Local Guide
The first things to know about Virginia Beach.
A quick read before you go deeper. Everyday life, eating out, staying social, and the planning piece worth watching. Each one links to a source.
Everyday life
Pleasure House Point Natural Area
It is run by the city and free to walk. The ground is level, so it is an easy place for a quiet morning loop.
Source: Pleasure House Point Natural Area (City of Virginia Beach)
Eating out and guests
Waterman's Surfside Grille
It sits right on the sand at the resort strip, so it packs out in summer. Worth going at an off hour if you want a table without a wait.
Source: Waterman's Surfside Grille
Staying social
Bow Creek Recreation Center
Indoor courts mean you can play when it is too hot or rainy outside. Worth checking the open-play times and how busy it gets.
Source: Bow Creek Recreation Center (City of Virginia Beach)
Worth watching
City services and hurricane season
Living on the ocean means storms and flooding are part of life some years. Worth learning your zone and how the city sends alerts before the season starts.
Source: City of Virginia Beach (services + VB311)
Move tools
Thinking about moving to Virginia Beach? Run the rough math first.
Use these quick checks to test Virginia Beach as a retirement move. They are not the full map; they help you decide what deserves a deeper look.
Tax and Medicare
Check the Virginia Beach income picture.
Estimate how Virginia treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Check exemptions
IRA / 401(k)
Generally taxed
Mortgage
Test the payment or refi
Compare a current mortgage against a new rate, closing costs, and break-even timing.
Open mortgage checkWeather fit
Mild most of the year
Virginia Beach has enough wet days that indoor backups and shoulder-season routines matter.
Avg
61°
Sun
213
Rain
115
Snow
5
Things to do
Things to do in Virginia Beach
Parks, trails, classes, and easy outings for an ordinary week.
Pleasure House Point Natural Area (City of Virginia Beach)
Pleasure House Point Natural Area
One of the largest open pieces of land left on the Lynnhaven River, with flat trails and good birdwatching. The natural area is off Marlin Bay Drive.
Why it matters
It is run by the city and free to walk. The ground is level, so it is an easy place for a quiet morning loop.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk (Visit Virginia Beach)
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
A three-mile paved boardwalk along the oceanfront with a separate bike path beside it. You will find small parks, a fishing pier, and the King Neptune statue along the way.
Why it matters
The bike path means walkers and cyclists are kept apart, which is easier on the knees and the nerves. It gets crowded in summer and quiet in the cooler months.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
An aquarium with thousands of animals, touch pools, and hands-on exhibits. Much of it is indoors, so it works on a hot or rainy day.
Why it matters
It is a good go-to when grandkids visit or when the weather turns. Worth checking hours and ticket prices before you go.
First Landing State Park / Bald Cypress Trail
First Landing State Park
A state park with quiet trails through cypress swamp and pine. The Bald Cypress Trail is the easy, popular one, mostly sand and gravel with wooden bridges over the water.
Why it matters
There is a vehicle fee, around $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends in season. The flat trails are friendly if you want nature without a hard climb.
Browse by activity
Mapped places near Virginia Beach. Tap a category to open the full list with directions.
Golf
Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.
20 places tracked
Fishing
Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.
61 places tracked
Hiking trails
Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.
81 places tracked
Boating and water
Marinas, ramps, and launches for getting on the water.
24 places tracked
Pickleball
Courts and public places to play.
22 places tracked
Gardening
Community gardens, botanical gardens, and places to dig in.
4 places tracked
Arts and culture
Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.
72 places tracked
Community
Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.
70 places tracked
Birding
Top-rated birding hotspots from the eBird community.
185 places tracked
Where to eat
Where to eat
Local spots for an easy dinner or a visit from family. Rough prices included.
Waterman's Surfside Grille
Waterman's Surfside Grille
This oceanfront seafood spot has been family-owned since 1981. You get fresh local seafood, steaks, and a deck with views, plus the famous orange crush that was born here.
Approx. price
$$
Known for
Orange crush and local seafood
Why it matters
It sits right on the sand at the resort strip, so it packs out in summer. Worth going at an off hour if you want a table without a wait.
Doc Taylor's Restaurant
Doc Taylor's
A breakfast and lunch place set in a converted beach house off 23rd Street. The Doc Taylor sandwich, a fried egg with bacon, is the local order. It is the little brother of the seafood spot Tautog's.
