my feet in the sand, I enjoyed the natural beauty of this picturesque beach for hours. While I chose to unwind on the beach right beside the Boardwalk, there are also many other great beaches in the area that locals love, such as the North End and Croatan.
My afternoon at the beach was everything I imagined and more, but I knew there was still so much I had to see of Virginia Beach. For dinner, I went to the Town Center, Virginia Beach’s bustling, vibrant city center. This pedestrian-friendly city center features dozens of restaurants and shops, and its lively environment is the perfect backdrop for visitors looking for a fun beach vacation. This area is also a hot spot for live entertainment, as it’s home to both the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and the Funny Bone Comedy Club.
The next morning, I decided to visit one of the most interesting parks I’ve ever been to – Mount Trashmore. This unique park was once a landfill, but it has been refurbished into a family-friendly park. Since 1974, Mount Trashmore has been the favorite park among locals, as it spans 165 acres and has something for every type of outdoor lover. I chose to walk along the Lake Trail, a scenic trail that winds through the park for 1.45 miles. Mount Trashmore also features tennis courts, volleyball courts, playgrounds and even a skate park. So if you’re looking for a bit of fun and adventure outdoors during your stay in Virginia Beach, you should definitely check out Mount Trashmore.
Even though my stay in Virginia Beach was short, it still felt like a complete vacation. I took advantage of the sunshine, the warm weather and the beautiful surroundings, and I was able to make the most of my Virginia Beach getaway thanks to HotelTonight. Since HotelTonight made it so easy for me to book my last-minute hotel in Virginia Beach, I was able to focus more on exploring the area and seeing all that I could of Virginia Beach. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with Virginia Beach, and I definitely plan on returning to this charming coastal town in the future. When I do, I’ll be sure to book my accommodations through HotelTonight.
