Stopped in to pick up the Christmas light tickets for this year and the visitor center part opens…read moreat 9:00. The park itself opens at 8:00 but this was such a cool little office visitor Center and they were so wonderful. So go in and get your tickets. I've honestly only been through the park for the Christmas lights so I do need to go back and check it out for a good hike

A lovely gem of a park that is kind of tucked away and would be easy to miss when in the area, that…read morewould be a shame, so do make a point of checking it out. Good for bikes, hikes, walking, running, dog walking, fishing, birding, etc. Plenty of parking is available and trails are well marked.

North End is a great option if you are looking to rent a house near the family-friendly resort area…read moreof the Virginia Beach Oceanfront or if you are a local looking for a beach day and want to avoid the Oceanfront's crowds and parking costs and don't mind the lack of facilities! -- What it Is -- North End Beach is a beachfront residential area that stretches from 42nd Street (near the Cavalier Hotel) to 80th Street (by Shore Drive). It has a spacious sand area, clean water, and moderate waves. It can still be busy but not as packed as the Oceanfront and is less crowded after July 4th. The city maintains lots of trash cans to make maintaining the beach easy. -- Pets -- It's more dog friendly than the Oceanfront: from Memorial Day (in May) through Labor Day (in September), leashed pets or off-leash and under the control of the owner are allowed on the beach before 10am and after 6pm. Outside of that season, there are no time limits. This is a great beach to walk dogs as there is plenty of space on the sand/shoreline. -- Less Restrictions -- There are less restrictions for playing sports on the sand, etc. at North End compared to the Oceanfront. (Check out www.vabeach.com/virginia-beach-basic-rules.) -- Lack of Amenities -- There are no amenities (showers, restrooms). This isn't a problem if you're renting nearby or if you're just visiting for part of the day as it's just a few minute drive from the rest of the city. -- Lifeguards -- There are no lifeguard stations excep the lifeguard crew does have patrols that go down the beach on ATVs from Labor Day through Memorial Day from 11am-6pm, and they will po the lifeguard crew does have patrols that go down the beach on ATVs from Labor Day through Memorial Day from 11am-6pm, and they will post the red flag warning of unsafe water conditions at the beach access points. -- What it's Not -- I am more of a OBX, beach specific type of vacationer. It's important to note that this North End Beach is still close to the Oceanfront beach/specific resort area is not that quiet, private type of destination. (You can find that elsewhere in the City of Virginia Beach.) It is has some jet noise from the nearby naval base. Also, the seashells have been pretty picked over for years. -- Parking -- Street parking is free and there are small parking lots with limited parking spots located along Pacific Ave (runs parallel to Atlantic Ave and to the ocean). These lots are located across from or within a block of the beach access points (which are about every block). Read street parking signs carefully as tow trucks readily enforce violations. -- Takeaway -- As a Coastal Virginia native and VA Beach resident of over a decade, I love living in VA Beach and being able to visit here often. The gentle slope of the sand into the ocean is great for children and wading in, and we used to walk our dog here for years without issue. It's my preferred local beach for a partial day trip and my favorite one in VA Beach for bringing a dog.

Great option to avoid the crowds, more of a residential beach with lots of cute beach cottages and…read morebungalows. Neighborhood street parking is available and limited, just be sure to pay attention to posted signage. We had an absolutely lovely day at the beach, there is a grocery near by on the main drag for snacks and beverages, there are no public bathrooms available at this beach.

I haven't fully explored every piece of this park, but it's worth a visit if you're looking for a…read morepicnic spot or just want to explore more of Newport News! It is the finish line location for the Newport News One City Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K so my visits have mostly been for that post-race medal picture and as a gathering spot to meet up with my friends as we finish the race. The "main attraction" is a huge victory arch. The arch was built after WWI-if I remember correctly this is where troops left their ships and were greeted with a parade and lots of fan faire! Today it's a memorial site, but I think it has been rededicated to all of our veterans and not only the ones who served in the first world war. Newport News typically hosts their Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Fourth of July celebrations here. If you go beyond the arch you'll find a great view of the James River which is perfect for a photo op or picnic by the water.

