Hidden Gems in Virginia Beach: Places Locals Love
Hidden Gems in Virginia Beach: Places Locals Love Virginia Beach is easy to recognize. There’s the Oceanfront. The boardwalk. The beach. The big attractions. But if you really want to experience Virginia Beach, you have to go a little deeper. Some of the best parts of VB aren’t the places you’ll see on every tourist list. They’re the places locals keep going back to. First Landing State Park Yes, First Landing is well known—but it still deserves a spot on any local’s list. Once you get away from the busy roads, the landscape changes completely. Trails, trees, marshes and waterways make it easy to forget you’re still in a major coastal city. It’s a great place to walk, hike, photograph or simply disappear for an afternoon. The Shore Drive Area Shore Drive has a personality all its own. The area is packed with restaurants, bars, local businesses and access to some beautiful coastal scenery. It’s a great place to explore when you want something different from the Oceanfront. The ViBe Creative District Art is everywhere in the ViBe. Murals, galleries, creative businesses, restaurants and independent shops give this part of Virginia Beach a completely different feel. It’s also one of the best areas to simply walk around and see what you discover. Local Markets Some of the best hidden gems aren’t locations. They’re events. A local market can introduce you to businesses, artists, vintage sellers, food vendors and makers you may never have encountered otherwise. And because vendors change, you can visit the same type of event multiple times and still discover something new. Neighborhood Restaurants Don’t underestimate the restaurants outside the tourist areas. Some of Virginia Beach’s best meals can be found in neighborhood shopping centers and small storefronts. If a place has been serving locals for years, there’s probably a reason. The Parks Virginia Beach has much more green space than many people realize. Parks provide places to walk, exercise, picnic, play, fish or simply get away from traffic. Sometimes the best activity is doing absolutely nothing for an hour. Go Exploring Without a Plan Here’s one of our favorite ways to discover Virginia Beach: Pick an area you’ve never really explored and go. Find a coffee shop. Walk around. Check out a local store. Grab lunch. See what catches your attention. You don’t need a five-page itinerary. Sometimes the best discoveries happen because you weren’t looking for them. Ask a Local The ultimate hidden-gem strategy? Ask somebody who lives here. Locals know the little restaurants, quiet spots, favorite shops and weird places that don’t necessarily show up on the first page of Google. That’s one of the reasons We Love VB exists. Virginia Beach is more than a beach. It’s a community made up of neighborhoods, small businesses, artists, restaurants, entrepreneurs, families and people who have chosen to call this place home. Keep Exploring You can live in Virginia Beach for years and still find somewhere you’ve never been. That’s a good thing. So take the long way home. Try the restaurant you’ve driven past a hundred times. Visit a market. Walk a trail. Check out a local business. Talk to somebody new. You never know what you’re going to find in VB. And that’s exactly why we love it. share this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Best Local Markets, Fleas & Pop-Up Events in VB
Why Virginia Beach’s Local Market Scene Is Worth Exploring There is something different about shopping at a local market. You never know what you’re going to find. One table might have vintage clothing. The next might have handmade jewelry. Around the corner you’ll find art, collectibles, candles, plants, baked goods or something you’ve never seen before. That’s what makes Virginia Beach’s market scene so much fun. Flea Markets If you’re someone who enjoys treasure hunting, flea markets are the place to be. You can spend an hour looking for something specific—or walk in with absolutely no plan. Vintage items, collectibles, furniture, records, clothing, artwork and unusual finds are all part of the experience. And the best part? You never know what will show up. Makers & Handmade Vendors Virginia Beach has a strong community of artists and makers. Local markets give these small businesses a place to introduce their work directly to the community. You’ll find handmade products that aren’t mass-produced and often can’t be found anywhere else. Buying from these vendors isn’t just shopping. You’re supporting someone’s creative business. Vintage Shopping Vintage is having a moment—and Virginia Beach has plenty of people who know how to do it. From clothing and home décor to collectibles and furniture, local markets can be a gold mine for vintage hunters. The trick is simple: Don’t rush. The best finds aren’t always sitting directly in front of you. Food Vendors One of the best things about local markets is that shopping can turn into lunch. Food vendors and small food businesses are an increasingly important part of the local event scene. Grab something while you’re browsing and make an afternoon of it. Why Pop-Ups Matter Pop-up events give small businesses something incredibly valuable: exposure. A new business may not have a storefront yet. An artist may sell exclusively online. A maker might operate out of a home studio. A pop-up lets customers meet the person behind the business. That’s something you don’t get from a shopping cart online. Bring Your Friends Markets are better with friends. Make a Saturday out of it. Start with coffee, hit a market, grab lunch, check out some local shops and see what else is happening around town. You don’t need an expensive day out to have a great one. Keep an Eye on the Calendar The market scene changes constantly. That’s why it’s worth checking local event listings before heading out. New markets pop up. Vendors change. Special events happen. Seasonal markets come and go. And that’s exactly what makes it interesting. Shop Local. Discover Something New. Virginia Beach has a huge community of small businesses, artists, makers, collectors and entrepreneurs. Local markets bring all of those people together. So the next time you see a flea market, makers market or pop-up happening in VB, go check it out. You might find your new favorite business. Or you might walk away with something completely ridiculous that you absolutely had to have. Either way, that’s part of the fun. Keep checking We Love VB for upcoming local markets, events and things happening around Virginia Beach. share this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest
The Ultimate Virginia Beach Weekend Guide
