100 Things to do in Virginia Beach

The thing I love about Virginia Beach, and the surrounding cities that make up Hampton Roads, is there are so many fun things to do for families. It is an area geared toward young people, so there are lots of places, businesses, museums, playgrounds and more for kids and families to enjoy.

The amount of things to do in Hampton Roads can be overwhelming, so I made this big list of 100 things to do in Virginia Beach and the surrounding areas.

Click the links to get more information about each place to visit.

Fun things to do in Virginia Beach with kids

1. Hit up the boardwalk at Virginia Beach. It’s the obvious first choice, right? But the beach is free fun for the whole family. Just make sure you bring cash for parking.
2. Pet some farm animals at Hunt Club Farm. This fun petting farm is particularly fun to visit in the fall because it will totally put you in the fall spirit, but all year round they have activities and fun for families.
3. Pick up some fresh fruits and veggies at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market. Make sure you check out their seasonal hours before you head out.
4.  Check out some fishies at the Virginia Aquarium. We love aquariums, and this one will not disappoint. If you are local you may want to look into a membership.
5. Play at the Children’s Play Area at the Lynnhaven Mall.
6. Get some space education at the Virginia Beach Planetarium.
7. Fly a kite and play at the fun Kids Cove at Mt. Trashmore. This is such a unique park. We always take guests because it is a beautiful view of Virginia Beach from the top of the hill. Plus there are geese, a walking trail and a giant playground the kids will love.
8. Go swimming at any one of the 7 Virginia Beach Recreation Centers.
9. Bring out your senses and imagination while playing at Green Bean Contemporary Child’s Play. This is a really neat place for toddlers to free play.
10. Ride go carts at Motor World. Kids of all ages will love riding the go carts at Motor World.
11. Ride some water slides at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. This is open seasonally, so make sure you check out their website before you head over for hours. If you are local you will definitely want to look into a membership. It’s such a fun place to go to cool off in the summer!
12. Bring out your creative side at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
13. Walk through the Old Coast Guard Station.
14. Throw a penny in the fountain at Town Center. Plus it’s fun to just walk around the shops!
15. Paddleboard on the water with Rudee Inlet Stand Up Paddle.
16. Climb, slide, and ride at Fun Ville Playground and Cafe.
17. Play some putt-putt golf at Jungle Golf. Because who doesn’t love a little miniature golf?
18. Enjoy pizza and games at Planet Pizza Space Grill.
19. Ride the Ferris Wheel at Atlantic Fun Park.
20. Snap a shot in front of King Neptune’s Statue on the Boardwalk. This is a big tourist place, so specifically if you are trying to entertain guests, I would suggest this spot.
21. Take a pirate adventure aboard Capt. Jack’s Pirate Adventures.
22. Take a hike through First Landing State Park.
23. Bounce away at Virginia Beach Bounce House. We absolutely love inflatable parks and the Virginia Beach Bounce House is our favorite spot!
24. Take the family bowling at Pin Boy’s at the Beach.
25. Take the kids to a beach playground at JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park.

Check out this valuable resource, VirginiaBeach.com, for other awesome things to do around Virginia Beach!

Things to do in Chesapeake with kids

1. Go airborne at Cloud 9. This is a fun trampoline park kids of all ages (and adults) will love!
2. Walk the lake at Oak Grove Park. We absolutely love this walking trail. It’s most magnificent in the fall, but any time of year it makes for a great view while exercising. And they have a playground for the kids to play.
3. Set up a kid friendly spa day at the Klumsy Moose. This is such a fun experience for little girls. It’s a spa for kids! Such a fun concept. We loved it!
4. Bounce away at Kangaroo Jac’s.
5. Go ice skating at Chilled Ponds Ice & Turf Sports Complex.
6. Go bowling at AMF Chesapeake Lanes.
7. Have a family picnic at Battlefield Historic Park.
8. Check out the gardens and trails at the Chesapeake Arboretum.
9. Have a paintball war at Chesapeake Sports Park.
10. Enjoy some free programs about our universe at the Chesapeake Planetarium.
11. Take the kids to skateboard at Chesapeake City Park’s Skate Park.
12. Take a bike ride around the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail.
13. Be creative at Glazenfyre: A Paint it Yourself Pottery Studio.
14. Pet some farm animals at Bergey’s Breadbasket. This is a fun place that has events all year round. Definitely check them out in the fall when they have their fall festivals.
15. Take a swim lesson at Great Bridge Swim and Racquet Club.
16. Take the kids to play at Fun Forest at City Park. This is a fun playground that is huge!
17. Get some shopping done at Greenbrier Mall. There is also a cute play place for the kids.
18. The kids always have loads of fun at Chuck E. Cheese’s. Of course your kids will love you forever if you take them to the famous Chuck E. Cheese’s!
19. Eat while watching a movie at the Cinema Cafe. They have deal days you should check out that make it a cheap, fun family day!
20. Take the kids to an arcade at Game Works.
21. Enjoy glow in the dark miniature golf at Partee’s 3D Blacklight Mini Golf.
22. Go for a ride with Adventure Kayak Tours.
23. Go horseback riding and zip lining at Triple R Ranch.
24. Take a gymnastics class at Ocean Tumblers Gymnastic School.
25. Get your kiddos up and moving at a fun class at The Little Gym. Their classes are so much fun for kids! I highly recommend!

