The Salty Chic Guidebook
Sightseeing
Norfolk Botanical Garden is nationally recognized for its deep-rooted history and celebrated for its blooms in every season. The 175-acre garden is home to 53 distinctive themed gardens.
Adults $15, Seniors and Military $13, Children & Youth (3 - 17 years old) $13, ad Toddlers (2 and Under) are FREE with a parent or guardian.
185 locals recommend
Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden RdNorfolk Botanical Garden is nationally recognized for its deep-rooted history and celebrated for its blooms in every season. The 175-acre garden is home to 53 distinctive themed gardens.
Adults $15, Seniors and Military $13, Children & Youth (3 - 17 years old) $13, ad Toddlers (2 and Under) are FREE with a parent or guardian.
First Landing State Park is located on Cape Henry in North Virginia Beach. This 2,888 acre park offers a wide range of activities for visitors. You can go swimming, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, or enjoy a picnic when you visit First Landing. Regardless of how long you can stay, for a few hours or for a full day, you can have a nice time visiting the park. You can also stay in the park overnight, at a campsite or in one of in one of the park's cabins. By planning an overnight stay you can escape the busier pace of the more heavily developed areas of Virginia Beach yet still remain in close proximity to all that the local area has to offer.
340 locals recommend
First Landing State Park
2500 Shore DriveFirst Landing State Park is located on Cape Henry in North Virginia Beach. This 2,888 acre park offers a wide range of activities for visitors. You can go swimming, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, or enjoy a picnic when you visit First Landing. Regardless of how long you can stay, for a few hours or for a full day, you can have a nice time visiting the park. You can also stay in the park overnight, at a campsite or in one of in one of the park's cabins. By planning an overnight stay you can escape the busier pace of the more heavily developed areas of Virginia Beach yet still remain in close proximity to all that the local area has to offer.
Natural spot for relaxed recreation on 118 acres of marshlands and wildlife habitat, with boat access.
11 locals recommend
Pleasure House Point Natural Area
3957 Marlin Bay DrNatural spot for relaxed recreation on 118 acres of marshlands and wildlife habitat, with boat access.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an aquarium and marine science museum. The exhibits at the museum are contained in over 800,000 US gallons of fresh and saltwater displays.
329 locals recommend
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth BlvdThe Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an aquarium and marine science museum. The exhibits at the museum are contained in over 800,000 US gallons of fresh and saltwater displays.
Planthouse is an experienced-based terrarium workshop and premium plant store. Experience the modern plant revival through do-it-yourself terrariums, organized classes, premium plant shopping, and a modern yet eclectic ceramic collection.
Plantbar
1564 Laskin RoadPlanthouse is an experienced-based terrarium workshop and premium plant store. Experience the modern plant revival through do-it-yourself terrariums, organized classes, premium plant shopping, and a modern yet eclectic ceramic collection.
Rental company for beach adventures - tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, jetskiing, sunset cruises, boat tours, and more!
Virginia Beach Watersports
3713 Marina Shores DrRental company for beach adventures - tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, jetskiing, sunset cruises, boat tours, and more!
Food scene
Family-owned brewery featuring a wood-lines taproom and a beer garden with wood-fire pizza and other yummy things.
56 locals recommend
Commonwealth Brewing
2444 Pleasure House RdFamily-owned brewery featuring a wood-lines taproom and a beer garden with wood-fire pizza and other yummy things.
Shabby-chic spot with seasonal Southern coastal flood offered for brunch daily and dinner most nights.
115 locals recommend
Bay Local Eatery
2917 Shore DrShabby-chic spot with seasonal Southern coastal flood offered for brunch daily and dinner most nights.
Easygoing eatery featuring bar bites, surf 'n' turf entrees & a full bar, plus ocean views.
38 locals recommend
Buoy 44 Seafood Grill
4536 Ocean View AveEasygoing eatery featuring bar bites, surf 'n' turf entrees & a full bar, plus ocean views.
Upbeat tavern with steak and seafood mains, plus all-you-an eat specials, a patio space, and live music.
23 locals recommend
Hell's Kitchen
124 Granby StUpbeat tavern with steak and seafood mains, plus all-you-an eat specials, a patio space, and live music.
Laid-back hangout with a rustic clam shack vibe and waterside deck serving simple seafood, cold beer, and a variety of vodka crushes. Our favorite is the mango crush!
123 locals recommend
Chick's Oyster Bar
2143 Vista CirLaid-back hangout with a rustic clam shack vibe and waterside deck serving simple seafood, cold beer, and a variety of vodka crushes. Our favorite is the mango crush!
Relaxed eatery and market on the inlet for casual, local seafood, pasta and steak, with dock seating. Our personal favorite restaurant for great seafood.
46 locals recommend
Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center
3311 Shore DrRelaxed eatery and market on the inlet for casual, local seafood, pasta and steak, with dock seating. Our personal favorite restaurant for great seafood.
