12 Things Every Virginian Has Done in Virginia Beach at Least Once

Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach sits on top of a former landfill.

If you’re a Virginian, you’ve probably climbed it at least once, and it’s far from the only must-do.

Here’s what every Virginian has done in Virginia Beach at least once.

1. Oceanfront Boardwalk

The Oceanfront Boardwalk runs from 2nd to 40th Streets, with hotels, shops, and restaurants on one side and the beach on the other.

Wear sneakers if you plan to walk it end to end because that’s about three miles.

Visit Virginia Beach says winter visitors can see the shoreline from the back of a horse.

In summer, the Live! On Atlantic series brings music and other entertainment to four beachfront stages.

2. King Neptune Statue

King Neptune is a 34-foot bronze statue on the Boardwalk at 31st Street, overlooking Neptune Park.

Sculptor Paul DiPasquale made the statue, which debuted on September 30, 2005.

The public art page for the statue says private contributions gathered by the Neptune Festival paid for it.

If you walk the Boardwalk end to end, you’ll pass him at 31st Street.

3. Holiday Trail of Lights

The Oceanfront holiday light show ran for 31 years before it moved this season.

The local news station WTKR reports that more than 21,000 vehicles drove down the Boardwalk display in the 2025 season.

You can visit the new Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium from Friday, Nov. 20, through Jan. 3, 2027.

Light-show creators James Bain and Ken MacMaster designed it.

4. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects the mainland at Virginia Beach, near Norfolk, with the Eastern Shore.

From shore to shore, the Bridge-Tunnel measures 17.6 miles.

It opened to traffic on April 15, 1964.

The route has two one-mile tunnels, two bridges, and four manmade islands.

You can make the direct crossing in approximately 25 minutes.

The Bridge-Tunnel’s website says the crossing saves motorists 75 miles or more on trips between Virginia Beach and points north of Wilmington, Delaware.

Harbor seals lounge around the large rocks that protect the tunnel in winter.

5. First Landing State Park

First Landing State Park covers 2,888 acres.

The state’s park website calls it Virginia’s most-visited state park.

English colonists first landed there in 1607.

Ten trails total about 20 miles, including bike and fitness trails.

If you’d rather stay overnight, the park has cabins, yurts, and campsites.

6. Cape Henry Lighthouse

Cape Henry Lighthouse was completed in 1792.

Visit Virginia Beach says the lighthouse became the first federal construction project under the new U.S. Constitution.

Preservation Virginia, which runs the site, says the tower is built with the same Aquia sandstone as much of Washington, D.C.

Your tour includes a minimum of 79 stairs to climb.

The tower sits on Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story.

Visitors 18 and older without base access must fill out a security form first.

As of October 2026, the site lists the lighthouse as open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

7. Mount Trashmore Park

Mount Trashmore Park is a 165-acre park built on a former landfill.

Layers of compacted solid waste and clean soil formed the main mountain, now 60 feet tall and 800 feet long.

You'll also find two lakes, two playgrounds, a skatepark, and a vert ramp.

Visit Virginia Beach calls Mount Trashmore one of the highest points in the city, making it perfect for kite flying.

8. Neptune Festival

The Neptune Festival has run since 1974.

The festival says Boardwalk Weekend will always begin on the last Friday of September.

You can see 22 sandsculptures at its sand-sculpting championship.

Its art and craft show draws more than 200 artisans.

The nonprofit festival organization puts on more than 40 events in Virginia Beach.

9. Shamrock Marathon Weekend

Visit Virginia Beach calls the Shamrock Marathon the oldest continually running road race in the city.

Jerry and Lori Bocrie founded it in 1973.

The weekend has five races with over 24,000 participants, so you can pick the one that fits your pace.

A post-race celebration adds live music.

Your next chance to join in is March 19-21, 2027, at the Oceanfront.

10. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge sits in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach.

The refuge was established in 1938 to protect habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl.

You can hike, bike, kayak, or fish in both fresh water and the surf.

The refuge grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, daily.

The refuge also works with neighboring False Cape State Park on tram tours.

11. Jackalope Festival

The Jackalope Festival is a three-day event on the Oceanfront.

The next one runs June 4-6, 2027.

Free admission gets you street and vert skateboarding, skimboarding, jet ski freestyle, and more.

12. Dolphin Watching

Dolphin watching is a warm-weather outing.

Visit Virginia Beach's dolphin tours page says bottlenose dolphins migrate through local waters during the warmer months.