Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is the most highly populated city in Virginia, with about 435,000 residents situated on approximately 500 square miles. Half of the oceanside city's official land area is made up of water, and its eastern portion is lined with miles of pristine beaches that attract visitors from across the globe. No other city can claim more developed beachfront area. The area is also known for its array of military installations as well as several sites of historical significance. Virginia Beach is one of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads, a collection of "independent cities" that operates outside of the county system.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

For many, the life and economy of Virginia Beach is understandably associated with its beaches and other attractions, and tourism does indeed serve an extraordinarily important role in the local economy. The city's national military-industrial complex and is also crucial to its economic well-being. Naval Air Station Oceana, a military airport that also serves as a U.S. Navy jet base, is the city's single largest employer. Other military services also play a key role in the regional economy as well. The Navy Exchange Service Command is located in Virginia Beach, as are several other army and navy bases, including Fort Story.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Virginia Beach has many neighborhoods within its limits.

• Chesapeake Beach: This is a long stretch of beaches, about two miles in length. It is an area with a variety of residential structures such as condominiums, cottages, single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes and apartments.
• Kings Grant: This neighborhood is located in the Lynnhaven area of Virginia Beach.
• Green Run: Located at the heart of Virginia Beach, Green Run is a residential and commercial community that spreads over approximately six square miles.
• Croatan Beach: Located near the Virginia Beach resort oceanfront, the neighborhood of Croatan Beach is a popular residential neighborhood.

Other major neighborhoods in Virginia Beach include Great Neck, Blackwater, Brighton on the Bay, College Park, Croatan Beach, Church Point, Greenwich, the North End, Kempsville, London Bridge, Lynnhaven, Little Neck, Middle Plantation, Munden, Oceana, Ocean Lakes and Ocean Park.

FAMILY FUN

• Chesapeake Bay: One of the best-known geographical formations in the nation, Chesapeake Bay is also its largest estuary, complete with a variety of beachfronts and wetlands suitable for activities such as crabbing, swimming, fishing and sailing. Aside from its natural attractions, the formation is also home to a number of items of historical interest and other tourist attractions.

• Sandbridge: Somewhat more subdued than most other beaches in the area, secluded Sandbridge serves as a perfect spot for romantic seaside lounging. Nearby, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides plenty of opportunities for kayaking, hiking and fishing. The region's beachfront communities often offer homes available for rent, making this an ideal jumping-off point for tourists interested in visiting other areas of Virginia Beach and the surrounding region.

FOR VISITORS

• Cape Henry Lighthouse: Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first federal construction project to be undertaken after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution; construction began in 1792, and upon completion the lighthouse served a key role in maintaining the area's importance as a shipping hub. The lighthouse is open to the public and includes an interior stairway allowing access to the top, but because of its location within the grounds of Fort Story, all visitors aged 18 and over must first provide a photo ID at the military base's security gate.
• Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center: This facility hosts a variety of aquatic species, including several species of shark, stingrays and other examples of the region's ocean life.
• Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Back Bay is noted for its freshwater marshes and the variety of bird life it attracts as a crucial migration point for many species.
• First Landing State Park: First Landing is of special significance to historically minded visitors; it served as the landing point for the roughly 100 English settlers who arrived in 1607, and went on to establish the first elective government of the colonial New World. Eventually, these settlers moved on to what would become Jamestown. Today, the park includes some 19 miles of hiking trails (parts of which are handicapped-accessible), as well as cabins, camping grounds and swimming sites. Also available is an impressively wide range of educational activities and tours, both professionally led and self-guided. Park stores offer a variety of supplies for campers, as well as bike rentals, fishing gear and other amenities for visiting outdoors folk.

EVENTS

• Whale Watch Tours: A number of local firms offers whale-watch tours via sea craft, mostly in the nearby Bay of Fundy and generally during the winter months. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center provides daily excursions from early-January to mid-March of each year.

• East Coast Surfing Championships: First held in 1963, the East Coast Surfing Championships is one of the city's most iconic events, bringing in tens of thousands of visitors during its four-day run each August, including some of the nation's top surfers. The Championships also include amateur surfing events, along with free concerts, fun runs and volleyball tournaments.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Contemporary Art Center of Virginia: Virginia Beach's most prominent art destination rarely fails to deliver something new; the noncollecting museum operates under an ever-changing exhibition schedule that brings in works by artists, both regional and international, and in mediums ranging from traditional canvas painting to avant-garde video productions. The center also offers studio art classes and other educational programs.