While beach activities like surfing and parasailing come to mind when visiting Virginia Beach (after all, even the name of the city has the word "beach" in it!), this beautiful coastal city located at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay is far more than just a beach. From the booming culinary and craft beer scene to the unique neighborhoods and historic sites, Virginia Beach is the perfect destination for foodies, adventurers, history buffs, and beach lovers alike!
WHERE TO STAY
The Cavalier Hotel
The absolutely stunning Cavalier Hotel recently reopened in March 2018 after an $80 million renovation. Originally built in 1927, this historic hotel is replete with history - The Cavalier Hotel has hosted 10 US presidents and famous names like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Taylor, and Judy Garland - just to name a few. Nestled atop a hilly hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, The Cavalier will make every guest feel like a loyalty as they enter the grand, elegant hotel reminiscent of a scene from The Great Gatsby.
The Cavalier has 85 spacious guest spaces (62 rooms and 23 suites), all of which features the comfort of modern amenities paired with the elegance of the bygone era. Get spoiled by feather-like bedding, luxurious bathrooms with historic black and white tiles, and immaculate service including evening turndown service.
The one-of-a-kind Cavalier experience extends beyond the guest rooms. Don't forget to check out other exclusive amenities, such as the high-ceiling indoor salt water pool with balconies, outdoor infinity pool at the Cavalier Oceanfront Beach Club across the street, and spacious fitness center with state-of-the-art gyn equipments.
THINGS TO DO
Horseback Ride Along the Boardwalk
Enjoy a relaxing horseback ride along the sandy beach with the Virginia Beach & Outer Banks Horseback . The 30-minute or 1-hour guided ride is perfect for first-timers and experienced riders alike and suitable for family, couples, or even solo rider. You'll get to meet friendly horses (and ponies!) like Twinkie, Ginger, and Tracker.
Enjoy Craft Beer at Farmhouse Brewing Company
Founded in 2011 by a group of Virginia Beach friends with deep roots in the Back Bay of Virginia Beach, Back Bay Brewing Co. recently opened its new Farmhouse Brewing Company last month. The farmhouse brewery is set on 8 acres of land, and features "farm-to-tap" experience with local beers and ciders on tap, food trucks, as well as an outdoor space for families and friends to play bocce ball and corn hole while listening to live music and relaxing on the front porch.
Relax at the SeaHill Spa
There is no better way to rejuvenate and relax than at the SeaHill Spa. The 6,200 square-foot onsite spa at The Cavalier is located on the lower level, and features co-ed Himalayan Salt Room, soaking tubs, hydrotherapy pool, and sauna and steam rooms. Guests can enjoy unique treatments like Quart Sand Therapy to relieve muscle, arthritic, and joint pain or Ultimate Caviar to infuse skin with nutrients, as well as more traditional treatments like haircut, manicure/pedicure, and different types of massage and facial.
Tour the Tarnished Truth Distilling Company
As the first and only distillery in a hotel in the US, Tarnished Truth Distilling Company - located on the lower level of The Cavalier Hotel - offers a portfolio of spirits like the AVA Vodka distilled on site, as well as three types of bourbon: The Tarnished Truth Bourbon, Tarnished Truth High Rye Bourbon and the Old Cavalier Single-Barrel Bourbon. The distillery also offers private tours and a tasting room.
Explore the vibrant ViBe Creative District
Just a couple blocks inland from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, the ViBe Creative District is the newest art and cultural hub where artists across different disciplines like music, culinary, and traditional art can showcase their respective practices. ViBe Creative District was established by a group of local businesses and individuals to attract creative industries to a section of the Virginia Beach oceanfront area that needed revitalizing. The district's mission is "to promote, support, connect, and inspire the arts and creative industries to boost our local economy, grow jobs, and enhance our quality of life" with a vision of creating and reviving economic vibrancy in the neighborhood with local vibe.
Ride an authentic WWII Aircraft at the Military Aviation Museum
Julian Herzog
Home to one of the world's largest collections of warbirds in flying condition, the Military Aviation Museum features aircrafts from Germany, France, Italy, Russia, UK, and the US from both World War I and World War II. The museum offers a unique experience to onboard these warbird flights during flight season from April 2 to Oct. 31. You will embark on an adventure of lifetime with one of the veteran pilots and soar over the rural country side of Virginia Beach, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the sand dunes of the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge on either the 1941 Boeing Stearman or the 1989 Waco.
