Virginia Beach Attractions

I know a few people who would like to eat while they watch a movie, and when I say eat I do not mean popcorn and hotdogs, I am talking about eating real food like Shrimp or pizza. Maybe I would also like to eat my food while sitting down in a comfortable chair with a table. Now if you are like me, you might even go so far as to want to have an adult beverage while you enjoy that food with your movie.

No, this article is not about a dream, it is about a place called Cinema Cafe, and the one I managed to go to is the one located at Kemps River in Virginia Beach. There are four Cinema Cafe’s, the Kemps River and Hampton Cafe’s play movies as they come out, and the Pembroke and Greenbrier plays moves a little later at a discounted price.  

I was not sure what to expect from a theatre that is also a restaurant, I had a few concerns. One of them is how they deal with the noise of bringing food to the guest during the movie, now imagine watching the movie, then your waiter shows up as a distraction.  Thankfully at the theatre we went to that concern was put to rest quickly, as the waitress appeared and quickly and quietly placed our food.  The meal we ordered, in my opinion, was well put together and tasted as it should. Of course everyone’s experience will vary, that just happens to be human nature, but my wife and I were very satisfied with the service we received.

The facility was clean, and the theatre had comfortable leather chairs. They had two types of seating available at the Kemps River location when we went,  leather seats sitting behind a long marble table in the upper area, and near the screen they had leather seats with round wood tables. When I went to the Cinema Cafe in Hampton it had a different, but no less comfortable setup.  

With the menu containing everything from hot dogs to gyros to shrimp, finding what you want to eat should not be a problem,  and the drink selection was just as varied, offering traditional beverages as well as mixed and bottled adult beverages.  

If you would like to find out more just visit http://www.cinema-cafe.com/. You can find out movie times, prices, what is on the menu, and of course the location of each of the theatres.  

228 N. Lynnhaven Road, Suite 125
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
757-227-6680
www.delightfuldish.com

Close to the intersection of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Lynnhaven Parkway lies The Delightful Dish. This trendy food specialty shop is truly one of my favorite places, and a savior when I’m too tired to cook. The Delightful Dish was voted the 2008 Best of the Beach Gold Winner Food Specialty Store and Silver Winner Best Kept Secret!

Owner Antonica Welvaert offers a selection of mouth-watering original recipes every month in an easy-to-prepare format. You can call to schedule a session where you put all the ingredients together yourself, or you can ask for your selections to be prepared ahead of time for pick-up. The pick-up option was a true life-saver when I was a new mom struggling to fix healthy meals, and I highly recommend this shop as a healthy alternative to eating out. If you’re vacationing in a beach rental complete with kitchen, this is a great way to spend as little time possible cooking, have healthy, delicious meals, and only spend about as much as you would for a family’s worth of fast-food combos!

In addition to the main menu, The Delightful Dish carries a variety of ready-to-go entrees, side dishes, desserts, gelato, and Barefoot Contessa mixes. You can also purchase chic printed aprons, stylish platters and serve ware, handmade jewelry, and original artwork by local artists. A wine-tasting event every month affords you the chance to sample the menu paired with award-winning wines. Personal favorites include: chicken enchiladas, adobo flank steak with yellow rice, crab encrusted tilapia, chicken satay with peanut sauce, and chicken marsala.

When I found out about Rudee Tours I had to go and check it out, but with many choices of things to do it was difficult to come up with a plan. Rudee Tours offers six different types of tours with one of those operating with the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.

You can hop on a two thousand horsepower speedboat from the Rudee inlet out to the sea to view the marine life and the spectacular view of the oceanfront beaches and properties while learning about it all on the way with the Rudee Rocket. 

For something slower paced but no less exciting you can take a tour with Rudee Flipper and Rudee Whaler, watch the dolphins with Rudee Flipper, or marvel at the size of humpback and fin whales with Rudee Whaler. 

If fishing is what you enjoy you can throw a line out with Rudee Deep Sea fishing, or you can take a tour with the Rudee Explorer that operates under the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center to explore the Virginia Marshland.

Last, but not least, end your day with a relaxing sunset cruise with Rudee Sunset Cruise’s, where you can enjoy the sights while enjoying some cold beverages and adult refreshments as you watch the sun go down.

I would like to try them all, especially the fast paced Rudy Rocket, but my wife and I decided to go on the Rudy Deep Sea Fishing. Now I rarely go fishing, but the setup was great, the boats were clean, and even though I did not personally catch anything, we both had a great time. The other guest managed to catch some fish, so even thought I did not have any luck, that does not mean it is not possible.

For more information you can check out http://rudeetours.com/index.htm or www.rudeeinletcharters.com

Whenever I ask anyone what there is to do in Virginia Beach I always get the typical response, “visit the oceanfront”, which is packed with entertainment and shopping, but what about those of us who want an outdoor adventure? Virginia Beach has the answer, First Landing State Park.

The park was built 1930 and dedicated on June 15, 1936, originally named Seashore state park but was changed to First Landing State park in 1997 to more accurately reflect its history as the initial point where members of the Virginia Company landed in 1607. 

This State park has boating, swimming, nature and history programs, hiking, biking, picnicking, a boat launch, cabins and 19 miles of trails on 2,888 acres.  The cabins are equipped with conventional power, dining areas, and appliances for your convenience. 

When I had went to the State park I only managed to go through the hiking trails, but with over 19 miles of them I barely scratched the surface. Needless to say, to just do the trails alone you would have to dedicate a few days, just imagine trying to do other activities as well.  The hiking trails we ventured through were great and very well preserved, offering plenty of sights as you make your way. For those of us who plan on staying overnight there are cabins readily available for rent, while my wife and I did not stay in any of them, we managed to catch a glimpse of some, and from what we had seen they were very nice and well maintained.

