Virginia Beach Family Vacation

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Everyone had a lot of fun on our Virginia Beach Family Vacation this year.  We try to get to the beach at least once a year and we always aim to try something new.  Even though this years trip was a mini vacation that was a total of 3 days, we created a lot of memories and certainly had a lot of fun!

Virginia Beach Family Vacation on the Boardwalk

With kids in tow, staying on the boardwalk is much more than just a luxury for us.  It is a great convenience for us as it reduces the hassle of  loading and unloading our toddler.  It also makes it less stressful crossing busy streets to get back and forth several times a day for activities.

I book our room months in advance because it saves a ton of money.  Waiting at the last moment to book can cause you hundreds of dollars extra, sometimes per night! I used TripAdvisor to search family friendly resorts and hotels and I always read the reviews so we know what to expect!  This year we stayed oceanfront with a kitchenette and private bathroom for around $200.00 a night in mid-August!

Dolphin Tours in Virginia Beach

Going on a dolphin tour has always been on my list.  This year we made it happen and it was such an exciting experience for the whole family.  My youngest loved watching the dolphins play in the boats waves and my daughter enjoyed watching the pods of dolphin play in the ocean.  Our trip took about an hour and a half and we were able to see quite a few dolphin pods throughout the entire trip.  We booked online through the Rudee Inlet and saved money by choosing the early bird option.  It was definitely worth it because the dolphins were really active!

We didn't have to go too far off from the shore to reach the dolphins, it was surprising to see how close they actually were from the beach!

Playing in the Ocean

In the mornings we spent our time playing on the beach.  While my husband and daughter swam in the waves, I spent most of my time building sand castles with my son.  This Virginia Beach Family Vacation was a time to take it easy, relax, and to do a few fun activities.

Jungle Golf - Putt-Putt and Arcade

When we weren't on the beach we sought out activities that our family would enjoy.  Jungle Golf is located close to the boardwalk and it is absolutely gorgeous.  It was well maintained, beautifully landscaped and creatively designed.  It also has huge statues that my kids loved.  You'll find alligators, giraffes, gorillas, and more!  Jungle golf also has a snack bar and arcade to help beat the heat during hot summer days.

Neptune's Park on the Boardwalk

Taking a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk is always fun to do.  You'll find live bands and restaurants with outdoor seating.  Also, there's a designated lane for bikes, scooters, and skateboards.  The boardwalk is for walking only which gives ease of mind for safety and comfort.  There's always a seating area, public restrooms, and places to sit down for coffee or ice cream.

Fudge and Candy Shop

While on vacation I'm always on the search of a good place to grab some fudge.  The Candy Kitchen has amazing Sea Salt Caramel Fudge!!  It is not made on site - I was told it was shipped in from their Ocean City location.  They also make their candies alongside the peanut and nut variations so there's always a chance of cross contamination.  Our son has a nut allergies so we opted to get something other than confectionery for him.   That being said,  the rest of the family also really enjoyed the Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Fudge!

Pelan's Baja Grill

This year we ventured off the boardwalk and found this restaurant with good reviews.  We ordered a Trio Chips & Dip that came with guacamole, queso, and salsa.  The queso and guacamole were my favorite!

On the menu you will find a nice selection of tacos and burritos.  We enjoyed our Big Kahuna burrito.  It was filled with steak, guacamole, and other sauces.  There is a children's menu and the kids enjoyed their cheese quesadilla and chicken nuggets.

However, it isn't your typical sit-down restaurant.  You order at the counter (pay the tip up front), seat yourself, and bus your own tables.   Overall, we really enjoyed it but it was a bit confusing for us first-timers!

Virginia Beach Aviation Museum

We left the museum as our last stop before heading home from our Virginia Beach Family Vacation.  The museum isn't located on the beach but instead takes you on a scenic rural route.  The Military Aviation Museum is one of the largest private collections of WWI and WWII military aircraft.  This museum also has planes still in flight, and some of them being 1 of the very few that still does in the world!  You will find fighter, bombers, and trainer planes among the collection.  The museum also has two planes available for 15 minute and 30 minute flights!

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR TENNESSEE FAMILY VACATION