Virginia's largest city prides itself on having a little something for everyone. There are plenty of places to tuck yourself away from the hustle and bustle of the younger crowd and enjoy your surroundings in this seaside community.
Bird-watching
If you happen to be a bird lover, then Virginia Beach is a dream come true for you. With a mixture of seashore and woodland areas, there are a wide variety of birds to be seen year-round in or near Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau offers a free bird watching guide that explains where and when to find certain birds. For a free copy call 866-VABIRDS. Just outside the city you will also find Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where in addition to catching site of migratory snow geese and ducks in December, you will also see bald eagles, falcons and, as an added bonus, sea turtles in their natural habitats.
Golf
Virginia Beach is famous for its beautiful and challenging golf courses. There are 14 courses to choose from, and chances are that if you ask 10 people which one is the best to play, you will get 10 different answers. If you are a die-hard golfer who wants the best information before choosing between courses, your best bet is to contact the Virginia Beach Golf Association. There, friendly and knowledgeable staff can help guide you to the course that is right for you.
History
Virginia Beach has a myriad of historic site to visit, most of which offer free admission. There are a host of historic homes, an old Coast Guard Station, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, a Native American Indian village and more. Feel free to see the sights for yourself, but if you would rather have someone else drive try the Summer History Tour. This guided coach tour runs from late June through early September. In addition to the narrative tour between stops, you can get out and explore several historic landmarks of Virginia Beach. These landmarks include four homes belonging to Jamestown settlers, the old Coast Guard station and a Native American Indian village. If you haven't had your fill of guided coach tours after the history tour, try the Naval Air Station Oceana Tour, which also runs through the summer months. The tour shows you around the naval base, gives you an up-front look at naval equipment, and if you catch the 11:30 departure it includes lunch at the Officer's Club.
Tags: Virginia Beach, American Indian, American Indian village, Coast Guard, guided coach, Indian village, Native American