Discover why Virginia is for Lovers®. The journey starts from Washington, D.C. and gives you the flexibility of multiple options throughout Virginia. Whatever your heart chooses, you will fall in love with these great destinations.

Top Activities

Naval Station Norfolk: Experience the life of a sailor at Naval Station Norfolk. Take a 45 minute bus tour of the world’s largest Naval installation with a knowledgeable, active duty Navy guide who leads you on a tour of the base and explains how our Navy works to protect our country.

Battleship Wisconsin and Nauticus: Nauticus is a fun and interactive maritime science and technology center exploring the power of the sea. It features more than 150 exhibits, entertaining films and exotic aquatic life. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum, located inside Nauticus, introduces over 200 years of naval history in Coastal Virginia. Located adjacent to Nauticus, discover the Battleship Wisconsin, the largest and last battleship ever built by the US Navy.

Chrysler Museum of Art: stroll through 5,000 years of art history at the Chrysler Museum of Art, home to Walter Chrysler Jr.’s world-class collection of more than 30,000 pieces of art. The museum features a world-renowned Tiffany-glass collection, Art Nouveau furniture, and works of art from African, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, Islamic and Asian cultures. The museum also offers an extensive European and American collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.

Douglas MacArthur Memorial: Discover the compelling story of General Douglas MacArthur, a five star General of the Army and the millions of Americans who served our nation through five wars at the Douglas MacArthur Memorial. Located in downtown Norfolk’s restored 1850s City Hall, the complex contains a museum, theater and special exhibit galleries.

Norfolk Botanical Garden: Take a fun-filled boat ride at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and explore its peaceful waterways or meander through its many beautiful gardens and discover a variety of plants from the cultivated to the wild.

Ideas for First Time Visitors:

  • Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin
  • National Museum of the Marine Corps
  • Trolley Tour of Fredericksburg
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Countless Virginia Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries

Ideas for Repeat Visitors:

  • Occoquan – Historic riverfront town
  • James Monroe Museum
  • American Rover Sailing Cruise
  • Lewis Ginter Botanicals Gardens
  • Virginia Culinary Food Tour

Special Events

Chanticleer

Their soaring vocals thrill in ancient madrigals that echo with history and passion, seduce with unforgettable renditions of standards from the Great American Songbook, and rev up crowds with hits like Queen’s Somebody to Love. Close your eyes and you’ll scarcely believe this extraordinary sound comes from just a dozen male voices. “Otherworldly harmonies and aching, unresolved melodies. The adoring throng demanded an encore” (The New York Times).


Elementum: The Crop Foundation

Distinguished consumers, foodies, and craft beer enthusiast who are passionate about community, empowering future generations and celebrating visionary students are invited to Elementum – an immersive culinary and fine art experience exploring each of the elements – earth, air, fire and water, on Thursday, May 4 at 6:00pm at Toast. The event will feature fresh, farm-to-table ingredients, specialty cocktails, local brews and free-range art.

Elementum is a collaboration between Dave Hausman and John Porter’s Restaurants (Toast, Field Guide and Handsome Biscuit) and Kip Poole’s The Crop Foundation, a non-profit that provides grants and employment opportunities for students who are driven to study and promote the art, science, and soul of food. Participation in Crop Foundation events is open to ANY student who wishes to pursue and further their culinary career.

Tickets for the May 4th dinner are $45 per person and include multiple courses and food tastings and one drink ticket. For an additional $22, guests can purchase a $67 VIP ticket and enjoy an open bar for the evening. Parties of 6 or more receive 15% off tickets.


TBA Productions presents The Mirrors / Slophouse /Mosquito Cabaret

Join TBA Productions for a night of tunes from Norfolk favs The Mirrors as they host friends from Philly Slophouse and first time seeing locals Mosquito Cabaret at Charlie’s…

Local Transportation

Venture Tours offers a very diverse fleet of motorcoaches with Wi-Fi (cellular service permitting), audio/video equipment, public address system, reclining seats, 110-outlets and clean restrooms.


Fun Tours: luxury coach buses feature a private restroom, comfortable and roomy seating, and comes equipped with WiFi and DVD players. Each includes video monitors, stereo equipment and plenty of overhead storage.


Orange Peel: Private ground transportation, cars and SUV’s.


James River Carey Transportation: Today, the firm is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and features a fleet of more than 80 vehicles including buses, motor-coaches, min-coaches, limousines, executive sedans, vans and SUVs. Now called James River Transportation, the company provides a broad array of transportation solutions to an ever expanding market.


Distance from Major Airports

  • Norfolk International Airport (ORF) to downtown – 11.2 miles

Local Tour Guides

Phillips DMC offers a full range of services for groups of all sizes and types ranging from customized sightseeing tours, transportation logistics and special events to receptive services and cruise ship shore excursions. Phillips DMC will create a personal experience that fits the needs of your group. English spoken. Contact: [email protected]

Colonial Connections: provide complete tour planning including air and ground transportation or if you need fewer services, we provide fully licensed and experienced tour escorts and step-on guides and evening programs only. English spoken. Contact: [email protected]

 

Top Activities

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: Explore over 800,000 gallons of one of the best aquariums and live animal habitats in the country at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Check out our hundreds of hands-on exhibits, outdoor aviary, nature trail, and marshlands. Plus you won’t want to miss our 3D theater.