A Hidden gem in Newport News Victory Landing Park, located…read morein Newport News, Virginia, is a waterfront spot hidden from view by an office building and a memorial arch. Newport News near this part seems a little run down. It is a very nice place for relaxing or taking in scenic views of the James River. Nestled near the city's downtown area, this small park offers a peaceful retreat for locals and visitors alike. There is not much parking right next to the park but there seems to be street parking up the hill. The surrounding area is not the nicest area but if you can get to it, I think it is worth it. One of the nice features is the wide, unobstructed view of the river, where you can watch boats and ships pass by. The park is often quiet, making it an ideal spot for reflection or reading. Benches and picnic tables are scattered throughout, offering seating options for those who want to enjoy the fresh air. A paved walking path is also great for a leisurely stroll. While the park doesn't have a playground or large recreational facilities, it's well-maintained and offers clean surroundings. A short walk brings you to a beautifully landscaped area with neatly trimmed grass and thoughtfully placed flowers. There is an aircraft carrier to one side and 2 large support ships to the other. Informational plaques in the park provide historical context about Newport News' maritime heritage. The plaque tells the story of how ¼ of all the soldiers returning from World War I came through this park to come home. You can visit the large arch just up the hill if you want to learn more of the history of this spot. Overall, Victory Landing Park is a hidden gem for anyone seeking tranquility or waterfront beauty. While small, it's a charming spot to unwind and appreciate the natural and historical significance of the area.

This is a wonderful park that you can take your family too or even have events for large groups…read more Tennis courts, floating dock, boat ramp,hard dock, ultimate frisbee golf. Great running area, wonderful skate section. A lot of field to train on. You can fish, bbq, and take the kids to the park for slides and swings. Very nice place to spend time outside. They even have events at times like yoga at the park.

Beautiful fishing spot and a great place to watch the sunset. There are a few trails.read more

It's been a long time since last on the Noland Trail and I really enjoyed my two hour, six mile…read morehike. I started at Lions Bridge where there is limited parking. Much more availability of parking is at the Mariners Museum. The Noland Trail is not on public land, it's private and donated for public use. The trails snakes around the James River with beautiful scenery of woods and water. The trails snakes around is well marked. Every bridge has a marker, there are a lot of them. What impressed me the most was the trail is engineered. There is a massive amount of drainage to keep it dry. The elevations have wood ties to help with climbing. It's the most engineered trail I've ever hiked. You have options with length, but it's approximately 5-6 miles. There are no trash cans, or restrooms. However, the Mariners Museum has both and they welcome hikers. When talking to several friends about the Noland Trail they are unaware of its existence. Don't snooze on this trail and enjoy with the warmer weather.

The Noland Trail is one of my favorite spots to bike! I love soaking in all the views, the scenery…read moreis peaceful, and there's always something new to see. The trail is really well maintained, with a nice variety of hills, twists, and turns that keep the ride interesting without being too intense. There's plenty of parking and multiple entrances, which makes access super easy no matter where you're coming from. And don't be surprised if you spot some wildlife along the way. Whether you're biking, walking, or just looking to unwind outdoors, the Noland Trail is a gem!