As well as taking care of your thirst for the outdoors, the park also has nature and history programs that educate you and your young ones. The park offers many various self-guided and guided programs that cover crabbing, junior rangers, beach walks, nature hikes and structured environmental education programs. The park also has an environmental education centre, which features a wet lab, and educational displays that focus on the First Landing by English settlers in 1607. 

In addition to all of the above, if you check out the official website, you can also plan to catch one of the events that take place at the park as well.

There are a multitude of things to do at First Colonial State Park, be sure to check out their website at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fir.shtml#generalinfo.

My wife and I drive by this place every time we head to the beach via Laskin Rd, but we never went in until now. I am glad we managed to finally check this place out.

Advertised as a place where you can find unusual furniture and accessories, we found that to be true. Cool couches, bed frames, and even statues of popular actors and actresses like Elvis and Marlyn Monroe. There was something in here to satisfy almost anyones hunt for “cool stuff”.  We picked out a couple of things we planned on buying, and with their sales we may end up getting what we want for a very reasonable price. The owner, John Estes, had personally greeted and helped us make some of our choices.  He made sure to mention that they ship everywhere, so if you are not from the area do not worry, you can still find what you want and have it shipped home.

If you have seen the TV advertisement they mention that they are closing down soon, but according to John Estes, they may not be closing as at all. Which is a good thing for those of us who have yet to visit this great store.

The store is located on 984 Laskin Blvd, Virginia Beach, Va. Only minutes away from the oceanfront. So if you happen to find yourself in the area, searching for something cool, or just need some furniture, make sure to check out Cool and Eclectic.

For more information you can visit the stores website at www.coolandeclectic.com.

620 19^th Street (In the parking lot of Croc’s 19^th Street Bistro)
Virginia Beach, VA  23451
757-428-5444
www.oldbeachfarmersmarket.com 

The Old Beach Farmers Market, located at the corner of Cypress and 19^th Street, is just a short walk from the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  Every Saturday, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the award-winning Croc’s 19^th Street Bistro offers up its parking lot for local farmers, fishermen and artisans to sell their goods.  This is a wonderful, intimate market that really shows you the heart and soul of Virginia Beach.

The moment you enter, you’ll be charmed by the beautifully laid out displays of fresh seasonal produce, newly baked breads and cakes, handmade jewelry, fresh cut flowers, natural goats milk soaps, Virginia wines, potted herbs for planting, and more!  Croc’s offers a little Virginia wine tasting and education, plus delicious dips like baba ganoush, and herbs right from their own garden.  Come early though, because all the tastiest, most popular offerings are gone quickly! 

I walked away with a trio of beautifully packaged scented soaps, free recipes to pair with my Virginia wine, and a lovely little lavender plant to add to my herb garden.  My family and I fully intend to return next week and load myself down with everything we’ll need for an impromptu picnic on the beach! 

I had a wonderful time talking with the farmers, artists, and restaurateurs, all so friendly and willing to share their knowledge and expertise.  Both Croc’s and the Old Beach Farmers Market are certified “Virginia Green”, committed to protecting and promoting the environment by reducing the environmental impacts of tourism, so it’s an added bonus to know your shopping trip is helping sustain our environment.

608 Norfolk Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA  23451
757-425-6671
www.theartistsgallery.org

Just off the Virginia Beach Oceanfront lies a hidden treasure of original artwork.  The Artists Gallery, established over 20 years ago, boasts an eclectic collection of fine art by award-winning local artists.  Pieces range from vibrant seascapes, to detailed still-lifes, to funky and fun contemporary art.  Many of these artists regularly participate in the renowned Neptune and Boardwalk Art Festivals. 

The inviting, cheerful yellow foyer and bright white front rooms form a well-lit gallery with a new show on display nearly every month.  From the moment you enter, you are greeted by one of the artists moonlighting as a receptionist and sales clerk.  The gallery is a co-op run completely by the artists, and houses about a dozen studios where at any time during the week you are sure to see an artist at work.  Because the artists handle everything, you can walk away with an original work of art for a very reasonable price, instead of the inflated prices often associated with other art galleries.  Plus, every single artist you meet is talented and friendly, and happy to talk about their work with visitors. 

There’s not a trace of pretension in this laid-back art-lover’s haven.  Be sure to check out gallery director Constance Fahey’s vivid seascapes, Pete Labyak’s precious miniature oils, Jan Barco’s playful pottery, and Lynn Sites’ whimsical beach paintings. You won’t be able to resist taking home beautiful handmade jewelry or pottery, or even commissioning an artist to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece just for you!  For more information, call 757-425-6671 or visit http://www.theartistsgallery.org.

Rest and relaxation are not the only things you can find at the beach.

The Old Coast Guard station holds 1800 artifacts and 1000 photos of United States Life Saving and Coast Guard Services, along with a library filled with books, papers, and oral histories. When I went inside there were two floors housing all of this information, they called it the Upper and Lower Gallery.

The Lower Gallery exhibits all of the life saving equipment used and how each piece was used.

The Upper Gallery contains images and articles that tell the story of the shipwrecks that occurred in the past, it also tells the story of the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They had something called the TowerCam, unfortunately I did not know about it till after I left, but basically they have a setup in the Upper Gallery where you can actually control a camera viewing the beachfront from a touchscreen console.