Approx. price
$
Known for
The Doc Taylor breakfast sandwich
Why it matters
It is a sit-down morning room, not a chain, so it fills up on weekends. A weekday visit is calmer if you want to linger over coffee.
Orion's Roof (Tripadvisor)
Orion's Roof
An upscale Asian dining room with a rooftop feel and a long menu of shared plates. It sat at number one for Virginia Beach on Tripadvisor as of May 2026.
Approx. price
$$$
Known for
Shared Asian small plates
Why it matters
This is the dress-up dinner, not the beach-shorts lunch. Reservations help on weekend nights.
Dockside at Lynnhaven Inlet (local recommendations)
Dockside at Lynnhaven Inlet
Locals on the Virginia Beach forum keep naming this one for seafood and sunset views over the inlet. It is a waterfront, boats-going-by kind of place.
Approx. price
$$
Known for
Fresh seafood with an inlet view
Why it matters
It is away from the busy oceanfront on the Lynnhaven side, so the drive is different from the resort strip. Worth testing the drive on an ordinary day.
Pickleball and rec
Pickleball in Virginia Beach
Where to play, drop in, and meet people. Court times, fees, and how busy it gets.
Bow Creek Recreation Center (City of Virginia Beach)
Bow Creek Recreation Center
A city recreation center off Rosemont Road with three indoor courts used for pickleball. It is a large LEED-certified building with fitness classes too.
Why it matters
Indoor courts mean you can play when it is too hot or rainy outside. Worth checking the open-play times and how busy it gets.
Adult Pickleball outdoor courts (Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation)
City park pickleball courts
The Parks and Recreation department lists free outdoor courts at Woodstock, Lynnhaven, Bayville Farms, Red Wing, and other parks around the city. Woodstock Park is a local go-to.
Why it matters
These are free and spread across town, so one is probably near you. Times and court counts vary by park, so it is worth a look before you drive over.
Pickleball Virginia Beach
Pickleball Virginia Beach
A dedicated pickleball club with 44 outdoor courts across 14 acres, plus a pro shop, locker rooms with showers, and lessons. It is one of the largest pickleball facilities anywhere.
Why it matters
This is the big one for steady players, with open play and night courts. Worth checking the schedule and any fees before your first visit.
Senior help and discounts
Help and discounts for Virginia Beach seniors
Programs, classes, free city services, seasonal help, and useful local deals.
Forever Young Senior Centers (Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation)
Forever Young Senior Centers
The city runs these gathering spots for adults 55 and up inside its rec centers. You get lunches, games, arts and crafts, and special events.
Why it matters
It is an easy way to meet people if you are new in town. Worth calling the nearest rec center to see the weekly schedule.
Senior Resource Center
Senior Resource Center
A volunteer-run center with social activities, lectures, potlucks, and concerts. It also points you to other resources around the city.
Why it matters
It runs mostly on volunteers, so hours and programs can shift. A quick call ahead tells you what is on this week.
What’s coming up
What’s coming up in Virginia Beach
Local events worth putting on the calendar. Check the host page for dates and parking before you go.
Oceanfront Concert Series (Beach Events VB)
Select nights, May to October 2026
7 p.m.
Oceanfront Concert Series
When
Free summer concerts on the boardwalk at the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks. Bands play through the warm months from spring into September.
Why it matters
It is free and outdoors by the water, so bring a chair. Parking near the oceanfront fills fast on concert nights.
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
September 25 to 27, 2026
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
When
The city's signature fall festival, set for September 25 to 27, 2026. Three days on the boardwalk bring two music stages, sand sculpting, and hundreds of vendors.
Why it matters
It draws big crowds to the oceanfront, so plan your parking and timing. It is one of the area's longest-running traditions.
Holiday Lights at the Beach (Beach Events VB)
Late November to December 31, 2026
Holiday Lights at the Beach
When
You drive your own car along the boardwalk through holiday light displays. It runs from late November through December 31 at the oceanfront.
Why it matters
You stay warm in your car, which is nice in December. Tickets go on sale ahead of time and the popular nights book up.
Virginia Beach Christmas Market (Events Calendar)
November 27 to 29, 2026
Virginia Beach Christmas Market
When
The 42nd Annual Christmas Market runs November 27 to 29, 2026, per the city's official events calendar. It is a holiday shopping and gathering event.
