Virginia Beach is a nice place. When I lived there it felt like you were getting taxed to death!…read moreAlso, parking is not fun during the seemingly endless tourist season. There isn't a lot of industry in Viriginia Beach and that leaves a resident with an extremely long commute to NASA Langley, or the nearby Naval Air Stations, typically, in horrific traffic conditions! The Atlantic Ocean is cold here. The entire time I lived there, I never swam in the ocean. I lived in Oceanfront and could walk to the beach and to church. Mount Trashmore is a lot of fun and a great place to exercise and fly kites from the peak! I met and got Tony Hawk's autograph at the X Games in Va. Beach in 2997! The Va. Beach amphitheater brings a lot of great groups to the area! The three-mile ocean boardwalk is nice and is a great place to bike, rollerblade, jog, or walk. Be sure to visit the aquarium and pet a shark! The Cape Henry Lighthouse is fun to visit! Although I am very grateful to have had time living in Virginia Beach, Sweet Home Alabama is always my home!!!!!

Sandbridge is a bit like a tiny city of it's own, but it is Virginia Beach. If you've been to the…read moreOuter Banks of NC it has a similar feel. It has rental homes, second homes and condos. The beach and city come alive in the Summer. Parking has never been an issue at Sandbridge's public beach. Park at Little Island Park where there is a massive amount of space. The park is kept clean, had playground equipment and three large shelters which can be reserved. There are a few restaurants and even food trucks, but not much at all with regards to eating out. Your only 15-20 minutes from many food options. This goes for shopping of merchandise and groceries. There are small mom and pop shops only. Also I would be remiss to not mention Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge which is at the dead end South of the park. There is a cost per car to enter. Allow at least a half day exploration and worth not missing out of in the area. There are so many reasons why Virginia Beach residents feel as though they live in paradise. Our beaches point blank rock and few would dispute that the city knows how to take excellent care of them for our tourist and locals alike. As the weather becomes warm enough to take advantage get out and enjoy all there is to offer.

Old Point Comfort lighthouse is on Fort Monroe I did drive right by it the first time because I was…read moreexpecting it to be on the water side. It's actually sandwiched in between two houses, but if you're walking around I think you would have noticed it quicker than driving. Either way, a beautiful drive or a beautiful walk

Not exactly sure why this was only given 2 stars. The lighthouse and landscape both were beautiful…read more Now I realize this can only be seen from outdoors. Still it deserves more than 2 stars even for the upkeep of the landscape and views alone. We came in the spring. The flowers were blooming. We paid a visit on a weekday. Next to it was the light keeper house. It did state private property. So it was not available to view. You could still take pictures from the outside. Directly across the street is the amazing view of the water. Plenty of parking available and you can take a nice stroll to catch the views and Sunray. We stopped by here on our way back to Maryland. I have a thing for lighthouses. So definitely on my list for returning while in the area. Overall I'll give it a 3.5 rating.

I like Norfolk! I worked at the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk briefly. People for the Ethical…read moreTreatment of Animals (PETA) corporate headquarters has been based in Norfolk since 1996 and, I called on them when I worked in Chesapeake. Pro tip for visiting PETA - do not wear or carry anything leather. I like Waterside and I like Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, and really enjoyed the Titanic exhibit there in the late 1990s. I worked at Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk for about a year. This was quite the commute from Baltic Avenue in Virginia Beach to Norfolk, via the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel! I do not miss that tunnel! It's 3.5 miles that are mostly completely underwater. It was fun to watch the SEALs train at NAS! Although there is a lot to love in Virginia, I'm still so blessed and happy to be back in my home state - Sweet Home Alabama!

