Planning A Virginia beach Oceanfront Wedding It is one of the most sought after weddings by couples of all ages. There is nothing as majestic as saying your vows with the backdrop of the ocean, or a the orange red hues of a memorable sunset. Like any other event, it requires planning that fits your needs. At the Virginia Beach Barclay hotel, we have had scores of weddings right in our “backyard”. By backyard I mean the boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean. We have suites overlooking the water and two large banquet rooms. We specialize in this nuptial venue. This article is just a cursory starting point on some questions and key items you want to begin thinking about. After reading this, give us a call at the Barclay Hotel. We can work with you to make sure everything is in line, on time, and within budget. Ask yourselves a few basic questions before you walk down the sand Preparing for that big day near the Virginia Boardwalk? Here are a few simple things that you do not want to overlook. There are a lot more than just these things but these are good to start thinking about as you […]
Warm Up At The Virginia Beach Wine Festival! Virginia Wine Festival 2016 Looking for something to do after the holidays. During the Second week of January 2016 Virginia Beach plays host to the Coastal Virginia Wine Festival. In it’s second year the Virginia Wine Festival is the kickoff event for the ever expanding Virginia Wine Industry. Sponsored by Vistagraphics, publishers of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine, the event brings the major wineries and vineyards to Hampton Roads. Background on Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Virginia Wine Lover Magazine showcases the Virginia Wine Industry in full depth. It includes exclusive information about the wineries themselves, the owners, and of course the different wines. As wine in the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to gain in prominence, Virginia Wine Lover Magazine has documented its growth. It is a great resource when you set out to visit the different vineyards. Now they are in one place. Visit them all in one shot Now you can sample the majority of the vineyards in one sitting at the convention center. Booth after booth will feature the different types of unique wine produced here. It is also a great way to begin planning which vineyards you want to visit. […]
Are you an outdoor enthusiast who’s looking for adventure and a full excursion of fun? Then you belong at The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium! New this year to Virginia Beach, The Adventure Park offers multiple zip lines and 10 aerial ropes challenge courses suitable for kids, teens and adults. The courses include platforms located at varying heights throughout the trees and are connected by crossings, which could be bridges that participants can cross or cables that allow a person to zip from one station to the next. Swing through the trees just like Tarzan when you visit The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium! Call 757-385-IZIP (4947), or visit www.virginiabeachtrees.com to learn more. Adventure Park 3713 South Sandpiper Road Virginia Beach, VA 757-721-4484 www.virginiabeachtrees.com
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge contains over 9,250 acres, situated on and around a thin strip of coastline typical of barrier islands found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marsh. Approximately 10,000 snow geese and a large variety of ducks visit Back Bay refuge during the peak of fall migration, usually in December. The refuge also provides habitat for other wildlife, including loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles. Back Bay refuge is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia – south of Sandbridge, Virginia at the southern end of Sandpiper Road. Biking, hiking and tram rides available. Outdoor facilities are open daily dawn to dusk. The Visitor Contact Station hours are 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. weekdays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 P.M. weekends. The Visitor Contact Station is closed Sundays, November through March; closed holidays with the exception of Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge 4005 Sandpiper Road (757) 721-2412 www.bbrf.org