Why it matters
It lands on Thanksgiving weekend, so it pairs with the start of the holiday season. Worth confirming the location and hours on the calendar.
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Year round
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
When
An indoor performing arts venue at Town Center. It hosts concerts, theater, and the Virginia Arts Festival through the year.
Why it matters
It is the indoor, year-round option when you want a show that does not depend on beach weather. Check the calendar for what is on.
Old Beach Farmers Market
Saturdays, April to October
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Old Beach Farmers Market
When
An outdoor market running since 2008 in the ViBe Creative District at 620 19th Street. It is a nonprofit that has grown dozens of small local vendors.
Why it matters
It is a weekend regular for produce and local goods. Worth checking the current market days before you head over.
Pungo Strawberry Festival
Memorial Day weekend, May 23 to 24, 2026
Pungo Strawberry Festival
When
A Memorial Day weekend tradition out in the rural Pungo area. It celebrates the local strawberry crop and draws crowds near 100,000 over two days.
Why it matters
It is way out in the farm country, not at the beach, so the drive and traffic are part of the day. Going early beats the heaviest crowds.
Worth knowing
Worth knowing about the area
City services, neighborhood updates, seasonal notes, and the everyday details that matter.
City of Virginia Beach (services + VB311)
City services and hurricane season
The City of Virginia Beach handles trash, permits, and emergencies, with VB311 at 757-385-3111 for non-emergency questions. The big seasonal thing here is hurricane season, which runs June through November on the coast.
Why it matters
Living on the ocean means storms and flooding are part of life some years. Worth learning your zone and how the city sends alerts before the season starts.
City decisions
City decisions to watch
Council agendas, hearings, and public meetings that can change access, housing, services, or costs.
Real Estate Assessor | City of Virginia Beach
How property taxes work here
The city's Real Estate Assessor sets the value of your home, and the City Council sets the tax rate. Assessments rose an average of 5.6% for the 2026 fiscal year. Real estate and personal property tax bills are paid through the city.
Why it matters
A higher assessment can raise your bill even if the rate holds. Price the month, not the postcard, and look up a home's actual assessment before you buy.
Health and Medicare
Health and Medicare
Care, Medicare counseling, caregiver help, transportation, and the local senior support to line up.
Virginia VICAP Medicare counseling (DARS)
Free Medicare help through Virginia VICAP
Virginia's VICAP program gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling to people on Medicare and their families. It is the state's SHIP, reachable at 1-800-552-3402. The main hospital here is Sentara Virginia Beach General on First Colonial Road.
Why it matters
The counseling is free and not tied to selling you a plan, which helps at sign-up and during open enrollment. Worth calling before you pick or change a plan.
Upcoming events in Virginia Beach
See all eventsMusic & concerts
8 PM
Elevation 27 · Virginia Beach, VA
SCHISM: A Tribute To TOOL
Elevation 27
Please Note: If the Elevation 27 parking lot is full, please park in Walmart. All other lots subject to tow. General Admission Tickets are standing room only. Elevated Seating Tickets are first come first seated. Reserved Seating Tickets at Tables and Booths include admission to the show. You may...
Music & concerts
Portsmouth Pavilion · Virginia Beach, VA
Billy Strings
Portsmouth Pavilion
Doors open at 6:30 PM. Please note, there is NO OPENER for this show. Please plan to arrive with plenty of time for processing and entry. All tickets are MOBILE DELIVERY ONLY. Delayed delivery, no tickets will be delivered until 2 days prior to the event. No refunds or exchanges. All sales are fi...
Classes & arts
vbpl · Virginia Beach, VA
Art a la Cart
vbpl
Drop-in for a fun craft for your family to enjoy! All supplies are provided. Family. Registration is not required.
Lifelong learning
vbpl · Virginia Beach, VA
English Language Learners Book Club
vbpl
Take your English skills to another level. Join us for an English language learners' book club where we read aloud together and discuss the book. The book we will discuss in July is "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. This story takes place in the hills of West Virginia. Adults. Registration begins June 17. After registering you may pick up a free copy of the book at the Central Library as long as supplies last. If you would like to meet weekly with a library volunteer Reading Partner to rea...
