Norfolk- Virginia Beach Hidden Gems? (Chesapeake: chapel, houses, live)

[Adam86]

I always surf the internet before visiting a new place. However, I like to chat and hear from people here as well.

I am driving from Chapel Hill, NC tomorrow to Norfolk Virginia. Staying there for 4 days mainly for Virginia beach.

Any piece of advice on the hidden gems there around the area?

[Babe_Ruth]

I don't think a lot of tourists know about Chic's Beach/Ocean Park. It's the area near the Lesner Bridge on the Chesapeake Bay (instead of the Atlantic). There are no waves, but more secluded and lots of nice seafood restaurants. It's also a cool walk across the Lesner, or on the sand. It's cool seeing the Bay Bridge Tunnel lit up @ night..

[Adam86]

Originally Posted by Babe_Ruth

I don't think a lot of tourists know about Chic's Beach/Ocean Park. It's the area near the Lesner Bridge on the Chesapeake Bay (instead of the Atlantic). There are no waves, but more secluded and lots of nice seafood restaurants. It's also a cool walk across the Lesner, or on the sand. It's cool seeing the Bay Bridge Tunnel lit up @ night..

Thanks!

[aquest1]

One of my favorite places in Virginia that it seems not many people are all too familiar with is First Landing State Park. Incredibly peaceful and scenic park and the northernmost point you will find Spanish Moss on the East Coast. It’s only a couple miles from the VB ocean front/boardwalk around 64th St., but is a completely different environment. There’s good info available online.

[aquest1]

Here's a picture I took @First Landing. Hard to believe it's Virginia.

[Adam86]

Originally Posted by aquest1

Here's a picture I took @First Landing. Hard to believe it's Virginia.

Why it is hard to believe it is Virginia? Do you mean it negatively?

[aquest1]

Originally Posted by Adam86

Why it is hard to believe it is Virginia? Do you mean it negatively?

Nope, not at all. Like I mentioned, it's one of my favorite spots in the state, and Virginia as a whole is one of the most beautiful, imho. Also, in comparison to the Ocean Front, it's incredibly peaceful @First Landing. But it is also the only area in Virginia with scenery like this. Live oak covered with Spanish Moss is not something typically associated with Virginia.

[Babe_Ruth]

Originally Posted by aquest1

@First Landing. But it is also the only area in Virginia with scenery like this. Live oak covered with Spanish Moss is not something typically associated with Virginia.

Good point.. First Landing (I still call it Seashore state, but..) is a pretty unique place for Virginia.
But its beach is consistent with how Virginia Beach's shore would/did look before artificial management.
If u see old photos, most of VB's shore looked like First Landing: dunes with wild grass etc. And the shoreline was unstable/changing. It's only thru continuous sand replacement (& grooming) that VB has a manicured, tourist-friendly beach. Even at the North End, you can still see some of the wild aspects of how the Beach would look (tall grass/reeds growing thru the sand in between the houses & the beach).

But yeah, the swamp inside First Landing & nearby Great Dismal feel like something out of Louisiana..

[Adam86]

I enjoyed my time in Virginia Beach. It is an excellent place.

The weather was hot (sure it is August)! However, the breeze of the beach was awsome.

[blue_glide]

Originally Posted by aquest1

Here's a picture I took @First Landing. Hard to believe it's Virginia.

Which part of the park was this taken?