Kayak Nature tours offers Sea Kayaking and Dolphin trips in Virginia Beach, VA. Kayak First Landing, Virginia’s most popular State Park or surf launch into the Atlantic on our Dolphin Adventure sea kayaking trip at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Paddle the tree-lined Blackwater River, explore the deserted Beaches of the Eastern Shore, or escape to Back Bay, next to Sandbridge in Virginia Beach. Kayak Nature Tours offers these and a variety of other kayaking trips to make your outdoor kayaking experience one you will never forget. The Hampton Roads area is full of wonderful kayaking for the outdoor enthusiast. There is the isolated Lake Drummond in the Dismal Swamp, Goodwin Island in Yorktown, the James River on the Peninsula, Corova & Knotts Island, N.C. along with so many areas along the Chesapeake Bay. Whether you seek the Adventure of the Dolphin tour or you want to kayak in the serene calm of another flat-water trip, Kayak Nature Tours is your local outfitter in Virginia Beach and all of the surrounding areas. Book your kayaking trip with us today! Kayak Nature Tours 110 West Randall Avenue Virginia Beach, VA (757) 480-1999 www.tidewateradventures.com
Enjoy 19 acres of fun. Choose from 16 water slides and swim in our million gallon wave pool. There is an arcade, food court, locker rentals and a bar. We cater to all kinds of parties, from corporate picnics and reunions to children’s birthday parties. Ocean Breeze is located 1.5 miles south of the resort area, just past the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Ocean Breeze Water Park 849 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 757-422-4444 • 800-678-WILD www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com
This National Natural Landmark is Virginia’s most visited state park and one of the first state parks. It was established in 1936 (formerly Seashore State Park). The park’s new name reflects its unique history as the site of the landing of the first permanent English Settlers in 1607. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including 19 miles of hiking trails, bike trail, a boat ramp, picnic areas, campsites, and cabins. Visitor center exhibits in the natural area explain the uniqueness of this environment featuring lagoons, cypress swamps and Spanish moss. First Landing State Park is located on Cape Henry in North Virginia Beach. This 2,888 acre park offers a wide range of activities for visitors. Regardless of how long you can stay, for a few hours or for a full day, you can have a nice time visiting the park. First Landing State Park 2500 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, VA (757) 412-2300 www.first-landing-state-park.org
JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park and Playgroung for Every”BODY” opened on May 22, 2010. This 100% handicap accessible oceanfront park is the first of its kind in America. Kids with disabilities are thrilled to access a playground designed to accommodate their wheelchairs. Children can race across the bridge, dig in the sand and explore the playground with ease. Grommet Island is located at 2nd Street on the boardwalk. For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach’s website on Grommet Island Park. Grommet Island Beach Park and Playground for every”BODY” 100 2nd Street Virginia Beach, VA www.grommetisland.org
Take in a gallery, go hunting among the area’s finest boutiques, then rest your feet at a sidewalk cafe and get ready to shop some more. The Virginia Beach oceanfront has resort wear, swimsuits, beauty treatments, menswear, art, accessories… many days worth of shopping within a few blocks. 31 Ocean 3001 Atlantic Ave Virginia Beach, VA (757) 213-3019 www.31ocean.com
The headquarters of the world famous psychic and mystic, Edgar Cayce. Open year round to the public, visitors can see the original hospital building, the Visitor Center and enjoy a tour, a movie, and a free lecture. For times and lecture topics, call 757-428-3588 ext. 7265, or visit our web site at www.edgarcayce.org. Edgar Cayce Visitors Center Atlantic Ave. & 67th Street Virginia Beach, VA 757-428-3588 ext. 7265 www.edgarcayce.org
Virginia’s marine environment is represented through 800,000 gallons of aquariums, live animal habitats, more than 300 hands-on exhibits, 1/3-mile nature trail, 1/2-acre aviary, and “larger than life” movies on our IMAX 3D movie screen (8 stories X 6 stories). Admission. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Museum 717 General Booth Blvd Virginia Beach, VA 757-425-FISH (3474) www.virginiaaquarium.com
A 50-passenger pontoon boat, the Rudee Explorer, provides a glimpse of the last undeveloped salt marsh in Virginia Beach, the Owls Creek Salt Marsh. During the 30-minute cruise Aquarium educators introduce visitors to Owls Creek’s special ecosystem and some of its inhabitants. Trips leave from the dock adjacent to the Aquarium’s Bay & Ocean Pavilion. Cruises are offered April through mid-October. Call (757) 385-FISH for more information. Tickets may be purchased at either Aquarium building. Special pricing is available for qualifying groups, please call (757) 385-0300. Prices and departure times are subject to change. Check our website for admission fees and for more information. Cruise the Creek (757)385-FISH www.virginiaaquarium.com