During my trip there my wife and I managed to pick up some souvenirs from the gift shop, where you can find anything from T-Shirts to postcards.  We were informed we could receive discounts for admission and at the gift shop if you are a member.  Information about the museum, admission, and membership can be found at www.oldcoastguardstation.com

As we made our way outside we walked through a courtyard that had a small stage where they held events during the summer. A great end to a very informative trip through the Museum.

Located along the beach,  is the Virginia Beach oceanfront Fishing Pier. One of many fishing piers located in the state of Virginia, and the only pier accessible from the boardwalk.

If fishing is what you enjoy, here you will find croakers, pompano, kingfish, pigfish, trout, bluefish, red drum, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, rays and other fish. I personally can not tell you how half those fish look, but it seems like more than enough of a reason to grab your fishing pole and lure then head out and try your skill.

No popular fishing pier would be complete without a Pier Gift Shop, and of course a seafood restaurant. This gives some of us who do not fish a reason to take a trip down the pier. You can also take a look through the viewing binoculars for a great view of the boardwalk from the sea. The view from the end of the pier, looking back onto the boardwalk is fantastic, you can quite literally see the entire boardwalk and all of the hotels, stores, restaurants, and the sandy beach.

The price for the pier is $2 to take a walk down, and $8 to fish on the pier. The pier is open 24 hours from April through October and is located between 14th and 15th street on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

If you have any questions you can call Virginia Beach Fishing Pier tourist information (757) 428-2333.

400 years ago a small group of Englishmen settled along side the James River, these men and boys were sent by London originally to look for resources that could be profitable. Over time this group of men became known as the first English Colony in America, and the town became known as Jamestown.

The visitor center is the home to the Jamestown film and galleries, the film shows every 30 minutes and is all about the way the Jamestown Settlement evolved over the years.  The 30,000 square foot gallery shows how the settlement effect the Powhatan Indians and displays many items that have been discovered in Jamestown.

The Jamestown Settlement has been recreated, to look how it would have done back in the 1600’s. You can walk through a Powhatan village; this shows how the Powhatan’s lived at the time of the first colonization. You can see how they used the surroundings to create their homes, you can try out some of the techniques that they would use often too.

There are three replica ships for you to explore down in the bay, trying to imagine how it must have been living on one of those small wooden ships for over four months travelling across the ocean is very difficult. There are demonstrations at the dock, including the firing of a canon into the water.

The James fort with its thatched roofs reminds me of my home town in England, you can really see that this small settlement was built by the English. In the fort we stood and watched a couple of demonstrations, including a musket being fired, The man firing it answered questions from everyone who was watching. As with all of the staff at the Jamestown settlement he seemed very knowledgeable and was really helpful.

The whole Jamestown settlement area is easy access for everyone, the paths are wide, and even though on a hill they are not steep, it would not be strenuous work pushing a baby buggy or a wheelchair around the area.

If you would like more information about the Jamestown Settlement and directions from Virginia Beach visit: www.historyisfun.org

Colonial Williamsburg is one of my favourite places to visit in the Virginia Beach area, I love being surrounded by all the history, and the beautiful buildings and grounds. I like it so much that my husband and I have bought season passes for the last 2 years.

The park is the worlds largest living history museum at 301 acres with a large amount of fully restored furnished buildings, that are kept looking good by the tradesmen who work and specialise in the trade skills from the 18^th century.

The visitor’s center is modern, up to date and clean; there are a couple of great gift stores and the people on the customer service help desk are some of the friendliest people I have met. You continue through to the ticketing area, and onwards to the bridge that that takes you to the main town. If its your first time to Colonial Williamsburg, take time to watch one of the movies, that tell you all about the history in Colonial Williamsburg.

There are two main ways to travel around Colonial Williamsburg, one is to walk and the other is the bus, the bus is included in your admission ticket and stops at many of the main areas, it also takes a route through the main Williamsburg shopping district which sells all kinds of goodies and gifts.

If you visit Colonial Williamsburg one day of touring the area will not be enough, each day they have different plays, and re-enactments of events that happened in the 18^th century. Performances go on through out the day, and most days the program will vary. Revolutionary City is one of my favourite events to watch, it takes up the whole of the main street. The actors show the collapse of the royal government and is great to watch. It ends with the drum and Fyfe band marching down the street and then a firing of a canon.

If you get hungry walking around the town there is a great selection of food available. You can sample one of the delicious historical snacks, try a Virginia roll or delicious muffins, and wash it down with a root beer. If you’re looking for finer dining or a more fulfilling meal try out one of the town’s restaurants or pubs.

Stores within the museum sell traditional gifts and are staffed by traditionally dressed workers, actors also walk the streets in full 18^th century attire and they will stop and talk with you about the goings on of their day-although they don’t talk about the modern day, they may tell you how they feel about the current slavery issues or they may talk 18^th century politics with you, You can ask them question’s and they will happily spend time and answer you.

There are so many different things to do and see at Colonial Williamsburg I can not write about them all, all I can say is even though I am not the biggest history fan, I will keep returning and enjoying this great place.

If you would like more information visit: http://www.history.org/

If shopping and dining in an up scale environment is what you enjoy doing, 31OCEAN, located on Virginia Beach’s 31^st street, is where you want to be.

Whether you are driving or walking down the board walk, this shopping area is hard to miss. From the board walk, the walks large King Neptune statue greets newcomers while the live bands during the summer season provide entertainment.

As my wife and I drove up, we found valet parking available for those who want to expedite their dining and shopping experience. We did not use the valet for this visit, but parked at the smaller of the two indoor parking areas provided to shoppers instead; the one we parked at was complimentary with a two-hour limit. The larger indoor parking lot has a longer time limit, but for a small fee per hour.

