House & Vacation Rentals in Virginia Beach

When in Virginia Beach, dine like a local and savor those crustacean delights. Breakfast includes everything from crab-filled omelets to hot chocolate — ask local surfers for a few insider tips. For specialty coffees and crepes, Baker's Crust is perfect. The oceanfront restaurants entice diners with nightly chalkboard specials. Recommended is the Timbuktu Restaurant for its salads, steaks, chicken, and pasta dishes. The oysters, clams, and chicken wings at Lucky Oyster Seafood Grill aren't bad either!

Virginia Beach Farmers Market is perfect for savoring fresh meats, fruits, cheeses, veggies, and jams.

With a mild climate all year round, this seaside town attracts vacationers throughout most of the year. Peak season is between May and September when families with kids make the annual trip down to Virginia Beach. You'll certainly need to book your Virginia Beach vacation rental well in advance during this period.

Winter gets a little cold, causing many beachside attractions to shorten their working hours. That said, you're assured extra solitude when you stay in Virginia Beach at this time. The shoulder season from March to May is perfect for those who enjoy their privacy and sunshine.

Virginia Beach’s lagoons and bays are perfectly suited for kayaking and canoeing, so don't let this chance pass you by. Surfers will have a blast at the Croatan beach. In the mood to fish? Pack your gear and embark on a fishing expedition where striped bass, sea bass, trout, bluefish, and skipjack await. December to March is a great time to spot humpback and fin whales and bottlenose dolphins.

There are plenty of man-made attractions in Virginia Beach. Start with a visit to the Cape Henry Lighthouse where sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay await. Next visit one of America's largest and most-visited aquariums, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, which also houses an outdoor aviary. The oceanfront Old Coast Guard Station has a beautifully restored museum that recounts the history of shipwrecks that took place just off the Virginia Beach coast.

Virginia Beach and its surroundings are a hotbed of history, art, and culture. The restored Military Aviation Museum houses one of the largest collections of WW1 and WW2 military aircraft. Nature-lovers, come discover exhibits of shorebird and wildfowl carvings, as well as on-site wood-carving demonstrations at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum.

The Association for Research and Enlightenment showcases the works of one of the most documented clairvoyants of the 20th century, Edgar Cayce. Profit from a massage, facial, or reflexology treatment while here.

The most obvious highlight on any Virginia Beach family vacation is the beautiful beaches. Stroll the 3-mile boardwalk lining the golden sands of Virginia Beach's beautiful oceanfront, with swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing spots literally every step of the way from Croatan Beach all the way to Cape Henry Lighthouse. That's not to mention gorgeous Chic's Beach and Ocean View Beach in the north.

The beach isn't only about the sand and the sea — the Virginia Beach Boardwalk hosts outdoor summer concerts. Grommet Island Park, meanwhile, has picnic tables and playgrounds, and the vintage Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum details the important heritage of coastal rescue missions and shipwrecks in Virginia.

Away from the oceanfront, you'll find plenty more family-friendly attractions and activities. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center showcases Virginia's former and current marine life, with an IMAX theater, boat tours, and animals such as seals, turtles, and Komodo dragons, as well as an Adventure Park with zip-lining and aerial forest trails. There's also the Ocean Breeze Water Park, Atlantic Fun Park, and mega go-kart racetrack at Motor World if you're seeking family-friendly thrills.

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the Ferry Plantation House, and the hands-on Children's Museum of Virginia provide plenty of opportunities for learning while having fun on a Virginia Beach family vacation.

Plan a trip to the eco-friendly Mount Trashmore Park which was built by compacting layers of clean soil and solid waste. The park has picnic areas, a skate park, and a walking trail to keep visitors occupied. The most visited state park in Virginia is the First Landing State Park where 2,700 acres of pond, protected salt marsh habitat, dunes, and maritime forests beckon.

The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park are not far behind with their spectacular ecosystems comprising dunes, barrier islands, freshwater marshes, and maritime forests.

Virginia Beach has a cultural calendar that gratifies all tastes. February is time for Polar Plunge, while spring features the interestingly-titled "East Coast She Crab Soup Classic." There's also Beach Music Weekend and the PANorama Caribbean Music Festival. Watch out for the North American Sand Soccer Championships, the Boardwalk Art Show & Festival, and Viva Elvis and the Legends of Rock and Roll — they all take place in June.

This is followed by the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge and East Coast Surfing Championship. While the rest of the world celebrates Oktoberfest, locals have their very own Craft Beer Festival. Whatever the time of year you decide to book a vacation rental in Virginia Beach, there will be something exciting to enjoy.

1. Croatan Beach

This is one of the quietest beaches in the city and offers a small swell that is perfect for surfing. There is a surf school on the beach and ablution facilities are available.

2. First Landing State Park

Explore the history of Virginia and enjoy time hiking, biking, and kayaking on this beach. There is a lovely swimming section near Cap May lighthouse.

3. Chesapeake Beach

One of the most popular beaches on the coastline thanks to a two-mile stretch of sandy beach and great launching areas for jet-skis and boats.

4. False Cape State Park

You can only reach this beach by kayak, motorboat, or shuttles. The beach is peaceful and is the perfect place to view wildlife such as turtles and dolphins.

5. Resort Area Beach

Resort Area is the main beach in Virginia Beach and is the best beach for families with children and those wanting to stay close to the restaurants and bars on the promenade. This is one of the few beaches in the area with lifeguards so it is safe for swimming.