Community & civic
vbpl · Virginia Beach, VA
Bayside Seeing Beyond
vbpl
Connect and share with other blind and visually impaired persons. Open to all, this program is presented during our Seeing Beyond Low-Vision series. Segments of the program may describe the details of visual elements. Adults. Registration is not required.
Classes & arts
vbpl · Virginia Beach, VA
Crafternoons
vbpl
Bring your craft, your supplies and your passion! Meet other crafters and creators, share your ideas and get new ones! Adults. Registration is not required.
Common questions
What people ask before retiring in Virginia Beach
Short answers to the questions most people ask first. The full source trail sits in the guide above and the sources panel below.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to retire?
Plenty of people do retire here, so it is a real option worth a look. What matters is whether the home costs, the health and senior support, the things to do, and the family side all fit your life. Not just how it ranks on a list somewhere.
Source: Virginia Beach Parks and RecreationWhat costs should you check before moving to Virginia Beach?
Price the month, not the postcard. Keep separate lines for home, property taxes, insurance, utilities, getting around, health, and everyday spending. A low-tax headline can quietly hide a high insurance bill, or the other way around.
Source: City of Virginia BeachWhere do you find things to do in Virginia Beach?
Start with parks and rec, the local event calendar, the visitor bureau, the senior center, and the restaurants people actually go to. The real question is whether they are close enough, and happen often enough, that you would use them all year. Not just visit once.
Source: Virginia Beach Parks and RecreationWhat health and senior support matters in Virginia Beach?
Look at Medicare counseling, the nearby hospitals, pharmacies, ways to get around, caregiver help, and one emergency contact. These can decide whether the move works, even when the rest of life looks great on paper.
Source: City of Virginia BeachWhat should your family ask before you move to Virginia Beach?
Talk through driving, airport access, local services, who to call in an emergency, care backup, home upkeep, and how often someone would be needed. The point is to see the move as a real support plan, not just a nice address.
Source: City of Virginia BeachRetirement Life Score
A quick read on the life you would actually live.
Virginia Beach scored across eight things that decide whether a move feels good: monthly affordability, home costs, restaurants and outings, activities, parks, health and senior support, weather, and getting around. The full numbers are below.
Virginia Beach Retirement Life Score
62
Promising but incomplete / 55-64
Activities is the strongest daily-life fit. Home costs is the piece to verify before treating the move as settled.
A city has some appeal, but the public evidence is still too thin or uneven to treat the move as settled.
Strongest fit: Activities & social calendar
Verify first: Home, taxes & insurance
Everyday affordability
Counts a lot62/100
How the ordinary monthly life could feel once taxes, insurance, fees, utilities, meals, and errands are in view.
What’s good: Lower-tax signals, visible discounts or free programs, ordinary-cost dining and errands, and practical transportation backup.
What to check: High housing pressure, insurance or storm costs, HOA or assessment friction, resort pricing, and thin cost evidence.
Price the month, not the postcard.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Pleasure House Point Natural Area · Watch: Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
Evidence weighed: Tax, housing, insurance, senior-service, transportation, and local deal sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Home, taxes & insurance
Counts a lot28/100
Property taxes, assessments, homeowners insurance, storm exposure, maintenance, and local housing friction.
What’s good: Clear assessor or property-appraiser sources, homestead or senior relief signals, and plain-language housing-cost context.
What to check: Coastal or wildfire exposure, insurance pressure, high home prices, amenity fees, HOA or district assessments, and missing local tax sources.
Separate the house from the lifestyle.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: City services and hurricane season · Watch: City of Virginia Beach
Evidence weighed: County assessor, property appraiser, tax collector, insurance, emergency management, and housing sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Restaurants & outings
76/100
Restaurants, coffee, arts, downtown meals, family visits, and low-friction places to go without over-planning.
What’s good: Specific restaurants, coffee shops, arts districts, downtown routines, visitor-hosting ideas, and source links that feel repeatable.
What to check: Only generic visitor copy, heavy seasonal crowds, hard parking, expensive dining signals, or no specific local outing ideas.
Look for repeatable evenings, not only famous spots.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Waterman's Surfside Grille · Watch: Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
Evidence weighed: Restaurant sites, tourism boards, chambers, downtown groups, event venues, and local dining guides.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Activities & social calendar
79/100
Events, clubs, classes, pickleball, senior programs, volunteer options, and the weekly social rhythm.
