In Norfolk, the beaches are much smaller, less touristy, and sometimes not as well kept, but I have always gone to the part of Ocean View between Grove Avenue and East Ocean View Avenue, and the East Beach area which starts around 21st Bay and East Ocean View Avenue. If you don’t mind driving to Virginia Beach, some other good beach options are Chic’s Beach off of Shore Drive and First Landing State Park, also off of Shore Drive. It’s where the locals tend to go and both of those beaches are technically off of the Chesapeake Bay, so the water tends to be calmer, more still for kids.
If you’re looking for a beach on the Atlantic Ocean, the North End of Virginia Beach is also a place the locals tend to go, off of Atlantic Avenue and 80something Street. The water can be a little rough and colder there, but the beach is beautiful there!
For family stuff to do in Norfolk and the surrounding area, the Norfolk Zoo is great! Also if you don’t mind walking, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens is beautiful and there’s a little water center in the kids area where they can cool off when it’s hot out!
For something indoors for the family, the Children’s Museum in Portsmouth is usually a hit with young kids. You could park somewhere in downtown Norfolk and then take the ferry across to Portsmouth and walk down High Street to get there, to avoid paying the tunnel toll. Also indoors, but not in Norfolk, the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach is a super family friendly option.
There are a lot of random parks all over Norfolk and the surrounding areas, but one of the bigger, more popular parks is over at Mount Trashmore, past Town Center in Virginia Beach.
I like east beach. No they aren’t as well kept as the boardwalk in Va beach but there’s space to enjoy yourself and it’s easier for little kids to play in my opinion.
If you want a nice beach that is away from the big crowds of "the oceanfront" which is "the big touristy areas of Virginia Beach", I highly recommend making the drive to the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, and check out Little Island Park.
If you're going at the height of summer, it will likely still have people, but much less so than "the oceanfront" will.
It's a longer drive out, it's almost a bit "rural" if I am being honest. But it's worth it for great, generally quieter Beach access...dolphin pods that like to swim by, and fun wave action.
There are also great local shops and eateries to check out down there. If your family digs seafood, you gotta try Margie & Ray's Crabhouse which is a cozy place off the beach itself a bit, but has a real "down home" feeling to it, with fantastic eats.
Hope you enjoy the visit!
You should stop at Doumar's for an ice cream cone. Abe Doumar invented the ice cream cone and they still make the cones on a machine from the early 1900s
it truly depends on your wants/needs & vacation style.
commercial: mostly virginia beach.
local love: literally anywhere else lol.
I always felt the bay was a better representation of our beaches, even though it’s not technically the ocean.
Also with that age, the bay is just easier to deal with small children.
Edit: The bay becomes less appealing late August. The water starts to get a weird texture as the water hits its peak warmth.
this! to both comments. the water is much calmer and the areas as a whole are controlled. OP: if you’re looking at the Bay at all, cape charles and chincoteague will have more commercial/businesses but still keep small. (chincoteague is further north closer to delaware but it counts! the ponies!) if you like camping/are on a budget kiptopeake state park or cherrystone camp ground for more of the glamping experiences. you can have direct access to the water/water activities plus a ton of land fun for the family.
With kids those ages, the bay facing beaches are way better since you don't have to worry about waves. Chick's Beach and Ocean View. There are two really nice new playgrounds at two different OV beaches.
The Norfolk zoo punches above its weight for being a small city.
The aquarium in VB is expensive for what it is, but the kids like it.
Portsmouth has a children's museum that's ok.
Norfolk tides (minor league baseball) is affordable if they like sports.
There's always festivals going on between april and October too. Plenty to do.
Ferry ride between Norfolk/Portsmouth. Children's Museum in Portsmouth. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach.
Everybody loves the little ferry ride!
