Welcome to our guide to Virginia Beach's Bay side. There are 6 miles of Chesapeake Bay waterfront in the city of Virginia Beach, extending from the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base to First Landing State Park. If you're looking for information on the Atlantic side of the city, we suggest the Virginia Beach oceanfront site.
First Landing State Park is an oasis of cypress forest, spanish moss, and 17 miles of woodland trails in the midst of a resort city. The park gets its name from the fact that the Susan Constant landed here weeks before finally settling at Jamestown. 2,770 acres hold swamps, dunes, cabins, campgrounds, a boat ramp, indoor aquariums, and a large variety of wildlife. The main entrance and visitor center are on Shore Drive.
The Lynnhaven boat ramp and beach facility features 4 concrete boat launch lanes with associated temporary mooring areas, canoe/kayak launch area, boat trailer parking spaces, restrooms with shower and foot rinse areas, changing areas, car parking for beach access, an information kiosk, vending machines and a walkway (under the Lesner Bridge) to the Ocean Park Beach Area on the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is both a tourist attraction and an important transportation link. The 17-mile complex of bridges and tunnels connects the bayside of Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. "Go to sea in your car" on this engineering marvel.
The Adam Thoroughgood House is a historic house museum on the western branch of the Lynnhaven River. Built in the late 17th century, this little brick house recalls the English cottage architecture of the period. Herb and flower gardens. Open 6 days a week for guided tours.
The Lynnhaven House is located on five acres of land near the Lynnhaven River which includes a small woods and gardens of herbs, vegetables, flax, cotton, peanuts, and tobacco. Household skills crafts that produced the early lifestyle are still practiced here. Docents in 18th century attire provide tours of the furnished home.
The City of Virginia Beach has a Bayside History Trail map that makes it easy to visit the historic sites. Tour the "legacy on the Lynnhaven".
Great Neck Park is a 70-acre park with baseball fields, large group shelters, family picnic tables and grills, three playgrounds, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, walking trails, and restrooms. Balls, horseshoes and bats may be checked out of the park office with a driver's license or other form of identification. A gazebo located at the end of a scenic walkway overlooks the Lynnhaven River.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater brings big-name musical acts to the city. It has a total capacity of 20,000 ... 7,500 reserved seats under the pavilion roof and room for 12,500 on the "festival lawn". Under cover or under the stars on the lawn, it's a good place to hear a concert.
The Mariners are Virginia Beach's professional soccer team. The play at the Sportsplex in the southern part of the city.
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center. All suites resort hotel with 295 bayview rooms on the sandy beaches of the Chesapeake Bay. Traveler Reviews and Rate Comparison
May 9 - 11 -- Caribbean Music Festival. The Virginia Beach boardwalk will be grooving to Caribbean rhythms during this weekend of music featuring steel drum bands, pan virtuosos, food, games and a parade. Fri. 8-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 30-- Patriotic Festival. Come celebrate the military at the oceanfront featuring free concerts by top name groups, plus military displays and demonstrations.More info.
June 12 - 15 -- Virginia Beach Board Walk Art Show. The Boardwalk Art Show & Festival is one of the oldest and best outdoor fine art shows on the Eastern Seaboard. Produced by the Contemporary Art Center, it is ranked as one of the top 15 fine art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This four-day festival features fine art, great shopping, and live entertainment for the entire family. More info.
July 4 -- Stars and Stripes Explosion. Inspiring concerts, rock performances, tribute bands, fireworks, and more will be featured at this annual Hampton Roads “family tradition” held on Independence Day! More info.
August 20 - 24 -- East Coast Surfing Championships. More than 100 of the world's top professional surfers, male and female, and an estimated 300 amateur surfers will travel to Virginia Beach to "ride the curl" at the Oceanfront and compete for combined cash prizes of $40,000. More info.
August 29 - 31-- American Music Festival. 40 concerts explode across 10 stages at the Virginia Beach oceanfront with music that celebrates every genre and style! It’s a non-stop three-day party featuring some of the biggest names in the recordingindustry. More info.
August 31 - Rock and Roll Half Marathon. The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon starts at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, runs through the scenic Virginia Beach oceanfront and finishes on the spectacular oceanfront boardwalk. Participants will be treated to 14 stages along the 13.1-mile course, featuring 20 local bands as well as 16 local high school cheerleading squads spaced approximately every mile. More info.
September 26 - 28 -- Neptune Festival. A boisterous and beloved sendoff to summer, the Neptune Festival offers everything from a world-class sandcastle competition to numerous athletic competitions and the famous Neptune Grand Parade. Over 275 artisans will line the boardwalk for the Neptune Art and Craft Show interspersed with a veritable smorgasbord of food vendors dishing out delectable delights guaranteed to please any palette. More info.