Chesapean Outdoors (kayaking with dolphins and SUP): Founded in 1996 as Chesapean Kayak Tours, we developed a reputation as one of the area’s best kayak touring companies for dolphin watching off the coastline of Virginia Beach. Now we specialize in guided eco-tours and we offer a variety of outdoor activities that guarantee adventure and fun for all!

The Aerial Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: High-flying adventure is coming to the Aquarium Summer 2014. Consisting of 12 different ropes courses containing 160 platforms in the trees, plus another 40 platforms in a unique separate outdoor facility called “The Labyrinth”, the park will boast a variety of challenge levels, from introductory through advanced for children, teens and adults.

Dolphin Watching/ Whale Watching: Observe bottlenose dolphins and their dynamic behaviors during a 90-minute excursion on the Atlantic Ocean. Take a two and a half hour adventure to search for humpback whales, fin whales, and other wildlife that visit the Virginia Beach coast during the winter.

Coastal Food Tours: Coastal Food Tours of Virginia is Virginia Beach’s source for food tours, culinary events, pub crawls, and corporate team building events that bring together history, architecture and cuisine in a variety of different venues and neighborhoods.

Special Events

A Dolphin Watching Cruise on the Rudee Flipper

Our Dolphin Watching tours are exciting, educational, and fun for the whole family! Cruise the Virginia Beach coastline from Rudee Inlet to Cape Henry in search of playful bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife, plus beautiful sights, gorgeous sunsets, and more! Your 90-minute ocean excursion is narrated by our experienced crew, who will be available to share their knowledge and answer your questions. For your convenience and comfort, the Rudee Flipper is equipped with a climate-controlled cabin, upper and lower decks for viewing, a snack bar, and a full adult beverage bar.

Our boats depart from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, at the corner of 5th and Pacific Avenues, have quick access to the Atlantic Ocean, and include free and easily accessible parking. Make Rudee Tours Dolphin Watching Trips a must-do adventure during your time in Virginia Beach!

Dolphin Watching Cruises: March 25th-October

Sunset Cruises: Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day

Whale Watching Cruises: December-March


Amazing Sea Adventures – Dolphin Discoveries

Our boat trips offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of our marine environment and its inhabitants. Each tour offers close-up observations, and when resources allow, we will be using a research-quality hydrophone (an underwater microphone) to listen for dolphins and whales. Specially trained Aquarium educators provide discussions about dolphin behaviors, and share what is being done to conserve and protect the species and its habitat. Brown pelicans, bald eagles, and other seabirds are frequently sighted, along with sea turtles.

The Aquarium’s Sea Adventures adhere to all responsible wildlife viewing guidelines, which ensure our trips do not disturb the animals.

Schedule

  • March 18 – May 26, 2017 Wed; Fri, Sat, Sun
  • April 9 – 15: Two trips daily
  • Daily trips May 27 – September 4, 2017: Dolphin Watching, Ocean Collections, Evening trips
  • Trips are subject change due to boating conditions. See our Calendar of Events for the most current trip availability.

Virginia Arts Festival

The mission of the Virginia Arts Festival is to bring world-class performing arts to our citizens and visitors, impact the lives of students through outstanding educational programs, commission new works of national and international significance, and make a tangible difference in Hampton Roads through regional partnerships and positive economic impact through the generation of cultural tourism.

Local Transportation

Hampton Roads Transit (The Wave): VB Wave is an easy way to get around the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Wave shuttles make stops along Atlantic Avenue, the Virginia Aquarium, Ocean Breeze Water Park, the Holiday Trav-L-Park, the KOA campgrounds and the Shops at Hilltop. These hybrid-electric shuttles are also a lot of fun.


Orange Peel: Don’t get caught standing in line waiting for a taxi at the airport. Call ahead and make arrangements for a vehicle to be waiting for you upon your arrival. Our rates are very affordable. We look forward to hearing from you soon!


Amtrak: The Norfolk station services daily Amtrak trains to Petersburg, Richmond, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and north up to Boston, as well as Thruway buses between Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Newport News.


Venture Tours: Venture Tours is one of the most well-respected motorcoach companies in the Tidewater/Central Virginia area. Our buses are clean, safe and equipped with state-of-the art technology. We tailor our services to your group travel needs. Our business is delivering your group to your destination safely and affordably.


Enterprise Car Rental – Airport Location: This Enterprise Rent-A-Car is conveniently located at the Norfolk International Airport. Through tremendous leadership and the entrepreneurial spirit of our employees, we have built the largest car rental brand in North America, known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service.


Distance from Major Airports

  • Norfolk International Airport (to downtown) – 18.1 miles