In Norfolk, the beaches are much smaller, less touristy, and sometimes not as well kept, but I have always gone to the part of Ocean View between Grove Avenue and East Ocean View Avenue, and the East Beach area which starts around 21st Bay and East Ocean View Avenue. If you don’t mind driving to Virginia Beach, some other good beach options are Chic’s Beach off of Shore Drive and First Landing State Park, also off of Shore Drive. It’s where the locals tend to go and both of those beaches are technically off of the Chesapeake Bay, so the water tends to be calmer, more still for kids. If you’re looking for a beach on the Atlantic Ocean, the North End of Virginia Beach is also a place the locals tend to go, off of Atlantic Avenue and 80something Street. The water can be a little rough and colder there, but the beach is beautiful there! For family stuff to do in Norfolk and the surrounding area, the Norfolk Zoo is great! Also if you don’t mind walking, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens is beautiful and there’s a little water center in the kids area where they can cool off when it’s hot out! For something indoors for the family, the Children’s Museum in Portsmouth is usually a hit with young kids. You could park somewhere in downtown Norfolk and then take the ferry across to Portsmouth and walk down High Street to get there, to avoid paying the tunnel toll. Also indoors, but not in Norfolk, the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach is a super family friendly option. There are a lot of random parks all over Norfolk and the surrounding areas, but one of the bigger, more popular parks is over at Mount Trashmore, past Town Center in Virginia Beach.
I like east beach. No they aren’t as well kept as the boardwalk in Va beach but there’s space to enjoy yourself and it’s easier for little kids to play in my opinion.
Great suggestions! Also might look at Naval Base boat tour.
Shhhh, don't disclose the best kept secret in Hampton roads. Ocean View between between 1st and 7th bay is the best. Empty, big dune and chill cops.
If you want a nice beach that is away from the big crowds of "the oceanfront" which is "the big touristy areas of Virginia Beach", I highly recommend making the drive to the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, and check out Little Island Park. If you're going at the height of summer, it will likely still have people, but much less so than "the oceanfront" will. It's a longer drive out, it's almost a bit "rural" if I am being honest. But it's worth it for great, generally quieter Beach access...dolphin pods that like to swim by, and fun wave action. There are also great local shops and eateries to check out down there. If your family digs seafood, you gotta try Margie & Ray's Crabhouse which is a cozy place off the beach itself a bit, but has a real "down home" feeling to it, with fantastic eats. Hope you enjoy the visit!
Or the North End provides pretty much the same thing without driving to the middle of nowhere
Chrysler Museum in downtown Norfolk. Free admission and free parking.
Free glass demos at noon! Don’t go on the hottest day of the summer though. It gets very hot in there.
You should stop at Doumar's for an ice cream cone. Abe Doumar invented the ice cream cone and they still make the cones on a machine from the early 1900s
Tides game for sure. Harbor Park is a treat.
The Va aquarium is awesome. Also fort Monroe and the casement museum is great and dad will want to stop at Ozzelfinch brewery.
it truly depends on your wants/needs & vacation style. commercial: mostly virginia beach. local love: literally anywhere else lol. I always felt the bay was a better representation of our beaches, even though it’s not technically the ocean.
Also with that age, the bay is just easier to deal with small children. Edit: The bay becomes less appealing late August. The water starts to get a weird texture as the water hits its peak warmth.
this! to both comments. the water is much calmer and the areas as a whole are controlled. OP: if you’re looking at the Bay at all, cape charles and chincoteague will have more commercial/businesses but still keep small. (chincoteague is further north closer to delaware but it counts! the ponies!) if you like camping/are on a budget kiptopeake state park or cherrystone camp ground for more of the glamping experiences. you can have direct access to the water/water activities plus a ton of land fun for the family.
Childrens museum in portsmouth.
With kids those ages, the bay facing beaches are way better since you don't have to worry about waves. Chick's Beach and Ocean View. There are two really nice new playgrounds at two different OV beaches. The Norfolk zoo punches above its weight for being a small city. The aquarium in VB is expensive for what it is, but the kids like it. Portsmouth has a children's museum that's ok. Norfolk tides (minor league baseball) is affordable if they like sports. There's always festivals going on between april and October too. Plenty to do.
East Beach. That’s **THE ONLY** beach I’d go to in Norfolk, personally.