Kathleen Walls
Whale tours are popular and guarantee a great day on the water.
Story and Photos by Kathleen Walls
Planning a trip to Virginia Beach near the end of the RV season is perhaps one of the best times to visit this shoreside destination. It’s a time of year when the weather is comfortable (and not stiflingly hot) and there are fewer crowds, allowing you to experience all of the attractions and outdoor activities at your own pace.
Although the expansive beach is one of the main attractions, this city by the sea offers more than just sand and surf. During a recent visit, we discovered a variety of insightful museums, galleries, historical attractions, savoury dining options, and compelling day excursions.
Since it would take volumes to describe all of the highlights we experienced during our trip, here are a variety of places to check out when your plans include visiting or passing through Virginia’s famed coast.
A Trio of Famous Statues
Virginia Beach has three famous statues. There’s Cape Henry Memorial Cross that marks the site of the settlers who established the first permanent English Colony in North America at Jamestown. There’s also Neptune, the god of the sea, which guards the beachfront at the entrance of Neptune Park on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. It was created by sculptor Paul DiPasquale as a reminder to respect and preserve the ocean.
The bronze statue of Grace Sherwood - ‘The Witch of Pungo’ - stands in front of Sentara Independence Hospital. Sherwood was the last person tried for witchcraft in Virginia. In 1706, she was tried by "ducking," which involved her being tied hand and foot and then tossed into the waters of Witchduck Point on the Lynnhaven River.
The jury decided if she drowned she would be considered innocent; if she floated to the surface and survived, she was guilty - kind of a no-win situation. However, she managed to untie her hands, swim to the waterline and was sentenced to seven years in jail. On July 10, 2006, exactly 300 years after her trial, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine reversed Grace Sherwood's verdict and restored her reputation as an honest midwife and healer.
Kathleen Walls
Cape Henry Lighthouse (left) is the fourth oldest lighthouse in the US, authorized by President George Washington in 1792.
First Landing State Park
This is Virginia's most-visited state park and encompasses 2.4 km (1.5 mi) of sandy Chesapeake Bay beachfront and is home to 250 campsites. The campground has water and power at all sites and is only minutes from most of Virginia Beach’s attractions.
Fifty-nine sites can accommodate RVs more than 5 m (16 ft) while 17 are available for motorhomes with lengths of 15 m (50 ft). Camping is available from the first Friday in March until the first Monday in December. The park also offers cabins to rent all year.
Whale Watching Tours
The area teems with aquatic marine life and one of the best ways to experience it is by booking a whale watching tour with Rudee Tours. They offer two-hour excursions but may extend the time when the whales are very active. The tour guarantees sightings from December to February.
During our extended tour, the humpbacks put on a real show. They breached and broke the surface to flip their enormous flukes. We found the upper deck to be the best spot to observe these amazing mammals and the number of onboard amenities only added to our enjoyment.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
This is another popular attraction and offers an aquatic journey through a variety of marine habitats that can be found around the world. Observe seals, snakes, sea turtles, crocodiles, Komodo dragons plus countless species of fish. A fascinating experience is the ‘tunnel aquarium,’ which spans 12 m (40 ft) and is where you can view active marine life. In addition to many other highlights, the shark and sea turtle exhibits were insightful and various displays showcased the thriving natural environment of the Chesapeake Bay region.
Kathleen Walls
One of the steep stairways at the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment
Fun and enlightening, a visit here is where Edgar Cayce - the founder of holistic healing and the most documented and accurate psychic of the 20th Century - is commemorated for his predictions and health and nutrition readings, which were way ahead of the time. Medical experts are just now starting to accept much of what he taught.
Sessions with a dream interpreter, courses on reincarnation, and psychic readings are other highlights. For more corporal needs, you can book a massage at the spa and enjoy lunch in the spa restaurant.
The Military Aviation Museum
The Military Aviation Museum is home to a large collection of World War I and World War II-era military aircraft. The collections include restored exhibits with original parts (when possible) and many are on display in the army and naval hangars. It’s here where you can admire the classics from yesteryear, which range from lightweight wood and fabric airplanes of World War I to the P-51 Mustang, the Curtiss P-40, the B-25 Mitchell, and the British Supermarine Spitfire of World War II.
Kathleen Walls
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Cape Henry Lighthouse
Cape Henry Lighthouse is the fourth oldest lighthouse in the U.S. and was authorized by President George Washington in 1792. A second lighthouse was constructed in 1881 170 m (558 ft) away. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
To further explore Cape Henry, be prepared for a bit of a workout. As it was built on a dune, a long flight of stairs leads to its base and then there are another 191 steps up a spiral staircase to the top. (*Ed Note note: Since the lighthouses are on a military base, Canadian visitors need a current passport to access the grounds.)
Thoroughgood House
Virginia Beach has a rich history and there are several interesting heritage homes to visit. The Thoroughgood House is very popular. Admission is free and tours are available on a first-come-first-served basis (usually every 45 minutes).
Self-guided tours can be enjoyed on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm and guided tours are also available. We chose the latter, which provided a detailed overview of its history and a chance to admire its grounds.
Kathleen Walls
The Military Aviation Museum, which is home to a collection of World War I and World War II-era military aircraft.
Built in 1719, the Thoroughgood House is one of the oldest remaining colonial homes in Virginia Beach. While it was believed to have been built by Adam Thoroughgood, it was in fact constructed by Adam's great-grandson, Argall Thoroughgood II. His wife, Susannah completed the house with additions made by their son, John, which is the era visitors will largely experience.
The Francis Land House, Lynnhaven House, and The Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum are other historical places of interest. At the time of publication, The Francis Land House was closed for restoration. So be sure to visit www.museumsvb.org for updates.
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
Art aficionados will want to visit the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art with its evolving exhibits. In addition to its impressive galleries, there are works of pottery on display and photographic exhibits. Admission is free and you’ll want to visit www.virginiamoca.org for current and upcoming exhibitions.
Kathleen Walls
The Thoroughgood House is one of the oldest remaining colonial homes in Virginia Beach.
Mount Trashmore Park
Virginia Beach has a variety of outdoor natural attractions, but an area to enjoy peaceful strolls or spend an afternoon is Mount Trashmore Park. It’s a few kilometres from the beach and consists of gardens, lakes, and two man-made mountains including Mount Trashmore and Encore Hill. The area also has a large playground, tennis courts, a skate park, picnic shelters with charcoal grills, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.
Dining
When hunger strikes, Virginia Beach has an eclectic choice of dining options. Enjoy fresh seafood such as the popular Lynnhaven River Oysters or unique Rockfish, savour some of the local flavours on a patio overlooking the water or enjoy an elegant fine dining experience for two.
During our visit, we dined at Cactus Jack's Southwest Grill, which offers casual Southwestern-style menu items and live entertainment as well as Waterman's Surfside Grille that has a warm atmosphere and delicious seafood.
With the many other sights, as well as the coastal culture and outdoor activities to enjoy, Virginia Beach will provide a great RV experience to round out your RV season.
For more information visit www.visitvirginiabeach.com