Visiting the beach for the 1st time. Questions (Virginia Beach, Hampton: hotels, houses)

[dawn4261]

Hi, we will be visiting williamsburg(Busch Gardens) for the first time the week of Memorial day and want to take the kids to the beach a few times. Where would be a good location to drive to for beach access, so the kids can play in the water? We are not very interested in seeing all the touristy stuff along virginia beach. The closest to williamsburg the better, since that is where our hotel will be. Any suggestions with specific addresses or directions please? Thank you everyone.

[ODUProf]

Hi there,

To avoid tourists and still get the beach access, try Chick's Beach in VA Beach. Because it's on the Bay, the waves are supposed to be smaller if you have smaller children. To be honest, we have yet to go here and we've lived here almost two years but everyone I know says its great to avoid the tourists yet enjoy a day at the beach.

The problem is finding it and finding parking. So, be aware that it is tourist free for a reason and don't tell anyone I told you about it

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, you will have to deal with the tunnel traffic (HRBT) to get to and from VA Beach and that WILL be a headache. So, plan accordingly.

Chick's Beach - Virginia Beach, VA

[rtandc]

If you want to stay somewhere close to your hotel you could go to Jamestown beach, it's not really a beach ( like Va Bch) and it's not on the ocean but it's a place the kids could play in the water. It would also save you that 1-3 hour drive to Virginia Beach on a holiday weekend

[CrazyTed]

I'm not familiar with the other beaches that may be closer but for the non-tourist spot in Va Beach try Sandbridge Beach. South of the main beach area without any of the hotels or junk shops.

[LilyLady]

Originally Posted by rtandc

If you want to stay somewhere close to your hotel you could go to Jamestown beach, it's not really a beach ( like Va Bch) and it's not on the ocean but it's a place the kids could play in the water. It would also save you that 1-3 hour drive to Virginia Beach on a holiday weekend

Exactly what this says....

If all you want is beach time, another option on that side of the water is Buckroe Beach in Hampton. It'll save you that drive to VB on a holiday where you also have to deal with tunnel backups.
Parks and Recreation - Parks and Trails

[dawn4261]

Thanks everyone, I'll check them all out. My girls are 8 & 12 and would love both sand & waves. Does any of those locations have restrooms & are there tolls for the bridge? We were planning on going to the water Sunday before memorial day after lunch. Thanks again everyone. Besides busch gardens & the beach, is there anywhere else we should check out. Are there any lighthouses we can tour?

[dawn4261]

Was reading about Croatan beach, sounds like it might be a good spot for us, what do you guys think?

[poloi3eai2]

Anywhere on at Virginia Beach is going to be packed on Memorial Day weekend. Croatan gets packed as well.

Yorktown beach can get pretty packed too during Memorial day but not nearly as crazy as VA Beach. Yorktowns beach area is alot smaller so it can be almost as hard to find parking.

If you're going to a beach I suggest you start your day EARLY. On memorial day weekend everybody will flock to the sand and it'll be hard to find parking.

An alternative is Water Country which is in Williamsburg. Usually Busch Gardens sells bundle deals for Busch and Water Country since they own both. There's also Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg which has a big indoor water park. But I'm not sure if you can just buy water park tickets there without being a hotel guest.

[Caladium]

I just happen to have some photos of beaches in Williamsburg taken this past weekend. As the others have said, they are small river beaches. No waves, but you can smell the salt air and walk in the sand. The sand is not the smoothest sand (like in FL but isn't bad.) If you don't need changing facilities, my favorites were little stretches of beach along the Colonial Parkway (the section between Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown). Jamestown Beach also seemed nice for kids, plus you could then take the ferry ride for free (which is sort of fun).


Jamestown Beach


A stretch of beach along Colonial Parkway


Along Colonial Parkway


Yorktown Beach


Gloucester Point Beach (in the distance across the river)


Yorktown Beach

[Caladium]

Note: If you're going to Jamestown Beach, drive towards the ferry. The entrance to the beach is a gravel road almost at the ferry launch; in fact it's right where the cars start lining up.