5 Free Things To Do in Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach has much to offer residents and visitors throughout the year. Spending the day with your family or friends doesn’t have to break the bank thanks to the many free options in and around the area. Whether you’ve just moved to Virginia Beach or have been a lifelong resident, our Checkered Flag Hyundai team invites you to explore these five free things to do in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Sand, Sun, and Beaches

Virginia Beach encompasses many beautiful beaches, from the bustling main beach to quieter options. If you’re looking to soak up the sun, build sandcastles, or take a dip in the ocean, you can visit one of the following beaches for free:

• Virginia Beach Oceanfront Beach: The 3-mile stretch of Virginia Beach Oceanfront is always bustling with activity, from live performances on the boardwalk to pier fishing.
• Sandbridge Beach: On the south side of Virginia Beach, you’ll discover a quieter beach with a near-deserted coastline offering you tranquility and peace.
• Chick’s Beach (Chesapeake Beach): This 2-mile stretch of beach between Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Lynnhaven Inlet features calm waves and beautiful scenery.

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

You’ll find the 28-foot-wide Virginia Beach Boardwalk on Oceanfront Beach, stretching 3 miles from Second Street to 40th Street. The boardwalk includes four oceanfront stages with live entertainment throughout the summer months. Along the boardwalk, you’ll also discover outdoor restaurants, bike rentals, and nautical sculptures. Everyone will enjoy the unbelievable views, excellent shopping, and unique restaurant offerings of the boardwalk. Early risers can enjoy the unbelievable sunrise, perfect for that great photo-op.

Mount Trashmore Park

What was once a landfill is now a landmark known as Mount Trashmore Park, featuring many eco-friendly amenities and located at 310 Edwin Drive. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the city decided to transform the 640,000-ton pile of trash into the first landfill park in the United States.

The main mountain at the park is 60 feet tall and 800 feet long, created by compacting clean soil and layers of solid waste. You’ll also find Encore Hill, Lake Windsor, and Lake Trashmore within the park. Lake Trashmore contains several fish species, with fishing allowed from shore with a Virginia freshwater fishing license. Amenities at Mount Trashmore Park include:

• Picnic areas (three large, two medium, and six mini picnic shelter areas featuring charcoal grills).
• Entertainment stage.
• Two volleyball courts.
• Skate park.
• Multiple playgrounds.
• Therapeutic cradle swings.
• Boardwalk.
• Outdoor fitness stations.
• Public restrooms.
• Vending machines.
• Path for hiking, jogging, walking, and biking.
• Seasonal concessions.

You can also check out several items at the park office, free with a valid photo ID:

• Volleyballs.
• Volleyball nets.
• Frisbees.
• Footballs.
• Playground balls.
• Corn hole boards and bags.
• Badminton equipment.
• Soccer balls.
• Wheelchairs.
• Large carts to haul items from the parking lot.

Kids Cove Playground

One of the biggest attractions at Mount Trashmore Park for families is Kids Cove Playground, a 26,000-square-foot playground area with three play areas on a rubber surface. One play area features swings for children of all ages and abilities, including a wheelchair swing. Another play area has a variety of climbing structures, while the other features elevated walkways, slides, climbers, and more playground equipment.

Picnic shelters and benches can be found throughout Kids Cove so that you can take a break while your children run and play. Kids Cove is ADA-accessible and offers a solar-powered charging station for your phone.

First Landing State Park

First Landing State Park has 1.5 miles of beachfront for you to enjoy, along with 20 miles of trails, guided kayak ecological tours, and visitor center exhibits. The hiking trails take you through the protected salt marsh habitat, featuring dunes, a tidal marsh, freshwater ponds, a forest, and a 3,000-acre protected cypress swamp. First Landing is registered as a Natural Landmark and is Virginia’s most popular state park. The maritime forest community is one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, and you can find it here at First Landing.

At the visitor center, you can learn about Virginia’s coastal environment and history. Campsites and cabins are available at First Landing if you want to make it a longer trip. You’ll also find boat ramps, a bicycle trail, picnic areas, and a swimming beach. Kayak tours and rentals are available as well to visitors of First Landing, which is located at 2500 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach.

Neptune’s Park and Symphony by the Sea Concert Series

Neptune’s Park is a beautiful outdoor venue featuring a statue of King Neptune at 24 feet and weighing 12 tons as the backdrop for the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series. You can visit the park, take photos with King Neptune, and stroll the beach before the concert. Plan to arrive early to claim your spot, as the concerts are typically well attended. All shows are free and open to the public, with VIP membership available for reserved seating and valet parking for all six concerts for $175 to $195 per person.

The Breeden Company presents Neptune Festival’s Symphony by the Sea Concert Series, starting on July 13, 2023. Six concerts are scheduled every other Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the 31st Street Stage throughout the summer. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform four scheduled concerts, with the Symphonicity Orchestra performing the other two. Rain dates are Aug. 3, Aug. 31, and Sept. 7.

Whether you’re looking to relax or explore, Virginia Beach offers many free activities for people of all ages. Our Checkered Flag Hyundai World team hopes you can visit one or more of these amazing spots in our beach town. If you think we missed something, just let us know so we can share it with the community. And when you’re ready to upgrade your vehicle, check out our selection at 3700 Sentara Way in Virginia Beach. You can also reach us via our secure online form or by calling 757-497-7777.

Virginia Beach by Nicolas Henderson is licensed with CC BY 2.0