Experience a chance to see bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat and learn about the Aquarium’s research. This 90-minute excursion is both fun and educational for adults and children. Cruises are offered April through October. Call (757) 385-FISH for more information. Prices and departure times are subject to change. You may purchase tickets at the dock, or purchase discounted vouchers with your Aquarium admission. For school or group trip information, call (757) 385-0300. Check our website for admission fees and for more information. Dolphin Watch Boat Trip (757)385-FISH www.virginiaaquarium.com
This park is a pristine ocean-to-fresh water bay habitat. Just south of the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, it’s accessible only by boat or a five mile hike by foot or bike. Park Size: 4,321 acres. Beach Size: 5.9 miles of beachfront, extending to North Carolina line. Vehicular access to False Cape State Park is prohibited because the park is land-locked on the southern end of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Those wishing to visit the park for the day must either bike or hike through the refuge (via beach or interior trails, and the interior trail is closed from November 1 through March 31), or boat or canoe in down Back Bay. You can also take the Terra Gator, a specially designed vehicle that minimizes impact to this special environment, during this period. The Back Bay Restoration Foundation operates a tram that leaves from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (4005 S. Sandpiper Rd. in Virginia Beach) and travels through the wildlife refuge. The trek allows visitors to explore the park for two hours in the Barbour Hill contact station area or ride farther to False Cape’s Wash Woods area. This area has a church site and cemetery. The […]
Seahorses, stingrays, crabs and sand dollars – just some of what can be found beneath the surface of the ocean. During this 75-minute boat trip, Aquarium staff will trawl the ocean floor for a sample of sea life to bring on board. Kids will have a chance to ask questions about the animals before they are returned to the water. Public cruises begin in July and run through August on Fridays at 3 p.m. Call (757) 385-FISH for more information.Please note that Ocean Collections trips leave from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet, 200 Winston Salem Ave., Virginia Beach, VA. Check our website for admission fees and for more information. Ocean Collections Boat Trip (757)385-FISH www.virginiaaquarium.com
Busch Gardens will take guests on a new journey with their pulse-pounding roller coasters, sensational family attractions and the return of exciting seasonal events. THRILL-SEEKERS: Alpengeist, After climbing to an Alpine high 195 feet, riders are hurtled through six staggering inversions at speeds up to 67 miles per hour. Consistently voted one of the top 10 steel coasters in the world. Apollo’s Chariot, Like the Olympian sun god, Apollo’s Chariotraces toward daring heights, only to dazzle riders on the way back down with one of the smoothest, fastest trails ever blazed. Curse of DarKastle, What begins as an enchanted sleigh ride ends in a bone-chilling chase packed with dizzying drops, surprise twists, and such sensational 3-D visuals, you won’t believe your eyes. Escape from Pompeii, Hold on tight as a leisurely boat ride through the ruins of this great city suddenly turns explosive. One rumble from the mighty mountain and the race to escape from Pompeii is on. Griffon, Join the bravest of ride warriors and challenge yourself to the 205-foot, 90-degree, 75 mph free fall. Some say that just waiting your turn to ride Griffon® is a heart-pounding experience in itself, as you anticipate the moment of that cliffhanger […]
Virginia Beach National Golf Club of Virginia Beach 2500 Tournament Drive (757) 563-9440 7,442 yard, 72 par championship course Designed as a Championship Virginia Beach Golf Course, The Virginia Beach National Golf Club course is the must visit green for any serious golfer. Opened in the late 1990s, the course was designed by experts. Curtis Strange, and Pete Dye focused on a course that combined beauty with the sophistication of tour quality design The Course The course is a makeup of different grasses, green areas, fairway designs, and obstacles designed to challenge you. It is ranked highly on Golf Advisor, Trip Advisor and Oob Golf. This represents one of the many Virginia Beach courses. There are also a handful of great courses in Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Norfolk if you want to venture beyond Virginia Beach.
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