Catch 31, a very ritzy but inviting sea food restaurant is located here. If you walked to 31OCEAN from the board walk, the first thing you would notice is the restaurant’s very comfortable outdoor area, complete with a live band playing during the summer and a view of Neptune Park. If you time it right you could enjoy one of the great bands that play at the park during the summer season, just visit http://www.31ocean.com/ and check out Neptune Park’s schedule to see when the bands will play next.

Along with Catch 31, 31OCEAN’s Hilton Hotel houses Salacia. This seafood and steak restaurant is located on the main floor of the ocean-front Hilton Hotel. Salacia is Virginia’s only AAA 4-Diamond Steakhouse.

With dining still in mind, I definitely do not want to forget about Sky Bar. Located 20 stories high, this member’s only top-floor bar should help you end the night well, although we have to mention it has limited membership available with prices ranging from $100-200 for visitors who are not guest at the Hilton, who can become members for free.

Dining is not the only thing to keep you occupied during your visit: 31OCEAN has various shopping stores as well. From travel shops to beach ware, you can find your needs well met with one trip to this very well kept and lively area of Virginia Beach ocean front.

While enjoying the views of the beach from the board walk it is difficult to miss the large statue of Neptune located on 31^st street, a titanic attraction standing guard over Neptune park. With the beach in the backdrop, and live music playing nearby, the park is a definite stopping point for photos and musical entertainment.

Paul DiPasquale creation, which was paid for with contributions gathered during Neptune Festivals, has been inviting onlookers since its dedication ceremony on September 30, 2005.

The large 34 foot statue does it’s best to avert the eyes , but after taking photos with friends and family try not to forget the about the live bands that play at Neptune Park along with daily cover bands playing for onlookers and guest of Hilton’s attached restaurant located next door.

If you are in Virginia Beach long enough, make sure to check out the Neptune Festival this summer as it kicks off its 35^th year, attracting thousands of tourists and locals. The festival is spread across the entire summer calendar, ending with the Boardwalk Weekend September 26-28.

Definitely not the only thing to do in Virginia Beach, a visit to Neptune Park should be on your things to do list this, and perhaps every year.

Close to the heart of Virginia Beach is a 165 acre park named Mount Trashmore. This unusually named park was once a landfill hence the name ‘Trashmore”. The old Landfill was filled with layers of soil and opened to the public in 1973, since then it has grown in to a place that allows adults to relax and children to use up excess energy

Mount Trashmore has sloping grasslands, two lakes filled with plants that naturally filter pollutants, a skate park, a children’s play area with volleyball courts and more.

There are three different hiking trails for you to follow at Mount Trashmore, the perimeter trail follows the edge of the park and is almost 2 miles long, the lake trail which follows the edge of lake Trashmore which is 1.45 miles and then the shortest trail at 1.35 is the Mountain trial which goes around the two huge hilly mounds. The trails are marked by mile markers so you can keep track of how far you have walked.

The skate park is an enclosed area of 24,000 square feet, skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders are all welcome to use the park which features a street course and a vert ramp, helmets are required at all times.

Parking is free and so is the use of the other amenities making this a nice cheap day out

For more information about Mount Trashmore visit: www.vbgov.com

  Thirty minutes west of Virginia Beach are The Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The Gardens are spread over 155 acres and divided up into about thirty themed sections. The garden has twelve miles of walking paths, a picnic area, the Garden Café, vending machines, water fountains and lots of benches.

As with many of the attractions in the Virginia Beach area the admission fee is reasonable, they offer discounts for military, seniors and large groups. Children also pay a reduced price. Free tram tours are available around the gardens, it makes several stops allowing you to hop on and hop off when something captures your eye.

The rose garden was the first garden we walked through, it was very impressive, with over 430 different verities the colours and smells that radiate from these flowers are beautiful.

For me the Bristow Butterfly Garden was a must see, I am fascinated with butterflies and the beautiful way they are marked. Even though we were at the garden early in the season there were still lots of butterfly’s basking in the sun and flittering from plant to plant.

With all the beautiful plants, flowers and trees butterflies are not the only insect or animal you are going to see, there are many birds, and small animals even a few reptiles, I spotted one non venomous snake slithering along the path in front of me. One of the gardens well known inhabitants is the pair of nesting Eagles. Depending on the time of year you visit the Botanical Gardens you may be lucky enough to see the nest with the parent birds near by. There are numerous telescopes surrounding the nest which ensure you get a good view.

For families visiting the gardens, be sure to stop at the World of Wonders, the garden takes up three acres and offers a fun and educational experience to youngsters. I would recommend you bring a towel and change of clothes when visiting this garden as your children have the opportunity to dig through dirt, climb up trees and run cool off through water fountains.

If you would like more information about the Norfolk Botanical Gardens you can visit: www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

While staying in Virginia Beach you can take a short drive to the Virginia Zoo. The zoo offers free parking, cheap admission and a child friendly environment. The zoo appears to have a wide range of visitors, whether if you’re a couple on date or a family with children, you should find the zoo enjoyable.

The zoo is positioned next to the Lafayette Park and the Lafayette river and covers 53 acres of land. Virginia Zoo is home to nearly 400 animals, which range from tortoises to Giraffes.

When you first enter the zoo directly in front of you is a large water fountain area for children to run through and cool off in, so a towel or change of clothes is useful to have at hand. The water is a very refreshing relief from the hot weather that Virginia is known for.

The zoo is divided into different sections called Gardens, there are 9 different gardens each with there own theme. Refreshments can be found in each Garden and there is a large restaurant in the African Village Garden.

