The beautiful Virginia Beach boardwalk

The Virginia Beach boardwalk is a beautiful 3 mile stretch of land along the Atlantic Ocean. Visiting during the spring months is a great idea as you will be able to enjoy the double benefit of fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. One of my favorite aspects about the Virginia Beach boardwalk is that there is a separate walking and bike path, which eliminates the hassle of trying to bike around crowds of people. This boardwalk is one of the cleanest and most well-maintained I have ever visited. I also love the fact that the boardwalk is lit up at night, which makes it feel safe to walk around.

Virginia Beach boardwalk at night

While the springs months are a bit quieter and quite boring, the relaxing atmosphere and feeling that you get to enjoy the beach all to yourself is a nice trade off! We enjoyed biking and walking along the beach without noisy tourists. The vibe was pleasantly relaxed. At this time of the year, we enjoyed carefree biking, quiet waterfront meals, and uninterrupted sunrises and sunsets.

The Neptune statue

The most notable boardwalk attractions is a 34 foot tall bronze Neptune statue.  Neptune Festival Park is a popular spot for spring and summer events. During the warmer months, the boardwalk hosts various concerts and festivals. Many of these events are free, so be sure to take advantage if you are in the vicinity.

Popular events include the Neptune Wine Festival, The Virginia Beach Music Festival, and the Crawlin Crab 5k. Visit the Virginia Beach website for a full lineup of events.

Neptune statue on the Virginia Beach boardwalk

Aside from enjoying a leisurely bike ride or walk on the gorgeous boardwalk, you will find many other opportunities for recreation. Other fun-in-the-sun activities include horseback riding on the beach, para-sailing, dolphin kayak tours, and boat rides.

Horseback riding in Virginia Beach
Horseback riding on the beach is a fun & unique way to enjoy the gorgeous scenery

Affordable Beachfront Lodging

You will find no shortage of beachfront hotel properties, ranging from basic budget options, to 4 star luxury resorts. The advantage of visiting during the off season is definitely the low rates! We stayed at the Best Western Plus Oceanfront for a mere $100 a night. Great oceanfront views from a private balcony, a decent breakfast buffet, a scenic onsite restaurant, and direct access to the beach were well worth the small price tag.

Best Western Plus Oceanfront Virginia Beach
View of the Virginia Beach boardwalk from the beachfront Best Western

Dining on the boardwalk

There are plenty of restaurants located along the boardwalk, the majority being located inside the various hotels. I recommend stopping by Shoreline Grill located inside the Best Western. They offer great happy hours specials from 4-6pm. The views from the dining room are fabulous. The food is tasty and the portions are large. The bar has a fun relaxed, beachy atmosphere. A great stop for comfort food!

Shoreline Grill - Best Western Plus Oceanfront in Virginia Beach

More popular waterfront dining options include:

  • Tulu Seaside Bar and Grill – Great views, lots of healthier options
  • Ocean House – Known for their specialty drinks and live music
  • Chix on the Beach – A seafood haven, known for their “steamer bags”

I definitely recommend a spring trip to Virginia Beach. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed the mild spring weather. I appreciated the separate biking and walking paths. Whether you are a jogger, walker, or cyclist, you will love this path and the accompanying views. The are plenty of spots for awesome photo opportunities. Virginia Beach offers a great beach atmosphere without being overly congested, as is unfortunately not the case with many other popular beach destinations.

In Virginia Beach you will find a little bit of everything – sandy beaches, oceanfront resorts, a fabulous beachfront boardwalk, plenty of outdoor recreation, a great aquarium (check out the Virginia Aquarium on your visit), great restaurants, beautiful parks, and so much more.

Boardwalk Virginia Beach
Ocean views in Virginia Beach
Hotels along Virginia Beach boardwalk
Ocean views in Virginia Beach

If you liked this post, then take a look at Beach Vacation Essentials, Packing for a spring trip to Virginia Beach, and Best Western Oceanfront Plus – Virginia Beach