By Scotty Ruth

You walk across the boardwalk, drop your flip-flops, and feel the sand on your toes as you walk towards the water. The sun is out, you are getting a tan, and the water is perfect. The beach is not too crowded, and while there are usually not many waves, you never miss an opportunity to surf when there are. 

Neptune’s Park Amphitheater. Photo credit: The Virginian-Pilot.

Every time I pull in the driveway of my grandfather’s beach house in Virginia Beach, a wave of nostalgia hits me, and the memories come flooding in. The beach fills me with joy, no matter the time of year. Whether it is a week-long trip over the summer, or a weekend over the school year in the fall, getting down to the beach always seems to relieve stress and lighten my mood. Even going to the beach over the winter, when the water is too cold for swimming, there is still plenty to do, and I never fail to enjoy myself when I go. 

Although summer is what you think of when you go to the beach, there are endless other activities to do in the offseason. Bike rides to the boardwalk, the fitness park on the beach, and the holiday light show are just a few of the incredible activities to do when the water is too cold.

Hillier Fitness Park on the beach at 36th Street. Photo credit: Rachel Jones.

The oceanfront area of Virginia Beach consists of around 90 streets, with the city life beginning around 40th Street. 40th Street is where the boardwalk begins. From 40th to 1st Streets, there are hotels, restaurants, and many shops to explore along Atlantic and Pacific Avenues, which run north-south, parallel to the beach. This is where the tourist scene begins. Down in these streets, you can go play mini-golf, listen to live music at Neptune’s Park Amphitheatre or in local venues, or eat at one of the many ice cream shops. As for restaurants, our favorites include Pelon’s, Bubba’s, and Waterman’s, all of which have amazing seafood and a variety of options. 

As the house we stay in is in the North End, further away from the city, we love to bike a couple of miles to the boardwalk and enjoy downtown Virginia Beach. One of our favorite things to do down on the boardwalk as a family is the Hillier Fitness Park on 36th Street. It is an area in the sand with rings, a climbing rope, a slackline, and more. 

Holiday lights drive-through. Photo credit: Holiday Inn Hotel.

When not attempting to cross the slackline at the fitness park, my siblings and I will usually hit up Jungle Golf, our favorite miniature golf course. After playing a round of golf, we will go search for one of the many ice cream shops and treat ourselves. 

Around Christmas time, one of our favorite traditions is to drive through the holiday light show downtown. This series of lights start on the boardwalk at First Street and continues on until around 30th Street. Everyone piles in one car, including our cousins, as my mom drives through the light show. My brother Bayler (’25) notes that, “the light-up shark that looks like it will eat you is always the best one.” With our heads out the window, we blare Christmas music and are amazed by the light display.

Ocean Breeze Water Park. Photo credit: Aquatic Development Group.

Along with all the eventful activities right in the heart of Virginia Beach, there are many other things to do that are just a quick drive. For instance, if you want to take a break from the beach, but it is still hot enough that you want to swim, Ocean Breeze is the way to go. Ocean Breeze Waterpark is just a little southwest of First Street, and you will not regret going. With tons of exhilarating rides as well as smaller ones, it is the perfect mix of a kid-friendly and adult water park.

Ropes course all through the woods at the Virginia Beach Aquarium. Photo credit: Rebecca Darling.

If you are not in the mood to get wet, and still want a break from the beach, going down to the Virginia Beach Aquarium is the perfect changeup. Along with seeing all the incredible aquatic animals they have to offer, attached to the aquarium is an adventure park with a lengthy ropes course, much larger than Collegiate’s Stephen P. Adamson, Jr. (‘92) Ropes Course. It is like nothing you have ever seen. My sister Anne Mason recalls her first time doing the ropes course at the Aquarium and how “I will never forget crossing over the creek on a zip line, way above the ground.” When you get up there, it is like you are on a ski resort mountain, and there are all the different paths you can take varying in difficulty. The thrill you get while being up there is incredible. This is by far one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had, and I recommend it to anyone. 

While the offseason has its many activities, summers in Virginia Beach are like no other. From waking up early in the morning to go surfing, to eating dinner on the beach to watch the sunset, summers do not compare. When the waves are building and there is a swell, my brothers and I will surf in the morning and boogie board in the afternoon, but we never hop out of the water. When the waves are not as great, playing Spikeball, Kadima, or digging holes are the primary activities. As my mom describes, “there is nothing more relaxing than sitting and reading a book with your toes in the sand.” Like her, if I am just in the mood to relax, I sit in a chair and watch the waves as the sun beats down on my skin. 

At least twice a year, a storm comes up the coast, and a surge of waves occurs. This is always extremely exciting for my brothers and me, as the opportunities to surf and boogie board big waves are few at Virginia Beach. When this moment arises, we do not let it pass. There is no sleeping in, and we are out on the water riding waves. 

Whether there is a swell arising, or the ocean is as flat as a lake; whether the sun is out, or it is pouring down rain; whether it is perfect sunny weather, or the water is freezing in the dead of winter; there is always something to do in Virginia Beach. 

Featured Image credit: visitvirginiabeach.com.