If King Neptune is down with a beach, it must be worth checking out.
Lovers of mythology know that Neptune, not the character from ‘Sponge Bob,’ is an expert when it comes to surf and sand. A towering 31-foot statue of the God of Water and Sea resides at 31st and the Boardwalk in Virginia Beach.
The Roman God has good taste in vacation destinations. Virginia Beach is a gem of a town that is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest pleasure beach in the world.
But somehow the largest city in the state of Virginia hasn’t received as much buzz as it deserves over recent years. Ocean City, Maryland, has a myriad of amusements, shops and restaurants, which smacks of the Jersey shore, receives plenty of ink to the north.
And there is the popular and primarily tranquil Outer Banks to the south. OBX has become a hip choice during the last generation.
Virginia Beach, which is right in the middle, offers a slice of what each of its neighbors provide and a charming unique touch as well.
The appeal of Virginia Beach is universal. It’s a destination for families with its pristine beach, Southern hospitality and amusement parks, couples, (remember the ‘Virginia Is For Lovers’ campaign that was shot in Virginia Beach a generation ago?) and outdoor enthusiasts. Even the handicapped are at home in Virginia Beach. It’s difficult to not be impressed with the progressive JT’s Grommet Island Park, which is designed for children with disabilities.
It’s located on the beach at Second and the Boardwalk.
Speaking of the beach, it’s remarkably clean. The sand is groomed and any detritus along the grains is collected each night.
The condition didn’t change during the day as my children and I made sand castles, played wiffle ball and just soaked up the sun. It was easy to relax or engage in physical activity over this wide expanse of beach.
There are plenty of options for kids, who will never be bored in Virginia Beach.
We experienced Ocean Breeze Waterpark, (849 General Booth Rd., Virginia Beach, 757- 422-4444) and left wanting more. There is a 200-foot dark tube, capped by a 50-foot drop into the refreshing drink. The bamboo shoots, a short tube, which allows you to drop 12-feet in the air before plunging into 10-feet of chilly water, are a blast. They're oh so welcome on a scorching day.
After cooling down at the waterpark, it was off to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center (717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, 757-385-FISH).
After having experienced the incomparable Monterey Bay Aquarium and Tampa’s fine Florida Aquarium, the kids gave the Virginia Aquarium a big thumbs up, particularly when those digits were under water. My children didn’t want to leave the ray tank.
There were a plethora of interactive rays making contact with those dangling their arms in the tank. After spending a solid half-hour there, my children and their soaked right sleeves made their way toward another touch pool.
There they held horseshoe crabs, sea stars and hermit crabs, which are examples of what thrives around the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel, the longest connecting bridge and tunnel complex in the world, which leads into Virginia Beach.
The most inspired concept in Virginia Beach is the aforementioned JT’s Grommet Island Park, which is designed for everyBODY, as it states on a park plaque.
The idea for the park, a ‘grommet’ is a young surfer, was hatched by Josh Thompson’s family. Thompson, a former Virginia Beach surfer, was diagnosed with ALS in 2006. Since Thompson became wheelchair bound, he avoided the beach but that made his father wonder how many other families have the same dilemma. That inspired the park, which includes adapted slides and monkey bars. Words are also written in Braille and visitors can rent beach wheelchairs, which can travel on sand.
There are a number of fine restaurants in Virginia Beach. Waterman's Surfside Grille is one of the most venerable. The restaurant, which opened in 1981, features a terrific signature drink, the "Orange Crush," which is the libation of choice for discerning folk relaxing in Virginia Beach. The concoction is like an orange creamsicle with vodka and triple sec. It goes down so smoothly on a scorcher of a day. Kids can enjoy a virgin orange crush, with the fresh squeezed orange and sprite. There’s two ‘Orange Crush’ days at Waterman’s, in which the drink is celebrated and it’s easy to see why. Waterman’s (415 Atlantic Avenue,757-428-3644) also earned raves for great fare. Try the delicious she crab soup and the terrific local Chesapeake Bay crab stuffed fish of the day, but for a great view of the Atlantic Ocean from virtually every table.
Rudee’s Inlet, which includes a number of restaurant options that are just blocks from the beach.
There is Rockefeller’s (308 Mediterranean avenue,757-422-5654), which offers an array of tempting seafood selections. Start off with what else, the Oysters Rockefeller, which are tangy and satisfying. The jumbo lump crab cake is fabulous. The grouper is tremendous as well.
After consuming so many calories, you might be compelled to exercise. Surreys, bikes and blades can be rented and enjoyed along the trail, which runs parallel to the boardwalk.
The kids loved our visit to Sandbridge, which is about a 40-minute drive south of the main Virginia Beach drag. It’s reminiscent of the Outer Banks but an hour-and-a-half closer.
For those looking for a music fix post-Sea.Hear.Now, why not trek to Virginia Beach for the Neptune festival? The 51st annual event, slated for September 26 and 27, features R&B icons War and vocalist-rapper-beat boxer Matisyahu.
Virginia Beach offers a little something for every visitor. There's great culinary, family fun and a pristine beach with welcome Southern flavor.
The appeal of Virginia Beach is universal. It’s a destination for families with its pristine beach, Southern hospitality and amusement parks, couples and outdoor enthusiasts
There are plenty of options for kids, who will never be bored in Virginia Beach.