Calling all Tidewater Lovers (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: oceanfront, hotels, homes)

[shellytc]

*yes I am stealing this idea from the Richmond Forum - thank you*

they say Virginia is for Lovers. I believe Tidewater is for lovers. I'm calling all the area folks to help me out. Post 5 things you can do, see, experience, like, enjoy, great restuarants, neighborhoods... whatever inspires you. We need folks to know this is a good place to live and raise your family. I beleive that you attract what you put out, and if we want more folks like us around us, we need to let them know!!

I live in Virginia Beach, so I will start:

I love Little Island Beach at Sandbridge. It is a day of fun at the beach without all the tourist attractions trying to get my son to spend money!!

I love the Aquarium Museum on General Booth. Not only do they have a great shark room and you can touch the stingrays, they have an IMAX theatre that will play blockbusters like Spiderman and Harry Potter.

I love the Parks and Recreation facilities. You can become a member for a very low price (I think it is about $65) for the whole year and you have access to pools, classes, and workout facilities.

I love MacArthur Center. Great shopping in an urban area, what else could a girl want?

I like the boardwalk in the winter season. I love walking the boardwalk and seeing the foam from the ocean, and the cool breezes hitting my face. And at Christmas they do this light spectacular that you drive through.

I love the amphitheatre for the concerts that are offered.

Ok, I did 6... but you get the point....

Shelly

[PChildres]

Where exactly is the boardwalk? I took a quick drive through VA Beach 2 months ago, went down Laskin rd but thats about it. Sucked too cause I found this mexican restaurant online that had good reviews, so I had to ask directions from like 3 or 4 places to find Laskin rd, then when I finally found the place, it was CLOSED! I was so dissapointed. Anyway, Is the boardwalk the long street they have for those bike/cart things you pay to ride? Im not exactly sure where this "boardwalk" is you speak of.

[shellytc]

Laskin road turns into 31st street and ends at Atlantic avenue. If you had parked there, and walked through to the other side of the hotels, you would have been on the boardwalk. Extends from 1st street all the way past 31st street to about 35th? someone will correct me if I am wrong. It is very wide, and there is also a bike path for bikers, roller skaters, etc. You do not have to pay to walk on the boardwalk.

Shelly

[PChildres]

right at the beach front you mean, or infront of the hotels along pacific/atlantic ave?

[shellytc]

Right at the beachfront, behind the hotels. there is a boardwalk right behind the hotels, and then there is sand, and then there is water.

Shelly

[shellytc]

More things to love:

Now is the time for the Neptune Festival. This is a huge festival with many different venues and things to do. From art shows to air shows (with the Navy Blue Angels), concerts, a marathon, a ball and so much more.

In the spring, Norfolk Downtown hosts Harborfest at the waterside.

Shelly

[PChildres]

anything special ever happen in January? How cold is it? 40's I can handle, 30's might be rough.

[shellytc]

Jan. can get cold, or not!! that is our lovely weather in winter. It could be 30's. It could be 60's. Nothing too special happening in the winter. Spring, summer and Fall are our times.

Shelly

[adctvmonkey]

I love:

-Savoring the beaches and water, water everywhere (esp. Yorktown Beach)

-Spending time at Busch Gardens and Water Country

-HR's connection to history. Sightseeing in Williamsburg/Yorktown/Jamestown

-Downtown Norfolk and the Oceanfront

-Events or just lounging at City Center or Port Warwick

-paddleboating in the NN Park lake

[Mr Williamsburg]

Ok here goes.
Rent kayaks at Buckroe Beach

Blackbeard Festival, great fun for kids of all ages !

Hampton Holly Days Parade

American Theatre in Phoebus

Quaint waterfront downtown Shopping & restaurant district

Langley Air Show

Bus service all around town

Crab races, great food and fireworks at Bay Days

Hampton High School, the oldest public school still in use since 1875

Lots of charm and character in Old Wythe

Junior sailing program at the Hampton Yacht Club

Ranks #2 in the state for board certified techers

The Charles Taylor Art Center

Sentara Hospital, with a great cardiac care unit

Virginia Air and Space Center,

Jazz Festival

Great fishing and crabbing

Monster Trucks and concerts at the Coliseum

475 acre Nature Preserve

2 great golf courses (Woodlands and Highlands)

Grandview Beach... on the Chesapeake Bay

Hampton Convention Center

Fort Wool

Paint Ball Park

Dozens of waterfront communities,

Home to deer, foxes, pelicans and dolphons

Authentic 1920 Carousel

Hampton Tennis Center with managing and teaching pros

Gosnold Hope Park and Sandy Bottom Park

Soccer Park and a Skateboard Park

NASA

Hampton History Museum

Downtown Block Parties with live entertainment

Veterans Administration Hospital

Lots of marinas, and no boat tax

Great boat races at the Phoebus Regatta

Air Power Park

Exquisite, turn of the century, Victorian homes

Cruise the harbor on the Miss Hampton II

Great tapas at Six

An old fashioned petting zoo at Blue Bird Gap FArm

Blue Sky and Phoebus art galleries

Great public and private schools

Proactive city government with a visionary master plan

International Baccalaureate world school magnet program

3D IMAX theatre



Hampton University ~ 5700 students from 49 states and 35 nations

Langley Race Track

Langley Air Force Base

Peninsula Pilots baseball team and stadium

Casemate Museum, a real "moat" and great concerts at Fort Monroe

The best seafood in the area at Surf Rider

Oldest continuous English speaking church in the U.S. St. John's Episcopal

The heart of Hampton Roads, with an average 20 minute commute