The Barnyard Garden offers hands on experience with some of the smaller occupants of the zoo; there are pigs, goats, and even rabbits for you to pet. The goats were my favourite; they always have so much character.

The Virginia Zoo has an area dedicated to Africa, the area takes up 8 acres of the park and is the home to Lions, Elephants, Rhinoceros, Meerkats, Giraffe, Zebra and many more animals and reptiles. When you visit this area it feels like you are walking through the rocky paths of Africa, The path takes you around the Lion pen and past the Meerkats and reptiles, and it offers great view points across the African fields that house the bigger animals.

The Virginia Zoo is a nice size, you can easily see all the attractions in a few hours, giving you plenty of time to do lots of other things in the Virginia Beach area

If you have found your way to Virginia Beach.com then one of the biggest questions on your mind may well be, what’s the beach like? 

I will admit I am not a very ‘beachy’ person, but for me I find Virginia Beach has a certain charm to it.  The extensive clean golden sands, the fishing pier, the many gift shops, restaurants and ice-cream parlors give Virginia Beach Ocean front a lovely holiday feel. 

You have the option when visiting the ocean front to either sit on the lovely soft sand and soak up the sun rays or walk the main street and go gift shopping, even try out one of the small restaurants, hire a bike, or buggy, if you are feeling energetic you can leisurely stroll the length of the boardwalk, and lots more. 

Virginia Beach has many statues and monuments along the ocean front.  The Virginia Legends walk is one of them; it was built to honor Virginian’s who have made significant differences to our country and the world.  The walk has plaques with the name of the person and a little bit of information about what that person has achieved and where they are from, they include Patsy Cline to Thomas Jefferson, it’s certainly an interesting place to walk through. 

There are a nice variety of places to eat near the ocean front; the usual fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Subway, but also more traditional restaurants that serve up fresh sea food, bars and grills and a nice Italian restaurant.  If you’re not looking for a full meal, then maybe you would like to stop in many of the ice cream parlors or even the candy kitchen that has all the candy you could hope for! 

There are plenty of places to stay along the ocean front; there are a wide range of hotels and motels.  Most offer ocean views and undercover parking.  If you are visiting for the day, then there are lots of places to park, some undercover and some in large car parks, all of the parking is very close to the beach and shops. 

If you have any specific questions about Virginia Beach or the Ocean Front visit our help desk, and we will be able to answer your questions. 

Have a look at the photo gallery for more pictures of Virginia Beach. 

Have you ever wanted to know more about the natural heritage of Virginia? If you have The Virginia Living Museum is the place to go. You will learn about everything that surrounds you in Virginia. From sea creatures to animals of the sky, you will be able to enjoy watching many animals in their natural habitats, and learn all about the Virginia area.

The Virginia Living museum is great for the whole family. Watch your children stand in awe while watching the live animal habitats. The Appalachian Cove and Cypress Swamp is the closest I have ever come to a live alligator in a relatively open environment. As well as the Alligator in the swamp if you keep a look out you will see turtles, birds and fish in this big glass room.

If you take a walk outside you can walk along the elevated board walk that takes you over the Deer Park Lake and to the large Aviary and into the forestry area. The aviary is a 5,500 square foot netted enclosure that houses coastal birds that you would expect to see in the wilds of the Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach area. There are Egrets, Pelicans, Ducks and more.

The board walk takes you into the forestry area giving you a tour of some of the animals that are found locally, there are different breeds of foxes, wolves, deer and others. It is not just the animals that live at the museum that you will see while walking along the broad walk, but all the animals and birds that enjoy the natural habitat that surrounds the museum.

The Virginia Living Museum is located in Newport News near Virginia Beach. A few other places to visit in the nearby area are the Oyster Point City Center shops, Yorktown Battle Fields and The Casemate Museum.

If you like watching The Ultimate Fighting Championships on Television, then you are most likely going to enjoy the King Of the Ring tournaments held in Virginia.

King of the Ring is a mixed martial arts contest which was started in 2001 by William Varner. The first tournament was held In Virginia Beach at the Surfside Ocean Front Inn. The tournaments are now held at Hampton University’s Convention Center, which is a short drive from Virginia Beach.

King of the Ring is a fun way to spend the evening; all the usual snacks and drinks are available for you while you watch the fights. There are normally about 15 fights per night; each fight is professional with two fighters and the referee in the ring.

In the past the fights have been held in a standard boxing ring, but at the next fight on May 3, 2008 they are introducing a caged ring, just like they have on the television.

I had never heard of UFC or mixed martial arts fighting, before going to a tournament so I had no idea what to expect, but the first time I went I had a great evening. I went along with a group of friends and we paid a little bit extra to get ring side seats, we had a table for our drinks and food, the view of the ring was perfect and the atmosphere was great.

For information about upcoming fights visit click here

In Virginia we are lucky to have Historic St Luke’s Church. It is a beautiful red brick church that was originally built in 1632. St Luke’s is the oldest English built church in America; the church has a beautiful Gothic structure, and stained glass windows which are very similar to many of the old churches and cathedrals in England. The church is not only the oldest English built church in America, it also contains America’s oldest wooden organ, the organ is no longer played but you can hear a recording of its last performance.

During the civil war the insides of the church were ripped out so the soldiers could keep there horses locked up, this prevented the horses being stolen. If only the walls of this church could talk…I wonder what stories they would tell.

In the 50’s restoration started and the church was restored to its full former glory. The church now is full usable, although it’s only used for special services or events. It can be hired out for weddings.