PLACES TO EAT
The Hunt Room
Walk down the winding staircase from the lobby of The Cavalier Hotel to discover The Hunt Room, which specializes in mouthwatering American dishes paired with hand-crafted cocktails, beers, and wines. The restaurant is situated right next to the Tarnished Truth Distillery, making it a must-stop to sip on innovative cocktails like Float Like a Butterfly (AVA Vodka, cucumber, mint, fresh lemon, simple syrup, soda, and Chamomile bitters) and The Huntsman (Old Cavalier Bourbon, fresh grapefruit, honey syrup, French tarragon). Some of the must items to order are crispy Jumbo Fantail Carolina Shrimp served with burnt honey mustard and AVA seafood sauce, Fried Salt & Vinegar Virginia Oysters with white cheddar cheese curds and caper remoulade, and Filet Mignon topped with Old Cavalier Bourbon steak sauce with Vidalia onion potato gratin and roasted mushrooms.
Mermaid Winery
Now with two locations in Virginia, Mermaid Winery upholds its vision of producing small batch, quality wine using grapes sourced from vineyards in Virginia and California. Try one of the Wine Flightoptions (five 1 oz tastings) or opt for a full glass of your favorite. Mermaid Winery also serves full menu, with delicious items like Beet Salad featuring red and gold beets, creamy burrata, micro green, and candied pecan in honey walnut vinaigrette.
Margie & Ray's Crab House
The unassuming Margie & Ray's Crab House, located on a dirt road called Sandbridge Road, is a local favorite that whips up classic plates and sandwiches like Fried Seafood Combo (fish, scallops, shrimp, and oysters), Lump Crabcake Sandwich with choice of sides from hushpuppies, cole slaw, French Fries, and Apple sauce, and the famous Hurricane Margie Platter, which includes generous portions of fried shrimp, scallops, crabcakes, clam strips, oysters, fish filets, French fries, hushpuppies, and cole slaw.
The Atlantic on Pacific
A newcomer to Virginia Beach's growing culinary scene, The Atlantic on Pacific serves shareable, tapas-style dishes that are absolutely unforgettable. Whether you are a seafood lover or vegetarian, there is something for everyone. The Goat Cheese & Spinach Ravioli with creamed corn and herbs is out-of-this-world delicious, while the Crab Toast features generous portion of fresh, lump crab meat with creamy avocado, sprouts, tomato, and radish on top of toasted brioche. Finally, the Pan-Seared U-10 Scallops with corn and arugula are plump, juicy, and mouthwatering.
The Bee & The Biscuit
Serving breakfast and lunch all day, The Bee & The Biscuit is another local favorite located in Pungo, Virginia Beach. This charming cottage restaurant specializes in fresh made, buttery biscuits, biscuit-inspired dishes like the Orange Ham Biscuit (Orange Zest biscuit with country ham and melted Swiss cheese), massive Colossal Cinnamon Roll, and creative latte with whipped cream on top.
Becca
Start or end your day at Becca, an elegant "garden-to-table" restaurant in The Cavalier at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. From breakfast to lunch to dinner, the menu highlights locally sourced ingredients in an outdoor garden setting, with delectable, classic dishes like The Cavalier Benedicts with two poached eggs, jumbo lump crab, tomatoes, and spinach on English muffin with Hollandaise Sauce and breakfast potatoes on the side and Pancetta Wrapped Salmon with baby spinach, shaved fennel, blueberry, and grilled peach with cranberry maple bacon vinaigrette.
Auntie's Tiki Bar and Restaurant
Virginia Beach's culinary scene extends beyond seafood. Visitors at Auntie's Tiki Bar & Restaurant will experience the best of Filipino and Hawaiian cuisine with a menu that includes exotic cocktails and mouthwatering dishes. Painkiller, served in a playful Tiki glass, is a delicious concoction of dark rum, fresh orange juice, fresh pineapple juice, coconut cream, and nutmeg. Another fun cocktail is the Scorpion (serves 2-4), a big bowl of light rum, gin, brandy, orange juice, lime juice, demerara syrup, and orgeat. Popular dishes include Pineapple Boat of traditional tuna poke and seaweed salad served in a halved and charred pineapple and Pancit, a traditional Filipino stir-fried noodle dish with chicken and vegetables.
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