What’s good: Dated events, parks and rec classes, senior-center programming, clubs, pickleball options, volunteer leads, and repeatable weekly activities.
What to check: Undated or stale calendars, few senior-friendly programs, heat or traffic timing issues, and no clear way to register or show up.
Make sure the week has more than errands.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Virginia Beach Boardwalk · Watch: City of Virginia Beach
Evidence weighed: City calendars, recreation departments, senior centers, libraries, clubs, parks districts, and community event pages.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Parks & outdoor life
64/100
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens, preserves, water access, golf, and everyday outdoor routines.
What’s good: Specific parks, trails, beaches, gardens, water access, golf, outdoor classes, and low-friction places to be outside often.
What to check: Extreme heat, smoke, flooding, storm seasons, winter driving, crowding, parking friction, or thin park-level detail.
Check whether outdoor life works in the season you will actually live there.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Doc Taylor's · Watch: City of Virginia Beach
Evidence weighed: Parks departments, park districts, conservancies, recreation sources, tourism sources, and trail or beach authorities.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Health & support access
Counts a lot77/100
Medicare help, aging agencies, caregiver backup, transportation support, pharmacies, and local service depth.
What’s good: Area Agency on Aging, SHIP or SHINE counseling, senior services, caregiver support, transportation help, and credible health-resource depth.
What to check: Weak care-radius evidence, no benefits counseling source, unclear transportation backup, or hints that specialist access requires long drives.
Do not let a fun town hide a weak care radius.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Forever Young Senior Centers · Watch: City of Virginia Beach
Evidence weighed: Area Agencies on Aging, county health and human services, senior services, Medicare counseling, transit, and hospital or clinic sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Weather comfort
46/100
Heat, storms, flooding, smoke, winter, seasonal swings, and how much resilience planning the move demands.
What’s good: Evidence that outdoor life works in ordinary seasons, plus clear planning sources for heat, storms, winter, smoke, or emergency readiness.
What to check: Sustained heat, hurricane or flood exposure, wildfire or smoke risk, winter driving, evacuation complexity, and missing resilience sources.
Plan the hard season, not the best week.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Doc Taylor's · Watch: City of Virginia Beach · 61F annual average, 213 sunny days
Evidence weighed: Emergency management, weather-resilience, utility, health, parks, insurance, and local government sources.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Getting around & family visits
65/100
Driving, parking, airport access, golf-cart life, visitor logistics, medical trips, and family backup.
What’s good: Airport or transit access, shuttle or senior transportation, walkable routines, golf-cart usefulness, and simple family-visit logistics.
What to check: Traffic, parking scarcity, seasonal congestion, night-driving issues, long medical trips, or no car-light backup.
Test the drive on an ordinary Tuesday.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Forever Young Senior Centers · Watch: City of Virginia Beach
Evidence weighed: Transit agencies, airports, city transportation pages, senior services, tourism access pages, and guide items with location detail.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
How we keep this current
Sources for Virginia Beach
A mix of city pages, community calendars, senior services, council agendas, official tourism, restaurant sites, and registration pages. Every claim above links to where it came from.
See the 33 sources behind this guideEvery claim above links to where it came from.ShowHide
official / weekly
City of Virginia Beach
The city site for resident services, departments, and storm alerts.
official / weekly
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
Where to check facilities, classes, and programs before you count on them.
institutional / weekly
Virginia Aquarium
A reliable indoor outing for off-season days and visiting grandkids.
community / weekly
ViBe Creative District
The arts-district trail for dining, markets, and casual outings.
official / weekly
Virginia Beach Real Estate Assessor
Look up a property and check its assessment before you assume a number.
official / weekly
Virginia Medicare Counseling
Free state Medicare counseling for you or someone you care for.
official / weekly
Hampton Roads Transit
The regional transit system, for when driving everywhere is not the plan.
official / weekly
Virginia Bureau of Insurance
The state office for consumer insurance questions, including coastal coverage.
community / weekly
Waterman's Surfside Grille
Oceanfront seafood institution, family-owned since 1981, home of the orange crush.
community / weekly
Doc Taylor's Restaurant
Breakfast and lunch spot in a converted beach house off 23rd Street, little brother to Tautog's.
