Time to explore!

Summertime can be a relief for some, and a curse for others. Your little ones are home, instantly claiming they are “bored” and you feel like you are about to lose your mind. Sometimes, a little planning is all that is needed to help alleviate a few of those boredom days. Making a summer game plan can decrease your own stress level, as well as save you some money on those last-minute tickets.

Virginia Beach is one of the top destinations for families with children. Though this can get a little irritating during the traveling season, it means that even locals never run out of activities to do. There is always a new event to explore or a beach day to be had!

1. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Whether it’s been a while, or you’ve never been, summer is the perfect time to take a trip down to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. With regularly changing exhibits, you are bound to find something new with each visit. When planning your trip, be sure to check out their daily calendar to see what they have planned for each day. As long as the weather cooperates, they even have multiple different boat tours available. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get to see a dolphin or two.

If you have toddlers and find it hard to get out and about, why not explore their virtual events? For the little ones, these virtual lessons bring marine science right to their fingertips!

2. Ocean Breeze Waterpark

A day at the local waterpark is bound to create plenty of long-term memories for you and your family! Whether someone in your family enjoys the thrill of water slides, or someone else prefers to float along in the lazy river, there is plenty to do. For teenagers, the water park even offers a juniorlifeguard camp!

3. Military Aviation Center

If you have anyone in your family that enjoys history, or planes, the Military Aviation Center just might be the perfect place for you to visit! It contains 70 airplanes from the first 50 years of military aviation, spread between several buildings and hangars. 

4. Atlantic Fun Park

Voted Virginia Beach’s number one theme park, Atlantic Fun Park is ready for a great day of excitement on the beach. For the thrill-seeker, they have rides like the Skyflier, ready to take the riders way into the sky. Even with the stomach-flipping rides available, they also have plenty of child-friendly options like the adorable flying elephants! If that’s not quite enough, they have multiple different race tracks to keep the competitive spirit alive within your family. 

5. First Landing State Park

Located where the very first English colonist landed in 1607, this gorgeous beach-front park is a popular place throughout the summer months. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk for daily use, but also has cabins and campsites for those who want to make the adventure last just a little longer. 

6. Black Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Black Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,589-acre refuge established in 1938. It was created specifically to protect migrating birds, such as ducks, geese, and swans. But waterfowl aren’t the only kind of wildlife on this refuge. They also have endangered animals such as the loggerhead sea turtle.

7. The Cape Henry Lighthouse

The Cape Henry Lighthouse is one of two lighthouses located within the Fort Story military base. The original version is the 4th oldest lighthouse in the country. But in 1881, they built a newer version only 30 feet away. 

8. Old Beach Farmers Market

Located only six blocks from the ocean, this farmers market is sure to be a fun place to take the family. Filled with locally grown, caught, and made food and items, everything provided at this fun market is sure to change each week!

9. False Cape State Park

Open every day from sunrise to sunset, this park consists of miles of gorgeous beaches, complete with trails for either biking or hiking. Whether for a picnic on the beach, a long walk on the trails, or even a camping weekend, be sure to visit and experience the fresh air of False Cape State Park.

10. Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum

The building of the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum is considered an icon all on its own. Located right on the boardwalk, this museum is full of exhibits for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Virginia Beach!

Before You Get Too Busy…

Before the summer schedule gets too chaotic, don’t forget to book that regular dental cleaning for you or your children! Prevention is key when it comes to oral health, so it’s important to keep a regular cleaning and checkup schedule—even when you’re busy making memories.