Although the size of this beach is much smaller compared to other beaches in the area, there are…read moresome things I really appreciated about this particular spot. Accessibility issues often precludes those with mobility differences and I really appreciated how salient ADA was put into action-- not merely an empty gesture with bare minimum efforts, if that. (i.e., steep wheelchair ramp) Parking here is very easy and the picnic tables makes it perfect to eat al fresco. It gives you a nice view of the ocean without having to step onto the sand. In other words, there aren't sand dunes to scale up and down, or wooden staircases to go up and down. This makes it ideal to drop by even if you have mobility differences (e.g., wheelchair bound, unsteady gait from Parkinson's, stroke survivor, on oxygen, just had surgery) or just wanted to see the sea even with work clothes on. Due to the proximity of the parking lot and the oceanfront, it's also possible to just stay in the car and enjoy the view line watch the sunset. Not all disabilities are visible and I am thinking of everyone who needs safe space and means to leave quickly should such a moment strikes. Although it wasn't photographed, the area has bathrooms. The right side of the beach facing the ocean is inaccessible for all when the red flag is erected for live fire training. One star taken off for counting more than 15 separate pieces of trash in various sizes, big broken glass shards, and dog droppings. I get it that there's picnic tables and wind can blow things away but sh1t! If you have hound dogs like me, you may want to think twice about visiting. It's going to be a giant buffet for them. I hope nobody there that day heard me and my husband spending a lot of time hollering "LEAVE IT! LEAVE IT! OMG WHATS IN YOUR MOUTH?!?! LEAVE THAT ALONE! LEAVE THAT ALONE TOO!!! THIS WAY DOG. NO YOU CANT EAT THEM! NO NOT THAT EITHER!!! LEAVE. THAT. ALONE." In sum, I know this beach isn't for everyone and I know there are bigger and better. But I still appreciated the area and wouldn't mind returning to dine al fresco from dozens of other good places to eat -- the Bagel Baker, Bobo's, etc.

The beach sand was clean compared to other beaches I've been to. I really like that they have a big…read moreparking lot, clean bathrooms and some picnic tables with shaded areas. The bathroom does not have a baby changing table, but there is an outside shower head to rinse off. The ocean itself was really really brown...I've never seen such brown ocean water...I'm not sure why, but other people swimming in it didn't seem to mind.

Living in Newport News, trail walking has been a great hobby for myself. Checking out local nature…read moretrails has been one that I'm trying to upgrade. And it looks like I found a brand new one to add to my locations. Riverview Farm Park is located by Menchville High School. It has a playground area and soccer field for kids to play. They also have group shelters reserved for large picnics. For you trail lovers, they have a 2-mile loop where you can walk, jog or run. Some can even ride bikes. There aren't many trees around so walking during the summertime may not be your cup of tea. But it was really nice to take a morning stroll here with friends, even during cold weather. Everything was paved, which helps when your avoiding water puddles and such. Also, there is a separate trail located by the park visitor center where you have a view of the Warwick River. We didn't get the chance to go that route but will check it out when the weather becomes warmer. Again, this trail gets a thumbs up from yours truly and my friends. Till next time :)

This is a beautiful park with walking trails hills and plenty of room for skating or biking…read more There is even a small Skate park The playground is very big and fenced in they have a butterfly garden with beautiful flowers as well There is a dog park located on the far side of the park Close to the gymnastics studio my kids love this park because they have so much space to hang out and run and play. I love the fitness aspect

I absolutely love going to events at the Oceanfront so when I saw the Funk Fest was coming and…read moreCameo was going to be performing, I couldn't wait to go. The Funk Fest is set up right on the beach and General Admission is Free, so it brings out crowds of people. It took us over an hour to find parking and the traffic was ridiculous, that's the one downside going to Oceanfront events. Once we found parking, we grabbed our lawn chairs and walked to the beach. It was packed with people so we know once we found a seat, we didn't move lol. There were a few food vendors out there, most of them were selling seafood and wings, so my daughter ordered some Hot Honey Wings and a Crab Cake and it was absolutely amazing. We sat near one of the jumbo screens so we could see the artists and we had the best time. Cameo performed last but they did not disappoint. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we will definitely be back next year!

boardwalk smells and its dirty remove the porta johns…read more the benches are filthy clean them can't find a clean one to sit on stop having the porta john trucks drive on the concrete boardwalk in the morning when we're trying to watch the sunrise they stink and they drip shit