community / weekly
Orion's Roof (Tripadvisor)
Top-rated upscale Asian dining room, ranked #1 on Tripadvisor for Virginia Beach as of May 2026.
community / weekly
Dockside at Lynnhaven Inlet (local recommendations)
Locals on r/VirginiaBeach repeatedly name Dockside for seafood and waterfront sunsets.
institutional / weekly
Virginia Beach Boardwalk (Visit Virginia Beach)
Three-mile oceanfront boardwalk with a separate bike path, parks, fishing pier, and the King Neptune statue.
community / weekly
First Landing State Park / Bald Cypress Trail
State park with the easy Bald Cypress Trail through cypress swamp; $7 weekday vehicle fee, $10 weekends.
institutional / weekly
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Aquarium with touch pools, interactive exhibits, and indoor walking through the galleries.
official / weekly
Pleasure House Point Natural Area (City of Virginia Beach)
One of the largest undeveloped parcels on the Lynnhaven River; flat trails and birdwatching at 3957 Marlin Bay Drive.
community / weekly
Pickleball Virginia Beach
One of the largest dedicated pickleball facilities anywhere, 44 courts on 14 acres with a pro shop and locker rooms.
official / weekly
Bow Creek Recreation Center (City of Virginia Beach)
LEED-certified 67,743 sq ft city rec center with three indoor courts used for pickleball.
official / weekly
Adult Pickleball outdoor courts (Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation)
Free outdoor public courts at Woodstock, Lynnhaven, Bayville Farms, Red Wing and other city parks.
official / weekly
Forever Young Senior Centers (Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation)
City program for adults 55 and up with lunches, games, arts and crafts, and special events at the rec centers.
community / weekly
Senior Resource Center
Volunteer-run center offering social activities, lectures, potlucks, concerts, and links to resources.
institutional / weekly
Oceanfront Concert Series (Beach Events VB)
Free summer concerts at the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks on the boardwalk.
community / weekly
Old Beach Farmers Market
Outdoor market since 2008 in the ViBe Creative District at 620 19th Street, run as an independent nonprofit.
institutional / weekly
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
Signature fall festival on the boardwalk, September 25 to 27, 2026, with two music stages and sand sculpting.
community / weekly
Pungo Strawberry Festival
Memorial Day weekend tradition in the rural Pungo area, drawing crowds near 100,000 over two days.
institutional / weekly
Holiday Lights at the Beach (Beach Events VB)
Drive your own car along the boardwalk through light displays, runs late November through December 31.
institutional / weekly
Virginia Beach Christmas Market (Events Calendar)
42nd Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market, November 27 to 29, 2026 per the official events calendar.
institutional / weekly
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Indoor performing arts venue at Town Center with concerts, theater, and the Virginia Arts Festival.
official / weekly
City of Virginia Beach (services + VB311)
Official city site for trash, permits, and emergencies; VB311 at 757-385-3111 for non-emergency questions.
official / weekly
Real Estate Assessor | City of Virginia Beach
City office that sets property values; assessments rose an average of 5.6% for fiscal year 2026.
official / weekly
City of Virginia Beach personal property tax payments
Real estate and personal property tax payment portal; Treasurer line 757-385-1311.
institutional / weekly
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
273-bed hospital on First Colonial Road, home to the region's only Level III Trauma Center.
official / weekly
Virginia VICAP Medicare counseling (DARS)
Virginia's free, unbiased Medicare counseling program (the state SHIP), reachable at 1-800-552-3402.
Activities & recreation in Virginia Beach
What there is to do here, with the sources.
The things people retire for, in Virginia Beach. Each links to the full activity guide and the states that fit it.
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation lists outdoor pickleball facilities and programs through its athletic facilities page, and city recreation centers host open-play sessions; Bow Creek Recreation Center on the city's west side is among several facilities with dedicated court space.
Athletic Facilities, Virginia Beach Parks and RecreationThe Virginia Beach Department of Human Services administers the Area Agency on Aging for the city, coordinating the Senior Navigator resource directory, in-home care programs, and senior center activities at locations including the Seatack Recreation Center and Williams Farm Community Center.
Virginia Beach Department of Human ServicesThe Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) at 2200 Parks Ave. in the resort corridor mounts rotating exhibitions from its permanent collection, and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Town Center hosts symphony, theater, and touring performances; the Virginia Beach Amphitheater at the Virginia Beach Convention Center area supports large outdoor concerts.
