From the toll plaza at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, US-60 heads east along Atlantic Avenue, passing through the woodland waterfront of First Landing State Park before winding up at the ocean and Virginia Beach (pop. 435,000), the state’s most populous (and fastest-growing) city, and its one and only beach resort. Ten-story hotels line the main drag, Atlantic Avenue, which is plastered with large signs banning cars from “cruising” the mile-long array of funfairs, surf shops, and nightclubs.
Unlike many coastal towns, Virginia Beach also boasts a significant history. Virginia’s first colonists landed at Virginia Beach on April 26, 1607, before settling upriver at Jamestown; the site is marked by a stone cross at Cape Henry, at the southern lip of Chesapeake Bay. The visitors bureau (800/822-3224), on the west side of town at 2100 Parks Avenue, has walking- and driving-tour maps of Virginia Beach’s many historic houses, and can point you toward the area’s excellent Virginia Marine Sciences Museum (daily; $12; 757/425-3474), at 717 General Booth Boulevard, which has nearly a million gallons of sharks, sting rays, barracudas, and sea turtles, and an IMAX theater.
Dining options tend toward seafood restaurants hidden away in the resort hotels, though the Maple Tree Pancake House (757/425-6796), at 2608 Atlantic Avenue, is a great breakfast stop and the Jewish Mother (757/422-5430) at 3108 Pacific Avenue serves up good deli sandwiches, and doubles as a popular nightclub.
Perhaps the best reason to stop at Virginia Beach is that accommodations are much cheaper here than elsewhere in the area: Dorm beds at Angie’s Guest Cottage HI Hostel (757/428-4690) at 302 24th Street cost under $20 a night, and a room at a locally run place like the Golden Sands Inn ($80–130; 757/428-1770), at 1312 Atlantic Avenue, will be cheaper than any of the national chains. Campers will appreciate the fine facilities at First Landing State Park (757/412-2300).