When you visit Historic St Luke’s Church be sure to stop in at the gift shop first and speak to the attendants. They will offer you a tour and tell you about the church and the surrounding area.

When I first visited the church it was because I was looking for somewhere to get married, my husband and I took a tour around the church and grounds, we had found the perfect place to get married. Each time I have gone back to St Luke’s, the staff are amazingly friendly. They even gave our families a tour on the night of our wedding rehearsal. On my most recent visit to the church I took two friends who are very interested in history, we had a great guide to give us our tour, and he was so informative and had lots of little stories to tell.

Historic St Luke’s Church is in Smithfield, and is about a forty five minute drive from Virginia Beach, it’s defiantly worth the drive to see this beautiful place.

Visit St Luke’s Church

Harbor Park is the home of the Norfolk Tides, a minor league baseball team who are the AAA farm team for the Baltimore Orioles. Harbor Park was opened in 1993, the stadium is located on the edge of the Elizabeth River, near the busy downtown Norfolk city center, shipyards and near Virginia Beach

This was my first ever Baseball game that I attended, so as you can probably guess I know nothing about the sport. I am from England where we are much more focused on our football (soccer), rugby, cricket and tennis.

The whole evening at Harbor Park was relaxed and enjoyable, we had purchased seats a few rows from the front near third base along the foul line which meant we had to keep our eyes open for wayward baseballs!

Harbor Park has a wonderful food selection, expect to be tempted by the wonderful smells as you walk past the food stalls, if you’re not hungry, the tempting smells will soon have you filling up on delicious snacks. You will find Funnel Cake, Hot Dogs, Cotton Candy, Ice cream, Peanuts, Burgers, BBQ, Pretzels and more. If you’re looking for something more substantial then take a walk to the far side of the stadium there is a restaurant with huge glass windows and an all you can eat buffet so you can enjoy a full meal with the all the creature comforts while you watch the game in tiered seating.

In-between each inning the crowd is kept amused by Rip Tide the mascot, games and challenges that are taken up by the fans watching the game. They had a make a burger challenge, which involved two teams with four people dressed up as burger buns, there was dancing for children to take part in and lots more.

Parking at the stadium is $4.00 extra so remember to take some cash with you, there is plenty of parking and seemingly good security through out the parking lot and the stadium. Harbor Park is only 20 minutes away from Virginia Beach Ocean Front.

For more information on the Tides or Harbor park, click here

Newport News is a 40 minute drive from Virginia Beach. Minutes from I64.you will find Oyster Point City Center. Since its development began in 2004 the city center has become a platform for events, a meeting place and a shopping district for everyone to enjoy.

Oyster Point City Center would be the perfect place to visit after visiting one of the other Hampton or Newport News or Williamsburg attractions. There are plenty of stores to browse through, also an attractive pond with fountains to walk around and a few waterside eateries.

There is a lovely selection of stores, from traditional clothes stores such as Talbots to interesting furnishing stores like Sisters Unique that sells beautiful and somewhat eclectic home furnishings and accessories. As the center becomes fully developed more and more stores will be coming to this trendy city center, so expect to see a lot more happening here in the future.

If you’re feeling hungry for a meal, or fancy a small snack your taste buds should find something to satisfy them here. There are a number of quality places to choose from. When we visit we try to always stop by Colangelo’s Gelato, they sell scrumptious freshly made ice cream from natural ingredients, they often have new flavours to try too. The firkin Pub offers a delicious selection of food in a relaxed happy atmosphere with pool tables and TV’s offering a selection of sports. If you’re looking for something a bit different try the Hayashi Japanese Steak House and Sushi Restaurant, here you can choose to have your food cooked in front of you or have it served to you at a table in the dining room.

Through many of the Weekends during the Spring and Summer Oyster Point City Center holds special events; these can be anything from live music and dancing, food festivals, or open air films. You can expect a good time at any event at the City Center.

For more information visit City Center at Oyster Point

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is a short drive from the Virginia Beach ocean front, it’s a perfect place to visit when the sun gets too much for you, the air-conditioning provides a welcome break form the hot Virginia weather.

Your visit to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center starts before you walk through the doors, there is a large pool near the entrance which houses Harbour Seals. Every day at 10 am and 3 pm the Seals are fed and put through their paces with their training sessions.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center easily navigated around; there are different areas for different habitats. Making it easy for children to follow and understand. While we visited the children were quietly observing the aquariums and were enjoying many of the hands on experiences with the exhibits and fish.

With over 700,000 gallons of aquarium and animal habitats you can expect to be amazed by the different animals and fish they have swimming around. There are Loggerhead Turtles, Sand Tiger Sharks and even Otters. Over 50 different species of fish occupy the aquariums.

If you’re feeling brave then reach down into the Stingray tank and feel them brush against your hand, there are two touch tanks that allow you to feel exactly what some of the creatures feel like. Children squeal with excitement through these exhibits.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is split up into two buildings the March Pavilion and the Bay and Ocean Pavilion, they are joined by a 1/3 mile nature trail. The trail takes you along the waters edge over marshland and through a forestry area. Along the trail is a 30ft observation tower, which gives you a great view of Owls Creek, you can spot different species of trees an plants as well as birds and other wildlife.

In the Marsh Pavilion you will find the River Otters, Seahorses, Snakes, the Marsh Theatre, and the Discovery Room. Just outside of the Marsh Pavilion is the half acre aviary, which has a selection of native birds.