The Ultimate Virginia Beach Weekend Guide Only have a weekend in Virginia Beach? That’s okay. You can pack a lot into two days—but don’t make the mistake of trying to do absolutely everything. The best Virginia Beach weekends are a mix of exploring, eating, relaxing and discovering something new. Here’s how we’d do it. Friday: Start at the Oceanfront If you’re arriving Friday afternoon or evening, head toward the Oceanfront. Take a walk along the boardwalk and get your first look at the Atlantic. The Oceanfront is one of the places that makes Virginia Beach feel like Virginia Beach. Then find dinner. Seafood is an obvious choice, but don’t limit yourself. One of the best parts of VB is the variety of restaurants scattered throughout the city. After dinner, walk around and see what’s happening. Saturday Morning: Coffee & the Beach Start Saturday slowly. Find a local coffee shop, grab breakfast and head toward the water. Depending on the time of year, you might spend the morning walking the beach, biking along the Oceanfront or simply sitting somewhere with a view. The key is not rushing. You’re at the beach. Saturday Afternoon: Explore Something Local Now it’s time to leave the traditional tourist path. Check out local shops, markets, creative businesses or one of Virginia Beach’s many neighborhoods. The ViBe Creative District is a great place to start if you’re interested in art, murals, shopping and locally owned businesses. If you’re looking for something outdoors, head toward First Landing State Park or another local park. Saturday: Go Shopping Virginia Beach has plenty of places to shop beyond the big national chains. Look for local boutiques, vintage shops, markets, makers and small businesses. You might find something you didn’t even know you were looking for. That’s half the fun. Saturday Night: Dinner & Entertainment Saturday night is your chance to experience Virginia Beach after dark. Make dinner part of the experience and then find some entertainment. Depending on what’s happening around town, that could mean live music, comedy, a special event, a local market, a show or simply enjoying the nightlife. Check local event calendars before your trip so you don’t miss something happening that weekend. Sunday: Slow It Down Don’t try to squeeze another 15 activities into Sunday. Grab breakfast. Take another walk. Get some fresh air. Maybe visit a place you didn’t have time for Saturday. And definitely get one more good meal before you leave. The Best Part of a VB Weekend? You don’t have to follow a perfect itinerary. One weekend might be all about the beach. Another might be about restaurants. Another might be local shopping and events. That’s the beauty of Virginia Beach. There are always more places to explore. Looking for what’s happening this weekend? Keep checking We Love VB for local events, businesses and things to do around Virginia Beach. share this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest
10 Things to Do in Virginia Beach This Fall
10 Things to Do in Virginia Beach This Fall Fall in Virginia Beach is one of those seasons that locals know how to appreciate. The crowds of summer start to thin out, the temperatures become easier to handle, and there is still plenty happening around town. Whether you’re looking for a weekend adventure, something to do with the family, a great meal, local shopping, or simply an excuse to get outside, Virginia Beach has plenty to offer. Here are 10 ways to enjoy fall in VB. 1. Spend a Day at the Oceanfront Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the Oceanfront shuts down. Take a walk along the boardwalk, grab something to eat, watch the waves, and enjoy the cooler weather. Fall can be one of the best times of year to experience the beach without the intensity of the summer crowds. Bring a sweatshirt, grab a coffee and enjoy the view. 2. Check Out a Local Market One of the best things about Virginia Beach is the local maker and small-business community. Fall is packed with markets, pop-ups, flea markets, craft events and community gatherings. They’re a great way to discover local artists, vintage finds, handmade goods, food vendors and small businesses you might not find anywhere else. And let’s be honest—shopping local is a lot more fun when you can find something completely unexpected. 3. Explore First Landing State Park Fall is an excellent time to explore First Landing State Park. The cooler temperatures make hiking and walking much more enjoyable, and the park gives you a completely different side of Virginia Beach than the Oceanfront. Take a trail, explore the marshes and forests, and spend a few hours outside. 4. Go for a Fall Bike Ride Virginia Beach is made for biking. Take your bike down the Oceanfront, explore the Shore Drive area, or find a quieter neighborhood route. Fall temperatures make longer rides much more comfortable. It’s also a great excuse to stop somewhere along the way for food. 5. Find a New Local Restaurant Fall is the perfect time to make a restaurant bucket list. Instead of automatically going to the same place you’ve visited a hundred times, try somewhere new. Virginia Beach has everything from casual neighborhood restaurants to seafood spots, international food, coffee shops and locally owned hidden gems. Pick a neighborhood and make a day of it. 6. Explore the ViBe Creative District If you haven’t spent time exploring the ViBe Creative District, fall is a great opportunity. You’ll find murals, galleries, creative businesses, shops, restaurants and plenty of photo-worthy spots. It is one of those parts of Virginia Beach that reminds you how much creativity exists right here in our community. 7. Get Outside at Mount Trashmore Mount Trashmore is a Virginia Beach classic. Walk the trails, get some exercise, let the kids burn off some energy or simply enjoy a fall afternoon outside. And yes, it’s still fun even if you’ve lived here forever. 8. Plan a Fall Night Out Virginia Beach isn’t just about daytime activities. Plan an evening around dinner, live music, comedy, local entertainment or a few stops around town. Fall nights are especially nice because you can actually enjoy being outside without feeling like you’re standing inside a hair dryer. 9. Go Looking for Halloween Fun October brings plenty of Halloween energy to Virginia Beach. Look for haunted attractions, costume events, family activities, parties, markets and seasonal events happening throughout the area. Whether you’re into spooky or family-friendly, there’s usually something happening. 10. Support a Virginia Beach Small Business Finally, make fall the season you shop local. Buy something from a local artist. Try a neighborhood restaurant. Visit a small shop. Attend a local event. Grab coffee from an independent business. Every dollar spent locally helps keep Virginia Beach’s unique community going. Fall Is a Great Time to Love VB Virginia Beach doesn’t disappear when summer ends. If anything, fall gives locals an opportunity to slow down and actually enjoy the city. So get outside, try somewhere new, find a local event and explore a part of VB you’ve never visited. That’s what We Love VB is all about. share this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest