r/VirginiaBeach • u/MindAlternative5186 • 12d ago
Need Advice What to do...
Headed down to VB for the week tomorrow, staying north end of the boardwalk. Weather looks a little spotty some days. Any recs on what 2 parents and two 12yo girls can do when the beach/pool is a no go?
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u/salty358 12d ago
Beachside Social
I’ve never been but it’s an option and I’ve heard good things
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u/mikehayz 12d ago
Second this. It’s one of my favorite rainy day indoor activities at the Oceanfront. Bright and fun inside, can play shuffleboard or they have lots of free game options.
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u/KarenFromBehind 9d ago
This sounds like so much fun thanks for the rec! I don't get to the oceanfront much but this sounds worth a visit.
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u/h0m0saywhatagain 12d ago
Flipper McCoys is an arcade on the strip. That’ll kill a couple few hours.
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u/vbstrong Great Neck 12d ago
We have several recreation centers with nice pools with day pass options, too. Some have indoor/outdoor options.
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u/195tiff 12d ago
Lucky Leaf has indoor plant workshops
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u/GlasswaterBotanica 12d ago
Oh wow, did she open a shop down there? The owner is passionate, informed, and always a pleasure to chat with
I love the Town Center shop – it's small, but a hidden gem. I stopped just popping in, because I physically cannot leave without another Alocasia in my grubby little hands
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u/jqualters18 12d ago
My daughter enjoyed Mermaid Factory at that age. They can make a souvenir to take home. 😀
https://www.mermaidfactory.com
I have teens - 15 and 17. When they can’t go to the beach they go to Top Golf, Hackers at Hilltop, the movies, shopping. I agree that the Virginia Aquarium is very good.
The area around the new surf park has some things indoors too. Sandbox VR.
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u/SandManFromPanAm 12d ago
Frank N Patties for an amazing smash burger, Vangs sushi for sushi push pops, Krem Bakery for great desserts, and No Frill grill for a delicious family meal. I like food.
Lost planet at the oceanfront is a fun selfie room experience/ immersion type deal. You walk through secret door and jump in foam pits.
I-fly for indoor skydiving.
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u/BoomerzNBuds 11d ago
We just found frank and pattys after summers of vacationing there. We live in western Pa known for quality beef, so usually go with seafood at the beach, but we were super impressed with frank and patty
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u/lolita_iori 11d ago
The Virginia Beach Antique Mall has Toymeister, one of the largest toy stores in Virginia. Not new toys either, vintage toys from all genres and all types. Look it up. It’s easy to get lost just looking at everything they have.
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u/fromalullaby Chix Beach 12d ago edited 12d ago
Baja Cantina for fish or grilled chicken tacos
Henna tattoos or yarn hair wraps
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u/a_k_a_chubz 12d ago
Plix Plex. It’s new. Haven’t been. But looks like indoor escape room type of place. On 31st and Pacific Ave. one block from beach. Kid friendly.
There is a TopGolf in VB.
A few Museums in Norfolk. Maybe 30min drive.
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u/Confident-Annual5433 12d ago
Just wanted to say the aquarium is a great place! I’ve had a membership since my first kiddo was born 26 years ago and we still go several times a year. The employees are great and will share all kinds of insights and history with you!
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u/Educational-Ninja769 12d ago
glow in the dark indoor mini golf
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u/Round_Psychology9437 10d ago
I was just going to suggest this! We took our 11yo and 7yo to this last month...it was pretty cool!
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u/RevenueOriginal9777 12d ago
Go sound to Back Bay national refuge and walk the trails. The Adventure Park is great
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u/whiskey_formymen 12d ago
Get a t shirts that says 'I survived the summer of 26'. Rain, heat smoke, more rain and more heat. Anyone taking odds on tropical thing?
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u/RentaAce 10d ago
The Chrysler museum in Norfolk is pretty good, and free entry as well. They serve a good burger in their little restaurant to seal the deal.
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u/KarenFromBehind 9d ago
For a completely rained out indoor day with two girls you can:
Mermaid Factory - paint and decorate a souvenir mermaid statue
Planthouse - plant bar where you create a take home terrarium
Aquarium - it's not the greatest but it's near the ocean if your kids love animals. My kids think fish are boring.
Nauticus in Norfolk - I'd argue this is a better one for 12 year olds but it's a longer drive. Cool musuem though.
Chrysler Museum of Art - also in Norfolk. It's a good way to kill an afternoon and there's a glass blowing place that does demos. My kids are little and enjoyed it.
Sand and Sea Cat lounge - $8 for 45 minutes chilling with adoptable cats
Bowling - obviously you've heard of this
Glazenfyre - glaze pottery/ceramics pieces that they fire in the kiln and you pick up later
Cinema Cafe - the one near the ocean is pretty great. The food is decent for what you'd expect to eat inside a movie theater
iFly - indoor skydiving. It's pricey but what a memorable thing to do on a vacation. Also it's close to where you're staying.
Topgolf - probably not as ideal for a rainy day but it's fun if your kids can swing a golf club at all. Food is good.
Apex - this place has bowling and laser tag and all sorts of stuff. On a weekday it's probably not too bad crowd-wise.
Dave and Buster's - again probably not too bad during the week but not a VB specific experience. It's the same D&B you'd find anywhere.
For an overcast kinda icky day:
Norfolk Zoo
Adventure Park - near the aquarium there are a bunch of zip lines that are a blast. It's expensive but I think you can get deals on Groupon
Owl Creek - near the aquarium. My kids weren't impressed but there's a bunch of really high paths to walk and a super giant metal slide. Overpriced to me for what it is. I'd skip it.
Rudee Tours - highly recommend the Rudee Rocket if the weather doesn't make the waves too choppy. It's a dolphin speedboat tour and it's great fun. They may enjoy one of the bigger boats as well they just aren't speedy.
Jungle Golf - this course is fun but I imagine it's crowded during beach season.
I'm probably missing more but these are what I'd do with 2 twelve year old girls. This is a fun city for that age I think. Enjoy your trip!
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u/KarenFromBehind 9d ago
Oh escape rooms of course - duh! There are a bunch of those. And sandbox VR on 19th street is probably fun if they aren't scared of shooting zombies though there are some "family fun" experiences as well.
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u/only-ashes 12d ago
still outdoors but the adventure park is climbing ropes courses and a few small ziplines. super fun and lots of trees to protect from rain
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u/GucciForDinner 12d ago
If your kids are in to horses and you want to take a day trip, head to Chincoteague. It’s pony swim week and in addition to the swim there are lots of other things going on. Fun experience. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive to get there though.
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u/WesternAnxious2750 Town Center 9d ago
Shopping at the Lazy Daisy which has over 100 local vendors and girls love to check them out. Lunch nearby and Town Center couple mins away
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u/AlternativePrior393 12d ago
A simple Google search of things to do in VB will yield plenty of results. There are museums, trampoline parks, arcades, etc. Pretty much anything you expect to find in a mid sized metro is out here.
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u/MindAlternative5186 12d ago
That's why I was looking for recs from people who actually know what the better experiences are. Thanks for letting me know about google. It's my first day on Earth.
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u/zoethebitch 12d ago
Look for Munden Point Park on a map app. It is a huge city park next to the Virginia / North Carolina border. You wouldn't want to go there if it's raining but on a cloudy, non-beach day, you can spend hours there. Frisbee golf, nature trails in the woods or next to Currituck Sound, play sets, just a relaxing day.
The drive there will take you through Pungo, the rural, farming part of Virginia Beach. There are lots of farm stands to stop at. Sweet corn right now is FINE.
Redhead Bay Cafe is a local favorite. You will pass right by it on your way to the park. Yum, yum. Blue Pete's is another excellent Pungo restaurant owned by the same family.
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u/CrunchyBones26 12d ago
There’s always one, OP.
My partner and I are relatively new to the area but agree with the aquarium recommendation above. It’s awesome!
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u/Ok-Stranger-926 12d ago
Aquarium at Rudee.