This review is specifically for Granby Street located in downtown Norfolk. I love everything Granby…read moreStreet has to offer. And it's a lot Restaurants to try: Hells Kitchen Hair of the Dog Grilled Cheese Bistro Granby Street Pizza Things to do: Murder Mystery show at Granby Theater Walk though the Vibe District and take in all the local art Highly recommend: Make a reservation for Trolly Pub Norfolk - it's an open space trolley that you can bring your own drinks on. It's about two hours going around the city of Norfolk. Great to do at night with a group of friends and people watch

This is my favorite part of downtown Norfolk just walk up and down granby or Monticello and you…read morewill see some of the coolest art work and graffiti I will add to the photos here soon Every visit I see something new it is so beautiful

This up and coming newcomer is sure to please the urban young professionals as well as the…read moreneighboring residents and families alike. What began as an industrial area is beginning to morph into the likes of Scott's Addition in Richmond. It offers a variety of eclectic restaurants (Commune, Neon House), eateries (Zeke's Beans & Bowls), and dessert pastry shops (Hummingbird Café, Brioche Bread & Bistro). It also offers various outdoor events at the Plot. The Culture Lounge provides entertainment as well. So check out this new area! It's Norfolk's answer to Virginia Beach's Vibe District!

This annual event organized to benefit the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD) is…read moreone of the most wacky, creative and fun events of the summer. Always held at the end of August on Oceanview beach, the Duct Tape Regatta challenges businesses, groups and individuals to build a small boat using only the most basic materials of plywood, screws and duct tape. For a small entrance fee, teams can sail the homemade and brightly decorated vessels off the docks and see who sinks, who swims and who can make it to the finish line with their boat still in tact. Whether you're participating or watching, the event is always a great time with food and drinks on deck. With the seventh annual installation coming soon, this event is sure to last a lifetime. Come out and join the fun for a great cause.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (often referred to as the MLK Spire) is a striking 83-foot-tall…read moremonument located at the intersection of Brambleton Avenue and Church Street. Originally dedicated in 2000, the spire features black granite panels and was designed to honor Dr. King's legacy in a historically Black neighborhood that once thrived as a cultural and commercial hub. After years of weather-related deterioration, the City of Norfolk undertook a major $836,000 restoration project, replacing the internal steel frame with hot-dip galvanized steel and refurbishing the granite panels to ensure the monument's longevity and nighttime illumination. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Norfolk twice, leaving a lasting impression both times. His first visit was for a civil rights rally at the Norfolk Arena (now the Harrison Opera House), and his second was on October 30, 1966, when he preached the installation sermon for Dr. Milton Reid at New Calvary Baptist Church. That Sunday, the church was packed to the rafters, with people even standing outside, drawn by King's message titled "A Knock at Midnight," which called on Christians to respond with compassion and urgency to those in need - a theme that resonated deeply in a city grappling with segregation and change. It's not just a memorial. This is a beacon, both literally and symbolically, anchoring a space where history, resilience, and remembrance converge. [Review 910 of 2025 - 1499 in Virginia - 24466 overall]

Lights at Norfolk Botanical Garden was absolutely beautiful and worth every penny. This was my…read moresecond year coming here. The displays were stunning, and having coffee and hot chocolate stations throughout the garden was such a nice touch--perfect for staying warm while walking. I do wish I had planned a little better, since Sundays are the only days pets are allowed. I would've loved to bring my dogs. That said, we went on Christmas night, and it was the perfect way to top off the day. It was a great walk and helped burn off all that Christmas dinner too. Overall, a wonderful experience and something I'd definitely suggest doing every year.

This is an older mural by the very talented artist Sam Welty, who teamed up with Wounded Wear to…read moreput this project together. It was completed in 2011. The mural is two stories high and depicts modern soldiers carrying a wounded comrade to a medevac on a hovering Blackhawk helicopter. You will see shadowy figures in front of those soldiers that represent soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The Vietnam War is included in the World War II figure because the uniforms were similar. The artist intended the shadowy solders of the past wars looking at "today's warriors preserving everything they fought for." Being over 10 years old and transferring ownership of the building has started to take its toll on the mural and it is starting to show signs of wear. The detail on the mural is still awesome as all of Welty's normally are. The helicopter and modern soldiers are very impressive, but as I mentioned this mural is starting to deteriorate and fade. You can also see where signs were when it was initially painted and has since been removed, leaving unpainted patches in the mural. The mural started on the Upper Deck restaurant, which changed ownership to Southern and Caribbean Bistro, to what it is now, the FFX Family Experience. It overlooks a janky looking commercial parking lot. As I previously mentioned, this mural is right over a commercial lot. There is also metered street parking and a few other commercial lots and garages within walking distance that you can park at to visit here. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price depending on what is going on and the season. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other boardwalk attractions/shops, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.