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Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Ghent (Virginia) Recommendations from a Local (Restaurants, outdoor activities, and shops)
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items I am local to the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Ghent area of Virginia (Hampton Roads). These are some of my all time favorite places to go whether you're in the mood for a nice dinner out, a tucked away local coffee shop, a local brewery that hosts e...
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Outdoor Activities
Restaurants
Other Food & Drinks
Arts & Entertainment
Outdoor Activities
First Landing State Park has wonderful walking trails. I especially love going during the summer because wild blueberries grow along the miles of trails!
First Landing State Park
This market has a variety of vendors to pick from. Art, jewelry, food, sourdough, plants, fresh flowers, and even locally sourced meat! Fun fact, I used to work this market at my mom's floral booth!
Ghent Farmers Market
These trails are great, pet friendly, and there's tons of wild blueberries if you go during the summer!
First Landing State Park
This park is a local favorite. Miles of paved walking trails (pet and bike friendly), a large playground, and even free exercise equipment that you can use along the walking paths. As a plus, it's completely free and has bathroom facilities.
Mount Trashmore Park
Sandbridge is where I go if I want to hit a popular beach with a bit less tourists. It's less busy and there aren't nearly as many businesses. There's also an inexpensive parking lot just across from the beach with showers and bathrooms.
Sandbridge, Virginia Beach – Quiet Coastal Getaway
If you're interested in a beach with all the needed amenities (bathroom, showers, free parking, playground), then Ocean View beach is a fantastic option. Don't let folks convince you that it's dangerous. I live about 10 minutes away and it's an up an...
Ocean View Beach Park
If you're looking for the Virginia Beach Tourist experience, you have to visit the ocean front boardwalk. Open air, free concerts in the summer, tons of amazing restaurants, icecream shops, and vendors. You can rent bikes and more. My favorite sushi ...
Virginia Beach Boardwalk – Explore the Iconic Oceanfront ...
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens is a gardeners dream! They have thoughtfully labeled a great many of their plants, and have beautifully landscaped over a hundred acres with walking trails, educational gardens, butterfly rooms, bonsai trees, canals, and...
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Restaurants
Soya is one of my favorite sushi places. It's right off the ocean front in Virginia Beach and you can always find a groupon for 40% off!
Soya Sushi Bar & Bistro - Restaurant Reviews - Yelp
This has been one of my favorite restaurants for over a decade. I love the chicken coconut soup, steam rolls, pad thai, and Kao Pad!
Bangkok Garden
I haven't personally visited My Vegan Sweet Tooth, but my sister was a Vegan for quite a few years and absolutely LOVED this place. I think she's tried just about everything they have!
My Vegan Sweet Tooth
Other Food & Drinks
This is my favorite local coffee shop. Located in historic Ghent. It's literally across the street from a Starbucks but people flock here instead. They have lots of sugar free syrups that they can offer and dairy alternatives (which was a HUGE help w...
Fair Grounds
Cova Brewing is such a local treat. They serve coffee, wine, mixed drinks (limited menu) as well as amazing food. They brew their own beers as well! They host tons of markets, local events, and workshops. They also have expansive outdoor seating, fir...
Cova Brewing Company
Okay so I'll be frank, this place is Grandma's house meets tea enthusiast thrift store as far as the vibes go. This is not the super aesthetic tea room. BUT! The food is amazing, the tea experience is absolutely top notch and everything is made in ho...
English Rose Tea Room
After visiting the English Rose Tea Room for a sit down tea experience, I always come here to peruse their expansive selections of loose leaf tea. You can buy by the ounce and they have so many to choose from. You're sure to find something you love! ...
Southern Virginia Tea Company - Quintin's Tea Room
If you're looking for ingredients for that Asian, Thai, Chinese, or Mexican dish, you'll find it here. There are soooo many interesting ingredients, fresh produce galore, and even a fish market you can check out. I am so glad I discovered this store ...
Grand Mart
Arts & Entertainment
Busch Gardens is not only a really fun amusement park with a kid friendly area (children's roller coasters and activities), but a great selection of food, drinks, and souvenirs. They make an effort to continue upgrading and adding to the park while k...
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Virginia Zoo is a great, family friendly zoo. There are tons of shaded areas, play areas for the children, a petting zoo, and even a train you can ride around the park!
Virginia Zoo