The Bay and Ocean Pavilion explores the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, it is here you find the touch pools as well as the huge aquariums that house the sharks and turtles. Throughout the year you will also find ‘changing exhibits’ the current exhibit, Alligators: Dragons in Paradise will run until May 4^th 2008. This fascinating exhibit includes a rare albino alligator. The exhibition also shows about 10 young alligators from South America with displays of alligator skins and the products made by them.

There is plenty to see and do at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, we had a lovely morning looking around at all the displays and watching the fish and marine animals.

If you would like more information visit www.virginiaaquarium.com

Virginia Beach is surrounded by many active military bases. Fort Monroe is an Army base 40 minutes from Virginia Beach.

The original Fort was established in 1609 and known as Fort Algernourne, the Fort burnt down a few years after it was built in 1612.

The two Forts that followed Fort Algernourne were the Old Point Comfort which was built 1632 and Fort George in 1749, both of these Forts were hit hard by hurricanes, and were partly destroyed

A few years after the war in 1812 Fort Monroe was built, it’s objective was to protect to America from attacks via the Sea.

Fort Monroe is the largest stone built fort in the country and has played a vital part in protecting the Hampton Roads / Virginia Beach area.

The Casemate Museum on Fort Monroe was opened in 1951 to show the cell that Jefferson Davis was kept in during the civil war. As time has gone by, the museum has expanded to display a lot of interesting artifacts from the 19^th century. There are newspaper clippings, artist’s drawings, clothing and uniforms worn by the military, medical instruments, weapons, displays showing how the rooms were once used, and much more.

When you first enter the museum it takes a few moments for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, there are only a few windows to let in light and low archways for doors, so be sure to watch your head while walking through.

Walking through the museum you witness many historical moments that Fort Monroe took part in. for example holding Major General Jefferson Davis in a jail cell and Benjamin Butlers decision to allow escaped slaves to say at the fort are just two of the displays on show.

Once you have walked through the museum take time to walk up onto the Fort wall, we stood in awe and tried to imagine the canons firing simultaneously trying to protect the bay. We counted 30 spaces for canons on one part of the wall, it is impossible to imagine how loud it would have been when they were all firing.

If you want to visit the Casemate museum you will need current Photo Identification as Fort Monroe is an active military base, if you are driving on to the base expect to show your vehicle registration or rental agreement and for your car to be inspected.

For more information about the Casemate museum call 757-788-3391

For me the Spirit of Norfolk Cruise Ship is a very special place, my Husband proposed to me on board, and the wonderful staff helped him set up a very romantic night.

The Spirit of Norfolk is a small cruise ship that can accommodate up to 450 guests. The three hour dinner cruise runs along the Elizabeth River in Norfolk Virginia.

When we arrived in Norfolk, I didn’t know where we were going, my Husband had kept the whole evening as a surprise for me, he had told me to put on a nice dress because he was taking me out.

We parked in the Waterside parking garage, and crossed the road to The Spirit of Norfolk, it was then my Husband told me he was taking me on a dinner cruise.

Boarding starts thirty minutes before departure, there was a short wait to board. Boarding is a fairly slow process because there is a Photographer that stops you as you board, they take your picture as you stand on the gangway.

Once on The Spirit of Norfolk the host takes you to your table, there are lots of different seating options, My Husband opted for a table for two with the sweetheart package which came with balloons, Spirit of Norfolk souvenir glasses and champagne.

We set sail, and relaxed watching the view through the big windows, we passed through the Hampton Roads Harbour and along the Elizabeth River. A short while into the cruise the waiter came to our table and took us to the buffet. Each table is taken to the buffet individually so there was no mad rush to get to the food.

The buffet was tasty, there was a huge selection of food to choose from, roast beef, ham, stuffed chicken, fish, potatoes and lovely fresh vegetables. Desert was a chocolate cake, it was delicious.

While desert and after dinner drinks were being served, the live entertainment started, a team of four dancer/singers took to the stage and gave us a lively and energetic performance. The show was very impressive.

When the show ended the disco started, the music had everyone dancing, My husband and I went up to dance, he had arranged with the DJ to take the microphone after dancing to ‘our song’, he got down on one knee and proposed.

After the excitement of the proposal we went up to the outdoor deck, we sat and watched the shoreline go by, until it was time to go home.

The Spirit of Norfolk is a great way to spend your evening, whether you want romantic evening or somewhere to relax and enjoy the company of your friends, you will be fed, entertained and kept happy all through the night.

The Spirit of Norfolk offers four cruises through out the day, visit http://www.spiritofnorfolk.com/or/index.jsp for more information. Norfolk is 25 minutes from Virginia Beach.

I was looking for somewhere to take a friend’s 7 year old son as a treat, and while searching the internet for something to do I came across Arena Racing USA. Arena Racing USA is high speed car race around a short track inside an arena.

In the Virginia Beach area the Hampton Coliseum has Arena Racing USA holding racing tournaments October through March. The doors open between 6.00pm and 6.30pm depending on the day that you decide to go and watch the races. We arrived just after the doors opened and were surprised to see that you could walk down into the main arena, get close up to the cars and talk to the drivers. Most of the car teams were giving away candy and posters, the drivers were signing the posters, so children were rushing from driver to driver to have them sign their posters and to collect more candy.

Before we arrived I was wondering how cars could race around a track in a small indoor arena, I thought that the cars would be so big they would have a hard time navigating the track and once the engines started the whole arena would smell of car exhaust fumes.

As soon as we walked into the arena it all became clear, the cars were to one half scale of stock cars. Each car is only nine feet long and thirty six inches tall, surprisingly these tiny light cars are capable of reaching speeds up to 100mph. There are no side doors on the cars, each driver climbs in and out of their car through a sun-roof size opening in the roof. Each driver wears protective clothing and a helmet.