Things to do in Norfolk with kids

1. Take a cruise through the Harbor on the American Rover.
2. Take a tour of a real battleship and enjoy the museum at Nauticus. We love taking guests to Nauticus. It’s such a fun museum in downtown.
3. Drive across and stop occasionally to see the sights or fish off of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
4. Bring out your creative side at the Chrysler Museum of Art.
5. Check out the beautiful gardens at Norfolk Botanical Garden.
6. Take a cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk. They have special events all year round.
7. Run through the fountains and wave as the ships pass by at Town Point Park.
8. Grab an ice cream at Norfolk’s famous Doumar’s. This is a fun, fifties style diner where they serve you at your car. It’s a classic, must do when in Norfolk.
9. Watch a Norfolk Tides game at Harbor Park.
10. Ride the metro system, The Tide, around town.
11. Ride the Paddlewheel Ferry from Norfolk Waterside to the Portsmouth side of the water.
12. Snap a few pictures in front of the giant anchor at Town Point Park.
13. Look at the fun animals at the Virginia Zoo. If you are local you will want to look into a membership because this is a place you can visit over and over again!
14. Get pictures in front of 15-foot, bronze blue herons at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens.
15. Pay your respects at the Armed Forces Memorial.
16. Enjoy glass demonstrations at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio.
17. Learn about the history of Douglas MacArthur at the MacArthur Memorial Museum.
18. Let the kids run around at the MacArthur Mall Play Area.
19. Check out trains at the Norfolk Southern Museum.
20. Take a tour of the Taiwanese Pagoda Tower and Oriental Garden.
21. Watch the Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
22. Learn to two-step at The Banque.
23. Watch the planes take off and land at the Norfolk Airport. Check out when we did, here!
24. Make some sandcastles at the Ocean View Beach Park.
25. Enjoy skateboarding at Northside Skate Park.

Things to do in Portsmouth with kids

1. Play and learn at the Children’s Museum of Virginia. We love this museum because the kids can play and touch everything! If you are local, definitely look into a membership!
2. Test your sports trivia at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
3. Take a carriage ride through Historic Olde Towne with Smithfield Horse and Carriage Company.
4. Watch a flick and eat dinner at the luxurious Commodore Theatre.
5. Check out the exhibits at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center.
6. Splash around at the Portsmouth Splash Park.
7. Hit the playground at the fun Portsmouth City Park.
8. Ride the Carrie B. Showboat.
9. Visit the Portsmouth Lightship Museum.
10.Go kayaking at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Refuge.
11. Take the kiddos to play at Gymboree.
12. Take a music, art, or dance class at Tidewater Studios for the Arts Inc.
13. Check out the Elizabeth River at Paradise Creek Nature Park.
14. Scuba Dive with your youth-aged kids at ScubaJam.
15. Take a train ride aboard the Pokey Smokey II.
16. Learn about the history of trains at the Virginia Railroad Museum.
17. Take a sewing class at Sew E-Z.
18. Go go-carting and paint balling at G-Force Karts.
19. Visit the historic Fresnel Lens on High Street.
20. Play laser tag at TAG.
21. Check out the Medal of Honor Monument.
22. Catch a concert at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion at Harbor Center.
23. Visit the historic Hill House.
24. Take a walking tour through Olde Towne.
25. Pick up fresh produce at Southside Plants and Produce.

If you have other suggestions that aren’t listed, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the list!