MOCA Virginia BeachVirginia Beach's Atlantic coast offers surf fishing for red drum, flounder, and striped bass, while Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Tecumseh provide inland freshwater options; the Lynnhaven Inlet and Chesapeake Bay access points support pier and boat fishing, and Virginia fishing licenses are sold at city parks offices.
Published local price
Virginia resident state freshwater fishing license (1-year); residents 65+ $9/year; resident county/city license $16
Published range: $9 to $23.
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources - Fishing License Information and Fees · as of 2025-12First Landing State Park at the northern end of Virginia Beach offers 20 miles of trails through coastal plain forest and cypress swamp, and False Cape State Park south of Back Bay provides a backcountry hiking destination accessible only on foot, by bike, or by boat; the city's Greenways network extends paved paths throughout the resort and suburban areas.
Published local price
Virginia Naturally Yours Passport (annual parking and admission pass, all state parks); senior (62+) Naturally Yours Passport $40/year
Published range: $40 to $85.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Annual Passes · as of 2026-05Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp near Shore Drive are among several public access points for kayaking, canoeing, and motorboat launching; the Rudee Inlet area connects the resort strip to the Atlantic Ocean and supports guided kayak eco-tours through saltmarsh channels.
Published local price
Virginia watercraft registration (3-year period): under 16 ft $32 per 3-year period; 16-20 ft $36 per 3-year period; 20-40 ft $42 per 3-year period
Published range: $32 to $50.
Virginia Fishing Regulations - Watercraft Owner's Guide (eRegulations/DWR) · as of 2026Virginia Beach Golf Management operates five publicly accessible courses including Bow Creek Golf Course, Kempsville Greens Municipal Golf Course at 4840 Princess Anne Rd., and Red Wing Lake Golf Course, a classic George Cobb design with bent grass greens and loblolly pine-lined fairways; the portfolio offers multiple tee options and seasonal rates for all skill levels.
Virginia Beach Golf ManagementThe Virginia Beach Botanical Garden at Pembroke Meadows Community Park features themed display gardens and a native plant section tended in part by the Tidewater Master Gardener program; Virginia Cooperative Extension's Virginia Beach unit runs plant clinics and a soil testing service for local gardeners.
Virginia Beach Parks and RecreationGolf
Golf near Virginia Beach
Courses around Virginia Beach worth a round, with how to book each one.
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,124 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Walkable
Mature loblolly pines, wetlands, and lakes on a classic layout · George W. Cobb
A city-run classic with bent grass greens, pine-lined fairways, and firm, flat footing that walks easily. Weekday and twilight rates stay friendly, and walking is welcome.
$$ · Slope 129
- Par
- 70
- Back tees
- 5,917 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Walkable
A meandering creek and mature oaks frame narrow Bermuda fairways
A friendly muni right in town where walking is allowed and the par 70 keeps the round manageable. Mature oaks and a wandering creek give it real character without much length.
$ · Slope 123
- Par
- 70
- Back tees
- 5,849 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Wide bunkered fairways up front, larger landing areas on the back
An easygoing municipal course with forgiving landing areas and a gentle slope rating, so it rarely beats you up. A comfortable, affordable place for a regular weekday game.
Opened 1957 · $ · Slope 114
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,054 yds
- Round
- ~4h
A former TPC with Dye bunkering and water in play throughout · Pete Dye and Curtis Strange
A former TPC course from Pete Dye and Curtis Strange that anyone can now play. It is the area's premier public test, so pick a tee that fits your game and enjoy the challenge.
Opened 1999 · $$$ · Slope 138
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,766 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Sandy waste areas and pines winding near the Back Bay refuge · Rees Jones
A Rees Jones design that earned national acclaim when it opened, threading through pines and sandy waste near the Back Bay wildlife refuge. A scenic, rewarding round for a special day out.
Opened 1982 · $$$ · Slope 133
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,017 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Water or wetlands on fourteen holes with rare elevation changes · Fred Couples and Gene Bates
A Fred Couples and Gene Bates layout with water or wetlands on most holes and uncommon elevation for the coast. Bring extra balls, settle in, and enjoy the variety.
Opened 1999 · $$$ · Slope 131