10 Things to Do in Virginia Beach on a Small Budget

Neptune’s Park is a great place for an informal gathering during the day, but also offers opportunities for enjoyment at night. Located right on the ocean at 31^st Street, the park’s most iconic attraction is the massive statue of Neptune designed by Paul DiPasquale that dominates its center. Even so, there’s much more to do here.

Every night in the summer, the park hosts live music and entertainment. It also acts as the hub for the Neptune Festival that takes place every summer. Of course, the park also backs right up to the beach, so it’s only steps to the warm sand and water. Best of all? It’s free.

Marking the spot where English colonists first came ashore in 1607, First Landing State Park offers so much more than just history. You can camp, fish, boat, hike, bike, and more. The park covers just under 3,000 acres of forest, hills, beach, and water, and includes unique environments like cypress swamps.

Stop off at the Trail Center, make plans to visit the Chesapeake Bay Center, and explore the outdoors to your heart’s content. Check out the waterways and learn how Blackbeard once hid in the Narrows. During certain times of the year, the park is also home to educational and outreach programs in the amphitheater.

The Naval Aviation Monument Park spans 16,000 sq ft and features 9 statues and monuments dedicated to aviators and the science of aviation. The monument took 8 years to complete and was built by and for the Naval Aviation Foundation’s Hampton Roads Squadron.

While the park might not be particularly large, it is impressive and offers the chance to sit and relax, learn more about the area’s rich aviation history, and more. It’s also centrally located, with the Norwegian Lady Monument adjacent to it.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a stunning place to visit with over 8,000 acres of freshwater, estuary, barrier islands, and sea. While you can enjoy a very wide range of plant and animal life, the area offers so much more to do.

Take the boardwalk and explore the overlook, head down to the beach, rent bikes and traverse the park, or get in some hiking while you’re there. The refuge also puts on a number of programs every year, such as Every Kid Outdoors, which focuses on helping children find things to do in the outdoors.

Stroll the length of this wooden pier, experience the history of the area, and cast a line in with other anglers to try your luck. Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is all wood and is home to dozens of anglers every single day of operation.

Of course, you don’t need to fish to enjoy the pier. It’s a good way to get out into the water for that ideal selfie or family photo. Make time to visit the tackle shop, as well as the restaurant while you’re there. Rentals are available for those without their own rod and reel.

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk has been attracting visitors since it was originally constructed in the 1800s. It's where you can stroll down 3 miles of boardwalk and explore shops, restaurants, gift shops, the beach, resorts, hotels, and more.

The boardwalk has been completely redesigned – there is ample space, being built of concrete and 28 ft wide. Plus, it connects you with some of the area’s top attractions, including the fishing pier, Neptune’s Statue and other popular destinations. You’ll also find entertainment, musical acts, historic sites, and Fun Park, which is home to amusement rides and games.

You’ll find not 1, but 2 historic lighthouses within Fort Story, just a short drive from Virginia Beach. The oldest lighthouse dates back to 1792 and is the 4th oldest in the United States. The second lighthouse dates to 1881.

Both lighthouses are registered historic landmarks and offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of lighthouse design and construction over time. Each one is actually open to the public and offers views from the lantern rooms out over the surrounding water.

False Cape State Park covers over 4,000 acres of water and sand spit and offers access to some of the state’s most remote neighborhoods. The name comes from the fact that, from the sea, the area can be mistaken for Cape Henry, which is 20 miles north. There’s no vehicular access to the park, and travel within the park is limited to hiking and biking. That makes for a tranquil experience set amid unspoilt natural beauty, though.

The park offers a wide range of activities, from bathing to primitive camping in the limited nighttime neighborhoods. Reaching the park will require using the provided streetcar from Back Bay National Wildlife refuge. Boat access is also possible. The historic Wash Woods Community and Little Island Coast Guard Station can also be found here.

Virginia Beach has a rich history of lifesaving and rescue, and the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum preserves and protects that heritage. The building itself is an icon of the area and a registered historical landmark. It stands at the corner of 24^th Street and provides a broad range of tours, displays, exhibits, and more.

The museum offers a gift shop, as well, and it is only a short hop from some of the area’s other top attractions, including the beach itself, the boardwalk, as well as Neptune’s Statue.