Enjoy The Porch one sunset at a time! The Porch is an American Coastal restaurant overlooking panoramic views of Virginia Beach's Lynnhaven River.
38 locals recommend
The Porch on Long Creek
2109 W Great Neck RdEnjoy The Porch one sunset at a time! The Porch is an American Coastal restaurant overlooking panoramic views of Virginia Beach's Lynnhaven River.
From 183 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, Orion’s Roof showcases refined Asian-fusion cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in a modern rooftop-garden setting. Join us for lunch or dinner, drinks and genuine hospitality. Soak in the million-dollar views. And enjoy an elegant, beautifully relaxed evening under the Virginia Beach stars.
34 locals recommend
Orion's Roof
4201 Atlantic AvenueFrom 183 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, Orion’s Roof showcases refined Asian-fusion cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in a modern rooftop-garden setting. Join us for lunch or dinner, drinks and genuine hospitality. Soak in the million-dollar views. And enjoy an elegant, beautifully relaxed evening under the Virginia Beach stars.
Secluded cafe serving casual lunch and brunch with sandwiches, wraps, and salads. They also have an excellent dinner menu!
48 locals recommend
Leaping Lizard Cafe
4408 Shore DrSecluded cafe serving casual lunch and brunch with sandwiches, wraps, and salads. They also have an excellent dinner menu!
Charming bistro offering a seasonal American menu, craft brews on tap, cocktails and vibrant artwork.
20 locals recommend
Simple Eats Restaurant
3152 Shore DrCharming bistro offering a seasonal American menu, craft brews on tap, cocktails and vibrant artwork.
Casual open-air locale with ocean views focusing on tropical cocktails, seafood and flatbread pizza.
37 locals recommend
The Back Deck
3323 Shore DrCasual open-air locale with ocean views focusing on tropical cocktails, seafood and flatbread pizza.
Bars & Nightlife
Games bar featuring fresh cocktails, craft beer, delicious food, floor shuffleboard, bocce, and board games.
20 locals recommend
Beachside Social
2728 Atlantic AveGames bar featuring fresh cocktails, craft beer, delicious food, floor shuffleboard, bocce, and board games.
Located right down the road from us. Pleasure House Brewing offers 15 taps taps, house-made brews and ample space to spend time with your people, including a game room, secondary patio bar, outdoor space, and more!
16 locals recommend
Pleasure House Brewing
2032 Pleasure House RoadLocated right down the road from us. Pleasure House Brewing offers 15 taps taps, house-made brews and ample space to spend time with your people, including a game room, secondary patio bar, outdoor space, and more!
Beaches
Chesapeake Beach is the closest beach to our house (one mile!). It's about a 20-minute walk, 10-min bike ride, or 3-min drive. Parking can be very hard to find during the summer, especially if you get to the beach after around 9am. You can try to find parking at Chesapeake Beach Park, or in the neighborhood (Lauderdale Ave, Bayview Ave, Chubb Lake Ave, etc.) but be careful to READ THE SIGNS where parking is not allowed. If you can bring a bike with you, that's the best way to get to the beach without having to worry about parking.
8 locals recommend
Chesapeake Beach
Chesapeake Beach is the closest beach to our house (one mile!). It's about a 20-minute walk, 10-min bike ride, or 3-min drive. Parking can be very hard to find during the summer, especially if you get to the beach after around 9am. You can try to find parking at Chesapeake Beach Park, or in the neighborhood (Lauderdale Ave, Bayview Ave, Chubb Lake Ave, etc.) but be careful to READ THE SIGNS where parking is not allowed. If you can bring a bike with you, that's the best way to get to the beach without having to worry about parking.
If you're interested in a wide beach, larger waves, and relaxing vibes, the North End is the place to be. The North End Beaches extent between 45th Street and 89th Street. You must find a parking spot within the residential neighborhoods on either side of Atlantic Ave. Remember to read the parking signs!
17 locals recommend
North End Beaches
If you're interested in a wide beach, larger waves, and relaxing vibes, the North End is the place to be. The North End Beaches extent between 45th Street and 89th Street. You must find a parking spot within the residential neighborhoods on either side of Atlantic Ave. Remember to read the parking signs!
Coffee scene
American Brew offers up whiskey, coffee, and light American fare at an affordable price. Sometimes you can catch some live music.
7 locals recommend
American Brew
3584 E Stratford RdAmerican Brew offers up whiskey, coffee, and light American fare at an affordable price. Sometimes you can catch some live music.
The Lynnhaven Coffee Company aims to be one of the region's premier specialty coffee shops. With their own dedicated roasting facility located just a few blocks away, they strive daily to make sure you will receive the absolute best coffee and espresso drinks available.
14 locals recommend
Lynnhaven Coffee Company
2945 Shore DrThe Lynnhaven Coffee Company aims to be one of the region's premier specialty coffee shops. With their own dedicated roasting facility located just a few blocks away, they strive daily to make sure you will receive the absolute best coffee and espresso drinks available.