The races are about 40 fast laps long with 12 cars taking part, the first lap is bumper to bumper with the cars waiting for the signal that starts the race. As soon the green flag is waved the engines surge and everyone moves to the edge of their seats.

You may think it sounds boring to watch small cars go around and around a little race track, surprisingly though the race draws you in and you find your self willing the lead car to stay up front and not get into any problems.

Many times the cars almost hit each other, round the sharp corners the cars lift up onto two wheels and nearly crash, or spin out. The majority of the time the drivers gained control back but there are a few who don’t quite manage it and you see the cars smash into one another.

The cars may be small but they are strong, no one was hurt while we were watching, not even in the seven car pile up that happened before one of the first laps was completed.

Half way through the night the race cars took a time out and left the arena, during this time, a remote control club came in and gave a demonstration using their remote control vehicles, they had mini monster trucks, helicopters and race cars, they were sending their vehicle up little ramps which launched them high into the air.

After the short break with the remote control vehicles the races began again and we saw more nail-biting manurers performed by the drivers. The end of the night soon came and it was time to leave. Arena Cross USA was a great way to spend the evening and it’s only 40 minute drive from Virginia Beach.

For more information visit Arena Racing USA

I have to admit I am a complete wimp when it comes to rollercoaster’s and extreme rides, I have to be bribed then dragged kicking and screaming towards anything that is faster than a carousel. That being said, I absolutely loved our day out at Busch Gardens.

Busch Gardens Europe is in Williamsburg just minutes away from Interstate 64, and very well sign posted. If you’re driving from Virginia Beach, expect it to take about an hour to get there. The park is made up of six sections which all have Country themes, these are Germany, France, Italy, England, Ireland, and Scotland.

When we arrived it was turning out to be one of those perfect Virginia days, with the weather nice and warm and not a cloud in the sky, the park had just opened so we headed straight for the French village so that my friends could ride the newest and best attraction of the park, the Griffon.

The Griffon looks absolutely terrifying, it carries you up 205 feet then after a few seconds at the top have a 90 degree 70 mile an hour drop. During the ride you feel up to 4 g force, three minutes later after a couple of inversions and a splash through some water, which soaks bystanders the ride is over. I asked my husband how he felt when he came off the ride and all he could say was he wanted to do it again! He told me that the adrenalin rush was so huge as you take that first descent, he had rarely experienced anything quite as exhilarating.

We walked around the park with my friends going on all the rides, there was not one ride that they did not go on. I braved two rollercoaster’s but not before triple checking that there were no loops, I am terrified of any rollercoaster’s, especially if they go upside down.

Apollo’s chariot, WOW what a ride, it is a steel rollercoaster that is 170 feet high, once we got to the top of the track and I was able to open my eyes the view was spectacular, you really could see for miles. The first decent plummets you down 210 feet at 73mph I will admit I had my eyes closed for at least half of the ride especially when we took some of the sharp corners. I have never felt an adrenalin rush quite as big as the one while riding Apollo’s Chariot.

Escape from Pompeii is the best water ride that Busch Gardens has to offer, it starts with a leisurely ride along the river, suddenly your cast inside a dark building where bricks fall around you and searing hot flames shoot across your head, just when you think its safe you reach a set of doors, which open to reveal an 80ft drop. If you take this ride, be warned you may get a little bit wet, from the splash landing.

The park has a few animal attractions, they have an avery full of birds that you can walk through, the birds are tame and will come and sit on you. There are wolves, horses, eagles, and more. Some of the animals take part in shows, I loved the wolf show, it showed the wolves as very intelligent creatures. The Pet Shenanigans show is great for the whole family to enjoy, its a great display using cats, dogs, birds and other animals,

Busch Gardens has lots of child friendly rides and attractions, from spinning teacups to the sky ride that goes across the park, these combined with the shows will keep your family amused all day.

There is plenty of choice for food at Busch gardens, we sampled the Ice cream in Italy which was very nice, and Das Festhaus has a great slow cook BBQ which is delicious it has a wide selection of food that will get your taste buds crying out for more, I always feel hungry just smelling the food as I walk into Germany so a stop at the BBQ pit is a must.

My friends and I had an awesome time at Busch Gardens, we went home very happy and very tired.

The Town Center of Virginia Beach is a mixture of stores and fine dining. The town center even lays claim to the second tallest building in Virginia with the Amanda Hoffler Tower, this sky scraper acts as a great landmark to guide you to the Town Center.

We started our evening out by visiting Ruth’s Chris Steak House, there is an escalator that leads you up to the restaurant which is on the second floor next to the Funny Bone Comedy Club. We were greeted at the doors and led to the reservations desk. The staff were well dressed and very polite, we were shown to our table and our waiter and the waiters assistant introduced them selves and took our drinks order.

I thought the menu was very impressive, with the offerings of Kobe steak and lobster, plus a great selection, of fish, beef, pork and lamb. There are a variety of side dishes, they are big portions so I recommend one dish between two people.

For my dinner I opted to have the New York strip, with a baked potato, the beef was delicious, the steaks are only seasoned with salt and pepper, I decided not to have any seasoning, and the steak was perfect, it arrived sizzling on the plate, the texture and flavour was beautiful.

The desserts looked scrumptious, I was so full from my main course there was no way I was going to be able squeeze any more food in me, no matter how good it looked.

Everything about the meal went smoothly, even though it seemed Ruth’s Chris was fully booked we didn’t have to wait a long time for our food, we were not rushed to leave the ta