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Need Advice VA Beach info please

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by sharse, Aug 6, 2009.

  1. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    We've just booked a few days in VA Beach at the end of the month. We'll be staying at the Spring Hill Suites at 9th and Atlantic. (For FREE! Gotta love Marriott points!!)

    We've never been and would love some advice on where to go/not go, where to eat/not eat, etc. We have two boys, 4 and 6.

    Thanks!
     
  2. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Water's cold.
     
  3. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
     
  4. d_kodali

    d_kodali New Member

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    Beware of unexpected rip currents while swimming. A very unfortunate and sad incident happened to someone I knew during July 4th weekend in VA beach. Many such incidents happened over last several years there.
    If anyone gets caught in them, they should swim parallel to the shore to get out of the currents.

    have a great and safe trip
     
  5. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    go to rudee's for dinner and sit on the porch swing tables.
    go to the virginia marine science museum.
    check out the rides on the boardwalk.
    take the kids out on the rudee rocket. visit the eastern shore. (cape charles)
     
  6. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Museum... I was reading it's still under construction... or is that a different one?
     
  7. SarasMom

    SarasMom Member

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  8. shim

    shim shim

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    We just returned from Va Bch and were surprised by the crowds and the element. We stayed at 5th Street and found the beach there way over crowded and smokey - lot's of cigarettes and tatoo's.

    Do yourselves a favor and drive up to the north end of the beach to 83rd Street or beyond - easy available street parking - and you'll be much more impressed with the natural state of the beach and relative calm.
     
  9. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I second the Virginia Aquarium. We were there this past spring and Sarah really enjoyed it (and so did we adults). In nearby Norfolk there is an old warship you can tour for free. Look at the TripAdvisor website for some reviews of local attractions and restaurants. And have fun!
     
  10. GeauxTigers

    GeauxTigers Member

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    The Virginia Aquarium was a pleasant surprise for us last year. It's certainly worth a visit.
     
  11. JLC

    JLC Member

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    If you want a nice quiet beach in the VA Beach area, try Little Island Park. It's about a 20 minute drive from the resort area and you have to pay $5.00 to park but it's worth it. None of the boardwalk feel of the resort area.
     
  12. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    OK... so the aquarium and the museum Sunny mentioned are two different things? The aquarium is NOT the one under construction?
     
  13. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Do passengers get wet? If so, my kids will flip out. But if it's just a cool boat ride, it sounds great!!
     
  14. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/

    The listing on the Trip Advisor website has the name listed incorrectly (they call it the Virginia Marine Science Museum) but is the same thing. People reviewing it complained about parts of it being under renovation - when we went this past spring (March 2009) some of it was under construction so I don't know what we would have missed in that spot but the rest of it had plenty to see and was good. The nature walk part to the other section of the center was nice, too. Maybe the construction expanded since then but I don't really know.
     
  15. Inverness

    Inverness New Member

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    We just got back from there and had a great time with the kids! The aquarium was just "ok" - still some exhibits being redesigned. We took the kids on the dolphin watch and it was lots of fun! The boardwalk was great right around 9th street! No problems with craziness. The kids had fun just playing on the beach and getting the periodic ice cream. Make sure you get your boogie board! There is a life guard station right there, so just play near their line of site for added security. Water is chilly in the AM, but warm in the evenings. You should have lots of fun!!
     

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